1. |
- EL Andaloussi, Samir, et al.
(author)
-
Design of a peptide-based vector, PepFect6, for efficient delivery of siRNA in cell culture and systemically in vivo
- 2011
-
In: Nucleic Acids Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0305-1048 .- 1362-4962. ; 39:9, s. 3972-3987
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- While small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been rapidly appreciated to silence genes, efficient and non-toxic vectors for primary cells and for systemic in vivo delivery are lacking. Several siRNA-delivery vehicles, including cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), have been developed but their utility is often restricted by entrapment following endocytosis. Hence, developing CPPs that promote endosomal escape is a prerequisite for successful siRNA implementation. We here present a novel CPP, PepFect 6 (PF6), comprising the previously reported stearyl-TP10 peptide, having pH titratable trifluoromethylquinoline moieties covalently incorporated to facilitate endosomal release. Stable PF6/siRNA nanoparticles enter entire cell populations and rapidly promote endosomal escape, resulting in robust RNAi responses in various cell types (including primary cells), with minimal associated transcriptomic or proteomic changes. Furthermore, PF6-mediated delivery is independent of cell confluence and, in most cases, not significantly hampered by serum proteins. Finally, these nanoparticles promote strong RNAi responses in different organs following systemic delivery in mice without any associated toxicity. Strikingly, similar knockdown in liver is achieved by PF6/siRNA nanoparticles and siRNA injected by hydrodynamic infusion, a golden standard technique for liver transfection. These results imply that the peptide, in addition to having utility for RNAi screens in vitro, displays therapeutic potential.
|
|
2. |
- Eriste, Elo, et al.
(author)
-
Peptide-Based Glioma-Targeted Drug Delivery Vector gHoPe2
- 2013
-
In: Bioconjugate chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1043-1802 .- 1520-4812. ; 24:3, s. 305-313
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gliomas are therapeutically challenging cancers with poor patient prognosis. New drug delivery strategies are needed to achieve a more efficient chemotherapy-based approach against brain tumors. The current paper demonstrates development of a tumor-targeted delivery vector that is based on a cell-penetrating peptide pVEC and a novel glioma-targeting peptide sequence gHo. The unique tumor-homing peptide gHo was identified using in vitro phage display technology. The novel delivery vector, which we designated as gHoPe2, was constructed by a covalent conjugation of pVEC, gHo, and a cargo; the latter could be either a labeling moiety (such as a fluorescent marker) or a cytostatic entity. Using a fluorescent marker, we demonstrate efficient uptake of the vector in glioma cells and selective labeling of glioma xenograft tumors in a mouse model. This is the first time that we know where in vitro phage display has yielded an efficient, in vivo working vector. We also demonstrate antitumor efficacy of the delivery vector gHoPe2 using a well-characterized chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. Vectorized doxorubicin proved to be more efficient than the free drug in a mouse glioma xenograft model after systemic administration of the drugs. In conclusion, we have characterized a novel glioma-homing peptide gHo, demonstrated development of a new and potential glioma-targeted drug delivery vector gHoPe2, and demonstrated the general feasibility of the current approach for constructing cell-penetrating peptide-based targeted delivery systems.
|
|
3. |
- Freimann, Krista, et al.
