Go with the flow: An in vitro model of a mature endothelium for the study of the bioresponse of IV injectable nanomedicines.

The first exposure of intravenously (IV) administered nanomedicines in vivo is to endothelial cells (ECs) lining blood vessels. While it is known that in vitro endothelium models to assess responses to circulating nanoparticles require shear stress, there is no consensus on when and how to include it in the experimental design. Our experimental workflow integrates shear stress by featuring a flow-induced mature endothelium (14 days) and a flow-mediated nanoparticle treatment. The mature endothelium model exhibited distinct features that indicated a structurally stable and quiescent monolayer. Upon treatment with iron sucrose under dynamic conditions, there was a lower nanoparticle uptake, lower cytotoxicity, and decreased expression of activation markers compared to the static control. This response was attributed to glycocalyx expression, predominantly observed on the mature endothelium. In conclusion, our proposed in vitro endothelium model can be leveraged to understand the dynamics of IV injectable nanomedicines at the initial nano-bio interface in veins immediately post-injection.

Uncovering the dynamics of cellular responses induced by iron-carbohydrate complexes in human macrophages using quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics.

Iron-carbohydrate complexes are widely used to treat iron deficiencies. Macrophages play a crucial role in the uptake and fate of these nanomedicines, however, how complexed iron carbohydrates are taken up and metabolized by macrophages is still not fully understood. Using a (phospho-)proteomics approach, we assessed differences in protein expression and phosphorylation in M2 macrophages triggered by iron sucrose (IS). Our results show that IS alters the expression of multiple receptors, indicative of a complex entry mechanism. Besides, IS induced an increase in intracellular ferritin, the loss of M2 polarization, protective mechanisms against ferroptosis, and an autophagic response. These data indicate that macrophages can use IS as a source of iron for its storage and later release, however, the excess of iron can cause oxidative stress, which can be successfully regulated by the cells. When comparing IS with ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) and iron isomaltoside-1000 (IIM), complexes with a higher carbohydrate ligand stability, we observed that FCM and IIM are metabolized at a slower rate, and trigger M2 polarization loss to a lower extent. These results indicate that the surface characteristics of the iron-carbohydrate complexes may influence the cell responses. Our data show that the application of (phospho-)proteomics can lead to a better understanding of metabolic processes, including the uptake, biodegradation and bioavailability of nanomedicines.

Assessing Genotoxicity of Ten Different Engineered Nanomaterials by the Novel Semi-Automated FADU Assay and the Alkaline Comet Assay.

Increased engineered nanomaterial (ENM) production and incorporation in consumer and biomedical products has raised concerns about the potential adverse effects. The DNA damaging capacity is of particular importance since damaged genetic material can lead to carcinogenesis. Consequently, reliable and robust in vitro studies assessing ENM genotoxicity are of great value. We utilized two complementary assays based on different measurement principles: (1) comet assay and (2) FADU (fluorimetric detection of alkaline DNA unwinding) assay. Assessing cell viability ruled out false-positive results due to DNA fragmentation during cell death. Potential structure-activity relationships of 10 ENMs were investigated: three silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NP) with varying degrees of porosity, titanium dioxide (TiO2-NP), polystyrene (PS-NP), zinc oxide (ZnO-NP), gold (Au-NP), graphene oxide (GO) and two multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT). SiO2-NPs, TiO2-NP and GO were neither cytotoxic nor genotoxic to Jurkat E6-I cells. Quantitative interference corrections derived from GO results can make the FADU assay a promising screening tool for a variety of ENMs. MWNT merely induced cytotoxicity, while dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity of PS-NP was accompanied by DNA fragmentation. Hence, PS-NP served to benchmark threshold levels of cytotoxicity at which DNA fragmentation was expected. Considering all controls revealed the true genotoxicity for Au-NP and ZnO-NP at early time points.

Investigating the effects of differently produced synthetic amorphous silica (E 551) on the integrity and functionality of the human intestinal barrier using an advanced in vitro co-culture model.

