A superior extracellular matrix binding motif to enhance the regenerative activity and safety of therapeutic proteins

Among therapeutic proteins, cytokines and growth factors have great potential for regenerative medicine applications. However, these molecules have encountered limited clinical success due to low effectiveness and major safety concerns, highlighting the need to develop better approaches that increase efficacy and safety. Promising approaches leverage how the extracellular matrix (ECM) controls the activity of these molecules during tissue healing. Using a protein motif screening strategy, we discovered that amphiregulin possesses an exceptionally strong binding motif for ECM components. We used this motif to confer the pro-regenerative therapeutics platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) a very high affinity to the ECM. In mouse models, the approach considerably extended tissue retention of the engineered therapeutics and reduced leakage in the circulation. Prolonged retention and minimal systemic diffusion of engineered PDGF-BB abolished the tumour growth-promoting adverse effect that was observed with wild-type PDGF-BB. Moreover, engineered PDGF-BB was substantially more effective at promoting diabetic wound healing and regeneration after volumetric muscle loss, compared to wild-type PDGF-BB. Finally, while local or systemic delivery of wild-type IL-1Ra showed minor effects, intramyocardial delivery of engineered IL-1Ra enhanced cardiac repair after myocardial infarction by limiting cardiomyocyte death and fibrosis. This engineering strategy highlights the key importance of exploiting interactions between ECM and therapeutic proteins for developing effective and safer regenerative therapies.

Enhancing the regenerative effectiveness of growth factors by local inhibition of interleukin-1 receptor signaling

Although growth factors (GFs) are key molecules for regenerative medicine, their use has been limited by issues associated with suboptimal delivery systems and incomplete understanding of their signaling dynamics. Here, we explored how proinflammatory signals affect GF regenerative potential. Using bone regeneration in mouse, we found that the regenerative capacity of two clinically relevant GFs (BMP-2 and PDGF-BB) is impaired by interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R1). Mechanistically, IL-1R1 activation in bone-forming cells desensitizes them to GFs and accelerates senescence. Moreover, administration of the GFs triggers IL-1 release by macrophages. To provide localized and sustained IL-1R1 inhibition, we engineered IL-1R antagonist (IL-1Ra) to bind the extracellular matrix (ECM) very strongly and demonstrate that codelivering GFs with ECM-binding IL-1Ra induces superior regeneration. Thus, we highlight that GF regenerative activity is hindered by proinflammatory signals, and GF-based therapies should integrate immunomodulation. Particularly, ECM-binding IL-1Ra holds clinical translational potential by enhancing efficacy of GF therapies.

Kinetic properties of aryldialkylphosphatase immobilised on chitosan myristic acid nanogel

Organophosphorus (OP) compounds are extensively used in agricultural practice for pest management. However, their residues have a long half-life in the ecosystem as well as in the agro-products, posing a serious threat to human and animal health. Aryldialkylphosphatase (EC 3.1.8.1) is widely used in detoxification procedures. In the present study, aryldialkylphosphatase was immobilised on synthesised cross-linked nano-sized gel particles, also known as nanogels, in order to enhance the enzyme’s physicochemical properties. Accordingly, a new nanogel consisting of chitosan and myristic acid (CMA nanogel) was synthesised and characterised by way of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The aryldialkylphosphatase-CMA nanogel conjugate was then assayed by FTIR, and its physicochemical characteristics were also investigated. The data obtained from SEM and TEM showed the nanogels to be homogenous spherical particles less than 50 nm in diameter. The proper formation of the nanogel and nanobioconjugate was also confirmed by FTIR spectra. In comparison with the free enzyme, the pH and thermal stability of the aryldialkylphosphatase were enhanced by the covalent immobilisation. Moreover, the immobilised enzyme could maintain approximately half of its activity over more than one month. The kinetic parameters of the aryldialkylphosphatase- CMA nanogel conjugate were also shown to undergo remarkable improvements, hence the synthesised CMA-nanogel could act as a promising support for aryldialkylphosphatase immobilisation. It is suggested that the aryldialkylphosphatase-CMA nanogel could be used for detoxifying paraoxon; a nerve agent. Further clinical experiments are underway.