Glycoreplica Peptides.

"Glycoreplica peptides" are prepared using a phage display peptide library and monoclonal antibodies that recognize the carbohydrate epitopes of glycoconjugate antigens. The peptides obtained not only mimic the shapes of original glycoconjugate antigens but also have some of their functions. We herein describe how to identify the amino acid alignments of glycoreplica peptides using phage display selection against carbohydrate-binding proteins. Target-specific peptides and proteins may be selected from the large repertory of a peptide/protein library using phage display technology. Glycoreplica peptides have the potential to become alternatives to carbohydrate ligands such as mimotopes for vaccinations and carbohydrate-derived drugs for carbohydrate-related diseases.

A Cytotoxic Antibody Recognizing Lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I) on Human Induced Pluripotent Stem (hiPS) Cells.

We have generated a mouse monoclonal antibody (R-17F, IgG1 subtype) specific to human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS)/embryonic stem (ES) cells by using a hiPS cell line as an antigen. Triple-color confocal immunostaining images of hiPS cells with R-17F indicated that the R-17F epitope was expressed exclusively and intensively on the cell membranes of hiPS cells and co-localized partially with those of SSEA-4 and SSEA-3. Lines of evidence suggested that the predominant part of the R-17F epitope was a glycolipid. Upon TLC blot of total lipid extracts from hiPS cells with R-17F, one major R-17F-positive band was observed at a slow migration position close to that of anti-blood group H1(O) antigen. MALDI-TOF-MS and MS(n) analyses of the purified antigen indicated that the presumptive structure of the R-17F antigen was Fuc-Hex-HexNAc-Hex-Hex-Cer. Glycan microarray analysis involving 13 different synthetic oligosaccharides indicated that R-17F bound selectively to LNFP I (Fucα1-2Galß1-3GlcNAcß1-3Galß1-4Glc). A critical role of the terminal Fucα1-2 residue was confirmed by the selective disappearance of R-17F binding to the purified antigen upon α1-2 fucosidase digestion. Most interestingly, R-17F, when added to hiPS/ES cell suspensions, exhibited potent dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic effect was augmented markedly upon the addition of the secondary antibody (goat anti-mouse IgG1 antibody). R-17F may be beneficial for safer regenerative medicine by eliminating residual undifferentiated hiPS cells in hiPS-derived regenerative tissues, which are considered to be a strong risk factor for carcinogenesis.

Bio-recognition and functional lipidomics by glycosphingolipid transfer technology.

Through glycosphingolipid biochemical research, we developed two types of transcription technologies. One is a biochemical transfer of glycosphingolipids to peptides. The other is a physicochemical transfer of glycosphingolipids in silica gel to the surface of a plastic membrane. Using the first technology, we could prepare peptides which mimic the shapes of glycosphingolipid molecules by biopanning with a phage-displayed peptide library and anti-glycosphingolipid antibodies as templates. The peptides thus obtained showed biological properties and functions similar to those of the original glycosphingolipids, such as lectin binding, glycosidase modulation, inhibition of tumor metastasis and immune response against the original antigen glycosphingolipid, and we named them glyco-replica peptides. The results showed that the newly prepared peptides could be used effectively as a bio-recognition system and suggest that the glyco-replica peptides can be widely applied to therapeutic fields. Using the second technology, we could establish a functional lipidomics with a thin-layer chromatography-blot/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (TLC-Blot/MALDI-TOF MS) system. By transferring glycosphingolipids on a plastic membrane surface from a TLC plate, innovative biochemical approaches such as simple purification of individual glycosphingolipids, binding studies, and enzyme reactions could be developed. The combinations of these biochemical approaches and MALDI-TOF MS on the plastic membrane could provide new strategies for glycosphingolipid science and the field of lipidomics. In this review, typical applications of these two transfer technologies are introduced.(Communicated by Kunihiko SUZUKI, M.J.A.).

Sialic acid-mimic peptides as hemagglutinin inhibitors for anti-influenza therapy.

