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Agbaria M, Jbara-Agbaria D, Grad E, Ben-David-Naim M, Aizik G, Golomb G. Nanoparticles of VAV1 siRNA combined with LL37 peptide for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. J Control Release 2023; 355:312-326. [PMID: 36736910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.084] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the leading causes of cancer-related death, and it is highly resistant to therapy owing to its unique extracellular matrix. VAV1 protein, overexpressed in several cancer diseases including pancreatic cancer (PC), increases tumor proliferation and enhances metastases formation, which are associated with decreased survival. We hypothesized that an additive anti-tumor effect could be obtained by co-encapsulating in PLGA nanoparticles (NPs), the negatively charged siRNA against VAV1 (siVAV1) with the positively charged anti-tumor LL37 peptide, as a counter-ion. Several types of NPs were formulated and were characterized for their physicochemical properties, cellular internalization, and bioactivity in vitro. NPs' biodistribution, toxicity, and bioactivity were examined in a mice PDAC model. An optimal siVAV1 formulation (siVAV1-LL37 NPs) was characterized with desirable physicochemical properties in terms of nano-size, low polydispersity index (PDI), neutral surface charge, high siVAV1 encapsulation efficiency, spherical shape, and long-term shelf-life stability. Cell assays demonstrated rapid engulfment by PC cells, a specific and significant dose-dependent proliferation inhibition, as well as knockdown of VAV1 mRNA levels and migration inhibition in VAV1+ cells. Treatment with siVAV1-LL37 NPs in the mice PDAC model revealed marked accumulation of NPs in the liver and in the tumor, resulting in an increased survival rate following suppression of tumor growth and metastases, mediated via the knockdown of both VAV1 mRNA and protein levels. This proof-of-concept study validates our hypothesis of an additive effect in the treatment of PC facilitated by co-encapsulating siVAV1 in NPs with LL37 serving a dual role as a counter ion as well as an anti-tumor agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majd Agbaria
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Doaa Jbara-Agbaria
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Etty Grad
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Meital Ben-David-Naim
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Gil Aizik
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Gershon Golomb
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel.
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Völs S, Kaisar-Iluz N, Shaul ME, Ryvkin A, Ashkenazy H, Yehuda A, Atamneh R, Heinberg A, Ben-David-Naim M, Nadav M, Hirsch S, Mitesser V, Salpeter SJ, Dzikowski R, Hayouka Z, Gershoni JM, Fridlender ZG, Granot Z. Targeted nanoparticles modify neutrophil function in vivo. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1003871. [PMID: 36275643 PMCID: PMC9580275 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1003871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils play critical roles in a broad spectrum of clinical conditions. Accordingly, manipulation of neutrophil function may provide a powerful immunotherapeutic approach. However, due to neutrophils characteristic short half-life and their large population number, this possibility was considered impractical. Here we describe the identification of peptides which specifically bind either murine or human neutrophils. Although the murine and human neutrophil-specific peptides are not cross-reactive, we identified CD177 as the neutrophil-expressed binding partner in both species. Decorating nanoparticles with a neutrophil-specific peptide confers neutrophil specificity and these neutrophil-specific nanoparticles accumulate in sites of inflammation. Significantly, we demonstrate that encapsulating neutrophil modifying small molecules within these nanoparticles yields specific modulation of neutrophil function (ROS production, degranulation, polarization), intracellular signaling and longevity both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that neutrophil specific targeting may serve as a novel mode of immunotherapy in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Völs
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Naomi Kaisar-Iluz
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute of Pulmonary Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Merav E. Shaul
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute of Pulmonary Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Arik Ryvkin
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Haim Ashkenazy
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Avishag Yehuda
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ronza Atamneh
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adina Heinberg
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Vera Mitesser
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Ron Dzikowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jonathan M. Gershoni
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Zvi G. Fridlender
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute of Pulmonary Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- *Correspondence: Zvi G. Fridlender, ; Zvi Granot,
