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Wakileh GA, Bierholz P, Kotthoff M, Skowron MA, Bremmer F, Stephan A, Anbuhl SM, Heukers R, Smit MJ, Ströbel P, Nettersheim D. Molecular characterization of the CXCR4 / CXCR7 axis in germ cell tumors and its targetability using nanobody-drug-conjugates. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:96. [PMID: 37996954 PMCID: PMC10668499 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00460-9] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Being stimulated by the chemokine CXCL12, the CXCR4 / CXCR7 cascade is involved in tumor proliferation, migration, and metastasis. The interaction between CXCL12, secreted by cells from the microenvironment, and its receptors is complex and has been ascribed to promote chemotherapy resistance. However, the role of this signaling axis and its targetability in germ cell tumors (GCT) is not fully understood. Thus, this study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of a nanobody-drug-conjugate targeting CXCR4 (CXCR4-NDC) and functionally characterized this signaling pathway in GCT using small molecule inhibitors and nanobodies. As shown by diminished cell viability, enhanced apoptosis induction, and detection of mitotic catastrophes, we confirmed the cytotoxic efficacy of the CXCR4-NDC in CXCR4+-GCT cells (i.e. seminoma and yolk-sac tumor), while non-malignant CXCR4--fibroblasts, remained largely unaffected. Stimulation of CXCR4+ / CXCR7+-GCT cells with CXCL12 resulted in an enhanced proliferative and migratory capacity, while this effect could be reverted using CXCR4 inhibitors or a CXCR7-nanobody. Molecularly, the CXCR4 / CXCR7-signaling cascade could be activated independently of MAPK (ERK1 / 2)-phosphorylation. Although, in CXCR4- / CXCR7--embryonal carcinoma cells, CXCR7-expression was re-induced upon inhibition of ERK1 / 2-signaling. This study identified a nanobody-drug-conjugate targeting CXCR4 as a putative therapeutic option for GCT, i.e. seminoma and yolk-sac tumors. Furthermore, this study shed light on the functional role of the CXCR4 / CXCR7 / CXCL12-signaling cascade in GCT, demonstrating an important influence on proliferation and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamal A Wakileh
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Philipp Bierholz
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mara Kotthoff
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Margaretha A Skowron
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Felix Bremmer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexa Stephan
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stephanie M Anbuhl
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- QVQ Holding BV, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- QVQ Holding BV, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Martine J Smit
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Nettersheim
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Düsseldorf, Germany.
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2
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Struijf EM, De la O Becerra KI, Ruyken M, de Haas CJC, van Oosterom F, Siere DY, van Keulen JE, Heesterbeek DAC, Dolk E, Heukers R, Bardoel BW, Gros P, Rooijakkers SHM. Inhibition of cleavage of human complement component C5 and the R885H C5 variant by two distinct high affinity anti-C5 nanobodies. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104956. [PMID: 37356719 PMCID: PMC10374974 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104956] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human complement system plays a crucial role in immune defense. However, its erroneous activation contributes to many serious inflammatory diseases. Since most unwanted complement effector functions result from C5 cleavage into C5a and C5b, development of C5 inhibitors, such as clinically approved monoclonal antibody eculizumab, are of great interest. Here, we developed and characterized two anti-C5 nanobodies, UNbC5-1 and UNbC5-2. Using surface plasmon resonance, we determined a binding affinity of 119.9 pM for UNbC5-1 and 7.7 pM for UNbC5-2. Competition experiments determined that the two nanobodies recognize distinct epitopes on C5. Both nanobodies efficiently interfered with C5 cleavage in a human serum environment, as they prevented red blood cell lysis via membrane attack complexes (C5b-9) and the formation of chemoattractant C5a. The cryo-EM structure of UNbC5-1 and UNbC5-2 in complex with C5 (3.6 Å resolution) revealed that the binding interfaces of UNbC5-1 and UNbC5-2 overlap with known complement inhibitors eculizumab and RaCI3, respectively. UNbC5-1 binds to the MG7 domain of C5, facilitated by a hydrophobic core and polar interactions, and UNbC5-2 interacts with the C5d domain mostly by salt bridges and hydrogen bonds. Interestingly, UNbC5-1 potently binds and inhibits C5 R885H, a genetic variant of C5 that is not recognized by eculizumab. Altogether, we identified and characterized two different, high affinity nanobodies against human C5. Both nanobodies could serve as diagnostic and/or research tools to detect C5 or inhibit C5 cleavage. Furthermore, the residues targeted by UNbC5-1 hold important information for therapeutic inhibition of different polymorphic variants of C5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Struijf
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Karla I De la O Becerra
- Structural Biochemistry Group, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje Ruyken
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla J C de Haas
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur van Oosterom
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Danique Y Siere
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joanne E van Keulen
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dani A C Heesterbeek
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Bart W Bardoel
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Piet Gros
- Structural Biochemistry Group, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan H M Rooijakkers
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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3
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van den Bor J, Bergkamp ND, Anbuhl SM, Dekker F, Comez D, Perez Almeria CV, Bosma R, White CW, Kilpatrick LE, Hill SJ, Siderius M, Smit MJ, Heukers R. NanoB 2 to monitor interactions of ligands with membrane proteins by combining nanobodies and NanoBRET. Cell Rep Methods 2023; 3:100422. [PMID: 37056381 PMCID: PMC10088090 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100422] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of ligands targeting disease-associated membrane proteins is predicted by ligand-receptor binding constants, which can be determined using NanoLuciferase (NanoLuc)-based bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (NanoBRET) methods. However, the broad applicability of these methods is hampered by the restricted availability of fluorescent probes. We describe the use of antibody fragments, like nanobodies, as universal building blocks for fluorescent probes for use in NanoBRET. Our nanobody-NanoBRET (NanoB2) workflow starts with the generation of NanoLuc-tagged receptors and fluorescent nanobodies, enabling homogeneous, real-time monitoring of nanobody-receptor binding. Moreover, NanoB2 facilitates the assessment of receptor binding of unlabeled ligands in competition binding experiments. The broad significance is illustrated by the successful application of NanoB2 to different drug targets (e.g., multiple G protein-coupled receptors [GPCRs] and a receptor tyrosine kinase [RTK]) at distinct therapeutically relevant binding sites (i.e., extracellular and intracellular).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle van den Bor
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nick D. Bergkamp
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stephanie M. Anbuhl
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- QVQ Holding B.V., Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Françoise Dekker
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dehan Comez
- Cell Signalling Research Group, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, the Midlands, UK
| | - Claudia V. Perez Almeria
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reggie Bosma
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carl W. White
- Cell Signalling Research Group, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, the Midlands, UK
| | - Laura E. Kilpatrick
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, the Midlands, UK
- Division of Bimolecular Science and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stephen J. Hill
- Cell Signalling Research Group, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, the Midlands, UK
| | - Marco Siderius
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martine J. Smit
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Receptor Biochemistry and Signaling group, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Science (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- QVQ Holding B.V., Utrecht, the Netherlands
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4
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Schriek AI, van Haaren MM, Poniman M, Dekkers G, Bentlage AEH, Grobben M, Vidarsson G, Sanders RW, Verrips T, Geijtenbeek TBH, Heukers R, Kootstra NA, de Taeye SW, van Gils MJ. Corrigendum: Anti-HIV-1 nanobody-IgG1 constructs with improved neutralization potency and the ability to mediate Fc effector functions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1091668. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1091668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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5