(author)
-
Formulation of Stable and Homogeneous Cell-Penetrating Peptide NF55 Nanoparticles for Efficient Gene Delivery In Vivo
- 2018
-
In: Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids. - : Elsevier BV. - 2162-2531. ; 10, s. 28-35
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although advances in genomics and experimental gene therapy have opened new possibilities for treating otherwise incurable diseases, the transduction of nucleic acids into the cells and delivery in vivo remain challenging. The high molecular weight and anionic nature of nucleic acids require their packing into nanoparticles for the delivery. The efficacy of nanoparticle drugs necessitates the high bioactivity of constituents, but their distribution in organisms is mostly governed by the physical properties of nanoparticles, and therefore, generation of stable particles with strictly defined characteristics is highly essential. Using previously designed efficient cell-penetrating peptide NF55, we searched for strategies enabling control over the nanoparticle formation and properties to further improve transfection efficacy. The size of the NF55/pDNA nanoparticles correlates with the concentration of its constituents at the beginning of assembly, but characteristics of nanoparticles measured by DLS do not reliably predict the applicability of particles in in vivo studies. We introduce a new formulation approach called cryo-concentration, where we acquired stable and homogeneous nanoparticles for administration in vivo. The cryo-concentrated NF55/pDNA nanoparticles exhibit several advantages over standard formulation: They have long shelf-life and do not aggregate after reconstitution, have excellent stability against enzymatic degradation, and show significantly higher bioactivity in vivo.
|
|
4. |
- Freimann, Krista, et al.
(author)
-
Galanin receptors as a potential target for neurological disease
- 2015
-
In: Expert opinion on therapeutic targets. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1472-8222 .- 1744-7631. ; 19:12, s. 1665-1676
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Galanin is a 29/30 amino acid long neuropeptide that is widely expressed in the brains of many mammals. Galanin exerts its biological activities through three different G protein-coupled receptors, GalR1, GalR2 and GalR3. The widespread distribution of galanin and its receptors in the CNS and the various physiological and pharmacological effects of galanin make the galanin receptors attractive drug targets.AREAS COVERED: This review provides an overview of the role of galanin and its receptors in the CNS, the involvement of the galaninergic system in various neurological diseases and the development of new galanin receptor-specific ligands.EXPERT OPINION: Recent advances and novel approaches in migrating the directions of subtype-selective ligand development and chemical modifications of the peptide backbone highlight the importance of the galanin neurochemical system as a potential target for drug development.
|
|
5. |
- Freimann, Krista, et al.
(author)
-
Optimization of in vivo DNA delivery with NickFect peptide vectors
- 2016
-
In: Journal of Controlled Release. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-3659 .- 1873-4995. ; 241, s. 135-143
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- As the field of gene therapy progresses, an increasingly urgent need has arisen for efficient and non-toxic vectors for the in vivo delivery of nucleic acids. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are very efficient transfection reagents in vitro, however, their application in vivo needs improvement. To enhance in vivo transfection we designed various CPPs based on previous knowledge of internalization studies and physiochemical properties of NickFect (NF) nanoparticles. We show that increment of the helicity of these Transportan10 analogues improves the transfection efficiency. We rationally design by modifying the net charge and the helicity of the CPP a novel amphipathic α-helical peptide NF55 for in vivo application. NF55 condenses DNA into stable nanoparticles that are resistant to protease degradation, promotes endosomal escape, and transfects the majority of cells in a large cell population. We demonstrate that NF55 mediates DNA delivery in vivo with gene induction efficiency that is comparable to commercial transfection reagents. In addition to gene induction in healthy mice, NF55/DNA nanoparticles showed promising tumor transfection in various mouse tumor models, including an intracranial glioblastoma model. The efficiency of NF55 to convey DNA specifically into tumor tissue increased even further after coupling a PEG2000 to the peptide via a disulphide-bond. Furthermore, a solid formulation of NF55/DNA displayed an excellent stability profile without additives or special storage conditions. Together, its high transfection efficacy and stability profile make NF55 an excellent vector for the delivery of DNA in vivo.
|
|
6. |
- Kiisholts, Kristina, et al.
