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Beltrán JF, Herrera-Belén L, Parraguez-Contreras F, Farías JG, Machuca-Sepúlveda J, Short S. MultiToxPred 1.0: a novel comprehensive tool for predicting 27 classes of protein toxins using an ensemble machine learning approach. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:148. [PMID: 38609877 PMCID: PMC11010298 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05748-z] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein toxins are defense mechanisms and adaptations found in various organisms and microorganisms, and their use in scientific research as therapeutic candidates is gaining relevance due to their effectiveness and specificity against cellular targets. However, discovering these toxins is time-consuming and expensive. In silico tools, particularly those based on machine learning and deep learning, have emerged as valuable resources to address this challenge. Existing tools primarily focus on binary classification, determining whether a protein is a toxin or not, and occasionally identifying specific types of toxins. For the first time, we propose a novel approach capable of classifying protein toxins into 27 distinct categories based on their mode of action within cells. To accomplish this, we assessed multiple machine learning techniques and found that an ensemble model incorporating the Light Gradient Boosting Machine and Quadratic Discriminant Analysis algorithms exhibited the best performance. During the tenfold cross-validation on the training dataset, our model exhibited notable metrics: 0.840 accuracy, 0.827 F1 score, 0.836 precision, 0.840 sensitivity, and 0.989 AUC. In the testing stage, using an independent dataset, the model achieved 0.846 accuracy, 0.838 F1 score, 0.847 precision, 0.849 sensitivity, and 0.991 AUC. These results present a powerful next-generation tool called MultiToxPred 1.0, accessible through a web application. We believe that MultiToxPred 1.0 has the potential to become an indispensable resource for researchers, facilitating the efficient identification of protein toxins. By leveraging this tool, scientists can accelerate their search for these toxins and advance their understanding of their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge F Beltrán
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile.
| | - Lisandra Herrera-Belén
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas, Temuco, Chile
| | - Fernanda Parraguez-Contreras
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jorge G Farías
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jorge Machuca-Sepúlveda
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Stefania Short
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
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di Leandro L, Colasante M, Pitari G, Ippoliti R. Hosts and Heterologous Expression Strategies of Recombinant Toxins for Therapeutic Purposes. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:699. [PMID: 38133203 PMCID: PMC10748335 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15120699] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of therapeutic recombinant toxins requires careful host cell selection. Bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells are common choices, but no universal solution exists. Achieving the delicate balance in toxin production is crucial due to potential self-intoxication. Recombinant toxins from various sources find applications in antimicrobials, biotechnology, cancer drugs, and vaccines. "Toxin-based therapy" targets diseased cells using three strategies. Targeted cancer therapy, like antibody-toxin conjugates, fusion toxins, or "suicide gene therapy", can selectively eliminate cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Notable toxins from various biological sources may be used as full-length toxins, as plant (saporin) or animal (melittin) toxins, or as isolated domains that are typical of bacterial toxins, including Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) and diphtheria toxin (DT). This paper outlines toxin expression methods and system advantages and disadvantages, emphasizing host cell selection's critical role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.d.L.); (M.C.); (G.P.)
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Zhang T, Dong S, Zhai Y, Naatz L, Zhou Z, Chen M. Diphtheria toxin-derived, anti-PD-1 immunotoxin, a potent and practical tool to selectively deplete PD-1 + cells. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4741. [PMID: 37515422 PMCID: PMC10443333 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4741] [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: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Programmed death-1 (PD-1), an immune checkpoint receptor, is expressed on activated lymphocytes, macrophages, and some types of tumor cells. While PD-1+ cells have been implicated in outcomes of cancer immunity, autoimmunity, and chronic infections, the exact roles of these cells in various physiological and pathological processes remain elusive. Molecules that target and deplete PD-1+ cells would be instrumental in defining the roles unambiguously. Previously, an immunotoxin has been generated for the depletion of PD-1+ cells though its usage is impeded by its low production yield. Thus, a more practical molecular tool is desired to deplete PD-1+ cells and to examine functions of these cells. We designed and generated a novel anti-PD1 diphtheria immunotoxin, termed PD-1 DIT, targeting PD-1+ cells. PD-1 DIT is comprised of two single chain variable fragments (scFv) derived from an anti-PD-1 antibody, coupled with the catalytic and translocation domains of the diphtheria toxin. PD-1 DIT was produced using a yeast expression system that has been engineered to efficiently produce protein toxins. The yield of PD-1 DIT reached 1-2 mg/L culture, which is 10 times higher than the previously reported immunotoxin. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analyses confirmed that PD-1 DIT specifically binds to and enters PD-1+ cells. The binding avidities between PD-1 DIT and two PD-1+ cell lines are approximately 25 nM. Moreover, PD-1 DIT demonstrated potent cytotoxicity toward PD-1+ cells, with a half maximal effective concentration (EC50 ) value of 1 nM. In vivo experiments further showed that PD-1 DIT effectively depleted PD-1+ cells and enabled mice inoculated with PD-1+ tumor cells to survive throughout the study. Our findings using PD-1 DIT revealed the critical role of pancreatic PD-1+ T cells in the development of type-1 diabetes (T1D). Additionally, we observed that PD-1 DIT treatment ameliorated relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (RR-EAE), a mouse model of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). Lastly, we did not observe significant hepatotoxicity in mice treated with PD-1 DIT, which had been reported for other immunotoxins derived from the diphtheria toxin. With its remarkable selective and potent cytotoxicity toward PD-1+ cells, coupled with its high production yield, PD-1 DIT emerges as a powerful biotechnological tool for elucidating the physiological roles of PD-1+ cells. Furthermore, the potential of PD-1 DIT to be developed into a novel therapeutic agent becomes evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxiao Zhang
- Department of Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Shuyun Dong
- Department of Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Yujia Zhai
- Department of Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Lauren Naatz
- Department of Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Zemin Zhou
- Department of PathologyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Mingnan Chen
- Department of Molecular PharmaceuticsUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
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Márquez-López A, Fanarraga ML. AB Toxins as High-Affinity Ligands for Cell Targeting in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11227. [PMID: 37446406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer have limitations, including the development of acquired resistance. However, novel alternatives have emerged in the form of targeted therapies based on AB toxins. These biotoxins are a diverse group of highly poisonous molecules that show a nanomolar affinity for their target cell receptors, making them an invaluable source of ligands for biomedical applications. Bacterial AB toxins, in particular, are modular proteins that can be genetically engineered to develop high-affinity therapeutic compounds. These toxins consist of two distinct domains: a catalytically active domain and an innocuous domain that acts as a ligand, directing the catalytic domain to the target cells. Interestingly, many tumor cells show receptors on the surface that are recognized by AB toxins, making these high-affinity proteins promising tools for developing new methods for targeting anticancer therapies. Here we describe the structure and mechanisms of action of Diphtheria (Dtx), Anthrax (Atx), Shiga (Stx), and Cholera (Ctx) toxins, and review the potential uses of AB toxins in cancer therapy. We also discuss the main advances in this field, some successful results, and, finally, the possible development of innovative and precise applications in oncology based on engineered recombinant AB toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Márquez-López
- The Nanomedicine Group, Institute Valdecilla-IDIVAL, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Mónica L Fanarraga
- The Nanomedicine Group, Institute Valdecilla-IDIVAL, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
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Sampson JH, Singh Achrol A, Aghi MK, Bankiewicz K, Bexon M, Brem S, Brenner A, Chandhasin C, Chowdhary S, Coello M, Ellingson BM, Floyd JR, Han S, Kesari S, Mardor Y, Merchant F, Merchant N, Randazzo D, Vogelbaum M, Vrionis F, Wembacher-Schroeder E, Zabek M, Butowski N. Targeting the IL4 receptor with MDNA55 in patients with recurrent glioblastoma: Results of a phase IIb trial. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1085-1097. [PMID: 36640127 PMCID: PMC10237418 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MDNA55 is an interleukin 4 receptor (IL4R)-targeting toxin in development for recurrent GBM, a universally fatal disease. IL4R is overexpressed in GBM as well as cells of the tumor microenvironment. High expression of IL4R is associated with poor clinical outcomes. METHODS MDNA55-05 is an open-label, single-arm phase IIb study of MDNA55 in recurrent GBM (rGBM) patients with an aggressive form of GBM (de novo GBM, IDH wild-type, and nonresectable at recurrence) on their 1st or 2nd recurrence. MDNA55 was administered intratumorally as a single dose treatment (dose range of 18 to 240 ug) using convection-enhanced delivery (CED) with up to 4 stereo-tactically placed catheters. It was co-infused with a contrast agent (Gd-DTPA, Magnevist®) to assess distribution in and around the tumor margins. The flow rate of each catheter did not exceed 10μL/min to ensure that the infusion duration did not exceed 48 h. The primary endpoint was mOS, with secondary endpoints determining the effects of IL4R status on mOS and PFS. RESULTS MDNA55 showed an acceptable safety profile at doses up to 240 μg. In all evaluable patients (n = 44) mOS was 11.64 months (80% one-sided CI 8.62, 15.02) and OS-12 was 46%. A subgroup (n = 32) consisting of IL4R High and IL4R Low patients treated with high-dose MDNA55 (>180 ug) showed the best benefit with mOS of 15 months, OS-12 of 55%. Based on mRANO criteria, tumor control was observed in 81% (26/32), including those patients who exhibited pseudo-progression (15/26). CONCLUSIONS MDNA55 demonstrated tumor control and promising survival and may benefit rGBM patients when treated at high-dose irrespective of IL4R expression level.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02858895.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Sampson
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Achal Singh Achrol
- Loma Linda University Medical Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Manish K Aghi
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Neurological Surgery, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Krystof Bankiewicz
- Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Steven Brem
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurosurgery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew Brenner
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | | | | | - Benjamin M Ellingson
- University of California, Los Angeles, Brain Tumor Imaging Laboratory (BTIL), California, USA
| | - John R Floyd
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Seunggu Han
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Santosh Kesari
- Pacific Neurosciences Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dina Randazzo
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael Vogelbaum
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Frank Vrionis
- Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | | | | | - Nicholas Butowski
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Neurological Surgery, San Francisco, California, USA