E 551, also known as synthetic amorphous silica (SAS), is the second most produced food additive. However, according to the re-evaluation of E 551 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2018, the amount of available data on the oral toxicity of food grade E 551 is still insufficient for reliable risk assessment. To close this gap, this study aimed to investigate six food-grade SAS with distinct physicochemical properties on their interaction with the intestinal barrier using advanced in vitro intestinal co-cultures and to identify potential structure-activity relationships. A mucus-secreting Caco-2/HT-29/Raji co-culture model was treated with up to 50 µg/ml SAS for 48 h, which represents a dose range relevant to dietary exposure. No effects on cell viability, barrier integrity, microvilli function or the release of inflammatory cytokine were detected after acute exposure. Slight biological responses were observed for few SAS materials on iron uptake and gene expression levels of mucin 1 and G-protein coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). There was no clear correlation between SAS properties (single or combined) and the observed biological responses. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the short-term impact of food-relevant SAS with distinct characteristics on the intestinal epithelium including a range of intestine-specific functional endpoints. In addition, it highlights the importance of using advanced intestinal co-cultures embracing relevant cell types as well as a protective mucus barrier to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the biological response of food additives at the intestinal barrier in vitro.

The impact of synthetic amorphous silica (E 551) on differentiated Caco-2 cells, a model for the human intestinal epithelium.

For several decades, food-grade synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) have been used as a technological additive to reduce caking of food powders. Human exposure is thus inevitable and safety concerns are taken seriously. The toxicity of silica in general and SAS in particular has been studied extensively. Overall, there is little evidence that food-grade SAS pose any health risks to humans. However, from the available data it was often not clear which type of silica was used. Accordingly, the latest report of the European food safety authority requested additional toxicity data for well-characterised "real food-grade SAS". To close this gap, we screened a panel of ten well-defined, food-grade SAS for potential adverse effects on differentiated Caco-2 cells. Precipitated and fumed SAS with low, intermediate and high specific surface area were included to determine structure-activity relationships. In a physiological dose-range up to 50 µg/ml and 48 h of incubation, none of the materials induced adverse effects on differentiated Caco-2 cells. This held true for endpoints of acute cytotoxicity as well as epithelial specific measures of barrier integrity. These results showed that despite considerable differences in production routes and material characteristics, food-relevant SAS did not elicit acute toxicity responses in intestinal epithelial cells.

Interference of engineered nanomaterials in flow cytometry: A case study.

Nanotechnology is regarded as the enabling technology of the 21st century. However, only a relatively small number of nano-enabled medical and healthcare products finally made their way to the market. There are several reasons why such innovative approaches fail in translation, with one key factor being the uncertainty surrounding their safety assessment. Although well described, interference reactions of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) with classical cytotoxicity assays remain a major source of uncertainty. Flow cytometry is a powerful, widely used, in vitro technique. Its readout is based on the detection of refracted laser light and fluorescence signals. It is therefore susceptible to ENM interference. Here we investigated possible interferences of ENM in the Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay, which quantifies apoptotic and necrotic cell populations by flow cytometry. Two case studies were conducted using either silica or gold nanoparticles differing in size, specific surface area and surface chemistry. Both ENM types were found to cause distinct interference reactions at realistic concentrations. Silica particles induced false-positive signals; however only in the absence of a protein corona and in conjunction with a particular fluorophore combination (FITC/PI). In contrast, gold particles led to complex quenching effects which were only marginally influenced by the presence of proteins and occurred for both fluorophore combinations analyzed. We present a versatile spike-in approach which is applicable to all ENM and cell types. It further allows for the identification of a broad range of different interference phenomena, thereby increasing the reliability and quality of flow cytometry and ENM hazard assessment.

Transient DNA damage following exposure to gold nanoparticles.

Due to their interesting physicochemical properties, gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) are the focus of increasing attention in the field of biomedicine and are under consideration for use in drug delivery and bioimaging, or as radiosensitizers and nano-based vaccines. Thorough evaluation of the genotoxic potential of Au-NPs is required, since damage to the genome can remain undetected in standard hazard assessments. Available genotoxicity data is either limited or contradictory. Here, we examined the influence of three surface modified 3-4 nm Au-NPs on human A549 cells, according to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) paradigm. After 24 h of Au-NP treatment, nanoparticles were taken up by cells as agglomerates; however, no influence on cell viability or inflammation was detected. No increase in ROS production was observed by H2-DCF assay; however, intracellular glutathione levels reduced over time, indicating oxidative stress. All three types of Au-NPs induced DNA damage, as detected by alkaline comet assay. The strongest genotoxic effect was observed for positively charged Au-NP I. Further analysis of Au-NP I by neutral comet assay, fluorimetric detection of alkaline DNA unwinding assay, and γH2AX staining, revealed that the induced DNA lesions were predominantly alkali-labile sites. As highly controlled repair mechanisms have evolved to remove a wide range of DNA lesions with great efficiency, it is important to focus on both acute cyto- and genotoxicity, alongside post-treatment effects and DNA repair. We demonstrate that Au-NP-induced DNA damage is largely repaired over time, indicating that the observed damage is of transient nature.