Influenza is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus, and each year many people suffer from this disease. Hemagglutinin (HA) in the membrane of type A influenza viruses recognizes sialylglycoconjugate receptors on the host cell surface at an initial step in the infection process; consequently, HA inhibitors are considered potential candidates for antiviral drugs. We identified peptides that bind to receptor-binding sites through a multiple serial selection from phage-displayed random peptide libraries. Using the HA of the H1 and H3 strains as target proteins, we obtained peptides that bind to both HAs. The binding affinities of peptides for these HAs were improved by secondary and tertiary selections from the corresponding sublibraries. A docking simulation suggested that, similar to sialic acid, the peptides are recognized by the receptor-binding site in HA, which indicates that these peptides mimic the sialic acid structure. N-stearoyl peptides inhibited infections by the A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) and A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) strains of influenza virus. Such HA-inhibitors are promising candidates for novel antiviral drugs.

Inhibition of influenza virus infections by sialylgalactose-binding peptides selected from a phage library.

Influenza virus hemagglutinin recognizes sialyloligosaccharides of glycoproteins and glycolipids as cell surface receptors in the initial stage of the infection process. We demonstrate that pentadecapeptides that bind to a sialylgalactose structure (Neu5Ac-Gal) inhibited the infection of cells by influenza virus. The pentadecapeptides were identified through affinity selection from a phage-displayed random peptide library using a monolayer of the ganglioside Neu5Acalpha2-3Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1-1'Cer (GM3). The peptides were found to have affinity for GM3, and alanine scanning showed seven amino acid residues that contribute to carbohydrate recognition. The binding of peptides to the cell surface was significantly inhibited in the presence of sialic acid or by the digestion of cell surface sialyl residues by neuraminidase. Plaque assays indicated that a molecular assembly of alkylated peptides inhibited the infection of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells by influenza virus. Carbohydrate-binding peptides that inhibit carbohydrate-virus interaction showed inhibitory activity. These results may lead to a new approach to the design of antiviral drugs.

Lactoferrin inhibits platelet production from human megakaryocytes in vitro.

The mechanism of megakaryopoiesis, proplatelet formation (PPF) and platelet (PLT) production is not fully elucidated. Lactoferrin (LF) has been reported to have many biological functions including cell proliferation and differentiation, and the LF receptor is present on megakaryocytic cells. In the present study, we examined the effect of human LF (hLF) on PLT production from primary megakaryocytes (MKs). At first, we developed a PLT production system derived from human CD34+ cells by thrombopoietin (TPO) stimulation. Because the number of proplatelets, PLTs and CD41+ MKs was remarkably increased after day 5, we employed the TPO-induced CD34+ cells on day 5. Then, the effect of hLF on PLT production from human primary MKs was examined. In the range of 3-30 micrg/ml, hLF significantly inhibited PLT production up to about 60%. However, it did not significantly change the intensity of CD41 expression in MKs and the ploidy of MKs. In addition, it did not inhibit MK progenitors. These results suggest that LF directly inhibits PLT production from matured MKs, but does not inhibit megakaryopoiesis, including proliferation/maturation processes.

A new approach for drug discovery from glycobiology and phage-displayed peptide library technology.

Peptides which mimic functional activities of glycosphingolipids were prepared by a technology of phage-displayed peptide library using monoclonal antibodies against glycosphingolipids. These peptides were named glyco-replica peptides. Peptides prepared with anti-GD1alpha antibody by this technology were found to contain WHW as common motif, and they showed suppressive activity not only on adhesion between hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells and lymphosarcoma RAW117-H10 cells, but also on metastasis of the tumor cell to the liver and lung. The WHW motif seems to be important to mimic the functional activity of the ganglioside GD1alpha. Next, we prepared GD3-replica peptides using a monoclonal antibody against GD3 (4F6). A peptide, GD3-P4 with highest affinity to 4F6 was used to immunize mice to examine if the mice show their immune response to raise antibodies against GD3. We confirmed the immune response and succeeded in the production of a monoclonal antibody (3D2) against GD3. The monoclonal antibody 3D2 showed specific binding to GD3 on a thin-layer chromatography plate and also melanoma tissues. Interestingly, the amino acid sequence of the CDR regions of light and heavy chains showed high similarity with those of the original GD3 monoclonal antibody (4F6) used for the preparation of GD3-replica peptide. The technology of the phage-displayed peptide library was applied to in vivo bio-panning study using an angiogenesis experimental model. The obtained peptides were found to show strong binding property to the neo-vasculature system and to be quite useful to carry an anti-tumor drug to the tumor tissue. Based on these experimental results, we discuss about some applications of this method to drug discovery.