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6
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Roshan R, Naderi S, Behdani M, Ahangari Cohan R, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. A Novel Immunotoxin Targeting Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Using Single Domain Antibody Fused to Diphtheria Toxin. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:637-644. [PMID: 36129635 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00565-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers such as colon, stomach, pancreas, and prostate adenocarcinomas. Inhibition of EpCAM is considered as a potential target for cancer therapy. In current study, anti-EpCAM immunotoxin (α-EpCAM IT) was developed using genetic fusion of α-EpCAM single domain antibody (nanobody) (α-EpCAM Nb) to truncated form of diphtheria toxin. The expression of recombinant α-EpCAM IT was induced by Isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blot. Recombinant α-EpCAM IT was purified from the inclusion bodies and refolded using urea gradient procedure. The cytotoxicity and apoptosis activity of α-EpCAM IT on EpCAM over-expressing (MCF7), low-expressing (HEK293), and no-expressing (HUVEC) cells were evaluated by 3-4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl (MTT) assay and annexin V-FITC-PI assay as well. In addition, anti-tumor activity of α-EpCAM IT was evaluated on nude mice bearing MCF7 tumor cells. Results showed success expression and purification of α-EpCAM IT. The α-EpCAM IT showed time and dose-dependent anti-proliferative activity on MCF-7 cells. However, α-EpCAM IT did not show any anti-proliferative activity on HEK293 and HUVEC cells as well. In addition, the annexin V-FITC-PI assay results showed that α-EpCAM IT significantly increased apoptotic rate in MCF-7 cells with no effect on HEK293 and HUVEC as well. Moreover, α-EpCAM IT significantly reduced tumor size in vivo study. The achieved results indicate the potential of designing α-EpCAM IT as a novel therapeutic for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyhaneh Roshan
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shamsi Naderi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Ahangari Cohan
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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7
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Targeting the Inside of Cells with Biologicals: Toxin Routes in a Therapeutic Context. BioDrugs 2023; 37:181-203. [PMID: 36729328 PMCID: PMC9893211 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00580-y] [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] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous toxins translocate to the cytosol in order to fulfil their function. This demonstrates the existence of routes for proteins from the extracellular space to the cytosol. Understanding these routes is relevant to multiple aspects related to therapeutic applications. These include the development of anti-toxin treatments, the potential use of toxins as shuttles for delivering macromolecular cargo to the cytosol or the use of drugs based on toxins. Compared with other strategies for delivery, such as chemicals as carriers for macromolecular delivery or physical methods like electroporation, toxin routes present paths into the cell that potentially cause less damage and can be specifically targeted. The efficiency of delivery via toxin routes is limited. However, low-delivery efficiencies can be entirely sufficient, if delivered cargoes possess an amplification effect or if very few molecules are sufficient for inducing the desired effects. This is known for example from RNA-based vaccines that have been developed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as well as for other approved RNA-based drugs, which elicited the desired effect despite their typically low delivery efficiencies. The different mechanisms by which toxins enter cells may have implications for their technological utility. We review the mechanistic principles of the translocation pathway of toxins from the extracellular space to the cytosol, the delivery efficiencies, and therapeutic strategies or applications that exploit toxin routes for intracellular delivery.
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MAPK Cascade Signaling Is Involved in α-MMC Induced Growth Inhibition of Multiple Myeloma MM.1S Cells via G2 Arrest and Mitochondrial-Pathway-Dependent Apoptosis In Vitro. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16010124. [PMID: 36678620 PMCID: PMC9867419 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010124] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma is a hematological malignancy characterized by the unrestricted proliferation of plasma cells that secrete monoclonal immunoglobulins in the bone marrow. Alpha-momorcharin (α-MMC) is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein extracted from the seeds of the edible plant Momordica charantia L., which has a variety of biological activities. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of α-MMC on the proliferation of multiple myeloma MM.1S cells and the molecular mechanism of MM.1S cell death induced through the activation of cell signal transduction pathways. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine the inhibitory effect of α-MMC on the proliferation of MM.1S cells and its toxic effect on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The effect of α-MMC on the MM.1S cells' morphology was observed via inverted microscope imaging. The effects of α-MMC on the MM.1S cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and apoptosis were explored using propidium iodide, JC-1, annexin V- fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide fluorescence staining, and flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. Western blot was used to detect the expressions levels of apoptosis-related proteins and MAPK-signaling-pathway-related proteins in MM.1S cells induced by α-MMC. The results of the CCK-8 showed that in the concentration range of no significant toxicity to PBMCs, α-MMC inhibited the proliferation of MM.1S cells in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner, and the IC50 value was 13.04 and 7.518 μg/mL for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Through inverted microscope imaging, it was observed that α-MMC induced a typical apoptotic morphology in MM.1S cells. The results of the FCM detection and analysis showed that α-MMC could arrest the MM.1S cells cycle at the G2 phase, decrease the MMP, and induce cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis found that α-MMC upregulated the expression levels of Bax, Bid, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP, and downregulated the expression levels of Mcl-1. At the same time, α-MMC decreased the expression levels of p-c-Raf, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-MSK1, and p-P90RSK, and increased the expression levels of p-p38, p-SPAK/JNK, p-c-Jun, and p-ATF2. The above results suggest that α-MMC can inhibit the proliferation of multiple myeloma MM.1S cells. MAPK cascade signaling is involved in the growth inhibition effect of α-MMC on MM.1S cells via cycle arrest and mitochondrial-pathway-dependent apoptosis.
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Medina-Gutiérrez E, García-León A, Gallardo A, Álamo P, Alba-Castellón L, Unzueta U, Villaverde A, Vázquez E, Casanova I, Mangues R. Potent Anticancer Activity of CXCR4-Targeted Nanostructured Toxins in Aggressive Endometrial Cancer Models. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010085. [PMID: 36612081 PMCID: PMC9818013 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010085] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced endometrial cancer (EC) show poor outcomes. Thus, the development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent metastasis development in high-risk patients is an unmet need. CXCR4 is overexpressed in EC tumor tissue, epitomizing an unexploited therapeutic target for this malignancy. The in vitro antitumor activity of two CXCR4-targeted nanoparticles, including either the C. diphtheriae (T22-DITOX-H6) or P. aeruginosa (T22-PE24-H6) toxin, was evaluated using viability assays. Apoptotic activation was assessed by DAPI and caspase-3 and PARP cleavage in cell blocks. Both nanotoxins were repeatedly administrated to a subcutaneous EC mouse model, whereas T22-DITOX-H6 was also used in a highly metastatic EC orthotopic model. Tumor burden was assessed through bioluminescence, while metastatic foci and toxicity were studied using histological or immunohistochemical analysis. We found that both nanotoxins exerted a potent antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo via apoptosis and extended the survival of nanotoxin-treated mice without inducing any off-target toxicity. Repeated T22-DITOX-H6 administration in the metastatic model induced a dramatic reduction in tumor burden while significantly blocking peritoneal, lung and liver metastasis without systemic toxicity. Both nanotoxins, but especially T22-DITOX-H6, represent a promising therapeutic alternative for EC patients that have a dismal prognosis and lack effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Medina-Gutiérrez
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Annabel García-León
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Gallardo
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Álamo
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorena Alba-Castellón
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Esther Vázquez
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Isolda Casanova
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (I.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Ramon Mangues
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drugs Group, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (I.C.); (R.M.)
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10
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Balalaeva IV, Krylova LV, Karpova MA, Shulga AA, Konovalova EV, Guryev EL, Deyev SM. Synergistic Effect of the Combined Action of Targeted and Photodynamic Therapy on HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2022; 507:330-333. [PMID: 36786996 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672922340038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Development of combined schemes for the treatment of oncological diseases is a promising strategy to improve the effectiveness of antitumor therapy. This paper shows the fundamental possibility of multiplying the antitumor effect by combining targeted and photodynamic therapy. It was demonstrated that sequential treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer cells with the targeted toxin DARPin-LoPE and the photoactive compound photodithazine leads to a synergistic enhancement of their effect. In the future, this approach is intended to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect while minimizing the risks of negative side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- I V Balalaeva
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
| | - L V Krylova
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - M A Karpova
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - A A Shulga
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - E V Konovalova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - E L Guryev
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - S M Deyev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia. .,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
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11
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Dicks LMT, Vermeulen W. Do Bacteria Provide an Alternative to Cancer Treatment and What Role Does Lactic Acid Bacteria Play? Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091733. [PMID: 36144335 PMCID: PMC9501580 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. According to 2022 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 10 million deaths have been reported in 2020 and it is estimated that the number of cancer cases world-wide could increase to 21.6 million by 2030. Breast, lung, thyroid, pancreatic, liver, prostate, bladder, kidney, pelvis, colon, and rectum cancers are the most prevalent. Each year, approximately 400,000 children develop cancer. Treatment between countries vary, but usually includes either surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Modern treatments such as hormone-, immuno- and antibody-based therapies are becoming increasingly popular. Several recent reports have been published on toxins, antibiotics, bacteriocins, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, phenylpropanoids, phenylflavonoids, purine nucleosides, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and enzymes with anticancer properties. Most of these molecules target cancer cells in a selective manner, either directly or indirectly through specific pathways. This review discusses the role of bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria, and their metabolites in the treatment of cancer.