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Kleist AB, Jenjak S, Sente A, Laskowski LJ, Szpakowska M, Calkins MM, Anderson EI, McNally LM, Heukers R, Bobkov V, Peterson FC, Thomas MA, Chevigné A, Smit MJ, McCorvy JD, Babu MM, Volkman BF. Conformational selection guides β-arrestin recruitment at a biased G protein-coupled receptor. Science 2022; 377:222-228. [PMID: 35857540 PMCID: PMC9574477 DOI: 10.1126/science.abj4922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) recruit β-arrestins to coordinate diverse cellular processes, but the structural dynamics driving this process are poorly understood. Atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) are intrinsically biased GPCRs that engage β-arrestins but not G proteins, making them a model system for investigating the structural basis of β-arrestin recruitment. Here, we performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments on 13CH3-ε-methionine-labeled ACKR3, revealing that β-arrestin recruitment is associated with conformational exchange at key regions of the extracellular ligand-binding pocket and intracellular β-arrestin-coupling region. NMR studies of ACKR3 mutants defective in β-arrestin recruitment identified an allosteric hub in the receptor core that coordinates transitions among heterogeneously populated and selected conformational states. Our data suggest that conformational selection guides β-arrestin recruitment by tuning receptor dynamics at intracellular and extracellular regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Kleist
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Shawn Jenjak
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Andrija Sente
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Lauren J Laskowski
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Martyna Szpakowska
- Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Maggie M Calkins
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Emilie I Anderson
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Lisa M McNally
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vladimir Bobkov
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Francis C Peterson
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Monica A Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Andy Chevigné
- Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Martine J Smit
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - John D McCorvy
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - M Madan Babu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Center for Data Driven Discovery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Brian F Volkman
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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6
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Schriek AI, van Haaren MM, Poniman M, Dekkers G, Bentlage AEH, Grobben M, Vidarsson G, Sanders RW, Verrips T, Geijtenbeek TBH, Heukers R, Kootstra NA, de Taeye SW, van Gils MJ. Anti-HIV-1 Nanobody-IgG1 Constructs With Improved Neutralization Potency and the Ability to Mediate Fc Effector Functions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:893648. [PMID: 35651621 PMCID: PMC9150821 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.893648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The most effective treatment for HIV-1, antiretroviral therapy, suppresses viral replication and averts the disease from progression. Nonetheless, there is a need for alternative treatments as it requires daily administration with the possibility of side effects and occurrence of drug resistance. Broadly neutralizing antibodies or nanobodies targeting the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein are explored as alternative treatment, since they mediate viral suppression and contribute to the elimination of virus-infected cells. Besides neutralization potency and breadth, Fc-mediated effector functions of bNAbs also contribute to the in vivo efficacy. In this study multivalent J3, 2E7 and 1F10 anti-HIV-1 broadly neutralizing nanobodies were generated to improve neutralization potency and IgG1 Fc fusion was utilized to gain Fc-mediated effector functions. Bivalent and trivalent nanobodies, coupled using long glycine-serine linkers, showed increased binding to the HIV-1 Env and enhanced neutralization potency compared to the monovalent variant. Fusion of an IgG1 Fc domain to J3 improved neutralization potency compared to the J3-bihead and restored Fc-mediated effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis and trogocytosis, and natural killer cell activation. Due to their neutralization breadth and potency and their ability to induce effector functions these nanobody-IgG1 constructs may prove to be valuable towards alternative HIV-1 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela I Schriek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marlies M van Haaren
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Meliawati Poniman
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Arthur E H Bentlage
- Department of Experimental Immunohematology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marloes Grobben
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gestur Vidarsson
- Department of Experimental Immunohematology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rogier W Sanders
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Theo Verrips
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,VerLin BV, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Teunis B H Geijtenbeek
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Neeltje A Kootstra
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Steven W de Taeye
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marit J van Gils
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Schlimgen R, Peterson F, Heukers R, Smit M, McCorvy J, Volkman B. Structural Basis of Nanobody Induced ACKR3 Inhibition. FASEB J 2022. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.r4707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Raimond Heukers
- Division of Medicinal ChemistryAmsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life SciencesAmsterdam
| | - Martine Smit
- Division of Medicinal ChemistryAmsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life SciencesAmsterdam
| | - John McCorvy
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology & AnatomyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI
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8
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Comez D, Glenn J, Anbuhl SM, Heukers R, Smit MJ, Hill SJ, Kilpatrick LE. Fluorescently tagged nanobodies and NanoBRET to study ligand-binding and agonist-induced conformational changes of full-length EGFR expressed in living cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1006718. [PMID: 36505413 PMCID: PMC9726709 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1006718] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor is a member of the Erb receptor tyrosine kinase family. It binds several ligands including EGF, betacellulin (BTC) and TGF-α, controls cellular proliferation and invasion and is overexpressed in various cancer types. Nanobodies (VHHs) are the antigen binding fragments of heavy chain only camelid antibodies. In this paper we used NanoBRET to compare the binding characteristics of fluorescent EGF or two distinct fluorescently labelled EGFR directed nanobodies (Q44c and Q86c) to full length EGFR. Methods Living HEK293T cells were stably transfected with N terminal NLuc tagged EGFR. NanoBRET saturation, displacement or kinetics experiments were then performed using fluorescently labelled EGF ligands (EGF-AF488 or EGF-AF647) or fluorescently labelled EGFR targeting nanobodies (Q44c-HL488 and Q86c-HL488). Results These data revealed that the EGFR nanobody Q44c was able to inhibit EGF binding to full length EGFR, while Q86c was able to recognise agonist bound EGFR and act as a conformational sensor. The specific binding of fluorescent Q44c-HL488 and EGF-AF488 was inhibited by a range of EGFR ligands (EGF> BTC>TGF-α). Discussion EGFR targeting nanobodies are powerful tools for studying the role of the EGFR in health and disease and allow real time quantification of ligand binding and distinct ligand induced conformational changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehan Comez
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline Glenn
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie M Anbuhl
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS) Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam, Netherlands.,QVQ Holding BV, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS) Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam, Netherlands.,QVQ Holding BV, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Martine J Smit
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS) Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Hill
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Laura E Kilpatrick
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Division of Bimolecular Science and Medicinal Chemistry, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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9