CD41+/CD45+ cells without acetylcholinesterase activity are immature and a major megakaryocytic population in murine bone marrow.

Murine megakaryocytes (MKs) are defined by CD41/CD61 expression and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity; however, their stages of differentiation in bone marrow (BM) have not been fully elucidated. In murine lineage-negative (Lin(-))/CD45(+) BM cells, we found CD41(+) MKs without AChE activity (AChE(-)) except for CD41(++) MKs with AChE activity (AChE(+)), in which CD61 expression was similar to their CD41 level. Lin(-)/CD41(+)/CD45(+)/AChE(-) MKs could differentiate into AChE(+), with an accompanying increase in CD41/CD61 during in vitro culture. Both proplatelet formation (PPF) and platelet (PLT) production for Lin(-)/CD41(+)/CD45(+)/AChE(-) MKs were observed later than for Lin(-)/CD41(++)/CD45(+)/AChE(+) MKs, whereas MK progenitors were scarcely detected in both subpopulations. GeneChip and semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that the Lin(-)/CD41(+)/CD45(+)/AChE(-) MKs are assigned at the stage between the progenitor and PPF preparation phases in respect to the many MK/PLT-specific gene expressions, including beta1-tubulin. In normal mice, the number of Lin(-)/CD41(+)/CD45(+)/AChE(-) MKs was 100 times higher than that of AChE(+) MKs in BM. When MK destruction and consequent thrombocytopenia were caused by an antitumor agent, mitomycin-C, Lin(-)/CD41(+)/CD45(+)/AChE(-) MKs led to an increase in AChE(+) MKs and subsequent PLT recovery with interleukin-11 administration. It was concluded that MKs in murine BM at least in part consist of immature Lin(-)/CD41(+)/CD45(+)/AChE(-) MKs and more differentiated Lin(-)/CD41(++)/CD45(+)/AChE(+) MKs. Immature Lin(-)/CD41(+)/CD45(+)/AChE(-) MKs are a major MK population compared with AChE(+) MKs in BM and play an important role in rapid PLT recovery in vivo.

Efficient gene expression in megakaryocytic cell line using nucleofection.

To clarify the mechanism of platelet production from megakaryocytes, expression of target proteins by gene transfection was examined using various gene delivery techniques. Transfection into hematopoietic cells, including megakaryocytes, by conventional gene delivery techniques such as electroporation and lipofection are known to be difficult. In this study, in addition to electroporation and lipofection, we tested other gene-transfer methods (nucleofection, transfection using inactivated virus envelope, and transferrin-linked cationic polymer) with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene into the human megakaryocytic cell line MEG-01. We found that nucleofection, which uses a combination of special electrical parameters and specific solutions, was the best, judging from the expression ratio of GFP-positive cells (approximately 70% of cells) and low toxicity. The efficiency of GFP expression was not related to the amount of pDNA delivered into the MEG-01 cells. To verify the utility of nucleofection, the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor c-mpl was transfected into MEG-01 cells. Transfected cells showed a higher responsiveness to TPO than mock-transfected MEG-01 cells. We propose that nucleofection is a useful method for transfecting target genes to megakaryocytic cells when addressing the mechanism of platelet production.

Specific binding of GM1-binding peptides to high-density GM1 in lipid membranes.

The ganglioside Galbeta1-3GalNAcbeta1-4(Neu5Acalpha2-3)Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1-1'Cer (GM1) is an important receptor. We have previously identified GM1-binding peptides based on affinity selection from a random peptide library. In the present study, we determined the amino acids essential for binding GM1 and investigated the specific interaction with GM1 in the lipid membrane. Arginines and aromatic amino acids in the consensus sequence (W/F)RxL(xP/Px)xFxx(Rx/xR)xP contributed to the ability of the peptides to bind GM1. The peptide p3, VWRLLAPPFSNRLLP, having the consensus sequence, showed high affinity for GM1 with a dissociation constant of 1.2 microM. Furthermore, the density-dependent binding of p3 was investigated using mixed monolayers of GM1 and Glcbeta1-1'Cer (GlcCer). p3 binds preferentially to high-density GM1, and its interaction with GM1 was found to be cooperative based on a Hill plot. These results indicated that a lateral assembly of GM1 molecules was required for the recognition of carbohydrates by p3. The GM1-binding peptide played a role as a unique anti-GM1 probe differing from the cholera toxin B subunit or antibodies.