(author)
-
Cell-Penetrating Peptide and siRNA-Mediated Therapeutic Effects on Endometriosis and Cancer In Vitro Models
- 2021
-
In: Pharmaceutics. - : MDPI AG. - 1999-4923. ; 13:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gene therapy is a powerful tool for the development of new treatment strategies for various conditions, by aiming to transport biologically active nucleic acids into diseased cells. To achieve that goal, we used highly potential delivery vectors, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), as oligonucleotide carriers for the development of a therapeutic approach for endometriosis and cancer. Despite marked differences, both of these conditions still exhibit similarities, like excessive, uncoordinated, and autonomous cellular proliferation and invasion, accompanied by overlapping gene expression patterns. Thus, in the current study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of CPP and siRNA nanoparticles using in vitro models of benign endometriosis and malignant glioblastoma. We demonstrated that CPPs PepFect6 and NickFect70 are highly effective in transfecting cell lines, primary cell cultures, and three-dimensional spheroids. CPP nanoparticles are capable of inducing siRNA-specific knockdown of therapeutic genes, ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2 (RRM2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which results in the reduction of in vitro cellular proliferation, invasion, and migration. In addition, we proved that it is possible to achieve synergistic suppression of endometriosis cellular proliferation and invasion by combining gene therapy and hormonal treatment approaches by co-administering CPP/siRNA nanoparticles together with the endometriosis-drug danazol. We suggest a novel target, RRM2, for endometriosis therapy and as a proof-of-concept, we propose a CPP-mediated gene therapy approach for endometriosis and cancer.
|
|
7. |
|
|
8. |
- Kurrikoff, Kaido, et al.
(author)
-
CPP-Based Delivery System for In Vivo Gene Delivery
- 2015
-
In: Cell-Penetrating Peptides. - New York, NY : Springer-Verlag New York. - 9781493928057 - 9781493928064 ; , s. 339-347
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The method presents most important steps in estimating a CPP-mediated reporter gene delivery in a mouse model. The method is applicable for administrating noncovalent CPP/pDNA complexes via i.v. injection and for analysis of luciferase levels in tissue homogenates. This method could be extended to analyze the delivery of different nucleic acid cargos with other types of delivery vectors. First, a simple method is presented for assessing the stability of complexes in blood after i.v. administration, based on quantitation of a fluorescently labeled nucleic acid. Secondly, a protocol is presented for assessing and analyzing luciferase levels in mouse organs.
|
|
9. |
- Kurrikoff, Kaido, et al.
(author)
-
Effective in vivo gene delivery with reduced toxicity, achieved by charge and fatty acid -modified cell penetrating peptide
- 2017
-
In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Non-viral gene delivery systems have gained considerable attention as a promising alternative to viral delivery to treat diseases associated with aberrant gene expression. However, regardless of extensive research, only a little is known about the parameters that underline in vivo use of the nanoparticle-based delivery vectors. The modest efficacy and low safety of non-viral delivery are the two central issues that need to be addressed. We have previously characterized an efficient cell penetrating peptide, PF14, for in vivo applications. In the current work, we first develop an optimized formulation of PF14/pDNA nanocomplexes, which allows removal of the side-effects without compromising the bioefficacy in vivo. Secondly, based on the physicochemical complex formation studies and biological efficacy assessments, we develop a series of PF14 modifications with altered charge and fatty acid content. We show that with an optimal combination of overall charge and hydrophobicity in the peptide backbone, in vivo gene delivery can be augmented. Further combined with the safe formulation, systemic gene delivery lacking any side effects can be achieved.
|
|
10. |
- Kurrikoff, Kaido, et al.
(author)
-
Effective lung-targeted RNAi in mice with peptide-based delivery of nucleic acid
- 2019
-
In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have previously developed efficient peptide-based nucleic acid delivery vectors PF14 and NF55, where we have shown that these vectors preferentially transfect lung tissue upon systemic administration with the nucleic acid. In the current work, we have explored the utilization and potential of these vectors for the lung-targeted gene therapy. Accordingly, we assessed the efficacy of these peptides in (i) two different lung disease models - acute lung inflammation and asthma in mice and (ii) using two different nucleic acid cargos - siRNA and pDNA encoding shRNA. Using RNAi against cytokine TNF alpha, we showed efficient anti-inflammatory effects in both disease models and observed decreased disease symptoms. Our results highlight the potential of our transfection vectors for lung gene therapy.
|
|
11. |
- Kurrikoff, Kaido, et al.
