Large Pore Mesoporous Silica and Organosilica Nanoparticles for Pepstatin A Delivery in Breast Cancer Cells.

(1) Background: Nanomedicine has recently emerged as a new area of research, particularly to fight cancer. In this field, we were interested in the vectorization of pepstatin A, a peptide which does not cross cell membranes, but which is a potent inhibitor of cathepsin D, an aspartic protease particularly overexpressed in breast cancer. (2) Methods: We studied two kinds of nanoparticles. For pepstatin A delivery, mesoporous silica nanoparticles with large pores (LPMSNs) and hollow organosilica nanoparticles (HOSNPs) obtained through the sol⁻gel procedure were used. The nanoparticles were loaded with pepstatin A, and then the nanoparticles were incubated with cancer cells. (3) Results: LPMSNs were monodisperse with 100 nm diameter. HOSNPs were more polydisperse with diameters below 100 nm. Good loading capacities were obtained for both types of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were endocytosed in cancer cells, and HOSNPs led to the best results for cancer cell killing. (4) Conclusions: Mesoporous silica-based nanoparticles with large pores or cavities are promising for nanomedicine applications with peptides.

Autophagy inhibitors reduce avian-reovirus-mediated apoptosis in cultured cells and in chicken embryos.

Avian reovirus (ARV)-induced apoptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of reovirus in infected chickens. However, methods for effectively reducing ARV-triggered apoptosis remain to be explored. Here, we show that pretreatment with chloroquine (CQ) or E64d plus pepstatin A decreases ARV-mediated apoptosis in chicken DF-1 cells. By acting as autophagy inhibitors, CQ and E64d plus pepstatin A increase microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3II) accumulation in ARV-infected cells, which results in decreased ARV protein synthesis and virus yield and thereby contributes to the reduction of apoptosis. Furthermore, ARV-mediated apoptosis in the bursa, heart and intestines of chicken embryos is attenuated by CQ and E64d plus pepstatin A treatment. Importantly, treatment with these autophagy inhibitors increases the survival of infected chicken embryos. Together, our data suggest that pharmacological inhibition of autophagy might represent a novel strategy for reducing ARV-mediated apoptosis.

Pathogenic importance of pepsin in ischemia/reperfusion-induced gastric injury.

We investigated the role of pepsin in the development of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced gastric lesions in rats. Under urethane anesthesia, the pylorus was ligated, the celiac artery was clamped, and 1 ml of HCl (50-150 mM) was instilled in the stomach. Then, reperfusion was established 15 min later by removing the clamp, and 2 h later the stomach was assessed for gross mucosal damage. Pepstatin (a specific pepsin inhibitor) or pepsin was given i.g. after the pylorus was ligated while cimetidine, omeprazole, or atropine was given s.c. 30 min before the ligation. I/R produced hemorrhagic gastric injury, with a concomitant increase in the amount of pepsin secreted, and the degree of both these responses was dependent on the concentration of HCl. The formation of lesions by IR in the presence of 100 mM HCl was significantly prevented by atropine or bilateral vagotomy, but neither omeprazole nor cimetidine had any effect. Intragastric administration of pepstatin dose-dependently reduced the severity of the I/R-induced gastric lesions, the effect being significant even at 0.1 mg/kg, while that of pepsin markedly aggravated these lesions. The increased pepsin output during I/R was associated with luminal acid loss and significantly inhibited by bilateral vagotomy or pretreatment with atropine but not cimetidine or omeprazole, while pepstatin significantly inhibited the pepsin activity. In conclusion, we suggest that pepsin plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of I/R-induced gastric lesions, and pepsin secretion is increased during I/R, the process being associated with acid back-diffusion and mediated through a vagal-cholinergic pathway.

Correction of the mineralization defect in hyp mice treated with protease inhibitors CA074 and pepstatin.

Increased expression of several osteoblastic proteases and MEPE (a bone matrix protein) occurs in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (hyp). This is associated with an increased release of a protease-resistant MEPE peptide (ASARM peptide), a potent inhibitor of mineralization. Cathepsin B cleaves MEPE releasing ASARM peptide and hyp osteoblast/osteocyte cells hypersecrete cathepsin D, an activator of cathepsin B. Our aims were to determine whether cathepsin inhibitors correct the mineralization defect in vivo and whether hyp-bone ASARM peptide levels are reduced after protease treatment. Normal littermates and hyp mice (n = 6) were injected intraperitoneally once a day for 4 weeks with pepstatin, CAO74 or vehicle. Animals were then sacrificed and bones plus serum removed for comprehensive analysis. All hyp mice groups (treated and untreated) remained hypophosphatemic with serum 1,25 vitamin D3 inappropriately normal. Serum PTH was significantly elevated in all hyp mice groups relative to normal mice (P = 0.0017). Untreated hyp mice had six-fold elevated levels of serum alkaline-phosphatase and two-fold elevated levels of ASARM peptides relative to normal mice (P < 0.001). In contrast, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum ASARM peptides were significantly reduced (normalized) in hyp mice treated with CA074 or pepstatin. Serum FGF23 levels remained high in all hyp animal groups (P < 0.0001). Hyp mice treated with protease inhibitors showed dramatic reductions in unmineralized osteoid (femurs) compared to control hyp mice (Goldner staining). Also, hyp animals treated with protease inhibitors showed marked and significant improvements in growth plate width (42%), osteoid thickness (40%) and cortical area (40%) (P < 0.002). The mineralization apposition rate, bone formation rate and mineralization surface were normalized by protease-treatment. High-resolution pQCT mineral histomorphometry measurements and uCT also confirmed a marked mineralization improvement. Finally, the growth plate and cortical bone of hyp femurs contained a massive accumulation of osteoblast-derived ASARM peptide(s) that was reduced in hyp animals treated with CA074 or pepstatin. This study confirms in vivo administration of cathepsin inhibitors improves bone mineralization in hyp mice. This may be due to a protease inhibitor mediated decrease in proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix and a reduced release of ASARM peptides (potent mineralization inhibitors).