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12
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Kwon NY, Sung SH, Sung HK, Park JK. Anticancer Activity of Bee Venom Components against Breast Cancer. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14070460. [PMID: 35878198 PMCID: PMC9318616 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
While the survival rate has increased due to treatments for breast cancer, the quality of life has decreased because of the side effects of chemotherapy. Various toxins are being developed as alternative breast cancer treatments, and bee venom is drawing attention as one of them. We analyzed the effect of bee venom and its components on breast cancer cells and reviewed the mechanism underlying the anticancer effects of bee venom. Data up to March 2022 were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, OASIS, KISS, and Science Direct online databases, and studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Among 612 studies, 11 were selected for this research. Diverse drugs were administered, including crude bee venom, melittin, phospholipase A2, and their complexes. All drugs reduced the number of breast cancer cells in proportion to the dose and time. The mechanisms of anticancer effects included cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell targeting, gene expression regulation, and cell lysis. Summarily, bee venom and its components exert anticancer effects on human breast cancer cells. Depending on the mechanisms of anticancer effects, side effects are expected to be reduced by using various vehicles. Bee venom and its components have the potential to prevent and treat breast cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-Yoen Kwon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Ga-Chon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Korea;
| | - Soo-Hyun Sung
- Department of Policy Development, National Institute of Korean Medicine Development, Seoul 04554, Korea;
| | - Hyun-Kyung Sung
- Department of Korean Medicine Pediatrics, School of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.-K.S.); (J.-K.P.); Tel.: +82-43-841-1739 (H.-K.S.); +82-55-360-5978 (J.-K.P.)
| | - Jang-Kyung Park
- Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.-K.S.); (J.-K.P.); Tel.: +82-43-841-1739 (H.-K.S.); +82-55-360-5978 (J.-K.P.)
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13
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Harnessing the Natural Toxic Metabolites in COVID-19. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:3954944. [PMID: 35273645 PMCID: PMC8902635 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3954944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus and the cause of the recent pandemic; it is an enveloped β-coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 appear in the Wuhan City of China for the first time and outspread worldwide quickly. Due to its person-to-person fast transmission, COVID-19 is becoming a global problem. SARS-CoV-2 enter into cells by using ACE2 receptors that are numerous in the lungs and finally can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Dry cough, sore throat, fever, body pain, headache, GIT discomfort, diarrhoea, and fatigue are some of the COVID-19 symptoms. There is no definite and certain treatment for disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 till now. Some pharmacological effects of toxins, toxoids, and venoms have been proven, and their effects on some diseases have been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the role of toxins, toxoids, and venom in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 disease.
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14
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Shipunova VO, Deyev SM. Artificial Scaffold Polypeptides As an Efficient Tool for the Targeted Delivery of Nanostructures In Vitro and In Vivo. Acta Naturae 2022; 14:54-72. [PMID: 35441046 PMCID: PMC9013437 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.11545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of traditional tools for the targeted delivery of nanostructures, such
as antibodies, transferrin, lectins, or aptamers, often leads to an entire
range of undesirable effects. The large size of antibodies often does not allow
one to reach the required number of molecules on the surface of nanostructures
during modification, and the constant domains of heavy chains, due to their
effector functions, can induce phagocytosis. In the recent two decades,
targeted polypeptide scaffold molecules of a non-immunoglobulin nature,
antibody mimetics, have emerged as much more effective targeting tools. They
are small in size (3–20 kDa), possess high affinity (from subnano- to
femtomolar binding constants), low immunogenicity, and exceptional
thermodynamic stability. These molecules can be effectively produced in
bacterial cells, and, using genetic engineering manipulations, it is possible
to create multispecific fusion proteins for the targeting of nanoparticles to
cells with a given molecular portrait, which makes scaffold polypeptides an
optimal tool for theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. O. Shipunova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
| | - S. M. Deyev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
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15
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Abstract
Gene therapy has started in the late 1980s as novel, clinically applicable therapeutic option. It revolutionized the treatment of genetic diseases with the initial intent to repair or replace defective genes. Gene therapy has been adapted for treatment of malignant diseases to improve the outcome of cancer patients. In fact, cancer gene therapy has rapidly gained great interest and evolved into a research field with highest proportion of research activities in gene therapy. In this context, cancer gene therapy has long entered translation into clinical trials and therefore more than two-thirds of all gene therapy trials worldwide are aiming at the treatment of cancer disease using different therapeutic strategies. During the decades in cancer gene therapy, tremendous knowledge has accumulated. This led to significant improvements in vector design, transgene repertoire, more targeted interventions, use of novel gene therapeutic technologies such as CRISPR/Cas, sleeping beauty vectors, and development of effective cancer immunogene therapies. In this chapter, a brief overview of current key developments in cancer gene therapy is provided to gain insights into the recent directions in research as well as in clinical application of cancer gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Kobelt
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Deutsches Krebsforschungzentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Pahle
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Walther
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Deutsches Krebsforschungzentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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16
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Gupta KH, Nowicki C, Giurini EF, Marzo AL, Zloza A. Bacterial-Based Cancer Therapy (BBCT): Recent Advances, Current Challenges, and Future Prospects for Cancer Immunotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9121497. [PMID: 34960243 PMCID: PMC8707929 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9121497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently approximately 10 million people die each year due to cancer, and cancer is the cause of every sixth death worldwide. Tremendous efforts and progress have been made towards finding a cure for cancer. However, numerous challenges have been faced due to adverse effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and alternative cancer therapies, including toxicity to non-cancerous cells, the inability of drugs to reach deep tumor tissue, and the persistent problem of increasing drug resistance in tumor cells. These challenges have increased the demand for the development of alternative approaches with greater selectivity and effectiveness against tumor cells. Cancer immunotherapy has made significant advancements towards eliminating cancer. Our understanding of cancer-directed immune responses and the mechanisms through which immune cells invade tumors have extensively helped us in the development of new therapies. Among immunotherapies, the application of bacteria and bacterial-based products has promising potential to be used as treatments that combat cancer. Bacterial targeting of tumors has been developed as a unique therapeutic option that meets the ongoing challenges of cancer treatment. In comparison with other cancer therapeutics, bacterial-based therapies have capabilities for suppressing cancer. Bacteria are known to accumulate and proliferate in the tumor microenvironment and initiate antitumor immune responses. We are currently well-informed regarding various methods by which bacteria can be manipulated by simple genetic engineering or synthetic bioengineering to induce the production of anti-cancer drugs. Further, bacterial-based cancer therapy (BBCT) can be either used as a monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer therapies for better clinical outcomes. Here, we review recent advances, current challenges, and prospects of bacteria and bacterial products in the development of BBCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajal H. Gupta
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (K.H.G.); (C.N.); (E.F.G.); (A.L.M.)
- Division of Translational and Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Christina Nowicki
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (K.H.G.); (C.N.); (E.F.G.); (A.L.M.)
- Division of Translational and Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Eileena F. Giurini
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (K.H.G.); (C.N.); (E.F.G.); (A.L.M.)
- Division of Translational and Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Amanda L. Marzo
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (K.H.G.); (C.N.); (E.F.G.); (A.L.M.)
- Division of Translational and Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Andrew Zloza
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (K.H.G.); (C.N.); (E.F.G.); (A.L.M.)