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Beltrán Hernández I, De Groof TWM, Heukers R, Oliveira S. In Vitro Assessment of Binding Affinity, Selectivity, Uptake, Intracellular Degradation, and Toxicity of Nanobody-Photosensitizer Conjugates. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2451:505-520. [PMID: 35505028 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2099-1_23] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Photosensitizers have recently been conjugated to nanobodies for targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) to selectively kill cancer cells. The success of this approach relies on nanobody-photosensitizer conjugates that bind specifically to their targets with very high affinities (kD in low nM range). Subsequently, upon illumination, these conjugates are very toxic and selective to cells overexpressing the target of interest (EC50 in low nM range). In this chapter, protocols are described to determine the binding affinity of the nanobody-photosensitizer conjugates and assess the toxicity and selectivity of the conjugates when performing in vitro PDT studies. In addition, and because the efficacy of PDT also depends on the (subcellular) localization of the conjugates at the time of illumination, assays are described to investigate the uptake and the intracellular degradation of the nanobody-photosensitizer conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irati Beltrán Hernández
- Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Timo W M De Groof
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Lab, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Oliveira
- Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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10
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De Groof TWM, Bergkamp ND, Heukers R, Giap T, Bebelman MP, Goeij-de Haas R, Piersma SR, Jimenez CR, Garcia KC, Ploegh HL, Siderius M, Smit MJ. Selective targeting of ligand-dependent and -independent signaling by GPCR conformation-specific anti-US28 intrabodies. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4357. [PMID: 34272386 PMCID: PMC8285524 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24574-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
While various GPCRs, including US28, display constitutive, ligand-independent activity, it remains to be established whether ligand-dependent and -independent active conformations differ and can be selectively modulated. Previously, the agonist-bound conformation of US28 was stabilized and its structure was solved using the anti-US28 nanobody Nb7. Here we report the recognition of the constitutively active, apo-conformation of US28 by another nanobody VUN103. While the Nb7 intrabody selectively inhibits ligand-induced signaling, the VUN103 intrabody blocks constitutive signaling, indicating the existence of distinct US28 conformational states. By displacing Gαq protein, VUN103 prevents US28 signaling and reduces tumor spheroids growth. Overall, nanobodies specific for distinct GPCR conformational states, i.e. apo- and agonist-bound, can selectively target and discern functional consequences of ligand-dependent versus independent signaling. Various GPCRs display constitutive ligand-independent activity, but it remains unclear whether ligand-dependent and -independent conformations differ. Here the authors demonstrate the recognition and blocking of G protein recruitment of either the ligand-bound active, or the constitutively active apo-conformation of the viral GPCR US28 by different nanobodies that target similar intracellular loops of the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo W M De Groof
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Imaging, In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory (ICMI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick D Bergkamp
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,QVQ B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Truc Giap
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten P Bebelman
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Goeij-de Haas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sander R Piersma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Connie R Jimenez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Christopher Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Marco Siderius
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Smit
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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11
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van Ineveld RL, Kleinnijenhuis M, Alieva M, de Blank S, Barrera Roman M, van Vliet EJ, Martínez Mir C, Johnson HR, Bos FL, Heukers R, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, Drost J, Dekkers JF, Wehrens EJ, Rios AC. Revealing the spatio-phenotypic patterning of cells in healthy and tumor tissues with mLSR-3D and STAPL-3D. Nat Biotechnol 2021; 39:1239-1245. [PMID: 34083793 PMCID: PMC7611791 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-00926-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in three-dimensional (3D) imaging, it remains challenging to profile all the cells within a large 3D tissue, including the morphology and organization of the many cell types present. Here, we introduce eight-color, multispectral, large-scale single-cell resolution 3D (mLSR-3D) imaging and image analysis software for the parallelized, deep learning-based segmentation of large numbers of single cells in tissues, called segmentation analysis by parallelization of 3D datasets (STAPL-3D). Applying the method to pediatric Wilms tumor, we extract molecular, spatial and morphological features of millions of cells and reconstruct the tumor’s spatio-phenotypic patterning. In situ population profiling and pseudotime ordering reveals a highly disorganized spatial pattern in Wilms tumor compared to healthy fetal kidney, yet cellular profiles closely resembling human fetal kidney cells could be observed. In addition, we identify previously unreported tumor-specific populations, uniquely characterized by their spatial embedding or morphological attributes. Our results demonstrate the use of combining mLSR-3D and STAPL-3D to generate a comprehensive cellular map of human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravian L van Ineveld
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michiel Kleinnijenhuis
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Alieva
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sam de Blank
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mario Barrera Roman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Esmée J van Vliet
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Clara Martínez Mir
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hannah R Johnson
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Frank L Bos
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna F Dekkers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen J Wehrens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anne C Rios
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands. .,Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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12
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De Groof TWM, Elder EG, Siderius M, Heukers R, Sinclair JH, Smit MJ. Viral G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Attractive Targets for Herpesvirus-Associated Diseases. Pharmacol Rev 2021; 73:828-846. [PMID: 33692148 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses are ubiquitous pathogens that establish lifelong, latent infections in their host. Spontaneous reactivation of herpesviruses is often asymptomatic or clinically manageable in healthy individuals, but reactivation events in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals can lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Moreover, herpesvirus infections have been associated with multiple proliferative cardiovascular and post-transplant diseases. Herpesviruses encode viral G protein-coupled receptors (vGPCRs) that alter the host cell by hijacking cellular pathways and play important roles in the viral life cycle and these different disease settings. In this review, we discuss the pharmacological and signaling properties of these vGPCRs, their role in the viral life cycle, and their contribution in different diseases. Because of their prominent role, vGPCRs have emerged as promising drug targets, and the potential of vGPCR-targeting therapeutics is being explored. Overall, these vGPCRs can be considered as attractive targets moving forward in the development of antiviral, cancer, and/or cardiovascular disease treatments. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In the last decade, herpesvirus-encoded G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have emerged as interesting drug targets with the growing understanding of their critical role in the viral life cycle and in different disease settings. This review presents the pharmacological properties of these viral receptors, their role in the viral life cycle and different diseases, and the emergence of therapeutics targeting viral GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo W M De Groof
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory (ICMI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (T.W.M.D.G.); Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (E.G.E., J.H.S.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.S., R.H., M.J.S.); and QVQ Holding B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands (R.H.)