(author)
-
Recent CPP-based applications in medicine
- 2019
-
In: Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1742-5247 .- 1744-7593. ; 16:11, s. 1183-1191
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) offer versatile tools for the field of drug delivery and development of macromolecular therapeutics. These tools have matured into applications that allow the use of proteins, nucleic acid, peptides, imaging agents, and low molecular weight drugs as therapeutic entities.Areas covered: The progress of the field is discussed in the current review, with the examples from a recent couple of years, in the utilization of CPPs in medicine. Specific focus is on the research articles that include applications that have direct translational value. Progress with protein mimicry and its recent leap in medicine is discussed with special attention, but also achievements with nanoformulation and drug targeting is presented.Expert opinion: The opinion section discusses some of the limitations and shortcomings, proposing the areas where more effort should be invested in order to increase the translational value of the current preclinical research.
|
|
12. |
- Kurrikoff, Kaido, et al.
(author)
-
Recent in vivo advances in cell-penetrating peptide-assisted drug delivery
- 2016
-
In: Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. - : Informa Healthcare. - 1742-5247 .- 1744-7593. ; 13:3, s. 373-387
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Delivery of macromolecular drugs is an important field in medical research. However, macromolecules are usually unable to cross the cell membrane without the assistance of a delivery system. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are unique tools to gain access to the cell interior and deliver a bioactive cargo into the cytosol or nucleus. In addition to macromolecular delivery, CPPs have been used to deliver smaller bioactive molecules. Therefore CPPs have become an intensive field of research for medical treatment.Areas covered: In this review, we highlight studies that include CPP in vivo disease models. We review different strategies and approaches that have been used, with specific attention on recent publications. The approaches that have been used include CPP–cargo covalent conjugation strategies and nanoparticle strategies. Various additional strategies have been used to achieve disease targeting, including active targeting, passive targeting, and combined active/passive strategies. As a result, delivery of various types of molecule has been achieved, including small drug molecules, proteins and nucleic acid-based macromolecules (e.g. siRNA, antisense nucleotides and plasmid DNA).Expert Opinion: Despite recent advances in the field, confusions surrounding CPP internalization mechanisms and intracellular trafficking are hindering the development of new and more efficient vectors. Nevertheless, the recent increase in the number of publications containing in vivo CPP utilization looks promising that the number of clinical trials would also increase in the near future.
|
|
13. |
- Kurrikoff, Kaido, et al.
(author)
-
Status update in the use of cell-penetrating peptides for the delivery of macromolecular therapeutics
- 2021
-
In: Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1471-2598 .- 1744-7682. ; 21:3, s. 361-370
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction In this review, recent developments and applications with cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are discussed. CPPs are widely used tools for the delivery of various macromolecular therapeutics, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Areas covered The current review focuses on recent important advances and reports that demonstrate high clinical and translational potential. Most important clinical developments have occurred with the CPP-drug conjugate approaches that target various protein-protein interactions, and these have been highlighted subsequently. Most of the applications are targeting cancer, but recently, noteworthy advances have taken place in the field of antisense oligonucleotides and muscular dystrophies, lung targeting, and trans-BBB targeting. Expert opinion Successful applications and clinical development with the drug conjugate approaches are discussed. On the other hand, the reasons of why the nanoparticle approaches are not as far in development are analyzed.
|
|
14. |
- Kurrikoff, Kaido, et al.