- Division of Translational and Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence:
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17
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Havaei SM, Aucoin MG, Jahanian-Najafabadi A. Pseudomonas Exotoxin-Based Immunotoxins: Over Three Decades of Efforts on Targeting Cancer Cells With the Toxin. Front Oncol 2021; 11:781800. [PMID: 34976821 PMCID: PMC8716853 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.781800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the prominent causes of death worldwide. Despite the existence of various modalities for cancer treatment, many types of cancer remain uncured or develop resistance to therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, almost all chemotherapeutics cause a range of side effects because they affect normal cells in addition to malignant cells. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic agents that are targeted specifically toward cancer cells is indispensable. Immunotoxins (ITs) are a class of tumor cell-targeted fusion proteins consisting of both a targeting moiety and a toxic moiety. The targeting moiety is usually an antibody/antibody fragment or a ligand of the immune system that can bind an antigen or receptor that is only expressed or overexpressed by cancer cells but not normal cells. The toxic moiety is usually a protein toxin (or derivative) of animal, plant, insect, or bacterial origin. To date, three ITs have gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for human use, including denileukin diftitox (FDA approval: 1999), tagraxofusp (FDA approval: 2018), and moxetumomab pasudotox (FDA approval: 2018). All of these ITs take advantage of bacterial protein toxins. The toxic moiety of the first two ITs is a truncated form of diphtheria toxin, and the third is a derivative of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). There is a growing list of ITs using PE, or its derivatives, being evaluated preclinically or clinically. Here, we will review these ITs to highlight the advances in PE-based anticancer strategies, as well as review the targeting moieties that are used to reduce the non-specific destruction of non-cancerous cells. Although we tried to be as comprehensive as possible, we have limited our review to those ITs that have proceeded to clinical trials and are still under active clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mehdi Havaei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marc G. Aucoin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Ali Jahanian-Najafabadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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18
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Metrangolo V, Ploug M, Engelholm LH. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) as a "Trojan Horse" in Targeted Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215376. [PMID: 34771541 PMCID: PMC8582577 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Discovered more than three decades ago, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has now firmly established itself as a versatile molecular target holding promise for the treatment of aggressive malignancies. The copious abundance of uPAR in virtually all human cancerous tissues versus their healthy counterparts has fostered a gradual shift in the therapeutic landscape targeting this receptor from function inhibition to cytotoxic approaches to selectively eradicate the uPAR-expressing cells by delivering a targeted cytotoxic insult. Multiple avenues are being explored in a preclinical setting, including the more innovative immune- or stroma targeting therapies. This review discusses the current state of these strategies, their potentialities, and challenges, along with future directions in the field of uPAR targeting. Abstract One of the largest challenges to the implementation of precision oncology is identifying and validating selective tumor-driving targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy while limiting off-target toxicity. In this context, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has progressively emerged as a promising therapeutic target in the management of aggressive malignancies. By focalizing the plasminogen activation cascade and subsequent extracellular proteolysis on the cell surface of migrating cells, uPAR endows malignant cells with a high proteolytic and migratory potential to dissolve the restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) barriers and metastasize to distant sites. uPAR is also assumed to choreograph multiple other neoplastic stages via a complex molecular interplay with distinct cancer-associated signaling pathways. Accordingly, high uPAR expression is observed in virtually all human cancers and is frequently associated with poor patient prognosis and survival. The promising therapeutic potential unveiled by the pleiotropic nature of this receptor has prompted the development of distinct targeted intervention strategies. The present review will focus on recently emerged cytotoxic approaches emphasizing the novel technologies and related limits hindering their application in the clinical setting. Finally, future research directions and emerging opportunities in the field of uPAR targeting are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Metrangolo
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars H. Engelholm
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-31-43-20-77
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19
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Khirehgesh MR, Sharifi J, Safari F, Akbari B. Immunotoxins and nanobody-based immunotoxins: review and update. J Drug Target 2021; 29:848-862. [PMID: 33615933 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2021.1894435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotoxins (ITs) are protein-based drugs that compose of targeting and cytotoxic moieties. After binding the IT to the specific cell-surface antigen, the IT internalises into the target cell and kills it. Targeting and cytotoxic moieties usually include monoclonal antibodies and protein toxins with bacterial or plant origin, respectively. ITs have been successful in haematologic malignancies treatment. However, ITs penetrate poorly into solid tumours because of their large size. Use of camelid antibody fragments known as nanobodies (Nbs) as a targeting moiety may overcome this problem. Nbs are the smallest fragment of antibodies with excellent tumour tissue penetration. The ability to recognise cryptic (immuno-evasive) target antigens, low immunogenicity, and high-affinity are other fundamental characteristics of Nbs that make them suitable candidates in targeted therapy. Here, we reviewed and discussed the structure and function of ITs, Nbs, and nanobody-based ITs. To gain sound insight into the issue at hand, we focussed on nanobody-based ITs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Khirehgesh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Jafar Sharifi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Safari
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahman Akbari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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20
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Effective Oncoleaking Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer by Claudin-Targeted Suicide Gene Therapy with Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin (CPE). Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174393. [PMID: 34503203 PMCID: PMC8431234 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174393] [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: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Current therapies for pancreas carcinoma (PC) are of limited efficacy due to tumor aggressiveness and therapy resistance. Bacterial toxins with pore-forming (oncoleaking) potential are promising tools in cancer therapy. We have developed a novel, suicide gene therapy treatment, based on Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE)-mediated oncoleaking. This is achieved by CPE suicide gene therapy to treat PC, which overexpresses the claudin-3 and -4 (Cldn3/4) tight junction proteins, which are targets of CPE action. This targeted gene therapy causes rapid eradication of Cldn3/4 overexpressing PC cells via oncoleaking and initiation of apoptotic/necrotic signaling. We demonstrate efficacy of this approach in vitro and after nonviral in vivo gene transfer in cell lines and in patient derived xenograft PC models. This therapy approach has translational potential for treatment of pancreas carcinomas and could also be translated into new combination settings with conventional chemotherapy. Abstract Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, associated with poor prognosis and restricted therapeutic options. Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), is a pore-forming (oncoleaking) toxin, which binds to claudin-3 and -4 (Cldn3/4) causing selective cytotoxicity. Cldn3/4 are highly upregulated in PC and represent an effective target for oncoleaking therapy. We utilized a translation-optimized CPE vector (optCPE) for new suicide approach of PC in vitro and in cell lines (CDX) and patient-derived pancreatic cancer xenografts (PDX) in vivo. The study demonstrates selective toxicity in Cldn3/4 overexpressing PC cells by optCPE gene transfer, mediated by pore formation, activation of apoptotic/necrotic signaling in vitro, induction of necrosis and of bystander tumor cell killing in vivo. The optCPE non-viral intratumoral in vivo jet-injection gene therapy shows targeted antitumoral efficacy in different CDX and PDX PC models, leading to reduced tumor viability and induction of tumor necrosis, which is further enhanced if combined with chemotherapy. This selective oncoleaking suicide gene therapy improves therapeutic efficacy in pancreas carcinoma and will be of value for better local control, particularly of unresectable or therapy refractory PC.
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21
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Yang S, Ngai WSC, Chen PR. Chemical engineering of bacterial effectors for regulating cell signaling and responses. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 64:48-56. [PMID: 33993047 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved a variety of effector proteins to facilitate their survival and proliferation within the host environment. Continuous competition at the host-pathogen interface has empowered these effectors with unique mechanism and high specificity toward their host targets. The rich repertoire of bacterial effectors has thus provided us an attractive toolkit for investigating various cellular processes, such as signal transductions. With recent advances in protein chemistry and engineering, we now have the capability for on-demand control of protein activity with high precision. Herein, we review the development of chemically engineered bacterial effectors to control kinase-mediated signal transductions, inhibit protein translation, and direct genetic editing within host cells. We also highlight future opportunities for harnessing diverse prokaryotic effectors as powerful tools for mechanistic investigation and therapeutic intervention of eukaryotic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojun Yang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - William Shu Ching Ngai
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Peng R Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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22
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Dashtiahangar M, Rahbarnia L, Farajnia S, Salmaninejad A, Shabgah AG, Ghasemali S. Anti-cancer Immunotoxins, Challenges, and Approaches. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:932-941. [PMID: 33023437 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201006155346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of recombinant immunotoxins (RITs) as a novel therapeutic strategy has made a revolution in the treatment of cancer. RITs result from the fusion of antibodies to toxin proteins for targeting and eliminating cancerous cells by inhibiting protein synthesis. Despite indisputable outcomes of RITs regarding inhibition of multiple cancer types, high immunogenicity has been known as the main obstacle in the clinical use of RITs. Various strategies have been proposed to overcome these limitations, including immunosuppressive therapy, humanization of the antibody fragment moiety, generation of immunotoxins originated from endogenous human cytotoxic enzymes, and modification of the toxin moiety to escape the immune system. This paper is devoted to review recent advances in the design of immunotoxins with lower immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Dashtiahangar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Leila Rahbarnia
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Safar Farajnia
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Samaneh Ghasemali
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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23
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Setayesh-Mehr Z, Poorsargol M. Toxic proteins application in cancer therapy. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:3827-3840. [PMID: 33895972 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06363-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) as family of anti-cancer drugs recently received much attention due to their interesting anti-cancer mechanism. In spite of small drugs, RIPs use the large-size effect (LSE) to prevent the efflux process governed by drug resistance transporters (DRTs) which prevents inside of the cells against drug transfection. There are many clinical translation obstacles that severely restrict their applications especially their delivery approach to the tumor cells. As the main goal of this review, we will focus on trichosanthin (TCS) and gelonin (Gel) and other types, especially scorpion venom-derived RIPs to clarify that they are struggling with what types of bio-barriers and these challenges could be solved in cancer therapy science. Then, we will try to highlight recent state-of-the-arts in delivery of RIPs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Setayesh-Mehr
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.
| | - Mahdiye Poorsargol
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
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Naderi S, Roshan R, Behdani M, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. Inhibition of neovascularisation in human endothelial cells using anti NRP-1 nanobody fused to truncated form of diphtheria toxin as a novel immunotoxin. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2021; 43:230-238. [PMID: 33657977 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2021.1888114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) regulates a range of physiological and pathological processes, including angiogenesis. Targeting of NRP1 is considered a significant approach in cancer therapy. In the present study, a novel antiNRP1 immunotoxin (αNRP1 IT) was developed by genetic fusion of a single domain (VHH) anti-NRP-1 antibody fragment to a truncated diphtheria toxin. The αNRP1 IT was expressed into bacterial cells as an inclusion body (IB). Expression of αNRP1 IT was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Recombinant αNRP1 IT was purified using nickel affinity chromatography. Toxicity and antiangiogenesis effect of αNRP1 IT was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that αNRP1 IT significantly reduced the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUVEC) (p < .05). The αNRP1 IT significantly inhibited tube formation of HUVEC cells (p < .001). Furthermore, αNRP1 IT inhibited angiogenesis in Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Assay. These data suggest the potential of αNRP1 IT as a novel therapeutic in targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamsi Naderi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Roshan
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Knödler M, Buyel JF. Plant-made immunotoxin building blocks: A roadmap for producing therapeutic antibody-toxin fusions. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 47:107683. [PMID: 33373687 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Molecular farming in plants is an emerging platform for the production of pharmaceutical proteins, and host species such as tobacco are now becoming competitive with commercially established production hosts based on bacteria and mammalian cell lines. The range of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced in plants includes replacement enzymes, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). But plants can also be used to manufacture toxins, such as the mistletoe lectin viscumin, providing an opportunity to express active antibody-toxin fusion proteins, so-called recombinant immunotoxins (RITs). Mammalian production systems are currently used to produce antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which require the separate expression and purification of each component followed by a complex and hazardous coupling procedure. In contrast, RITs made in plants are expressed in a single step and could therefore reduce production and purification costs. The costs can be reduced further if subcellular compartments that accumulate large quantities of the stable protein are identified and optimal plant growth conditions are selected. In this review, we first provide an overview of the current state of RIT production in plants before discussing the three key components of RITs in detail. The specificity-defining domain (often an antibody) binds cancer cells, including solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The toxin provides the means to kill target cells. Toxins from different species with different modes of action can be used for this purpose. Finally, the linker spaces the two other components to ensure they adopt a stable, functional conformation, and may also promote toxin release inside the cell. Given the diversity of these components, we extract broad principles that can be used as recommendations for the development of effective RITs. Future research should focus on such proteins to exploit the advantages of plants as efficient production platforms for targeted anti-cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Knödler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - J F Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, Aachen 52074, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany.