| | - Elizabeth G Elder
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory (ICMI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (T.W.M.D.G.); Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (E.G.E., J.H.S.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.S., R.H., M.J.S.); and QVQ Holding B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands (R.H.)
| | - Marco Siderius
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory (ICMI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (T.W.M.D.G.); Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (E.G.E., J.H.S.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.S., R.H., M.J.S.); and QVQ Holding B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands (R.H.)
| | - Raimond Heukers
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory (ICMI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (T.W.M.D.G.); Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (E.G.E., J.H.S.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.S., R.H., M.J.S.); and QVQ Holding B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands (R.H.)
| | - John H Sinclair
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory (ICMI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (T.W.M.D.G.); Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (E.G.E., J.H.S.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.S., R.H., M.J.S.); and QVQ Holding B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands (R.H.)
| | - Martine J Smit
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory (ICMI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (T.W.M.D.G.); Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (E.G.E., J.H.S.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (M.S., R.H., M.J.S.); and QVQ Holding B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands (R.H.)
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13
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Soave M, Heukers R, Kellam B, Woolard J, Smit MJ, Briddon SJ, Hill SJ. Monitoring Allosteric Interactions with CXCR4 Using NanoBiT Conjugated Nanobodies. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1250-1261.e5. [PMID: 32610042 PMCID: PMC7573392 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Camelid single-domain antibody fragments (nanobodies) offer the specificity of an antibody in a single 15-kDa immunoglobulin domain. Their small size allows for easy genetic manipulation of the nanobody sequence to incorporate protein tags, facilitating their use as biochemical probes. The nanobody VUN400, which recognizes the second extracellular loop of the human CXCR4 chemokine receptor, was used as a probe to monitor specific CXCR4 conformations. VUN400 was fused via its C terminus to the 11-amino-acid HiBiT tag (VUN400-HiBiT) which complements LgBiT protein, forming a full-length functional NanoLuc luciferase. Here, complemented luminescence was used to detect VUN400-HiBiT binding to CXCR4 receptors expressed in living HEK293 cells. VUN400-HiBiT binding to CXCR4 could be prevented by orthosteric and allosteric ligands, allowing VUN400-HiBiT to be used as a probe to detect allosteric interactions with CXCR4. These data demonstrate that the high specificity offered by extracellular targeted nanobodies can be utilized to probe receptor pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Soave
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands, UK
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; QVQ Holding B.V., Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Barrie Kellam
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands, UK; School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jeanette Woolard
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands, UK
| | - Martine J Smit
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), VU University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Briddon
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands, UK
| | - Stephen J Hill
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, The Midlands, UK.
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14
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van Senten JR, Bebelman MP, Fan TS, Heukers R, Bergkamp ND, van Gasselt P, Langemeijer EV, Slinger E, Lagerweij T, Rahbar A, Stigter-van Walsum M, Maussang D, Leurs R, Musters RJP, van Dongen GAMS, Söderberg-Nauclér C, Würdinger T, Siderius M, Smit MJ. The human cytomegalovirus-encoded G protein-coupled receptor UL33 exhibits oncomodulatory properties. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:16297-16308. [PMID: 31519750 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses can rewire cellular signaling in host cells by expressing viral G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These viral receptors exhibit homology to human chemokine receptors, but some display constitutive activity and promiscuous G protein coupling. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been detected in multiple cancers, including glioblastoma, and its genome encodes four GPCRs. One of these receptors, US28, is expressed in glioblastoma and possesses constitutive activity and oncomodulatory properties. UL33, another HCMV-encoded GPCR, also displays constitutive signaling via Gαq, Gαi, and Gαs proteins. However, little is known about the nature and functional effects of UL33-driven signaling. Here, we assessed UL33's signaling repertoire and oncomodulatory potential. UL33 activated multiple proliferative, angiogenic, and inflammatory signaling pathways in HEK293T and U251 glioblastoma cells. Notably, upon infection, UL33 contributed to HCMV-mediated STAT3 activation. Moreover, UL33 increased spheroid growth in vitro and accelerated tumor growth in different in vivo tumor models, including an orthotopic glioblastoma xenograft model. UL33-mediated signaling was similar to that stimulated by US28; however, UL33-induced tumor growth was delayed. Additionally, the spatiotemporal expression of the two receptors only partially overlapped in HCMV-infected glioblastoma cells. In conclusion, our results unveil that UL33 has broad signaling capacity and provide mechanistic insight into its functional effects. UL33, like US28, exhibits oncomodulatory properties, elicited via constitutive activation of multiple signaling pathways. UL33 and US28 might contribute to HCMV's oncomodulatory effects through complementing and converging cellular signaling, and hence UL33 may represent a promising drug target in HCMV-associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R van Senten
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten P Bebelman
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tian Shu Fan
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nick D Bergkamp
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Puck van Gasselt
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen V Langemeijer
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Slinger
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tonny Lagerweij
- Neuro-oncology Research Group, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Afsar Rahbar
- Department of Medicine Solna, Microbial Pathogenesis Research Unit and Department of Neurology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marijke Stigter-van Walsum
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David Maussang
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Leurs
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René J P Musters
- Department of Physiology, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guus A M S van Dongen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér
- Department of Medicine Solna, Microbial Pathogenesis Research Unit and Department of Neurology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Würdinger
- Neuro-oncology Research Group, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Siderius
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Smit
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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15
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De Groof TWM, Mashayekhi V, Fan TS, Bergkamp ND, Sastre Toraño J, van Senten JR, Heukers R, Smit MJ, Oliveira S. Nanobody-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy Selectively Kills Viral GPCR-Expressing Glioblastoma Cells. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:3145-3156. [PMID: 31244224 PMCID: PMC6728091 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Photodynamic
therapy (PDT) eradicates tumors by the local activation
of a photosensitizer with near-infrared light. One of the aspects
hampering the clinical use of PDT is the poor selectivity of the photosensitizer.
To improve this, we have recently introduced a new approach for targeted
PDT by conjugating photosensitizers to nanobodies. Diverse G protein-coupled
receptors (GPCRs) show aberrant overexpression in tumors and are therefore
interesting targets in cancer therapy. Here we show that GPCR-targeting
nanobodies can be used in targeted PDT. We have developed a nanobody
binding the extracellular side of the viral GPCR US28, which is detected
in tumors like glioblastoma. The nanobody was site-directionally conjugated
to the water-soluble photosensitizer IRDye700DX. This nanobody–photosensitizer
conjugate selectively killed US28-expressing glioblastoma cells both
in 2D and 3D cultures upon illumination with near-infrared light.