(author)
-
Tissue Analysis of Lung-Targeted Delivery of siRNA and Plasmid DNA
- 2022. - 3
-
In: Cell Penetrating Peptides. - New York : Humana Press. - 9781071617519 - 9781071617526 ; , s. 547-553
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Development of nucleic acid delivery systems requires the use of adequate tissue analysis methods, especially when aiming tissue-targeted drug delivery. In this chapter, a protocol is presented for analyzing a reporter signal from the lung tissue. Because lung is an important target tissue from the clinical point of view, yet represents a challenge from the histological point of view, this protocol can be used in any lung-targeting drug delivery project.
|
|
15. |
- Lehto, Taavi, et al.
(author)
-
Cell-penetrating peptides for the delivery of nucleic acids
- 2012
-
In: Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1742-5247 .- 1744-7593. ; 9:7, s. 823-836
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Different gene therapy approaches have gained extensive interest lately and, after many initial hurdles, several promising approaches have reached to the clinics. Successful implementation of gene therapy is heavily relying on finding efficient measures to deliver genetic material to cells. Recently, non-viral delivery of nucleic acids and their analogs has gained significant interest. Among non-viral vectors, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been extensively used for the delivery of nucleic acids both in vitro and in vivo. Areas covered: In this review we will discuss recent advances of CPP-mediated delivery of nucleic acid-based cargo, concentrating on the delivery of plasmid DNA, splice-correcting ONs, and small-interfering RNAs. Expert opinion: CPPs have proved their potential as carriers for nucleic acids. However, similarly to other non-viral vectors, CPPs require further development, as efficient systemic delivery is still seldom achieved. To achieve this, CPPs should be modified with entities that would allow better endosomal escape, targeting of specific tissues and cells, and shielding agents that increase the half-life of the vehicles. Finally, to understand the clinical potential of CPPs, they require more thorough investigations in clinically relevant disease models and in pre-clinical and clinical studies.
|
|
16. |
- Nebogatova, Jekaterina, et al.
(author)
-
A Method for Using Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Loading Plasmid DNA into Secreted Extracellular Vesicles
- 2023
-
In: Biomolecules. - 2218-273X. ; 13:12
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The low bioavailability and high toxicity of plasmid DNA (pDNA)-based therapeutics pose challenges for their in vivo application. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have great potential to overcome these limitations, as they are biocompatible native cargo carriers. Various methods for loading pDNA into EVs, including electroporation, sonication, and co-incubation, have been previously investigated, but their success has been questionable. In this study, we report a unique method for loading EVs with pDNA through transient transfection using cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). With this method, we found a 104-fold increase in the expression levels of the luciferase reporter protein in recipient cells compared to the untreated cells. These data point to the high transfection efficacy and bioavailability of the delivered encapsulated nucleic acid. Furthermore, the in vivo experimental data indicate that the use of pDNA-loaded EVs as native delivery vehicles reduces the toxic effects associated with traditional nucleic acid (NA) delivery and treatment.
|
|
17. |
- Porosk, Ly, et al.
(author)
-
Enhancement of siRNA transfection by the optimization of fatty acid length and histidine content in the CPP
- 2019
-
In: Biomaterials Science. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2047-4830 .- 2047-4849. ; 7:10, s. 4363-4374
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Extracellular synthetic nucleic acids, such as siRNAs, are unable to reach their intended targets efficiently. Therefore, delivery methods such as cell-penetrating peptides (CPP), which increase their transport, could enhance the potency of siRNA as therapeutic agents. The CPP NickFect55 (NF55) is an efficient peptide-based delivery vector, which has been previously used to deliver plasmid DNA into cells in vivo. To achieve higher intracellular delivery and bioactivity from the delivered cargo, we designed a series of histidine-containing peptides by optimizing pH-sensitivity, net charge, hydrophobicity, and charge distribution in the sequence of the CPP NF55. In the current work, we have applied a strategy where we have replaced amino acids in the C-terminus of the peptide in order to distribute hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids into distinct regions along the alpha-helical projection, including histidine amino acids into the sequence at the N-terminus, and optimizing the N-terminal fatty acid modification to suit the specific peptide sequence. We tested the CPPs based on the transfection efficacy, CPP/siRNA complex stability, and the properties of the CPPs, such as hemolytic activity, buffering capability and cell toxicity. As a result, we have introduced a new peptide with a completely redesigned N-terminus that displays adaptive response to its physical environment. This peptide - NickFect70 (NF70) - efficiently condenses siRNA, protects the cargo against degradation and effectively mediates target gene knockdown both in mammalian cell culture and in vivo, in a mouse model.
|
|
18. |
- Runesson, Johan, 1980-, et al.