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Desai SA, Manjappa A, Khulbe P. Drug delivery nanocarriers and recent advances ventured to improve therapeutic efficacy against osteosarcoma: an overview. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2021; 33:4. [PMID: 33555490 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-021-00059-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the key cancers affecting the bone tissues, primarily occurred in children and adolescence. Recently, chemotherapy followed by surgery and then post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy is widely used for the treatment of OS. However, the lack of selectivity and sensitivity to tumor cells, the development of multi-drug resistance (MDR), and dangerous side effects have restricted the use of chemotherapeutics. MAIN BODY There is an unmet need for novel drug delivery strategies for effective treatment and management of OS. Advances in nanotechnology have led to momentous progress in the design of tumor-targeted drug delivery nanocarriers (NCs) as well as functionalized smart NCs to achieve targeting and to treat OS effectively. The present review summarizes the drug delivery challenges in OS, and how organic nanoparticulate approaches are useful in overcoming barriers will be explained. The present review describes the various organic nanoparticulate approaches such as conventional nanocarriers, stimuli-responsive NCs, and ligand-based active targeting strategies tested against OS. The drug conjugates prepared with copolymer and ligand having bone affinity, and advanced promising approaches such as gene therapy, gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy, and T cell therapy tested against OS along with their reported limitations are also briefed in this review. CONCLUSION The nanoparticulate drugs, drug conjugates, and advanced therapies such as gene therapy, and T cell therapy have promising and potential application in the effective treatment of OS. However, many of the above approaches are still at the preclinical stage, and there is a long transitional period before their clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujit Arun Desai
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Rd, Mahal, Jagatpura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302017, India. .,Annasaheb Dange College of D Pharmacy, Ashta, Tal: Walwa, Dist., Sangli, Maharashtra, 416301, India.
| | - Arehalli Manjappa
- Tatyasaheb Kore College of Pharmacy, Warananagar, Tal: Panhala, Dist., Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416113, India
| | - Preeti Khulbe
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Rd, Mahal, Jagatpura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302017, India
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27
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Rodakowska E, Walczak-Drzewiecka A, Borowiec M, Gorzkiewicz M, Grzesik J, Ratajewski M, Rozanski M, Dastych J, Ginalski K, Rychlewski L. Recombinant immunotoxin targeting GPC3 is cytotoxic to H446 small cell lung cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:222. [PMID: 33613711 PMCID: PMC7859473 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12483] [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: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a cell membrane glycoprotein that regulates cell growth and proliferation. Aberrant expression or distribution of GPC3 underlies developmental abnormalities and the development of solid tumours. The strongest evidence for the participation of GPC3 in carcinogenesis stems from studies on hepatocellular carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, the role of the GPC3 protein and its potential therapeutic application have never been studied in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), despite the known involvement of associated pathways and the high mortality caused by this disease. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine GPC3 targeting for SCLC immunotherapy. An immunotoxin carrying an anti-GPC3 antibody (hGC33) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A 38 (PE38) was generated. This hGC33-PE38 protein was overexpressed in E. coli and purified. ADP-ribosylation activity was tested in vitro against eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2. Cell internalisation ability was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Cytotoxicity was analysed by treating liver cancer (HepG2, SNU-398 and SNU-449) and lung cancer (NCI-H510A, NCI-H446, A549 and SK-MES1) cell lines with hGC33-PE38 and estimating viable cells number. A BrdU assay was employed to verify anti-proliferative activity of hGC33-PE38 on treated cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used for the detection of cell membrane-bound GPC3. The hGC33-PE38 immunotoxin displayed enzymatic activity comparable to native PE38. The protein was efficiently internalised by GPC3-positive cells. Moreover, hGC33-PE38 was cytotoxic to HepG2 cells but had no effect on known GPC3-negative cell lines. The H446 cells were sensitive to hGC33-PE38 (IC50, 70.6±4.6 ng/ml), whereas H510A cells were resistant. Cell surface-bound GPC3 was abundant on the membranes of H446 cells, but absent on H510A. Altogether, the present findings suggested that GPC3 could be considered as a potential therapeutic target for SCLC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurelia Walczak-Drzewiecka
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marta Borowiec
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-89 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Gorzkiewicz
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 93-232 Lodz, Poland.,Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Grzesik
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-89 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Ratajewski
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Michal Rozanski
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jaroslaw Dastych
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Ginalski
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-89 Warsaw, Poland
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Park J, Lee S, Kim Y, Yoo TH. Methods to generate site-specific conjugates of antibody and protein. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 30:115946. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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29
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McLean T, Norbury L, Conduit R, Shepherd N, Coloe P, Sasse A, Smooker P. Inactivated tetanus as an immunological smokescreen: A major step towards harnessing tetanus-based therapeutics. Mol Immunol 2020; 127:164-174. [PMID: 33002728 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Tetanus neurotoxin has many potential therapeutic applications, due to its ability to increase localised muscle tone when injected directly into a muscle. It is a closely related molecule to botulinum neurotoxin (most commonly known as Botox), which has been widely used to release muscle tension for therapeutic and cosmetic applications. However, tetanus toxin has been relegated to the "maybe pile" for protein therapeutics - as most of the population is vaccinated, leading to highly effective antibody-mediated protection against the toxin. The potential for tetanus-based therapeutics remains substantial if the problem of pre-existing immunity can be resolved. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A well-established murine model of localised muscular contraction was utilised. We administered functional tetanus toxin combined with an immunogenic, but functionally inactive, decoy molecule. KEY RESULTS Incorporation of the decoy molecule greatly reduces the dose of active toxin required to induce a localised increase in muscle tone in mice vaccinated with the human toxoid vaccine. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our results clearly demonstrate that the barriers to developing a tetanus toxin therapeutic are not insurmountable and the technology presented here is the first major step towards realising the therapeutic potential of this powerful neurotoxin. Opening the therapeutic potential of tetanus toxin will have huge implications for the wide range of diseases caused by low-tone muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas McLean
- Bioscience and Food Technology, School of Science, Plenty Road, Building 223 Bundoora West campus, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
| | - Luke Norbury
- Bioscience and Food Technology, School of Science, Plenty Road, Building 223 Bundoora West campus, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
| | - Russell Conduit
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
| | - Natalie Shepherd
- Bioscience and Food Technology, School of Science, Plenty Road, Building 223 Bundoora West campus, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Peter Coloe
- Bioscience and Food Technology, School of Science, Plenty Road, Building 223 Bundoora West campus, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
| | - Anthony Sasse
- Bioscience and Food Technology, School of Science, Plenty Road, Building 223 Bundoora West campus, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; Latrobe Regional Hospital, Gippsland, Australia.
| | - Peter Smooker
- Bioscience and Food Technology, School of Science, Plenty Road, Building 223 Bundoora West campus, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
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30
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UCNP-based Photoluminescent Nanomedicines for Targeted Imaging and Theranostics of Cancer. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184302. [PMID: 32961731 PMCID: PMC7571190 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Theranostic approach is currently among the fastest growing trends in cancer treatment. It implies the creation of multifunctional agents for simultaneous precise diagnosis and targeted impact on tumor cells. A new type of theranostic complexes was created based on NaYF4: Yb,Tm upconversion nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol and functionalized with the HER2-specific recombinant targeted toxin DARPin-LoPE. The obtained agents bind to HER2-overexpressing human breast adenocarcinoma cells and demonstrate selective cytotoxicity against this type of cancer cells. Using fluorescent human breast adenocarcinoma xenograft models, the possibility of intravital visualization of the UCNP-based complexes biodistribution and accumulation in tumor was demonstrated.
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31
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Cell-Type Targeted NF-kappaB Inhibition for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071627. [PMID: 32640727 PMCID: PMC7407293 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated NF-k activation is not only involved in cancer but also contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Ideally, therapeutic NF-KappaB inhibition should only take place in those cell types that are involved in disease pathogenesis to maintain physiological cell functions in all other cells. In contrast, unselective NF-kappaB inhibition in all cells results in multiple adverse effects, a major hindrance in drug development. Hitherto, various substances exist to inhibit different steps of NF-kappaB signaling. However, powerful tools for cell-type specific NF-kappaB inhibition are not yet established. Here, we review the role of NF-kappaB in inflammatory diseases, current strategies for drug delivery and NF-kappaB inhibition and point out the “sneaking ligand” approach. Sneaking ligand fusion proteins (SLFPs) are recombinant proteins with modular architecture consisting of three domains. The prototype SLC1 binds specifically to the activated endothelium and blocks canonical NF-kappaB activation. In vivo, SLC1 attenuated clinical and histological signs of experimental arthritides. The SLFP architecture allows an easy exchange of binding and effector domains and represents an attractive approach to study disease-relevant biological targets in a broad range of diseases. In vivo, SLFP treatment might increase therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.