| | - Zvi Granot
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
- *Correspondence: Zvi G. Fridlender, ; Zvi Granot,
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Aizik G, Waiskopf N, Agbaria M, Ben-David-Naim M, Levi-Kalisman Y, Shahar A, Banin U, Golomb G. Liposomes of Quantum Dots Configured for Passive and Active Delivery to Tumor Tissue. Nano Lett 2019; 19:5844-5852. [PMID: 31424944 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The majority of developed and approved anticancer nanomedicines have been designed to exploit the dogma of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, which is based on the leakiness of the tumor's blood vessels accompanied by impeded lymphatic drainage. However, the EPR effect has been under scrutiny recently because of its variable manifestation across tumor types and animal species and its poor translation to human cancer therapy. To facilitate the EPR effect, systemically injected NPs should overcome the obstacle of rapid recognition and elimination by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). We hypothesized that circulating monocytes, major cells of the MPS that infiltrate the tumor, may serve as an alternative method for achieving increased tumor accumulation of NPs, independent of the EPR effect. We describe here the accumulation of liposomal quantum dots (LipQDs) designed for active delivery via monocytes, in comparison to LipQDs designed for passive delivery (via the EPR effect), following IV administration in a mammary carcinoma model. Hydrophilic QDs were synthesized and entrapped in functionalized liposomes, conferring passive ("stealth" NPs; PEGylated, neutral charge) and active (monocyte-mediated delivery; positively charged) properties by differing in their lipid composition, membrane PEGylation, and charge (positively, negatively, and neutrally charged). The various physicochemical parameters affecting the entrapment yield and optical stability were examined in vitro and in vivo. Biodistribution in the blood, various organs, and in the tumor was determined by the fluorescence intensity and Cd analyses. Following the treatment of animals (intact and mammary-carcinoma-bearing mice) with disparate formulations of LipQDs (differing by their lipid composition, neutrally and positively charged surfaces, and hydrophilic membrane), we demonstrate comparable tumor uptake of QDs delivered by the passive and the active routes (mainly by Ly-6Chi monocytes). Our findings suggest that entrapping QDs in nanosized liposomal formulations, prepared by a new facile method, imparts superior structural and optical stability and a suitable biodistribution profile leading to increased tumor uptake of fluorescently stable QDs.
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Ben-David-Naim M, Dagan A, Grad E, Aizik G, Nordling-David MM, Morss Clyne A, Granot Z, Golomb G. Targeted siRNA Nanoparticles for Mammary Carcinoma Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E442. [PMID: 30934857 PMCID: PMC6521050 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-viral, polymeric-based, siRNA nanoparticles (NPs) have been proposed as promising gene delivery systems. Encapsulating siRNA in targeted NPs could confer improved biological stability, extended half-life, enhanced permeability, effective tumor accumulation, and therapy. In this work, a peptide derived from apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB-P), the protein moiety of low-density lipoprotein, was used to target siRNA-loaded PEGylated NPs to the extracellular matrix/proteoglycans (ECM/PGs) of a mammary carcinoma tumor. siRNA against osteopontin (siOPN), a protein involved in breast cancer development and progression, was encapsulated into PEGylated poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs using the double emulsion solvent diffusion technique. The NPs obtained possessed desired physicochemical properties including ~200 nm size, a neutral surface charge, and high siOPN loading of ~5 µg/mg. ApoB-P-targeted NPs exhibited both enhanced binding to isolated ECM and internalization by MDA-MB-231 human mammary carcinoma cells, in comparison to non-targeted NPs. Increased accumulation of the targeted NPs was achieved in the primary mammary tumor of mice xenografted with MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma cells as well as in the lungs, one of the main sites affected by metastases. siOPN NPs treatment resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth (similar bioactivity of both formulations), accompanied with significant reduction of OPN mRNA levels (~40% knockdown of mRNA levels). We demonstrated that targeted NPs possessed enhanced tumor accumulation with increased therapeutic potential in mice models of mammary carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meital Ben-David-Naim
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Arie Dagan
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Etty Grad
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Gil Aizik
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Mirjam M Nordling-David
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Alisa Morss Clyne
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Zvi Granot
- Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Gershon Golomb
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
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