Therapeutic efficacy of new botulinum toxin identified in CCUG 7968 strain.

Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) induces muscle atrophy by cleaving synaptosomal-associated protein 25. Thus, BoNT/A has been actively utilized for the treatment of masseter and gastrocnemius hypertrophy. In this study, INI101 toxin was newly identified from the CCUG 7968 strain, and its therapeutic efficacy was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The INI101 toxin showed identical genetic sequence, amino acid sequence, and protein subunit composition to BoNT/A produced from strain Hall A. Electromyography (EMG), and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that INI101 (at 2 ~ 8 U/rat) effectively blocked the neuromuscular junction with no toxicity in a rat model. The EMG results showed INI101 toxin-induced weight loss and volume reduction of the gastrocnemius, similar to the effects of Botox® (BTX). Histological and immunofluorescence staining was consistent with this EMG result, showing that INI101 toxin caused muscle fiber reduction in the gastrocnemius. Notably, INI101 toxin diffused less into adjacent muscle tissue than BTX, indicating that INI101 toxin may reduce potential side effects due to diffusion into normal tissues. INI101 toxin isolated from the novel strain CCUG 7968 is a newly identified meaningful biopharmaceutical comparable to the conventional BoNT/A in the medical field. KEY POINTS: • Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A, INI101) was identified from the CCUG 7968 strain. • INI101 toxin showed similar safety and therapeutic efficacy comparable to conventional BoNT/A both in vitro and in vivo. • INI101 toxin is a meaningful biopharmaceutical comparable to the conventional BoNT/A in the medical field.

Multifunctional tumor pH-sensitive self-assembled nanoparticles for bimodal imaging and treatment of resistant heterogeneous tumors.

Nanoparticle-based diagnosis-therapy integrative systems represent an emerging approach to cancer treatment. However, the diagnostic sensitivity, treatment efficacy, and bioavailability of nanoparticles as well as the heterogeneity and drug resistance of tumors pose tremendous challenges for clinical implementation. We herein report on the fabrication of tumor pH-sensitive magnetic nanogrenades (termed PMNs) composed of self-assembled iron oxide nanoparticles and pH-responsive ligands. These PMNs can readily target tumors via surface-charge switching triggered by the acidic tumor microenvironment, and are further disassembled into a highly active state in acidic subcellular compartments that "turns on" MR contrast, fluorescence and photodynamic therapeutic activity. We successfully visualized small tumors implanted in mice via unique pH-responsive T1MR contrast and fluorescence, demonstrating early stage diagnosis of tumors without using any targeting agents. Furthermore, pH-triggered generation of singlet oxygen enabled pH-dependent photodynamic therapy to selectively kill cancer cells. In particular, we demonstrated the superior therapeutic efficacy of PMNs in highly heterogeneous drug-resistant tumors, showing a great potential for clinical applications.

Polycationic nanodrug covered with hyaluronic acid for treatment of P-glycoprotein overexpressing cancer cells.

To treat cancer cells overexpressing P-glycoprotein (P-gp), we propose a new concept using a nanodrug. The nanodrug was prepared from polyethyleneimine (PEI)/all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) conjugates (PRA) and covered with hyaluronic acid (HA) to control the cytotoxicity of PRA (yielding PRA-H). The size distribution of PRA-H was narrow, with an average particle size of approximately 143 nm. Its superior stability in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was verified by monitoring changes in particle size and zeta potential for 24 h, which were negligible. In contrast, PEI-H (not conjugated with ATRA) exhibited a significant change in particle size and zeta potential. Although PRA was highly cytotoxic against HCT-8 and SNU-484 cancer cells, both of which overexpress P-gp, the cytotoxicity was significantly reduced by shielding with HA. The cytotoxicity of PRA-H was recovered by treatment with hyaluronidase (HAase), which degrades HA and is present in tumors at high concentrations. These results were confirmed by optical microscopy, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACs) analysis, and confocal microscopy. The cytotoxic mechanism of PRA was revealed as a type of necrotic lysis by FACs analysis with propidium iodide (PI) staining. Furthermore, PRA increased HCT-8 cell (colon cancer) permeability to doxorubicin (DOX). Therefore, we concluded that PRA-H is a promising new candidate for the treatment of cells with multidrug resistance (MDR) induced by overexpression of P-gp and cancer stem cells.

A self-assembled polymeric micellar immunomodulator for cancer treatment based on cationic amphiphilic polymers.