This is the first example employing a GPCR as target for nanobody-directed
PDT. With the emerging role of GPCRs in cancer, this data provides
a new angle for exploiting this large family of receptors for targeted
therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo W M De Groof
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , De Boelelaan 1108 , 1081 HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Vida Mashayekhi
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biology , Utrecht University , 3584 CH Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Tian Shu Fan
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , De Boelelaan 1108 , 1081 HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Nick D Bergkamp
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , De Boelelaan 1108 , 1081 HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Javier Sastre Toraño
- Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Utrecht University , 3584 CG Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey R van Senten
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , De Boelelaan 1108 , 1081 HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , De Boelelaan 1108 , 1081 HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands.,QVQ B.V. , Yalelaan 1 , 3484 CL Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Smit
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems (AIMMS) , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , De Boelelaan 1108 , 1081 HZ Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Oliveira
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biology , Utrecht University , 3584 CH Utrecht , The Netherlands.,Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Utrecht University , 3584 CG Utrecht , The Netherlands
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16
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Heukers R, Mashayekhi V, Ramirez-Escudero M, de Haard H, Verrips TC, van Bergen En Henegouwen PMP, Oliveira S. VHH-Photosensitizer Conjugates for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy of Met-Overexpressing Tumor Cells. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8020026. [PMID: 31544832 PMCID: PMC6640711 DOI: 10.3390/antib8020026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [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: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an approach that kills (cancer) cells by the local production of toxic reactive oxygen species upon the local illumination of a photosensitizer (PS). The specificity of PDT has been further enhanced by the development of a new water-soluble PS and by the specific delivery of PS via conjugation to tumor-targeting antibodies. To improve tissue penetration and shorten photosensitivity, we have recently introduced nanobodies, also known as VHH (variable domains from the heavy chain of llama heavy chain antibodies), for targeted PDT of cancer cells overexpressing the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Overexpression and activation of another cancer-related receptor, the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR, c-Met or Met) is also involved in the progression and metastasis of a large variety of malignancies. In this study we evaluate whether anti-Met VHHs conjugated to PS can also serve as a biopharmaceutical for targeted PDT. VHHs targeting the SEMA (semaphorin-like) subdomain of Met were provided with a C-terminal tag that allowed both straightforward purification from yeast supernatant and directional conjugation to the PS IRDye700DX using maleimide chemistry. The generated anti-Met VHH-PS showed nanomolar binding affinity and, upon illumination, specifically killed MKN45 cells with nanomolar potency. This study shows that Met can also serve as a membrane target for targeted PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimond Heukers
- QVQ Holding BV, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Vida Mashayekhi
- Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Mercedes Ramirez-Escudero
- Crystal & Structural Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Hans de Haard
- Argenx BVBA, Industriepark-Zwijnaarde 7, 9052 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Theo C Verrips
- QVQ Holding BV, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Paul M P van Bergen En Henegouwen
- Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Sabrina Oliveira
- Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Pharmaceutics Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Soave
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUnited Kingdom
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE)The MidlandsUnited Kingdom
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Division of Medicinal ChemistryVU AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
- QVQ Holding B.V.UtrechtNetherlands
| | - Martine J Smit
- Division of Medicinal ChemistryVU AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Stephen J Briddon
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUnited Kingdom
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE)The MidlandsUnited Kingdom
| | - Stephen J Hill
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUnited Kingdom
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE)The MidlandsUnited Kingdom
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Heukers R, De Groof TW, Smit MJ. Nanobodies detecting and modulating GPCRs outside in and inside out. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2019; 57:115-122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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De Groof TWM, Bobkov V, Heukers R, Smit MJ. Nanobodies: New avenues for imaging, stabilizing and modulating GPCRs. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 484:15-24. [PMID: 30690070 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is the largest class of membrane proteins and an important drug target due to their role in many (patho)physiological processes. Besides small molecules, GPCRs can be targeted by biologicals including antibodies and antibody fragments. This review describes the use of antibodies and in particular antibody fragments from camelid-derived heavy chain-only antibodies (nanobodies/VHHs/sdAbs) for detecting, stabilizing, modulating and therapeutically targeting GPCRs. Altogether, it becomes increasingly clear that the small size, structure and protruding antigen-binding loops of nanobodies are favorable features for the development of selective and potent GPCRs-binding molecules. This makes them attractive tools to modulate GPCR activity but also as targeting modalities for GPCR-directed therapeutics. In addition, these antibody-fragments are important tools in the stabilization of particular conformations of these receptors. Lastly, nanobodies, in contrast to conventional antibodies, can also easily be expressed intracellularly which render nanobodies important tools for studying GPCR function. Hence, GPCR-targeting nanobodies are ideal modalities to image, stabilize and modulate GPCR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo W M De Groof
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Vladimir Bobkov
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Argenx BVBA, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; QVQ Holding B.V., Yalelaan 1, 3484 CL, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Martine J Smit
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Bobkov V, Zarca AM, Van Hout A, Arimont M, Doijen J, Bialkowska M, Toffoli E, Klarenbeek A, van der Woning B, van der Vliet HJ, Van Loy T, de Haard H, Schols D, Heukers R, Smit MJ. Nanobody-Fc constructs targeting chemokine receptor CXCR4 potently inhibit signaling and CXCR4-mediated HIV-entry and induce antibody effector functions. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 158:413-424. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Haselberg R, De Vijlder T, Heukers R, Smit MJ, Romijn EP, Somsen GW, Domínguez-Vega E. Heterogeneity assessment of antibody-derived therapeutics at the intact and middle-up level by low-flow sheathless capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1044:181-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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22
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Heukers R, Fan TS, de Wit RH, van Senten JR, De Groof TWM, Bebelman MP, Lagerweij T, Vieira J, de Munnik SM, Smits-de Vries L, van Offenbeek J, Rahbar A, van Hoorick D, Söderberg-Naucler C, Würdinger T, Leurs R, Siderius M, Vischer HF, Smit MJ. The constitutive activity of the virally encoded chemokine receptor US28 accelerates glioblastoma growth. Oncogene 2018; 37:4110-4121. [PMID: 29706656 PMCID: PMC6062493 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0255-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and an incurable type of brain cancer. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA and encoded proteins, including the chemokine receptor US28, have been detected in GBM tumors. US28 displays constitutive activity and is able to bind several human chemokines, leading to the activation of various proliferative and inflammatory signaling pathways. Here we show that HCMV, through the expression of US28, significantly enhanced the growth of 3D spheroids of U251− and neurospheres of primary glioblastoma cells. Moreover, US28 expression accelerated the growth of glioblastoma cells in an orthotopic intracranial GBM-model in mice. We developed highly potent and selective US28-targeting nanobodies, which bind to the extracellular domain of US28 and detect US28 in GBM tissue. The nanobodies inhibited chemokine binding and reduced the constitutive US28-mediated signaling with nanomolar potencies and significantly impaired HCMV/US28-mediated tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. This study emphasizes the oncomodulatory role of HCMV-encoded US28 and provides a potential therapeutic approach for HCMV-positive tumors using the nanobody technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimond Heukers
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Tian Shu Fan
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond H de Wit
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey R van Senten
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Timo W M De Groof
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten P Bebelman
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Tonny Lagerweij
- Neuro-oncology Research Group, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Joao Vieira
- Ablynx N.V., Technologiepark 21, Zwijnaarde, 9052, Belgium
| | - Sabrina M de Munnik
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Smits-de Vries
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Jody van Offenbeek
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Afsar Rahbar
- Department of Medicine Solna, Experimental Cardiovascular Research Unit and Department of Medicine and Neurology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | | | - Cecilia Söderberg-Naucler
- Department of Medicine Solna, Experimental Cardiovascular Research Unit and Department of Medicine and Neurology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Thomas Würdinger
- Neuro-oncology Research Group, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Leurs
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Siderius
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Henry F Vischer
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Smit
- Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, 1081 HZ, The Netherlands.