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32
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Jiemy WF, Hiew LF, Sha HX, In LLA, Hwang JS. Evaluation of Hydra HALT-1 as a toxin moiety for recombinant immunotoxin. BMC Biotechnol 2020; 20:31. [PMID: 32552895 PMCID: PMC7301450 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-020-00628-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotoxin is a hybrid protein consisting of a toxin moiety that is linked to a targeting moiety for the purpose of specific elimination of target cells. Toxins used in traditional immunotoxins are practically difficult to be produced in large amount, have poor tissue penetration and a complex internalization process. We hypothesized that the smaller HALT-1, a cytolysin derived from Hydra magnipapillata, can be used as the toxin moiety in construction of a recombinant immunotoxin. Results In this study, pro-inflammatory macrophage was selected as the target cell due to its major roles in numerous inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. We aimed to construct macrophage-targeted recombinant immunotoxins by combining HALT-1 with anti-CD64-scFv in two orientations, and to assess whether their cytotoxic activity and binding capability could be preserved upon molecular fusion. The recombinant immunotoxins, HALT-1-scFv and scFv-HALT-1, were successfully constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Our data showed that HALT-1 still exhibited significant cytotoxicity against CD64+ and CD64− cell lines upon fusion with anti-CD64 scFv, although it had half cytotoxic activity as compared to HALT-1 alone. As positioning HALT-1 at N- or C-terminus did not affect its potency, the two constructs demonstrated comparable cytotoxic activities with IC50 lower in CD64+ cell line than in CD64− cell line. In contrast, the location of targeting moieties anti-CD64 scFv at C-terminal end was crucial in maintaining the scFv binding capability. Conclusions HALT-1 could be fused with anti-CD64-scFv via a fsexible polypeptide linker. Upon the successful production of this recombinant HALT-1 scFv fusion protein, HALT-1 was proven effective for killing two human cell lines. Hence, this preliminary study strongly suggested that HALT-1 holds potential as the toxin moiety in therapeutic cell targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Jiemy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lih Fhung Hiew
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Hong Xi Sha
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Lionel L A In
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jung Shan Hwang
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Healthcare and Medical Sciences, Sunway University, No. 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
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Guryev EL, Smyshlyaeva AS, Shilyagina NY, Shanwar S, Kostyuk AB, Shulga AA, Konovalova EV, Zvyagin AV, Deyev SM, Petrov RV. Multifunctional Complexes Based on Photoluminescent Upconversion Nanoparticles for Theranostics of the HER2-Positive Tumors. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2020; 491:73-76. [PMID: 32483755 DOI: 10.1134/s160767292002009x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Combining diagnostic and therapeutic functions in one agent is a promising strategy in the development of personalized approaches to the treatment of cancer. The opportunity to combine diagnostics and therapy appeared with the development of nanobiotechnologies and was realized in the concept of theranostics. To date, a number of promising agents based on nanomaterials capable of diagnosing, targeted therapeutic effects, and monitoring the response of tumor cells were obtained within the approach of theranostics. In this work, a new type of theranostic complexes based on upconversion nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol and functionalized with the DARPin-LoPE recombinant targeted toxin was developed. Selective binding of complexes to human breast adenocarcinoma cells overexpressing the HER2 receptor and specific toxicity to them were shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Guryev
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 603105, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - A S Smyshlyaeva
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 603105, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - N Yu Shilyagina
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 603105, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - S Shanwar
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 603105, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - A B Kostyuk
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 603105, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - A A Shulga
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997, Moscow, Russia
| | - E V Konovalova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997, Moscow, Russia
| | - A V Zvyagin
- Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 603105, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997, Moscow, Russia.,Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119146, Moscow, Russia
| | - S M Deyev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997, Moscow, Russia.
| | - R V Petrov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997, Moscow, Russia
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34
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Acosta W, Cramer CL. Targeting Macromolecules to CNS and Other Hard-to-Treat Organs Using Lectin-Mediated Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030971. [PMID: 32024082 PMCID: PMC7037663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The greatest challenges for therapeutic efficacy of many macromolecular drugs that act on intracellular are delivery to key organs and tissues and delivery into cells and subcellular compartments. Transport of drugs into critical cells associated with disease, including those in organs protected by restrictive biological barriers such as central nervous system (CNS), bone, and eye remains a significant hurdle to drug efficacy and impacts commercial risk and incentives for drug development for many diseases. These limitations expose a significant need for the development of novel strategies for macromolecule delivery. RTB lectin is the non-toxic carbohydrate-binding subunit B of ricin toxin with high affinity for galactose/galactosamine-containing glycolipids and glycoproteins common on human cell surfaces. RTB mediates endocytic uptake into mammalian cells by multiple routes exploiting both adsorptive-mediated and receptor-mediated mechanisms. In vivo biodistribution studies in lysosomal storage disease models provide evidence for the theory that the RTB-lectin transports corrective doses of enzymes across the blood–brain barrier to treat CNS pathologies. These results encompass significant implications for protein-based therapeutic approaches to address lysosomal and other diseases having strong CNS involvement.
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35
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Asrorov AM, Gu Z, Min KA, Shin MC, Huang Y. Advances on Tumor-Targeting Delivery of Cytotoxic Proteins. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2019; 3:107-118. [PMID: 32259092 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Great attention has been paid to cytotoxic proteins (e.g., ribosome-inactivating proteins, RIPs) possessing high anticancer activities; unlike small drugs, cytotoxic proteins can effectively retain inside the cells and avoid drug efflux mediated by multidrug resistance transporters due to the large-size effect. However, the clinical translation of these proteins is severely limited because of various biobarriers that hamper their effective delivery to tumor cells. Hence, in order to overcome these barriers, many smart drug delivery systems (DDS) have been developed. In this review, we will introduce two representative type I RIPs, trichosanthin (TCS) and gelonin (Gel), and overview the major biobarriers for protein-based cancer therapy. Finally, we outline advances on the development of smart DDS for effective delivery of these cytotoxic proteins for various applications in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akmal M Asrorov
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, 83, M. Ulughbek Street, Tashkent 100125, Uzbekistan
| | - Zeyun Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Kyoung Ah Min
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Injero, Gimhae, Gyeongnam 50834, Korea
| | - Meong Cheol Shin
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju Daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, Korea
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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36
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Piña MJ, Girotti A, Serrano S, Muñoz R, Rodríguez-Cabello JC, Arias FJ. A double safety lock tumor-specific device for suicide gene therapy in breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2019; 470:43-53. [PMID: 31790763 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The complexity and continuous evolution of cancer make the design of novel strategies of treatment a constant challenge in biomedicine. Moreover, most of cancer treatments are still not tumor-specific and provoke high systemic toxicity. Herein we have developed a novel selective nanodevice to eliminate tumor cells while leaving healthy ones intact. To achieve this objective, a polyplex carrier, comprising an elastin like-recombinamer covalently conjugated to an aptamer and complexed with therapeutic DNA, was tested. This carrier forms a double-lock multifunctional device due to specific binding to a tumor cell marker and the selective expression of therapeutic DNA inside human breast-cancer cells. Due to the stability provided by ELRs, the homogeneous population of polyplexes obtained showed selective toxicity against cancer cells in in vitro and in vivo assay. Inhibition of tumor progression was detected early being very significant at the end point, with a dose-dependent reduction in tumor mass. Histological studies revealed a specific reduction in tumor parenchyma and in specific tumor cell markers. These results represent an important step toward the rational development of an efficient, safe and more specialized gene-delivery device for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Piña
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alessandra Girotti
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sofía Serrano
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raquel Muñoz
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - J Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - F Javier Arias
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
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Critical Issues in the Development of Immunotoxins for Anticancer Therapy. J Pharm Sci 2019; 109:104-115. [PMID: 31669121 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotoxins (ITs) are attractive anticancer modalities aimed at cancer-specific delivery of highly potent cytotoxic protein toxins. An IT consists of a targeting domain (an antibody, cytokine, or another cell-binding protein) chemically conjugated or recombinantly fused to a highly cytotoxic payload (a bacterial and plant toxin or human cytotoxic protein). The mode of action of ITs is killing designated cancer cells through the effector function of toxins in the cytosol after cellular internalization via the targeted cell-specific receptor-mediated endocytosis. Although numerous ITs of diverse structures have been tested in the past decades, only 3 ITs-denileukin diftitox, tagraxofusp, and moxetumomab pasudotox-have been clinically approved for treating hematological cancers. No ITs against solid tumors have been approved for clinical use. In this review, we discuss critical research and development issues associated with ITs that limit their clinical success as well as strategies to overcome these obstacles. The issues include off-target and on-target toxicities, immunogenicity, human cytotoxic proteins, antigen target selection, cytosolic delivery efficacy, solid-tumor targeting, and developability. To realize the therapeutic promise of ITs, novel strategies for safe and effective cytosolic delivery into designated tumors, including solid tumors, are urgently needed.
