Mitochondria-targeting peptides represent an emergent tool for cancer inhibition. Here supramolecular assemblies of novel amphiphilic cell-penetrating peptides for targeting cancer cell mitochondria are reported. The employed strategy aims at amplifying the apoptotic stimuli by weakening the mitochondrial VDAC1 (voltage-dependent anion channel-1)-hexokinase-II (HK-II) interaction. Peptide engineering is performed with the N-terminus of the HK-II protein, which binds to VDAC1. First, a designed positively charged segment (pKV) is anchored to the specific 15 amino acid sequence (MIASHLLAYFFTELN) to yield a cell-penetrating peptide (pHK-pKV). Second, a lipid chain (Pal) is conjugated to the N-terminus of pHK-pKV in order to enhance the intracellular delivery of the HK-II scaffold. The self-assembly properties of these two synthetic peptides are investigated by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS) and cryogenic transmission electron (cryo-TEM) imaging, which evidence the formation of nanoassemblies of ellipsoid-like shapes. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy demonstrates the induction of partial α-helical structures in the amphiphilic peptides. Confocal microscopy reveals the specific mitochondrial location of Pal-pHK-pKV assemblies in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells. The cytotoxicity and apoptotic studies indicate the enhanced bioactivity of Pal-pHK-pKV self-assembled reservoirs, which cause massive A549 cell death with regard to pHK-pKV. Of significance, Pal-pHK-pKV treatment of non-cancerous NCM460 cells resulted in substantially lower cytotoxicity. The results demonstrate the potential of self-assembled lipo-peptide (HK-II-derived) conjugates as a promising strategy in cancer therapy.
- MeSH
- buněčná smrt účinky léků MeSH
- buňky A549 MeSH
- hexokinasa metabolismus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lipidy chemie MeSH
- lipopeptidy chemická syntéza terapeutické užití MeSH
- mitochondrie metabolismus MeSH
- nádory plic farmakoterapie patologie MeSH
- napětím ovládaný aniontový kanál 1 metabolismus MeSH
- penetrační peptidy chemická syntéza metabolismus MeSH
- povrchově aktivní látky metabolismus MeSH
- systémy cílené aplikace léků metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
Bioavailability of baicalin (BAI), an example of traditional Chinese medicine, has been modified by loading into liposome. Several liposome systems of different composition i.e., lipid/cholesterol (L), long-circulating stealth liposome (L-PEG) and folate receptor (FR)-targeted liposome (L-FA) have been used as the drug carrier for BAI. The obtained liposomes were around 80 nm in diameter with proper zeta potentials about -25 mV and sufficient physical stability in 3 months. The entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency of BAI in the liposomes were 41.0-46.4% and 8.8-10.0%, respectively. The morphology details of BAI lipsosome systems i.e., formation of small unilamellar vesicles, have been determined by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). In vitro cytotoxicity of BAI liposomes against HeLa cells was evaluated by MTT assay. BAI loaded FR-targeted liposomes showed higher cytotoxicity and cellular uptake compared with non-targeted liposomes. The results suggested that L-FA-BAI could enhance anti-tumor efficiency and should be an effective FR-targeted carrier system for BAI delivery.
- MeSH
- antiflogistika nesteroidní chemie farmakokinetika farmakologie MeSH
- difrakce rentgenového záření MeSH
- elektronová kryomikroskopie MeSH
- flavonoidy chemie farmakokinetika farmakologie MeSH
- folátové receptory zakotvené GPI antagonisté a inhibitory metabolismus MeSH
- HeLa buňky MeSH
- konfokální mikroskopie MeSH
- kyselina listová analogy a deriváty chemie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- liposomy chemie ultrastruktura MeSH
- maloúhlový rozptyl MeSH
- nádory děložního čípku metabolismus patologie MeSH
- polyethylenglykoly chemie MeSH
- stabilita léku MeSH
- transmisní elektronová mikroskopie MeSH
- uvolňování léčiv MeSH
- viabilita buněk účinky léků MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