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de Wit RH, Heukers R, Brink HJ, Arsova A, Maussang D, Cutolo P, Strubbe B, Vischer HF, Bachelerie F, Smit MJ. CXCR4-Specific Nanobodies as Potential Therapeutics for WHIM syndrome. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 363:35-44. [PMID: 28768817 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.242735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
WHIM syndrome is a rare congenital immunodeficiency disease, named after its main clinical manifestations: warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis, which refers to abnormal accumulation of mature neutrophils in the bone marrow. The disease is primarily caused by C-terminal truncation mutations of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, giving these CXCR4-WHIM mutants a gain of function in response to their ligand CXCL12. Considering the broad functions of CXCR4 in maintaining leukocyte homeostasis, patients are panleukopenic and display altered immune responses, likely as a consequence of impairment in the differentiation and trafficking of leukocytes. Treatment of WHIM patients currently consists of symptom relief, leading to unsatisfactory clinical responses. As an alternative and potentially more effective approach, we tested the potency and efficacy of CXCR4-specific nanobodies on inhibiting CXCR4-WHIM mutants. Nanobodies are therapeutic proteins based on the smallest functional fragments of heavy chain antibodies. They combine the advantages of small-molecule drugs and antibody-based therapeutics due to their relative small size, high stability, and high affinity. We compared the potential of monovalent and bivalent CXCR4-specific nanobodies to inhibit CXCL12-induced CXCR4-WHIM-mediated signaling with the small-molecule clinical candidate AMD3100. The CXCR4-targeting nanobodies displace CXCL12 binding and bind CXCR4-wild type and CXCR4-WHIM (R334X/S338X) mutants and with (sub-) nanomolar affinities. The nanobodies' epitope was mapped to extracellular loop 2 of CXCR4, overlapping with the binding site of CXCL12. Monovalent, and in particular bivalent, nanobodies were more potent than AMD3100 in reducing CXCL12-mediated G protein activation. In addition, CXCR4-WHIM-dependent calcium flux and wound healing of human papillomavirus-immortalized cell lines in response to CXCL12 was effectively inhibited by the nanobodies. Based on these in vitro results, we conclude that CXCR4 nanobodies hold significant potential as alternative therapeutics for CXCR4-associated diseases such as WHIM syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond H de Wit
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - Hendrik J Brink
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - Angela Arsova
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - David Maussang
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - Pasquale Cutolo
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - Beatrijs Strubbe
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - Henry F Vischer
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - Françoise Bachelerie
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
| | - Martine J Smit
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (R.H.d.W., R.H., H.J.B., A.A., D.M., H.F.V, M.J.S.); Inflammation Chemokines and Immunopathology, INSERM, Faculté de Médicine-Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Clamart, France (P.C., F.B.); and Ablynx N.V., Zwijnaarde, Belgrium (B.S.)
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Ji Y, Takanari H, Qile M, Nalos L, Houtman MJC, Romunde FL, Heukers R, van Bergen En Henegouwen PMP, Vos MA, van der Heyden MAG. Class III antiarrhythmic drugs amiodarone and dronedarone impair K IR 2.1 backward trafficking. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:2514-2523. [PMID: 28425222 PMCID: PMC5618701 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [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: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug‐induced ion channel trafficking disturbance can cause cardiac arrhythmias. The subcellular level at which drugs interfere in trafficking pathways is largely unknown. KIR2.1 inward rectifier channels, largely responsible for the cardiac inward rectifier current (IK1), are degraded in lysosomes. Amiodarone and dronedarone are class III antiarrhythmics. Chronic use of amiodarone, and to a lesser extent dronedarone, causes serious adverse effects to several organs and tissue types, including the heart. Both drugs have been described to interfere in the late‐endosome/lysosome system. Here we defined the potential interference in KIR2.1 backward trafficking by amiodarone and dronedarone. Both drugs inhibited IK1 in isolated rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes at supraclinical doses only. In HK‐KWGF cells, both drugs dose‐ and time‐dependently increased KIR2.1 expression (2.0 ± 0.2‐fold with amiodarone: 10 μM, 24 hrs; 2.3 ± 0.3‐fold with dronedarone: 5 μM, 24 hrs) and late‐endosomal/lysosomal KIR2.1 accumulation. Increased KIR2.1 expression level was also observed in the presence of Nav1.5 co‐expression. Augmented KIR2.1 protein levels and intracellular accumulation were also observed in COS‐7, END‐2, MES‐1 and EPI‐7 cells. Both drugs had no effect on Kv11.1 ion channel protein expression levels. Finally, amiodarone (73.3 ± 10.3% P < 0.05 at −120 mV, 5 μM) enhanced IKIR2.1 upon 24‐hrs treatment, whereas dronedarone tended to increase IKIR2.1 and it did not reach significance (43.8 ± 5.5%, P = 0.26 at −120 mV; 2 μM). We conclude that chronic amiodarone, and potentially also dronedarone, treatment can result in enhanced IK1 by inhibiting KIR2.1 degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ji
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hiroki Takanari
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Muge Qile
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lukas Nalos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Marien J C Houtman
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fee L Romunde
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marc A Vos
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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van Driel PBAA, Boonstra MC, Slooter MD, Heukers R, Stammes MA, Snoeks TJA, de Bruijn HS, van Diest PJ, Vahrmeijer AL, van Bergen En Henegouwen PMP, van de Velde CJH, Löwik CWGM, Robinson DJ, Oliveira S. EGFR targeted nanobody-photosensitizer conjugates for photodynamic therapy in a pre-clinical model of head and neck cancer. J Control Release 2016; 229:93-105. [PMID: 26988602 PMCID: PMC7116242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) induces cell death through local light activation of a photosensitizer (PS) and has been used to treat head and neck cancers. Yet, common PS lack tumor specificity, which leads to collateral damage to normal tissues. Targeted delivery of PS via antibodies has pre-clinically improved tumor selectivity. However, antibodies have long half-lives and relatively poor tissue penetration, which could limit therapeutic efficacy and lead to long photosensitivity. Here, in this feasibility study, we evaluate at the pre-clinical level a recently introduced format of targeted PDT, which employs nanobodies as targeting agents and a water-soluble PS (IRDye700DX) that is traceable through optical imaging. In vitro, the PS solely binds to cells and induces phototoxicity on cells overexpressing the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), when conjugated to the EGFR targeted nanobodies. To investigate whether this new format of targeted PDT is capable of inducing selective tumor cell death in vivo, PDT was applied on an orthotopic mouse tumor model with illumination at 1h post-injection of the nanobody-PS conjugates, as selected from quantitative fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. In parallel, and as a reference, PDT was applied with an antibody-PS conjugate, with illumination performed 24h post-injection. Importantly, EGFR targeted nanobody-PS conjugates led to extensive tumor necrosis (approx. 90%) and almost no toxicity in healthy tissues, as observed through histology 24h after PDT. Overall, results show that these EGFR targeted nanobody-PS conjugates are selective and able to induce tumor cell death in vivo. Additional studies are now needed to assess the full potential of this approach to improving PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter B A A van Driel
- Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular Imaging, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Percuros BV, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Martin C Boonstra
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maxime D Slooter
- Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular Imaging, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Percuros BV, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Raimond Heukers
- Molecular Oncology, Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke A Stammes
- Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular Imaging, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Percuros BV, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas J A Snoeks
- Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular Imaging, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Henriette S de Bruijn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Center for Optical Diagnostics and Therapy, Erasmus Medical Center, s-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J van Diest
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander L Vahrmeijer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul M P van Bergen En Henegouwen
- Molecular Oncology, Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J H van de Velde
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Clemens W G M Löwik
- Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular Imaging, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dominic J Robinson
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Center for Optical Diagnostics and Therapy, Erasmus Medical Center, s-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Oliveira
- Molecular Oncology, Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Hultberg A, Morello V, Huyghe L, De Jonge N, Blanchetot C, Hanssens V, De Boeck G, Silence K, Festjens E, Heukers R, Roux B, Lamballe F, Ginestier C, Charafe-Jauffret E, Maina F, Brouckaert P, Saunders M, Thibault A, Dreier T, de Haard H, Michieli P. Depleting MET-Expressing Tumor Cells by ADCC Provides a Therapeutic Advantage over Inhibiting HGF/MET Signaling. Cancer Res 2015; 75:3373-83. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Heukers R, van Bergen en Henegouwen PMP, Oliveira S. Nanobody-photosensitizer conjugates for targeted photodynamic therapy. Nanomedicine 2014; 10:1441-51. [PMID: 24394212 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) induces cell death through light activation of a photosensitizer (PS). Targeted delivery of PS via monoclonal antibodies has improved tumor selectivity. However, these conjugates have long half-lives, leading to relatively long photosensitivity in patients. In an attempt to target PS specifically to tumors and to accelerate PS clearance, we have developed new conjugates consisting of nanobodies (NB) targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and a traceable PS (IRDye700DX). These fluorescent conjugates allow the distinction of cell lines with different expression levels of EGFR. Results show that these conjugates specifically induce cell death of EGFR overexpressing cells in low nanomolar concentrations, while PS alone or the NB-PS conjugates in the absence of light induce no toxicity. Delivery of PS using internalizing biparatopic NB-PS conjugates results in even more pronounced phototoxicities. Altogether, EGFR-targeted NB-PS conjugates are specific and potent, enabling the combination of molecular imaging with cancer therapy. From the clinical editor: This study investigates the role of EGFR targeting nanobodies to deliver traceable photosensitizers to cancer molecules for therapeutic exploitation and concomitant imaging. Altogether, EGFR-targeted NB-PS conjugates combine molecular imaging with cancer therapy, the method is specific and potent, paving the way to clinical application of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimond Heukers
- Molecular Oncology, Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Paul M P van Bergen en Henegouwen
- Molecular Oncology, Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Oliveira
- Molecular Oncology, Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Oliveira S, Heukers R, Sornkom J, Kok RJ, van Bergen en Henegouwen PM. Targeting tumors with nanobodies for cancer imaging and therapy. J Control Release 2013; 172:607-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.08.298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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van der Meel R, Oliveira S, Altintas I, Heukers R, Pieters EHE, van Bergen en Henegouwen PMP, Storm G, Hennink WE, Kok RJ, Schiffelers RM. Inhibition of tumor growth by targeted anti-EGFR/IGF-1R nanobullets depends on efficient blocking of cell survival pathways. Mol Pharm 2013; 10:3717-27. [PMID: 23889133 DOI: 10.1021/mp400212v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The clinical efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted inhibitors is limited due to resistance mechanisms of the tumor such as activation of compensatory pathways. Crosstalk between EGFR and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1R) signaling has been frequently described to be involved in tumor proliferation and resistance. One of the attractive features of nanomedicines is the possibility to codeliver agents that inhibit different molecular targets in one nanocarrier system, thereby strengthening the antitumor effects of the individual agents. Additionally, exposure to healthy tissues and related unwanted side-effects can be reduced. To this end, we have recently developed anti-EGFR nanobody (Nb)-liposomes loaded with the anti-IGF-1R kinase inhibitor AG538, which showed promising antiproliferative effects in vitro. In the present study, we have further evaluated the potential of this dual-active nanomedicine in vitro and for the first time in vivo. As intended, the nanomedicine inhibited EGFR and IGF-1R signaling and subsequent activation of downstream cell proliferation and survival pathways. The degree of inhibition induced by the nanomedicine on a molecular level correlated with cytotoxicity in tumor cell proliferation assays and may even be predictive of the response to nanomedicine treatment in tumor xenograft models. Combination therapy with kinase inhibitor-loaded Nb-liposomes is therefore an appealing strategy for inhibiting the proliferation of tumors that are highly dependent on EGFR and IGF-1R signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy van der Meel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University , Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Heukers R, Vermeulen JF, Fereidouni F, Bader AN, Voortman J, Roovers RC, Gerritsen HC, van Bergen En Henegouwen PMP. Endocytosis of EGFR requires its kinase activity and N-terminal transmembrane dimerization motif. J Cell Sci 2013; 126:4900-12. [PMID: 23943881 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.128611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