Here, we report a self-assembled polymeric micellar immunomodulator (SPI) for enhanced cancer treatment based on cationic amphiphilic polymers. To obtain the cationic amphiphilic polymer, the hydrophobic all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) was conjugated with a hydrophilic low-molecular-weight PEI (LowPEI, Mn = 1.8 kDa). The ATRA-LowPEI conjugates could self-assemble in aqueous media, forming micelles with a strong positive charge (∼+40 mV) and particle sizes of ~70 nm. Compared to conventional therapeutic agents (e.g., cisplatin), the SPI exhibited enhanced anti-cancer activity regardless of drug resistance. After mechanistic in vitro cell death studies, we revealed that the mechanical disruptive force generated by the cationic charge of SPI primarily induced necrotic cell death. Furthermore, the organelle fragments induced by the necrotic cell death triggered antitumoral immune responses. Therefore, SPI induced synergistic effects of the cationic charge-induced necrosis and antitumoral immune responses could produce an effective cancer treatment. In addition, the SPI was shielded by hyaluronic acid (HA/SPI complex) to enhance its tumor selectivity in vivo. Finally, the HA/SPI complex accumulated selectively into tumor sites after systemic administration into tumor-bearing mice, exhibiting effective antitumoral effects without systemic toxicity. Therefore, this technology holds great potential for translation into a clinical cancer treatment.

Multi-modal transfection agent based on monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles for stem cell gene delivery and tracking.

Directing the controlled differentiation and tracking of stem cells is essential to achieve successful stem cell therapy. In this work, we describe a multi-modal (MR/optical) transfection agent (MTA) for efficient gene delivery and cell tracking of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The MTA was synthesized through a facile two-step approach with 1) ligand exchange of a catechol-functionalized polypeptide (CFP) and 2) chemical immobilization of fluorescence labelled cationic polymer via aminolysis reaction. Cationic polymer-immobilized MTAs with size of ~40 nm exhibit greatly enhanced colloidal stability in aqueous solution. In addition, the MTAs were capable of binding DNA molecules for transfection. The MTA/pDNA complex showed relatively good transfection efficiency in hMSCs (compared to the commercial transfection agent, Lipofectamine) and good biocompatibility. MTA-treated hMSCs were successfully visualized after transplantation via MR and optical imaging system over 14 days. These studies highlight the challenges associated with the potential advantages of designing multi-modal nanostructured materials as tools for genetic materials delivery and cell-tracking in stem cell therapy.

Biodegradable cationic nanoparticles loaded with an anticancer drug for deep penetration of heterogeneous tumours.

To enhance limited drug penetration that mediated drug resistance and heterogeneity within the tumour microenvironment, we designed a paclitaxel (PTX) loaded degradable cationic nanogel (DpNG) consisted with acetylated pullulan and low molecular weight polyethyleneimine ((Low)bPEI, 1.8 kDa). The restoration of cationic charge on the DpNG was achieved via HA degradation by hyaluronidase which is secreted in tumour. The size and surface charge of HA-coated DpNG loaded with PTX (HA/DpNG-PTX) was 200-250 nm and 0 mV, respectively. The DpNG-PTX was showed significant cytotoxicity in heterogeneous cancer cells. The IC50 value of DpNG-PTX was 100 times less than that of free PTX. The growth of heterogeneous tumour in Balb/c mice was inhibited via intravenous injection of HA/DpNG-PTX. Furthermore, the invasive distance and amount of HA/DpNG-PTX localised within the deep tissue regions were increased two times than that of PA-PTX. Therefore, the DpNG based drug delivery system could be useful for treatment of heterogeneous tumour.

The performance of gadolinium diethylene triamine pentaacetate-pullulan hepatocyte-specific T1 contrast agent for MRI.

The magnetic resonance (MR) functionalities of pullulan-conjugated gadolinium diethylene triamine pentaacetate (Gd-DTPA-Pullulan) as a new hepatocyte-specific contrast agent were evaluated. Pullulan, which specifically accumulates on hepatocytes via asialoglycoprotein receptors, was chemically linked with Gd-DTPA. Gd-DTPA-Pullulan displayed three times greater contrast enhancement than Gd-DTPA-BMA (Omniscan) in delayed MR imaging (MRI) on orthotopic rat hepatocarcinoma (HCC). This contrast effect lasted up to 24h. In particular, Gd-DTPA-Pullulan displayed a discriminative MR contrast on the regenerative and malignant hepatic nodules sequentially observed during the progress of cirrhotic HCC. Approximately 50% of injected Gd-DTPA-Pullulan was eliminated via the hepato-biliary system. IC(50) of Gd-DTPA-Pullulan on Chang liver cells was much higher than Gd-DTPA and Gd-DTPA-BMA (309.1 ± 11.2, 173.5 ± 15.5 and 49.4 ± 8.9 µM, respectively). Any significant toxicities of Gd-DTPA-Pullulan at the conventional dose on the rats weren't detected on histology studies. Gd-DTPA-Pullulan worked as a hepatocyte-specific MR contrast agent with increased MR functionalities and an acceptable safety profile setting the scene for future clinical trials.