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Ivánczi M, Balogh B, Kis L, Mándity I. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Drug-Conjugated Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1251. [PMID: 37765059 PMCID: PMC10535489 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are small peptides capable of translocating through biological membranes carrying various attached cargo into cells and even into the nucleus. They may also participate in transcellular transport. Our in silico study intends to model several peptides and their conjugates. We have selected three CPPs with a linear backbone, including penetratin, a naturally occurring oligopeptide; two of its modified sequence analogues (6,14-Phe-penetratin and dodeca-penetratin); and three natural CPPs with a cyclic backbone: Kalata B1, the Sunflower trypsin inhibitor 1 (SFT1), and Momordica cochinchinensis trypsin inhibitor II (MCoTI-II). We have also built conjugates with the small-molecule drug compounds doxorubicin, zidovudine, and rasagiline for each peptide. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out with explicit membrane models. The analysis of the trajectories showed that the interaction of penetratin with the membrane led to spectacular rearrangements in the secondary structure of the peptide, while cyclic peptides remained unchanged due to their high conformational stability. Membrane-peptide and membrane-conjugate interactions have been identified and compared. Taking into account well-known examples from the literature, our simulations demonstrated the utility of computational methods for CPP complexes, and they may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of penetration, which could serve as the basis for delivering conjugated drug molecules to their intracellular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Ivánczi
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - Balázs Balogh
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - Loretta Kis
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - István Mándity
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
- Artificial Transporters Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2., H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
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Horváti K, Fodor K, Pályi B, Henczkó J, Balka G, Gyulai G, Kiss É, Biri-Kovács B, Senoner Z, Bősze S. Novel Assay Platform to Evaluate Intracellular Killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: In Vitro and In Vivo Validation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:750496. [PMID: 34867981 PMCID: PMC8632718 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.750496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main hallmarks of tuberculosis (TB) is the ability of the causative agent to transform into a stage of dormancy and the capability of long persistence in the host phagocytes. It is believed that approximately one-third of the population of the world is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and 5%-10% of these individuals can develop clinical manifestations of active TB even decades after the initial infection. In this latent, intracellular form, the bacillus is shielded by an extremely robust cell wall and becomes phenotypically resistant to most antituberculars. Therefore, there is a clear rationale to develop novel compounds or carrier-conjugated constructs of existing drugs that are effective against the intracellular form of the bacilli. In this paper, we describe an experimental road map to define optimal candidates against intracellular Mtb and potential compounds effective in the therapy of latent TB. To validate our approach, isoniazid, a first-line antitubercular drug was employed, which is active against extracellular Mtb in the submicromolar range, but ineffective against the intracellular form of the bacteria. Cationic peptide conjugates of isoniazid were synthesized and employed to study the host-directed drug delivery. To measure the intracellular killing activity of the compounds, Mtb-infected MonoMac-6 human monocytic cells were utilized. We have assessed the antitubercular activity, cytotoxicity, membrane interactions in combination with internalization efficacy, localization, and penetration ability on interface and tissue-mimicking 3D models. Based on these in vitro data, most active compounds were further evaluated in vivo in a murine model of TB. Intraperitoneal infectious route was employed to induce a course of slowly progressive and systemic disease. The well-being of the animals, monitored by the body weight, allows a prolonged experimental setup and provides a great opportunity to test the long-term activity of the drug candidates. Having shown the great potency of this simple and suitable experimental design for antimicrobial research, the proposed novel assay platform could be used in the future to develop further innovative and highly effective antituberculars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kata Horváti
- Eötvös Loránd Kutatási Hálózat-Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem (ELKH-ELTE) Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kinga Fodor
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science and Animal Protection, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Pályi
- National Biosafety Laboratory, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Henczkó
- National Biosafety Laboratory, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyula Balka
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergő Gyulai
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Kiss
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Szilvia Bősze
- Eötvös Loránd Kutatási Hálózat-Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem (ELKH-ELTE) Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- National Biosafety Laboratory, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
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Abstract
In the most recent 25–30 years, multiple novel mechanisms and applications of cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) have been demonstrated, leading to novel drug delivery systems. In this review, I present a brief introduction to the CPP area with selected recent achievements. This is followed by a nostalgic journey into the research in my own laboratories, which lead to multiple CPPs, starting from transportan and paving a way to CPP-based therapeutic developments in the delivery of bio-functional materials, such as peptides, proteins, vaccines, oligonucleotides and small molecules, etc.
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Baranyai Z, Biri-Kovács B, Krátký M, Szeder B, Debreczeni ML, Budai J, Kovács B, Horváth L, Pári E, Németh Z, Cervenak L, Zsila F, Méhes E, Kiss É, Vinšová J, Bősze S. Cellular Internalization and Inhibition Capacity of New Anti-Glioma Peptide Conjugates: Physicochemical Characterization and Evaluation on Various Monolayer- and 3D-Spheroid-Based in Vitro Platforms. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2982-3005. [PMID: 33719423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Most therapeutic agents used for treating brain malignancies face hindered transport through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and poor tissue penetration. To overcome these problems, we developed peptide conjugates of conventional and experimental anticancer agents. SynB3 cell-penetrating peptide derivatives were applied that can cross the BBB. Tuftsin derivatives were used to target the neuropilin-1 transport system for selectivity and better tumor penetration. Moreover, SynB3-tuftsin tandem compounds were synthesized to combine the beneficial properties of these peptides. Most of the conjugates showed high and selective efficacy against glioblastoma cells. SynB3 and tandem derivatives demonstrated superior cellular internalization. The penetration profile of the conjugates was determined on a lipid monolayer and Transwell co-culture system with noncontact HUVEC-U87 monolayers as simple ex vivo and in vitro BBB models. Importantly, in 3D spheroids, daunomycin-peptide conjugates possessed a better tumor penetration ability than daunomycin. These conjugates are promising tools for the delivery systems with tunable features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsa Baranyai
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Biri-Kovács
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Martin Krátký
- Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Bálint Szeder
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márta L Debreczeni
- 3rd Department of Medicine Research Laboratory, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi út 4, H-1125 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Johanna Budai
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bence Kovács
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány u. 2-4, H-2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Lilla Horváth
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edit Pári
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Németh
- 3rd Department of Medicine Research Laboratory, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi út 4, H-1125 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Cervenak
- 3rd Department of Medicine Research Laboratory, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi út 4, H-1125 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Zsila
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Előd Méhes
- Department of Biological Physics, Institute of Physics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Kiss
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jarmila Vinšová
- Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Szilvia Bősze
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
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