Development of human-human hybridoma from anti-Her-2 peptide-producing B cells in immunized NOG mouse.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous monoclonal antibodies have been developed for the purpose of medical treatments, including cancer treatment. For clinical application, the most useful are human-derived antibodies. In this study, we tried to prepare designed antigen-specific antibodies of completely human origin using immunodeficient mouse. METHODS: Nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient/IL-2 receptor gamma null mouse (NOG) mouse was used to reconstitute the human immune system with umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells (CB-NOG mouse) and to prepare human-derived Her-2-epitope-specific antibodies. Hybridoma lines were prepared by fusing the human myeloma cell line Karpas707H. RESULTS: Serum of immunized NOG mouse contained human-derived immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies specific for a short peptide sequence of 20 amino acids, including the epitope peptide of apoptotic Her-2 antibody CH401. Hybridoma lines were successfully prepared with spleen B cells obtained from the immunized CB-NOG mouse. One of these cell lines produced human IgM against the epitope peptide that can recognize surface Her-2 molecule. CONCLUSION: We could produce human-derived IgM antibody against Her-2 epitope peptide in CB-NOG mouse, succeeding in generation of human hybridoma-secreting IgM against a given peptide.

Identification and characterization of carbohydrate molecules in mammalian cells recognized by dengue virus type 2.

The interaction between cell surface receptors and the envelope glycoprotein (EGP) on the viral membrane surface is the initial step of Dengue virus infection. To understand the host range, tissue tropism, and virulence of this pathogen, it is critical to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the interaction of EGP with receptor molecules. Here, using a TLC/virus-binding assay, we isolated and characterized a carbohydrate molecule on mammalian cell surfaces that is recognized by dengue virus type 2 (DEN2). Structural determination by immunochemical methods showed that the carbohydrate structure of the purified glycosphingolipid was neolactotetraosylceramide (nLc4Cer). This glycosphingolipid was expressed on the cell surface of susceptible cells, such as human erythroleukemia K562 and baby hamster kidney BHK-21. All serotypes of DEN viruses, DEN1 to DEN4, reacted with nLc4Cer, and the non-reducing terminal disaccharide residue Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1- was found to be a critical determinant for the binding of DEN2. Chemically synthesized derivatives carrying multiple carbohydrate residues of nLc4, but not nLc4 oligosaccharide, inhibited DEN2 infection of BHK-21 cells. These findings strongly suggested that multivalent nLc4 oligosaccharide could act as a competitive inhibitor against the binding of DEN2 to the host cells.

GD3-replica peptides selected from a phage peptide library induce a GD3 ganglioside antibody response.

GD3-replica peptides were obtained from a phage peptide library and an anti-GD3 monoclonal antibody (Mab) (4F6), and anti-GD3 Mabs were generated by immunizing a peptide GD3P4. A Mab, 3D2 was found to recognize GD3 by immunohistochemical approaches. Amino acid analysis of heavy and light chain variable regions of 4F6 and 3D2 showed that the respective chains had the same length, and only a few different amino acid substitutions were found. The present data indicate that the immunogenic GD3P4 is processed in a certain size and exposed on the antigen-presenting cells with a molecular shape quite similar to that of the GD3 epitope in 4F6.

Anti-neovascular therapy by liposomal drug targeted to membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase.