(author)
-
The quest for a GPCR subtype selective ligand for the galanin system: development and utilization
- 2012
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The family of GPCR’s has for long served as the most common pharmaceutical drug target. Even so, some receptors have failed to show potent interactions when exposed to big screenings libraries in the past. Three of these receptors are the so called galanin receptors (GalR).Galanin is a neuroendocrine peptide that is widely distributed in both the CNS and PNS, as well as in the endocrine system. Galanin has been shown to influence several physiological processes including cognition, affective behavior, nerve injury, Alzheimer’s disease, neuroregeneration, seizures, feeding, and hormone release. The regionally specific expression of the galanin receptors (GalR1-3) suggests different physiological roles, a feature which mostly remains unexplored due to the lack of selective ligands acting on the GalR subtypes. The galanin research field has until very recently been struggling with the limitation of having neither receptor subtype specific ligands nor antibodies. Recently, we and others have successfully developed pharmacological tools for the galanin research field, including allosteric modulators, BBB-penetrating ligands and receptor subtype specific ligand.We here present several promising ligands that are GalR subtype selective [Runesson 2009, Saar 2011, several manuscripts in preparations] and these might be future candidates to unravel the function of GalR subtypes. The goal of this poster will be to present our latest tools and some results from animal studies with models related to depression, seizures and feeding. We find these new developments of pivotal interest for the galanin research field and hope that this neuropeptide will now be revived and that new and old findings could be translated into the clinical setting.
|
|
19. |
- Rytkonen, Jussi, et al.
(author)
-
Porous Silicon-Cell Penetrating Peptide Hybrid Nanocarrier for Intracellular Delivery of Oligonucleotides
- 2014
-
In: Molecular Pharmaceutics. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1543-8384 .- 1543-8392. ; 11:2, s. 382-390
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The largest obstacle to the use of oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents is the delivery of these large and negatively charged biomolecules through cell membranes into intracellular space. Mesoporous silicon (PSi) is widely recognized as a potential material for drug delivery purposes due to its several beneficial features like large surface area and pore volume, high loading capacity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. In the present study, PSi nanoparticles stabilized by thermal oxidation or thermal carbonization and subsequently modified by grafting aminosilanes on the surface are utilized as an oligonucleotide carrier. Splice correcting oligonucleotides (SCOs), a model oligonucleotide drug, were loaded into the positively charged PSi nanoparticles with a loading degree as high as 14.3% (w/w). Rapid loading was achieved by electrostatic interactions, with the loading efficiencies reaching 100% within 5 min. The nanoparticles were shown to deliver and release SCOs, in its biologically active form, inside cells when formulated together with cell penetrating peptides (CPP). The biological effect was monitored with splice correction assay and confocal microscopy utilizing HeLa pLuc 705 cells. Furthermore, the use of PSi carrier platform in oligonucleotide delivery did not reduce the cell viability. Additionally, the SCO-CPP complexes formed in the pores of the carrier were stabilized against proteolytic digestion. The advantageous properties of protecting and releasing the cargo and the possibility to further functionalize the carrier surface make the hybrid nanoparticles a potential system for oligonucleotide delivery.
|
|
20. |
- Saar, Indrek, et al.