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Shafiee F, Aucoin MG, Jahanian-Najafabadi A. Targeted Diphtheria Toxin-Based Therapy: A Review Article. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2340. [PMID: 31681205 PMCID: PMC6813239 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Conventional therapeutic strategies usually offer limited specificity, resulting in severe side effects and toxicity to normal tissues. Targeted cancer therapy, on the other hand, can improve the therapeutic potential of anti-cancer agents and decrease unwanted side effects. Targeted applications of cytolethal bacterial toxins have been found to be especially useful for the specific eradication of cancer cells. Targeting is either mediated by peptides or by protein-targeting moieties, such as antibodies, antibody fragments, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), growth factors, or cytokines. Together with a toxin domain, these molecules are more commonly referred to as immunotoxins. Targeting can also be achieved through gene delivery and cell-specific expression of a toxin. Of the available cytolethal toxins, diphtheria toxin (DT) is one of the most frequently used for these strategies. Of the many DT-based therapeutic strategies investigated to date, two immunotoxins, OntakTM and TagraxofuspTM, have gained FDA approval for clinical application. Despite some success with immunotoxins, suicide-gene therapy strategies, whereby controlled tumor-specific expression of DT is used for the eradication of malignant cells, are gaining prominence. The first part of this review focuses on DT-based immunotoxins, and it then discusses recent developments in tumor-specific expression of DT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Shafiee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marc G Aucoin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Ali Jahanian-Najafabadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Shilovskiy IP, Dyneva ME, Kurbacheva OM, Kudlay DA, Khaitov MR. The Role of Interleukin-37 in the Pathogenesis of Allergic Diseases. Acta Naturae 2019; 11:54-64. [PMID: 31993235 PMCID: PMC6977961 DOI: 10.32607/20758251-2019-11-4-54-64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) family play an important role in the realization of the protective functions of innate immunity and are the key mediators involved in the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases, including various manifestations of allergy. The IL-1 family includes more than 11 members. However, the functions of many of them remain to be elucidated. Recently, new members of the IL-1 family have been discovered. In 2000, several independent research groups reported the discovery of a new interleukin of this family, which was named IL-37, or IL-1F7 (according to the new nomenclature). IL-37 was assigned to the IL-1 family based on its structural similarity with other members of this family. The study of its biological properties showed that its activity changes in inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, as well as allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and atopic dermatitis). However, unlike most members of the IL-1 family, IL-37 acts as a negative regulator of inflammation. Activation of IL-37 suppresses inflammation, resulting in the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which in turn prevents infiltration of pro-inflammatory cells, mainly eosinophils and neutrophils. The exact molecular and cellular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effect of IL-37 in the development of allergic diseases (AD) have not been fully studied. This review summarizes and analyzes the accumulated experimental data on the role of IL-37 in the pathogenesis of AD, such as allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and atopic dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. P. Shilovskiy
- National Research Center – Institute of Immunology Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, 115522 Russia
| | - M. E. Dyneva
- National Research Center – Institute of Immunology Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, 115522 Russia
| | - O. M. Kurbacheva
- National Research Center – Institute of Immunology Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, 115522 Russia
| | - D. A. Kudlay
- National Research Center – Institute of Immunology Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, 115522 Russia
| | - M. R. Khaitov
- National Research Center – Institute of Immunology Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, 115522 Russia
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Shilova ON, Deyev SM. DARPins: Promising Scaffolds for Theranostics. Acta Naturae 2019; 11:42-53. [PMID: 31993234 PMCID: PMC6977956 DOI: 10.32607/20758251-2019-11-4-42-53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are the classical basis for targeted therapy, but the development of alternative binding proteins has made it possible to use non-immunoglobulin proteins as targeting modules. The advantages of DARPins, scaffold proteins based on ankyrin repeats, over antibodies are as follows: small size, stability over a wide range of temperatures and pH values, low aggregation tendency, and ease of production in heterologous expression systems. The differences in the structure of the paratope of DARPin and antibodies broaden the spectrum of target molecules, while the ease of creating hybrid fusion proteins allows one to obtain bispecific and multivalent constructs. In this article, we summarize recent data on the development of therapeutic and imaging compounds based on DARPins.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. N. Shilova
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
| | - S. M. Deyev
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
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Jiménez-Martínez Y, Griñán-Lisón C, Khaldy H, Martín A, Cambrils A, Ibáñez Grau A, Jiménez G, Marchal JA, Boulaiz H. LdrB Toxin with In Vitro and In Vivo Antitumor Activity as a Potential Tool for Cancer Gene Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11071016. [PMID: 31330822 PMCID: PMC6678987 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11071016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the high prevalence of cancer in recent years, it is necessary to develop new and more effective therapies that produce fewer side effects. Development of gene therapy for cancer based on the use of suicide genes that can damage the tumor cell, without requiring a prodrug for its lethal effect, is one of the recent foci of gene therapy strategies. We evaluated the cytotoxic impact of the LdrB toxin from Escherichia coli k12 as a possible tool for cancer gene therapy. For that, colorectal and breast cancer cells were transfected under the control of a TRE3G promoter inducible by doxycycline. Our results showed that ldrB gene expression induced a drastic inhibition of proliferation in vitro, in both 2D and 3D experimental models. Moreover, unlike conventional chemotherapy, the ldrB gene induced a severe loss of proliferation in vivo without any side effects in our animal model. This antitumor outcome was modulated by cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and apoptotic death. Scanning electronic microscopy demonstrates that the LdrB toxin conserves its pore-forming ability in HCT-116 cells as in E. coli k12. Taken together, our results provide, for the first time, a proof of concept of the antitumor capacity of the ldrB gene in colorectal and breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaiza Jiménez-Martínez
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18012 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Carmen Griñán-Lisón
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18012 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Hoda Khaldy
- Fundamental Biology Service, Scientific Instrument Center, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Martín
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
| | - Alba Cambrils
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
| | - Andrea Ibáñez Grau
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
| | - Gema Jiménez
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan A Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18012 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Fundamental Biology Service, Scientific Instrument Center, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Houria Boulaiz
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain.
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18012 Granada, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain.
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Fundamental Biology Service, Scientific Instrument Center, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
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Lange MJ, Lyddon TD, Johnson MC. Diphtheria Toxin A-Resistant Cell Lines Enable Robust Production and Evaluation of DTA-Encoding Lentiviruses. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8985. [PMID: 31222087 PMCID: PMC6586843 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45481-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicide genes have been widely investigated for their utility as therapeutic agents and as tools for in vitro negative selection strategies. Several methods for delivery of suicide genes have been explored. Two important considerations for delivery are the quantity of delivered cargo and the ability to target the cargo to specific cells. Delivery using a lentiviral vector is particularly attractive due to the ability to encode the gene within the viral genome, as well as the ability to limit off-target effects by using cell type-specific glycoproteins. Here, we present the design and validation of a diphtheria toxin A (DTA)-encoding lentiviral vector expressing DTA under the control of a constituitive promoter to allow for expression of DTA in a variety of cell types, with specificity provided via selection of glycoproteins for pseudotyping of the lentiviral particles. DTA exerts its toxic activity through inhibition of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) via adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation of a modified histidine residue, diphthamide, at His715, which blocks protein translation and leads to cell death. Thus, we also detail development of DTA-resistant cell lines, engineered through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the diphthamide 1 (DPH1) gene, which enable both robust virus production by transfection and evaluation of DTA-expressing virus infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret J Lange
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. .,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. .,Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States.
| | - Terri D Lyddon
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Marc C Johnson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. .,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. .,Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States.
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Sokolova EA, Shilova ON, Kiseleva DV, Schulga AA, Balalaeva IV, Deyev SM. HER2-Specific Targeted Toxin DARPin-LoPE: Immunogenicity and Antitumor Effect on Intraperitoneal Ovarian Cancer Xenograft Model. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2399. [PMID: 31096563 PMCID: PMC6567818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
High immunogenicity and systemic toxicity are the main obstacles limiting the clinical use of the therapeutic agents based on Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. In this work, we studied the immunogenicity, general toxicity and antitumor effect of the targeted toxin DARPin-LoPE composed of HER2-specific DARPin and a low immunogenic exotoxin A fragment lacking immunodominant human B lymphocyte epitopes. The targeted toxin has been shown to effectively inhibit the growth of HER2-positive human ovarian carcinoma xenografts, while exhibiting low non-specific toxicity and side effects, such as vascular leak syndrome and liver tissue degradation, as well as low immunogenicity, as was shown by specific antibody titer. This represents prospects for its use as an agent for targeted therapy of HER2-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniya A Sokolova
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia.
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Olga N Shilova
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Daria V Kiseleva
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Alexey A Schulga
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Irina V Balalaeva
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia.
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya str., Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Sergey M Deyev
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya str., Moscow 119991, Russia.
- Research Nuclear Reactor Center, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 30 Lenin ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia.
- Institute of Engineering Physics for Biomedicine (PhysBio), National Research Nuclear University "MEPhI", 31 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow 115409, Russia.
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Cáceres B, Ramirez A, Carrillo E, Jimenez G, Griñán-Lisón C, López-Ruiz E, Jiménez-Martínez Y, Marchal JA, Boulaiz H. Deciphering the Mechanism of Action Involved in Enhanced Suicide Gene Colon Cancer Cell Killer Effect Mediated by Gef and Apoptin. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020264. [PMID: 30813432 PMCID: PMC6406936 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the great advances in cancer treatment, colorectal cancer has emerged as the second highest cause of death from cancer worldwide. For this type of tumor, the use of suicide gene therapy could represent a novel therapy. We recently demonstrated that co-expression of gef and apoptin dramatically inhibits proliferation of the DLD-1 colon cell line. In the present manuscript, we try to establish the mechanism underlying the enhanced induction of apoptosis by triggering both gef and apoptin expression in colon tumor cells. Scanning microscopy reveals that simultaneous expression of gef and apoptin induces the apparition of many "pores" in the cytoplasmic membrane not detected in control cell lines. The formation of pores induced by the gef gene and accentuated by apoptin results in cell death by necrosis. Moreover, we observed the presence of apoptotic cells. Performing protein expression analysis using western blot, we revealed an activation of mitochondrial apoptosis (increased expression of Pp53, cytochrome c, Bax, and caspase 9) and also the involvement of the extrinsic pathway through caspase 8activation. In conclusion, in this manuscript we demonstrate for the first time that the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis and pore formation is also involved in the cell death caused by the co-expression of the gef and apoptin genes. Our results suggest that co-expression of gef and apoptin genes induces an increase in post-apoptotic necrotic cell death and could be a valuable tool in the design of new antitumor strategies focused on the enhancement of the immune response against cancer cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Cáceres
- Motril Health Center, Hospital Santa Ana, Motril, 18600 Granada, Spain.