EGFR signaling is attenuated by endocytosis and degradation of receptor-ligand complexes in lysosomes. Endocytosis of EGFR is known to be regulated by multiple post-translational modifications. The observation that prevention of these modifications does not block endocytosis completely, suggests the involvement of other mechanism(s). Recently, receptor clustering has been suggested to induce internalization of multiple types of membrane receptors. However, the mechanism of clustering-induced internalization remains unknown. We have used biparatopic antibody fragments from llama (VHHs) to induce EGFR clustering without stimulating tyrosine kinase activity. Using this approach, we have found an essential role for the N-terminal GG4-like dimerization motif in the transmembrane domain (TMD) for clustering-induced internalization. Moreover, conventional EGF-induced receptor internalization depends exclusively on this TMD dimerization and kinase activity. Mutations in this dimerization motif eventually lead to reduced EGFR degradation and sustained signaling. We propose a novel role for the TMD dimerization motif in the negative-feedback control of EGFR. The widely conserved nature of GG4-like dimerization motifs in transmembrane proteins suggests a general role for these motifs in clustering-induced internalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimond Heukers
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Growth factor receptors are present in the plasma membrane of resting cells as monomers or (pre)dimers. Ligand binding results in higher-order oligomerization of ligand-receptor complexes. To study the regulation of receptor clustering, several experimental techniques have been developed in the last decades. However, many involve invasive approaches that are likely to disturb the integrity of the membrane, thereby affecting receptor interactions. In this chapter, we describe the use of a noninvasive approach to study receptor dimerization and oligomerization. This method is based upon the Förster energy transfer between identical adjacent fluorescent proteins (homo-FRET) and is determined by analyzing the change in fluorescence anisotropy. Homo-FRET takes place within a distance of 10nm, making this an excellent approach for studying receptor-receptor interactions in intact cells. After excitation of monomeric GFP (mGFP) with polarized light, limiting anisotropy values (r(inf)) of the emitted light are determined, where proteins with known cluster sizes are used as references. Dimerization and oligomerization of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in response to ligand binding is determined by using receptors that have been fused with mGFP at their C-terminus. In this chapter, we describe the involved technology and discuss the feasibility of homo-FRET experiments for the determination of cluster sizes of growth factor receptors like EGFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia de Heus
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Moiseeva EP, Heukers R. Indole-3-carbinol-induced modulation of NF-κB signalling is breast cancer cell-specific and does not correlate with cell death. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2007; 109:451-62. [PMID: 17653853 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-007-9669-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2007] [Accepted: 06/26/2007] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a dietary chemopreventive compound, induces cell death in human breast cancer cells by modulating activities of Src and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The effect of I3C on NF-kappaB, constitutively activated in breast cancer cells, was investigated. Nuclear extracts of MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231 and HBL100 cells contained all of the Rel proteins with similar expression patterns in the latter two. The level of NF-kappaB-regulated reporter gene expression was in the order HBL100 << MDA-MB-468 << MDA-MB-231. Upstream inhibition, using PI3K, EGFR or IKKbeta inhibitors, resulted in cell-specific effects on expression of the NF-kappaB-regulated reporter gene and endogenous genes Bcl-xL, IkappaBalpha and IL-6, as well as on cell viability. The expression patterns of Rel and several NF-kappaB-regulated genes and the response to LY249002 in MDA-MB-468 cells contrasted with those in other cells. I3C induced NF-kappaB-regulated reporter gene expression at 12 h in MDA-MB-468 cells. Conversely, it was reduced at 24 h in HBL100 cells. I3C treatment for 6 h alone or in combination with TNFalpha induced NF-kappaB-regulated reporter gene expression, detected 5 h later, in MDA-MB-468, but not HBL100 cells. I3C induced NF-kappaB p65/p50 DNA binding at 6.5 h, preceded by association of IKKbeta with the Src/EGFR complex and increased phospho-IkappaBalpha in MDA-MB468 cells. TNFalpha increased I3C-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells. It also induced apoptosis, enhanced by I3C, in HBL100 cells. Hence, regulation of constitutive NF-kappaB was cell-specific. I3C influenced the NF-kappaB pathway in a cell-specific manner, which was not related to apoptosis. However, the combination of I3C and TNFalpha increased apoptosis in all cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena P Moiseeva
- Departments of Biochemistry and Cancer Studies, Cancer Biomarkers and Prevention Group, Biocentre, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
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Moiseeva EP, Heukers R, Manson MM. EGFR and Src are involved in indole-3-carbinol-induced death and cell cycle arrest of human breast cancer cells. Carcinogenesis 2007; 28:435-45. [PMID: 16956907 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgl171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a dietary chemopreventive compound, induced marked reduction in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) prior to cell death in cells representing three breast cancer subtypes. Signalling pathways, linking these events were investigated in detail. I3C modulated tyrosine phosphorylation from 30 min in four cell lines. In MDA-MB-468 and HBL100 cells, it induced Src activation after 5 h. In MDA-MB-468 cells, I3C induced signalling between 4.5 and 7 h, which involved sequential activation of Src, EGFR, STAT-1 and STAT-3, followed by EGFR degradation. It also induced physical association between activated Src and EGFR. In MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, I3C modulated expression of cell cycle-related proteins, p21Cip1, p27Kip1, cyclin E, cyclin D1 and CDK6, with upregulation of p21Cip1 and cyclin E being dependent on Src. Inhibition of EGFR by specific inhibitors PD153035 or ZD1839 increased susceptibility to I3C-induced apoptosis of MCF7, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Inhibition of Src sensitized MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells to I3C, whereas overexpression of c-Src increased resistance to I3C in MDA-MB-468 and HBL100 cells. Modulation of Src in MDA-MB-468 cells influenced the basal level of EGFR expression and cell viability; the latter being positively correlated with EGFR activation levels. Therefore, EGFR and Src activities are essential for I3C-induced cell cycle arrest and death; however, I3C-induced pathways depend on specific features of breast cancer cells. The cancer types, which rely on 'EGFR addiction' or Src deregulation, are likely to be susceptible to I3C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena P Moiseeva
- Cancer Biomarkers and Prevention Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
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Moiseeva E, Heukers R, Manson M. 596 POSTER Complexity of constitutive NF-kappaB activity as a therapeutic target in breast cancer cells. EJC Suppl 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(06)70601-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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