(author)
-
Novel Galanin Receptor Subtype Specific Ligand in Depression Like Behavior
- 2013
-
In: Neurochemical Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0364-3190 .- 1573-6903. ; 38:2, s. 398-404
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neuropeptide galanin and its three receptors, galanin receptor type 1-galanin receptor type 3, are known to be involved in the regulation of numerous psychological processes, including depression. Studies have suggested that stimulation of galanin receptor type 2 (GalR2) leads to attenuation of the depression-like behavior in animals. However, due to the lack of highly selective galanin subtype specific ligands the involvement of different receptors in depression-like behavior is yet not fully known. In the present study we introduce a novel GalR2 selective agonist and demonstrate its ability to produce actions consistent with theorized GalR2 functions and analogous to that of the anti-depressant, imipramine.
|
|
21. |
- Saar, Indrek, et al.
(author)
-
Novel systemically active galanin receptor 2 ligands in depression-like behavior
- 2013
-
In: Journal of Neurochemistry. - : Wiley. - 0022-3042 .- 1471-4159. ; 127:1, s. 114-123
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neuropeptide galanin and its three G-protein coupled receptors, galanin receptor type 1-galanin receptor type 3 (GalR1-GalR3), are involved in the regulation of numerous physiological and disease processes, and thus represent tremendous potential in neuroscience research and novel drug lead development. One of the areas where galanin is involved is depression. Previous studies have suggested that activation of GalR2 leads to attenuation of depression-like behavior. Unfortunately, lack of in vivo usable subtype specific ligands hinders testing the role of galanin in depression mechanisms. In this article, we utilize an approach of increasing in vivo usability of peptide-based ligands, acting upon CNS. Thus, we have synthesized a series of novel systemically active galanin analogs, with modest preferential binding toward GalR2. We have shown that specific chemical modifications to the galanin backbone increase brain levels upon i.v. injection of the peptides. Several of the new peptides, similar to a common clinically used antidepressant medication imipramine, exerted antidepressant-like effect in forced swim test, a mouse model of depression, at a surprisingly low dose range (<0.5mg/kg). We chose one of the peptides, J18, for more thorough study, and showed its efficacy also in another mouse depression model (tail suspension test), and demonstrated that its antidepressant-like effect upon i.v. administration can be blocked by i.c.v. galanin receptor antagonist M35. The effect of the J18 was also abolished in GalR2KO animals. All this suggests that systemically administered peptide analog J18 exerts its biological effect through activation of GalR2 in the brain. The novel galanin analogs represent potential drug leads and a novel pharmaceutical intervention for depression.
|
|
22. |
- Silva, Sara, et al.
(author)
-
A Second Life for MAP, a Model Amphipathic Peptide
- 2022
-
In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 23:15
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) have been shown to be efficient in the transport of cargoes into the cells, namely siRNA and DNA, proteins and peptides, and in some cases, small therapeutics. These peptides have emerged as a solution to increase drug concentrations in different tissues and various cell types, therefore having a relevant therapeutic relevance which led to clinical trials. One of them, MAP, is a model amphipathic peptide with an α-helical conformation and both hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues in opposite sides of the helix. It is composed of a mixture of alanines, leucines, and lysines (KLALKLALKALKAALKLA). The CPP MAP has the ability to translocate oligonucleotides, peptides and small proteins. However, taking advantage of its unique properties, in recent years innovative concepts were developed, such as in silico studies of modelling with receptors, coupling and repurposing drugs in the central nervous system and oncology, or involving the construction of dual-drug delivery systems using nanoparticles. In addition to designs of MAP-linked vehicles and strategies to achieve highly effective yet less toxic chemotherapy, this review will be focused on unique molecular structure and how it determines its cellular activity, and also intends to address the most recent and frankly motivating issues for the future.
|
|
23. |
- Srimanee, Artita, et al.