Because membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is expressed specifically on the angiogenic endothelium as well as tumor cells, an agent possessing the ability to bind to this molecule might be useful as a tool for active targeting of tumor angiogenic vessels. Based on the sequences of peptide substrates of MT1-MMP, which had been determined by using a phage-displayed peptide library, we examined the binding ability of peptide-modified liposomes for endothelial cells and targeting ability for tumor tissues by positron emission tomography (PET). Liposomes modified with stearoyl-Gly-Pro-Leu-Pro-Leu-Arg (GPLPLR-Lip) showed high binding ability to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and accumulated in the tumor about 4-fold more than did the unmodified liposomes. Because we reported previously that liposomalized 5'-O-dipalmitoylphosphatidyl 2'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy-1-beta-D-arabino-pentofuranosylcytosine (DPP-CNDAC), a hydrophobized derivative of the novel antitumor nucleoside CNDAC, strongly suppressed tumor growth when delivered in liposomes modified with another angiogenic homing peptide, we examined the antitumor activity of DPP-CNDAC entrapped in GPLPLR-Lip. DPP-CNDAC/GPLPLR-Lip showed significant tumor growth suppression compared to DPP-CNDAC/unmodified liposomes. These results suggest that DPP-CNDAC-liposomes modified with MT1-MMP-targeted peptide are useful for cancer anti-neovascular therapy (ANET), namely, tumor growth suppression by damage to angiogenic endothelial cells.

Isolation of a novel peptide homing to tumor-derived neovasculature that suppresses tumor growth.

Novel peptides homing to angiogenic vessels were recently isolated from a phage-displayed random pentade-capeptide library, and peptides having WRP sequence showed tumor growth suppression. In this study, we observed that another novel sequence, PVVLFPLH, suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Through the study of tumor growth suppression by the 5-mer peptides derived from this sequence, we determined the epitope sequence to be LFPLH. LFPLH, but not the shuffled peptide FHLLP, suppressed the migration of vascular endothelial growth factor-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Interestingly, growth suppression of LFPLH against the cells as well as tumor cells was not observed in vitro. Therefore LFPLH may function to induce tumor dormancy through inhibition of angiogenesis.

Anti-neovascular therapy by liposomal DPP-CNDAC targeted to angiogenic vessels.

We previously reported that liposomalized 5'-O-dipalmitoylphosphatidyl 2'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy-1-beta-D-arabino-pentofuranosylcytosine (DPP-CNDAC), a hydrophobized derivative of the novel antitumor nucleoside CNDAC, is quite useful for cancer therapy. On the other hand, for anti-neovascular therapy, we recently isolated peptides homing to angiogenic vessels from a phage-displayed random peptide library, and observed that peptide-modified liposomal adriamycin strongly suppressed tumor growth, perhaps through damaging angiogenic endothelial cells. In the present study, we modified DPP-CNDAC-liposomes with one of the angiogenic homing peptides, APRPG, and examined their antitumor activity. Three doses of APRPG-modified DPP-CNDAC-liposomes (15 mg/kg as CNDAC) strongly inhibited tumor growth compared with the same number of doses of unmodified DPP-CNDAC-liposomes. The life span was increased 31.8%, with one completely cured mouse out of the six mice treated. Since the accumulation of liposomes in the tumor tissue was not so much different between APRPG-liposomes and non-modified liposomes, the enhanced therapeutic efficacy may be explained as the alteration of targets, i.e. APRPG-modified DPP-CNDAC-liposomes caused tumor growth suppression through damage of angiogenic endothelial cells. Anti-neovascular therapy promises no drug resistance, and should be effective against essentially any kind of solid tumor; and thus the present results demonstrate another benefit of the therapy, namely, high efficacy of cancer treatment.

Anti-neovascular therapy using novel peptides homing to angiogenic vessels.

Cancer chemotherapy targeted to angiogenic vessels is expected to cause indirect tumor regression through the damage of the neovasculature without the induction of drug resistance. To develop a tool for neovasculature-specific drug delivery, we isolated novel peptides homing to angiogenic vessels formed by a dorsal air sac method from a phage-displayed peptide library. Three distinct phage clones that markedly accumulated in murine tumor xenografts presented PRPGAPLAGSWPGTS-, DRWRPALPVVLFPLH- or ASSSYPLIHWRPWAR-peptide respectively. After the determination of the epitope sequences of these peptides, we modified liposomes with epitope penta-peptides. Liposome modified with APRPG-peptide showed high accumulation in murine tumor xenografts, and APRPG-modified liposome encapsulating adriamycin effectively suppressed experimental tumor growth. Finally, specific binding of APRPG-modified liposome to human umbilical endothelial cells, and that of PRP-containing peptide to angiogenic vessels in human tumors, i.e., islet cell tumor and glioblastoma, were demonstrated. The present study indicates the usefulness of APRPG-peptide as a tool for anti-neovascular therapy, a novel modality of cancer treatment.