| | - Alberto Ramirez
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Esmeralda Carrillo
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Gema Jimenez
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Carmen Griñán-Lisón
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Elena López-Ruiz
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, E-23071 Jaén, Spain.
| | - Yaiza Jiménez-Martínez
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Juan A Marchal
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Houria Boulaiz
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
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Park J, Lee Y, Ko BJ, Yoo TH. Peptide-Directed Photo-Cross-Linking for Site-Specific Conjugation of IgG. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:3240-3244. [PMID: 30179444 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Conjugation of antibody has expanded its applications in therapeutics and diagnostics, and various methods have been developed based on chemical or enzymatic reactions. However, the majority of them have focused on synthetic molecules such as small molecules, nucleic acids, or synthetic materials, but site-specific conjugation of antibody with protein cargo has rarely been demonstrated. In this Communication, we report a PEptide-DIrected Photo-cross-linking (PEDIP) reaction for site-specific conjugation of IgG with protein using an Fc-binding peptide and a photoreactive amino acid analogue, and demonstrate this method by developing an immunotoxin composed of a Her2-targeting IgG (trastuzumab) and an engineered Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE24). The ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 by the bacterial toxin inhibits the ribosomal translation of protein, and the trastuzumab-PE24 conjugate exhibited the cytotoxicity toward Her2-overexpressing cell lines. The PEDIP reaction can also be applied for many other types of cargo with slight modifications of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Byoung Joon Ko
- New Drug Development Center , Osong Medical Innovative Foundation , 123 Osongsaengmyeong-ro , Osong-eup, Cheongju , 28160 , Korea
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46
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Yap WY, Hwang JS. Response of Cellular Innate Immunity to Cnidarian Pore-Forming Toxins. Molecules 2018; 23:E2537. [PMID: 30287801 PMCID: PMC6222686 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23102537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A group of stable, water-soluble and membrane-bound proteins constitute the pore forming toxins (PFTs) in cnidarians. They interact with membranes to physically alter the membrane structure and permeability, resulting in the formation of pores. These lesions on the plasma membrane causes an imbalance of cellular ionic gradients, resulting in swelling of the cell and eventually its rupture. Of all cnidarian PFTs, actinoporins are by far the best studied subgroup with established knowledge of their molecular structure and their mode of pore-forming action. However, the current view of necrotic action by actinoporins may not be the only mechanism that induces cell death since there is increasing evidence showing that pore-forming toxins can induce either necrosis or apoptosis in a cell-type, receptor and dose-dependent manner. In this review, we focus on the response of the cellular immune system to the cnidarian pore-forming toxins and the signaling pathways that might be involved in these cellular responses. Since PFTs represent potential candidates for targeted toxin therapy for the treatment of numerous cancers, we also address the challenge to overcoming the immunogenicity of these toxins when used as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yuen Yap
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia.
| | - Jung Shan Hwang
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Healthcare and Medical Sciences, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia.
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Krinsky N, Kaduri M, Zinger A, Shainsky-Roitman J, Goldfeder M, Benhar I, Hershkovitz D, Schroeder A. Synthetic Cells Synthesize Therapeutic Proteins inside Tumors. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701163. [PMID: 29283226 PMCID: PMC6684359 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cells, artificial cell-like particles, capable of autonomously synthesizing RNA and proteins based on a DNA template, are emerging platforms for studying cellular functions and for revealing the origins-of-life. Here, it is shown for the first time that artificial lipid-based vesicles, containing the molecular machinery necessary for transcription and translation, can be used to synthesize anticancer proteins inside tumors. The synthetic cells are engineered as stand-alone systems, sourcing nutrients from their biological microenvironment to trigger protein synthesis. When pre-loaded with template DNA, amino acids and energy-supplying molecules, up to 2 × 107 copies of green fluorescent protein are synthesized in each synthetic cell. A variety of proteins, having molecular weights reaching 66 kDa and with diagnostic and therapeutic activities, are synthesized inside the particles. Incubating synthetic cells, encoded to secrete Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) with 4T1 breast cancer cells in culture, resulted in killing of most of the malignant cells. In mice bearing 4T1 tumors, histological evaluation of the tumor tissue after a local injection of PE-producing particles indicates robust apoptosis. Synthetic cells are new platforms for synthesizing therapeutic proteins on-demand in diseased tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitzan Krinsky
- Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
- The Interdisciplinary Programs for Biotechnology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Maya Kaduri
- Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Assaf Zinger
- Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Janna Shainsky-Roitman
- Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Mor Goldfeder
- Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Itai Benhar
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Dov Hershkovitz
- Department of Pathology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, 6423906, Israel
| | - Avi Schroeder
- Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
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Mercatelli D, Bortolotti M, Bazzocchi A, Bolognesi A, Polito L. Immunoconjugates for Osteosarcoma Therapy: Preclinical Experiences and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2018; 6:E19. [PMID: 29439419 PMCID: PMC5874676 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive osteoid-producing tumor of mesenchymal origin, which represents the most common primary bone malignancy. It is characterized by a complex and frequently uncertain etiology. The current standard care for high-grade OS treatment is neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgery and post-operative chemotherapy. In order to ameliorate survival rates of patients, new therapeutic approaches have been evaluated, mainly immunotherapy with antibody-drug conjugates or immunoconjugates. These molecules consist of a carrier (frequently an antibody) joined by a linker to a toxic moiety (drug, radionuclide, or toxin). Although several clinical trials with immunoconjugates have been conducted, mainly in hematological tumors, their potential as therapeutic agents is relatively under-explored in many types of cancer. In this review, we report the immunoconjugates directed against OS surface antigens, considering the in vitro and in vivo studies. To date, several attempts have been made in preclinical settings, reporting encouraging results and demonstrating the validity of the idea. The clinical experience with glembatumumab vedotin may provide new insights into the real efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates for OS therapy, possibly giving more information about patient selection. Moreover, new opportunities could arise from the ongoing clinical trials in OS patients with unconjugated antibodies that could represent future candidates as carrier moieties of immunoconjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Mercatelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, The "Rizzoli" Orthopaedic Institute, Via G. C. Pupilli 1, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Massimo Bortolotti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Alberto Bazzocchi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, The "Rizzoli" Orthopaedic Institute, Via G. C. Pupilli 1, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Andrea Bolognesi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Letizia Polito
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Bronnimann MP, Skinner PJ, Connick E. The B-Cell Follicle in HIV Infection: Barrier to a Cure. Front Immunol 2018; 9:20. [PMID: 29422894 PMCID: PMC5788973 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of HIV replication occurs in secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) such as the spleen, lymph nodes, and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Within SLOs, HIV RNA+ cells are concentrated in the B-cell follicle during chronic untreated infection, and emerging data suggest that they are a major source of replication in treated disease as well. The concentration of HIV RNA+ cells in the B-cell follicle is mediated by several factors. Follicular CD4+ T-cell subsets including T-follicular helper cells and T-follicular regulatory cells are significantly more permissive to HIV than extrafollicular subsets. The B cell follicle also contains a large reservoir of extracellular HIV virions, which accumulate on the surface of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in germinal centers. FDC-bound HIV virions remain infectious even in the presence of neutralizing antibodies and can persist for months or even years. Moreover, the B-cell follicle is semi-immune privileged from CTL control. Frequencies of HIV- and SIV-specific CTL are lower in B-cell follicles compared to extrafollicular regions as the majority of CTL do not express the follicular homing receptor CXCR5. Additionally, CTL in the B-cell follicle may be less functional than extrafollicular CTL as many exhibit the recently described CD8 T follicular regulatory phenotype. Other factors may also contribute to the follicular concentration of HIV RNA+ cells. Notably, the contribution of NK cells and γδ T cells to control and/or persistence of HIV RNA+ cells in secondary lymphoid tissue remains poorly characterized. As HIV research moves increasingly toward the development of cure strategies, a greater understanding of the barriers to control of HIV infection in B-cell follicles is critical. Although no strategy has as of yet proven to be effective, a range of novel therapies to address these barriers are currently being investigated including genetically engineered CTL or chimeric antigen receptor T cells that express the follicular homing molecule CXCR5, treatment with IL-15 or an IL-15 superagonist, use of bispecific antibodies to harness the killing power of the follicular CD8+ T cell population, and disruption of the follicle through treatments such as rituximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Bronnimann
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Pamela J Skinner
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Elizabeth Connick
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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Sehnert B, Burkhardt H, Finzel S, Dübel S, Voll RE. The sneaking ligand approach for cell type-specific modulation of intracellular signalling pathways. Clin Immunol 2017; 186:14-20. [PMID: 28867254 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules interfering with intracellular signalling pathways are used in the treatment of multiple diseases including RA. However, small molecules usually affect signalling in most cell types, not only in those which need to be targeted. This general inhibition of signalling pathways causes often adverse effects, which could be avoided by cell type-specific inhibitors. For cell-type specific modulation of signal transduction, we developed the sneaking ligand fusion proteins (SLFPs). SLFPs contain three domains: (1) the binding domain mediating cell type-specific targeting and endocytosis; (2) the endosomal release sequence releasing the effector domain into the cytoplasm; (3) the effector domain modulating signalling. Using our SLFP NF-kappaB inhibitor termed SLC1 we demonstrated that cell-type-specific modulation of intracellular signalling pathways is feasible, that endothelial NF-kappaB activation is critical for arthritis and peritonitis and that SLFPs help to identify disease-relevant pathways in defined cell types. Hence, SLFPs may improve risk-benefit ratios of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Sehnert
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Harald Burkhardt
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Fraunhofer IME-Project-Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephanie Finzel
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Dübel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Reinhard E Voll
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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