(author)
-
Peptide-Based Delivery of Oligonucleotides Across Blood-Brain Barrier Model
- 2014
-
In: International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1573-3904 .- 1573-3149. ; 20:2, s. 169-178
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Delivery of pharmaceutical agents across a blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a challenge for brain cancer therapy. In this study, an in vitro BBB model was utilized to study the delivery of oligonucleotides across brain endothelial cells targeting to glioma cells in a Transwell™ setup. A series of novel peptides were synthesized by covalent conjugation of cell-penetrating peptides with targeting peptides for delivery of gene-based therapeutics. These peptides were screened for passage across the Transwell™ and we found the most efficient peptide PepFect32 from originating PepFect 14 coupled with the targeting peptide angiopep-2. PepFect32/pDNA nanocomplexes exhibited high transcytosis across the BBB in vitro model and the highest transfection efficiency to glioma cells. In conclusion, PepFect32 revealed the most efficient peptide-based vector for pDNA delivery across in vitro BBB model.
|
|
24. |
- Suhorutsenko, Julia, et al.
(author)
-
Cell-Penetrating Peptides, PepFects, Show No Evidence of Toxicity and Immunogenicity In Vitro and In Vivo
- 2011
-
In: Bioconjugate chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1043-1802 .- 1520-4812. ; 22:11, s. 2255-2262
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cell-penetrating peptide based vehicles have been developed for the delivery of different payloads into the cells in culture and in animals. However, several biological features, among which is the tendency to trigger innate immune response, limit the development of highly efficient peptide-based drug delivery vectors. This study aims to evaluate the influence of transportan 10 (TP10) and its chemically modified derivatives, PepFects (PFs), on the innate immune response of the host system. PFs have shown high efficiency in nucleic acid delivery in vitro and in vivo; hence, the estimation of their possible toxic side effects would be of particular interest. In this study, we analyzed cytotoxic and immunogenic response of PF3, PF4, and PF6 peptides in monocytic leukemia and peripheral blood mononuclear cell lines. In comparison with amphipathic PFs, TP10, TAT, stearyl-(RxR)(4) peptides, and the most widely used transfection reagents Lipofectamine 2000 and Lipofectamine RNAiMAX were also analyzed in this study. IL-1 beta, IL-18, and TNF-alpha cytokine release was detected using highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell viability was detected by measuring the activity of cellular enzymes that reduce water-soluble tetrazolium salts to formazan dyes and apoptosis was evaluated by measuring the levels of caspase-1 and caspase-3/7 over untreated cells. All peptides were found to be nontoxic and nonimmunogenic in vitro at the concentrations of 10 mu M and 5 mu M, respectively, and at a dose of 5 mg/kg in vivo, suggesting that these CPPs exhibit a promising potential in the delivery of therapeutic molecules into the cell without risks of toxicity and inflammatory reactions.
|
|
25. |
- Veiman, Kadi-Liis, et al.
(author)
-
PEG shielded MMP sensitive CPPs for efficient and tumor specific gene delivery in vivo
- 2015
-
In: Journal of Controlled Release. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-3659 .- 1873-4995. ; 209, s. 238-247
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gene therapy has great potential to treat a range of different diseases, such as cancer. For that therapeutic gene can be inserted into a plasmid vector and delivered specifically to tumor cells. The most frequently used applications utilize lipoplex and polyplex approaches where DNA is non-covalently condensed into nanoparticles. However, lack of in vivo efficacy is the major concern that hinders translation of such gene therapeutic applications into clinics. In this work we introduce a novel method for in vivo delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and efficient tumor-specific gene induction using intravenous (i.v) administration route. To achieve this, we utilize a cell penetrating peptide (CPP), PepFect14 (PF14), double functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and a matrix metalloprotease (MMP) substrate. We show that this delivery vector effectively forms nanoparticles, where the condensed CPP and pDNA are shielded by the PEG, in an MMP-reversible manner. Administration of the complexes results in efficient induction of gene expression specifically in tumors, avoiding normal tissues. This strategy is a potent gene delivery platform that can be used for tumor-specific induction of a therapeutic gene.
|
|