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Cellular uptake of a cystine-knot peptide and modulation of its intracellular trafficking.

ABSTRACT: Cyclotides or cyclic cystine-knot peptides have emerged as a promising class of pharmacological ligands that modulate protein function. Interestingly, very few cyclotides have been shown to enter into cells. Yet, it remains unknown whether backbone cyclization is required for their cellular internalization. In this report, we studied the cellular behavior of EETI-II, a model acyclic cystine-knot peptide. Even though synthetic methods have been used to generate EETI-II, recombinant methods that allow efficient large scale biosynthesis of EETI-II have been lagging. Here, we describe a novel protocol for recombinant generation of folded EETI-II in high yields and to near homogeneity. We also uncover that EETI-II is efficiently uptaken via an active endocytic pathway to early endosomes in mammalian cells, eventually accumulating in late endosomes and lysosomes. Notably, co-incubation with a cell-penetrating peptide enhanced the cellular uptake and altered the trafficking of EETI-II, leading to its evasion of lysosomes. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of modulating the subcellular distribution and intracellular targeting of cystine-knot peptides, and hence enable future exploration of their utility in drug discovery and delivery.

SUBMITTER: Gao X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5062073 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Cellular uptake of a cystine-knot peptide and modulation of its intracellular trafficking.

Gao Xinxin X Stanger Karen K Kaluarachchi Harini H Maurer Till T Ciepla Paulina P Chalouni Cecile C Franke Yvonne Y Hannoush Rami N RN

Scientific reports 20161013

Cyclotides or cyclic cystine-knot peptides have emerged as a promising class of pharmacological ligands that modulate protein function. Interestingly, very few cyclotides have been shown to enter into cells. Yet, it remains unknown whether backbone cyclization is required for their cellular internalization. In this report, we studied the cellular behavior of EETI-II, a model acyclic cystine-knot peptide. Even though synthetic methods have been used to generate EETI-II, recombinant methods that a ...[more]

PMID: 27734922

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Project description:A divalent knottin containing two separate integrin binding epitopes (RGD) in the adjacent loops, 3-4A, was recently developed and reported in our previous publication. In the current study, 3-4A was radiofluorinated with a 4-nitrophenyl 2-(18)F-fluoropropinate ((18)F-NFP) group and the resulting divalent positron emission tomography (PET) probe, (18)F-FP-3-4A, was evaluated as a novel imaging probe to detect integrin αvβ3 positive tumors in living animals. Knottin 3-4A was synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis, folded, and site-specifically conjugated with (18/19)F-NFP to produce the fluorinated peptide (18/19)F-fluoropropinate-3-4A ((18/19)F-FP-3-4A). The stability of (18)F-FP-3-4A was tested in both phosphate buffered saline (PBS) buffer and mouse serum. Cell uptake assays of the radiolabeled peptides were performed using U87MG cells. In addition, small animal PET imaging and biodistribution studies of (18)F-FP-3-4A were performed in U87MG tumor-bearing mice. The receptor targeting specificity of the radiolabeled peptide was also verified by coinjecting the probe with a blocking peptide cyclo(RGDyK). Our study showed that (18)F-FP-3-4A exhibited excellent stability in PBS buffer (pH 7.4) and mouse serum. Small animal PET imaging and biodistribution data revealed that (18)F-FP-3-4A exhibited rapid and good tumor uptake (3.76 ± 0.59% ID/g and 2.22 ± 0.62% ID/g at 0.5 and 1 h, respectively). (18)F-FP-3-4A was rapidly cleared from the normal tissues, resulting in excellent tumor-to-normal tissue contrasts. For example, liver uptake was only 0.39 ± 0.07% ID/g and the tumor to liver ratio was 5.69 at 1 h p.i. Furthermore, coinjection of cyclo(RGDyK) with (18)F-FP-3-4A significantly inhibited tumor uptake (0.41 ± 0.12 vs 1.02 ± 0.19% ID/g at 2.5 h) in U87MG xenograft models, demonstrating specific accumulation of the probe in the tumor. In summary, the divalent probe (18)F-FP-3-4A is characterized by rapid and high tumor uptake and excellent tumor-to-normal tissue ratios. (18)F-FP-3-4A is a highly promising knottin based PET probe for translating into clinical imaging of tumor angiogenesis.

Project description:Integrin αvβ6 is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and its expression is often associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, there is a need to develop affinity reagents for noninvasive imaging of integrin αvβ6 expression since it may provide early cancer diagnosis, more accurate prognosis, and better treatment planning. We recently engineered and validated highly stable cystine knot peptides that selectively bind integrin αvβ6 with no cross-reactivity to integrins αvβ5, α5β1, or αvβ3, also known to be overexpressed in many cancers. Here, we developed a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) probe for imaging integrin αvβ6 positive tumors. Cystine knot peptide, S02, was first conjugated with a single amino acid chelate (SAAC) and labeled with [(99m)Tc(H2O)3(CO)3](+). The resulting probe, (99m)Tc-SAAC-S02, was then evaluated by in vitro cell uptake studies using two αvβ6 positive cell lines (human lung adenocarcinoma cell line HCC4006 and pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3) and two αvβ6 negative cell lines (human lung adenocarcinoma cell line H838 and human embryonic kidney cell line 293T). Next, SPECT/CT and biodistribution studies were performed in nude mice bearing HCC4006 and H838 tumor xenografts to evaluate the in vivo performance of (99m)Tc-SAAC-S02. Significant differences in the uptake of (99m)Tc-SAAC-S02 were observed in αvβ6 positive vs negative cells (P < 0.05). Biodistribution and small animal SPECT/CT studies revealed that (99m)Tc-SAAC-S02 accumulated to moderate levels in antigen positive tumors (∼2% ID/g at 1 and 6 h postinjection, n = 3 or 4/group). Moreover, the probe demonstrated tumor-to-background tissue ratios of 6.81 ± 2.32 (tumor-to-muscle) and 1.63 ± 0.18 (tumor-to-blood) at 6 h postinjection in αvβ6 positive tumor xenografts. Co-incubation of the probe with excess amount of unlabeled S02 as a blocking agent demonstrated significantly reduced tumor uptake, which is consistent with specific binding to the target. Renal filtration was the main route of clearance. In conclusion, knottin peptides are excellent scaffolds for which to develop highly stable imaging probes for a variety of oncological targets. (99m)Tc-SAAC-S02 demonstrates promise for use as a SPECT agent to image integrin αvβ6 expression in living systems.

Dataset Information

Cellular uptake of a cystine-knot peptide and modulation of its intracellular trafficking.

Publications

Cellular uptake of a cystine-knot peptide and modulation of its intracellular trafficking.

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