Pepstatin, an ascites retardant of L1210 tumor-bearing mice.

The effect of pepstatin on the kinetics of ascitic fluid accumulation in L1210 tumor-bearing mice (DBA/2) was observed. Following inoculation of 1.5x10(6) tumor cells, untreated mice reached a peak of fluid accumulation on day 6 and remained at this level until death on day 9. A "lag" phase of 4 days occurred before fluid accumulation was seen. Pepstatin administered SC in a single dose of 80 mg/kg during the lag phase, significantly retarded fluid accumulation as compared to untreated animals. Pepstatin administered following fluid accumulation was much less effective. We concluded that pepstatin prevents fluid accumulation rather than acts as a diuretic agent. The term "ascites retardant" is suggested for the pharmacologic actions of pepstatin, since it prevents fluid accumulation without diminishing the cell count.

A multimodal Pepstatin A peptide-based nanoagent for the molecular imaging of P-glycoprotein in the brains of epilepsy rats.

Regional overexpression of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in epileptic brain tissues may lower antiepileptic drugs concentrations at the target site and contribute to pharmacoresistance in refractory epilepsy. However, few techniques are available to quantitate the level of P-gp expression noninvasively in vivo. In this study, we developed a nanoagent by conjugating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with a near infrared probe and the targeting element Pepstatin A, a peptide with specific affinity for P-gp. In a rat model of epilepsy, the nanoagent was readily and selectively accumulated within epileptogenic cerebral regions, which were detectable by both magnetic resonance imaging and optical imaging modalities. This P-gp-targeted nanoagent could be used not only in the molecular imaging of P-gp expression changes in seizure-induced regional, understanding the mechanisms of P-gp disorders, and the prediction of refractory epilepsy, but also in targeted therapies with P-gp modulators.

Lysosomal protease cathepsin D; a new driver of apoptosis during acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an abrupt reduction in kidney function caused by different pathological processes. It is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality in the acute phase and an increased risk of developing End Stage Renal Disease. Despite the progress in the management of the disease, mortality rates in the last five decades remain unchanged at around 50%. Therefore there is an urgent need to find new therapeutic strategies to treat AKI. Lysosomal proteases, particularly Cathepsin D (CtsD), play multiple roles in apoptosis however, their role in AKI is still unknown. Here we describe a novel role for CtsD in AKI. CtsD expression was upregulated in damaged tubular cells in nephrotoxic and ischemia reperfusion (IRI) induced AKI. CtsD inhibition using Pepstatin A led to an improvement in kidney function, a reduction in apoptosis and a decrease in tubular cell damage in kidneys with nephrotoxic or IRI induced AKI. Pepstatin A treatment slowed interstitial fibrosis progression following IRI induced AKI. Renal transplant biopsies with acute tubular necrosis demonstrated high levels of CtsD in damaged tubular cells. These results support a role for CtsD in apoptosis during AKI opening new avenues for the treatment of AKI by targeting lysosomal proteases.

Therapeutic trials in muscular dystrophy. III. Studies of microbial proteinase inhibitors in murine dystrophy.

The microbial antiproteinases--antipain, leupeptin, and pepstatin--have been reported to inhibit the degeneration of chicken dystrophic muscle in tissue culture. Trials of antipain and pepstatin, and of leupeptin and pepstatin administered subcutaneously in murine muscular dystrophy, failed to produce evidence of benefit. It is suggested that these antiproteinases cannot pass through an intact sarcolemma into muscle fibers. Further studies with liposomes may allow these agents to enter muscle fibers.

Antimetastatic activity of adriamycin in combinations with proteinase inhibitors in mice.