A unique signal sequence of the chemokine receptor CCR7 promotes package into COPII vesicles for efficient receptor trafficking.

Chemokine receptors are considered to belong to the group of G protein-coupled receptors that use the first transmembrane domain as signal anchor sequence for membrane insertion instead of a cleavable N-terminal signal sequence. Chemokine recognition is determined by the N-termini of chemokine receptors. Here, we show that the chemokine receptor CCR7, which is essential for directed migration of adaptive immune cells, possesses a 24 amino acids long N-terminal signal sequence that is unique among chemokine receptors. This sequence is cleaved off the mature human and mouse protein. Introducing single point mutations in the hydrophobic core h-region or in the polar C-terminal segment (c-region) of the signal sequence to interfere with its cleavage retained CCR7 in the ER and prevented its surface expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate the correct topology of the 35 amino acids short extracellular N-tail of CCR7 in a deletion mutant lacking the natural signal sequence. This signal sequence deletion mutant of CCR7 is fully functional as it efficiently binds its ligand, elicits chemokine-induced calcium mobilization, and directs cell migration. However, we show that the signal sequence promotes efficient recruitment of the GPCR to ER exit sites, thereby controlling efficient ER to Golgi trafficking of CCR7 on its way to reach the plasma membrane.

Ubiquitylation of the chemokine receptor CCR7 enables efficient receptor recycling and cell migration.

The chemokine receptor CCR7 is essential for lymphocyte and dendritic cell homing to secondary lymphoid organs. Owing to the ability to induce directional migration, CCR7 and its ligands CCL19 and CCL21 are pivotal for the regulation of the immune system. Here, we identify a novel function for receptor ubiquitylation in the regulation of the trafficking process of this G-protein-coupled seven transmembrane receptor. We discovered that CCR7 is ubiquitylated in a constitutive, ligand-independent manner and that receptor ubiquitylation regulates the basal trafficking of CCR7 in the absence of chemokine. Upon CCL19 binding, we show that internalized CCR7 recycles back to the plasma membrane via the trans-Golgi network. An ubiquitylation-deficient CCR7 mutant internalized normally after ligand binding, but inefficiently recycled in immune cells and was transiently retarded in the trans-Golgi network compartment of HEK293 transfectants. Finally, we demonstrate that the lack of CCR7 ubiquitylation profoundly impairs immune cell migration. Our results provide evidence for a novel function of receptor ubiquitylation in the regulation of CCR7 recycling and immune cell migration.

Cell type-- dependent effects of Polo-like kinase 1 inhibition compared with targeted polo box interference in cancer cell lines.

Multiple critical roles within mitosis have been assigned to Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), making it an attractive candidate for mitotic targeting of cancer cells. Plk1 contains two domains amenable for targeted interference: a kinase domain responsible for the enzymatic function and a polo box domain necessary for substrate recognition and subcellular localization. Here, we compare two approaches for targeted interference with Plk1 function, either by a Plk1 small-molecule enzyme inhibitor or by inducible overexpression of the polo box in human cancer cell lines. Inducible expression of the Plk1 polo box resulted in growth inhibition of RKOp27 human colon adenocarcinoma cells without obvious signs of mitotic abnormalities. A Plk1 kinase inhibitor in the same cell line arrested cells in mitosis with subsequent onset of apoptosis. Similarly, PC-3 human prostate cancer cells were growth inhibited on expression of the polo box. Prolonged expression of the polo box in these cells resulted in the occurrence of binucleated or multinucleated cells. In contrast, U2OS human osteosarcoma cells responded to overexpression of the polo box with a massive mitotic accumulation coinciding with the onset of apoptosis. Comparison of spindle formation revealed very similar mitotic abnormalities in polo box-overexpressing U2OS cells compared with U2OS cells treated with the Plk1 kinase inhibitor. We conclude that interference with polo box function and inhibition of Plk1 kinase activity can exert very similar phenotypic effects in certain cell lines but highly contrasting effects in others. This may point to subtle differences in the molecular machinery of mitosis regulation in cancer cells.