The antimetastatic activity of adriamycin in combination with proteinase inhibitors was investigated in mice bearing the metastatic tumors L1210 leukemia, Lewis lung carcinoma or M5076 sarcoma. Leupeptin, a cathepsin B inhibitor, when administered as a single agent was devoid of antimetastatic activity but some therapeutic activity was noted in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma when the agent was administered in combination with adriamycin. Pepstatin A, a cathepsin D inhibitor, had no effect as a single agent in mice with L1210 leukemia but displayed some antimetastatic activity in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. In mice with M5076 sarcoma the combination of pepstatin A and adriamycin resulted in antimetastatic activity significantly greater than that observed with each agent alone. These results suggest that combinations of proteinase inhibitors with antitumor drugs such as adriamycin, might result in more effective antimetastatic treatment.

Inhibitory effects of pepstatin A and mefloquine on the growth of Babesia parasites.

We evaluated the inhibitory effects of pepstatin A and mefloquine on the in vitro and in vivo growths of Babesia parasites. The in vitro growth of Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. caballi, and B. equi was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) by micromolar concentrations of pepstatin A (50% inhibitory concentrations = 38.5, 36.5, 17.6, and 18.1 µM, respectively) and mefloquine (50% inhibitory concentrations = 59.7, 56.7, 20.7, and 4 µM, respectively). Furthermore, both reagents either alone at a concentration of 5 mg/kg or in combinations (2.5/2.5 and 5/5 mg/kg) for 10 days significantly inhibited the in vivo growth of B. microti in mice. Mefloquine treatment was highly effective and the combination treatments were less effective than other treatments. Therefore, mefloquine may antagonize the actions of pepstatin A against babesiosis and aspartic proteases may play an important role in the asexual growth cycle of Babesia parasites.

Modulation of experimental systemic murine candidosis by intravenous pepstatin.

The effect of intravenous pepstatin-A on systemic candidosis in NWNI mice was investigated. True solutions of the inhibitor proved ineffective due to a very fast clearance. Pepstatin was effective as a crystal suspension (0.69 mg in 0.1 ml saline) which produced serum inhibitory activity for greater than 29 h. From the intravenously applied suspension, pepstatin was taken up predominantly into the liver, no inhibitor being taken up by the kidneys. The suspension was protective if it was injected once before the mice were infected and repeatedly following infection. It was also effective if it was administered concomitantly with the infecting agent and thereafter. The suspension was ineffective if it was only given once before infection, and it proved to be detrimental if it was given only after infection. The results support previous findings (2), suggesting a role of fungal proteinase early in the adherence of Candida to host epithelia. Our results also suggest an inhibition of lysosomal cathepsin-D in vivo by pepstatin, which prohibits a parenteral therapeutic use of nonmodified pepstatin A.

[Effect of pepstatin A on Candida albicans infection in the mouse]. / Die Wirkung von Pepstatin A auf die Candida-albicans-Infektion der Maus.

The intravenous injection of 10(6) to 10(7) Candida albicans cells revealed to be a reliable model in mice produce infections of the kidney. Higher germ contents could be yielded in the kidney after the application of protease positive Candida-strains as compared to protease negative ones. Additionally, after the infection with protease positive strains a proteolytic activity could be found in the kidney homogenates in vitro on casein plates. The modulation of this Candida infection by pepstatin A, an inhibitor of extracellular yeast proteases in vitro, has also been studied in the same mice model in vivo. The growth rate of Candida albicans has been measured in the left kidney by counting the germ content as described by Haenel. Infections could be reduced after single doses of 120 micrograms pepstatin A contrary to 60 micrograms pepstatin A. The same was with three doses of 180 micrograms at 24 h intervals. This protease inhibitory effect could also be found in kidney homogenates in vitro on casein plates and lasted until 48 h post injection. On the basis of this positive effects on the Candida infection in mice pepstatin A should be considered as an adjuvans in the therapy of severe yeast infections.

Gastric ulcer therapy with a pepsin-inactivating peptide, pepstatin: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Sixty consecutive patients with gastric ulcer were studied at random after treatment with 100 mg pepstatin or 100 mg placebo seven times a day at fixed hours and controlled 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initial diagnosis. Examinations comprised clinical symptoms and endoscopic evaluation of ulcer healing. Eight patients were withdrawn from the study. Ulcer healing and symptoms were better with placebo than with pepstatin, but a type-2 error of a 10% effect in favour of pepstatin may be overlooked. In gastric ulcer treatment, pepstatin seems to be of only fringe benefit, if of any benefit at all.

Depressor activity of intracerebroventricularly administered pepstatin in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effect of prolonged intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of N-acetyl-pepstatin in young and adult spontaneously hypertensive rats was studied. In young animals, pepstatin infusion resulted in a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Water intake and body weight were not affected. The depressor effect was accompanied by a slight increase in plasma renin activity and decreases in plasma vasopressin and plasma catecholamines. The blood pressure of adult rats with already established hypertension was not significantly affected. In addition, changes in plasma renin or catecholamines were not observed in these animals while vasopressin levels were slightly increased. The involvement of a possibly decreased sympathetic activity in the depressor effect of pepstatin is suggested. It is concluded that increased brain renin activity contributes to the development of hypertension of spontaneously hypertensive rats.