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1.
Org Biomol Chem ; 21(47): 9362-9371, 2023 12 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37975191

ABSTRACT

N-Acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) is an enzyme whose deficiency is related to the lysosomal storage disease Morquio A. For the development of effective therapeutic approaches against this disease, the design of suitable enzyme enhancers (i.e. pharmacological chaperones) is fundamental. The natural substrates of GALNS are the glycosaminoglycans keratan sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate, which mainly display repeating units of sulfated carbohydrates. With a biomimetic approach, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated with simple monosaccharides, sulfated ligands (homoligand AuNPs), or both monosaccharides and sulfated ligands (mixed-ligand AuNPs) were designed here as multivalent inhibitors of GALNS. Among the homoligand AuNPs, the most effective inhibitors of GALNS activity are the ß-D-galactoside-coated AuNPs. In the case of mixed-ligand AuNPs, ß-D-galactosides/sulfated ligands do not show better inhibition than the ß-D-galactoside-coated AuNPs. However, a synergistic effect is observed for α-D-mannosides in a mixed-ligand coating with sulfated ligands that reduced IC50 by one order of magnitude with respect to the homoligand α-D-mannoside-coated AuNPs. SAXS experiments corroborated the association of GALNS with ß-D-galactoside AuNPs. These AuNPs are able to restore the enzyme activity by almost 2-fold after thermal denaturation, indicating a potential chaperoning activity towards GALNS. This information could be exploited for future development of nanomedicines for Morquio A. The recent implications of GALNS in cancer and neuropathic pain make these kinds of multivalent bionanomaterials of great interest towards multiple therapies.


Subject(s)
Chondroitinsulfatases , Metal Nanoparticles , Gold , Acetylgalactosamine , Monosaccharides , Ligands , Sulfates , Scattering, Small Angle , X-Ray Diffraction , Lysosomes
2.
Polymers (Basel) ; 15(17)2023 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37688258

ABSTRACT

Naturalized dyes (NDs) are innovative and eco-friendly synthetic compounds in which a chromophore is covalently linked to a natural sugar (e.g., lactose). The sugar moiety confers water-solubility and biocompatibility to the dye molecule as a whole. NDs have demonstrated potential application in dyeing textiles and leather. The purpose of this work was to demonstrate that selected NDs can be also applied to dye wood. To that aim, two NDs were tested to color beech and poplar wood. The NDs were applied as a simple aqueous solution or mixed with a waterborne, biogenic staining agent (commercially available Gemma U50). Moreover, the effect of the application of a biogenic waterborne top coat (commercially available Resina Plus U49) was also studied. Different methods were tested to investigate the potential application of these NDs to wood. The dyeing behavior was analyzed in terms of penetration into the substrate, covering capacity and color homogeneity through macro- and microscopic observations and colorimetric measurements. The color fastness to water washout and the color stability to light, in particular by exposing the wooden samples to artificial aging (UV radiations in a Solar Box), were also investigated. The NDs, when used as water solutions, were able to afford a homogeneous coating and a pleasant appearance on the wood surface, as well as a good color fastness to washout with water. Dissolving the dyes in the stain or applying the top coat generally resulted in even better color fastness to washout. However, all the application methods tested showed limited resistance to fading in the Solar Box, which therefore remains a drawback for this type of product.

3.
Nanoscale Horiz ; 8(6): 776-782, 2023 05 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36951189

ABSTRACT

Cellulose nanocrystal and gold nanoparticles are assembled, in a unique way, to yield a novel modular glyconanomaterial whose surface is then easily engineered with one or two different headgroups, by exploiting a robust click chemistry route. We demonstrate the potential of this approach by conjugating monosaccharide headgroups to the glyconanomaterial and show that the sugars retain their binding capability to C-type lectin receptors, as also directly visualized by cryo-TEM.


Subject(s)
Metal Nanoparticles , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Gold/chemistry , Cellulose/chemistry , Click Chemistry , Lectins, C-Type
4.
NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes ; 8(1): 52, 2022 07 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35787627

ABSTRACT

The extracellular matrix protects biofilm cells by reducing diffusion of antimicrobials. Tobramycin is an antibiotic used extensively to treat P. aeruginosa biofilms, but it is sequestered in the biofilm periphery by the extracellular negative charge matrix and loses its efficacy significantly. Dispersal of the biofilm extracellular matrix with enzymes such as DNase I is another promising therapy that enhances antibiotic diffusion into the biofilm. Here, we combine the charge neutralization of tobramycin provided by dextran-based single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCPNs) together with DNase I to break the biofilm matrix. Our study demonstrates that the SCPNs improve the activity of tobramycin and DNase I by neutralizing the ionic interactions that keep this antibiotic in the biofilm periphery. Moreover, the detailed effects and interactions of nanoformulations with extracellular matrix components were revealed through time-lapse imaging of the P. aeruginosa biofilms by laser scanning confocal microscopy with specific labeling of the different biofilm components.


Subject(s)
Nanoparticles , Tobramycin , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Biofilms , Deoxyribonuclease I , Dextrans , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Tobramycin/pharmacology
5.
Cancers (Basel) ; 14(10)2022 May 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35626016

ABSTRACT

This study presents proof of concept assays to validate gold nanoparticles loaded with the bacterial peptide 91-99 of the listeriolysin O toxin (GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines) as immunotherapy for bladder tumors. GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines showed adjuvant abilities as they induce maturation and activation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) to functional antigen-presenting cells in healthy donors and patients with melanoma or bladder cancer (BC), promoting a Th1 cytokine pattern. GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines were also efficient dendritic cell inducers of immunogenic tumor death using different bladder and melanoma tumor cell lines. The establishment of a pre-clinical mice model of subcutaneous BC confirmed that a single dose of GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines reduced tumor burden 4.7-fold and stimulated systemic Th1-type immune responses. Proof of concept assays validated GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines as immunotherapy by comparison to anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 antibodies. In fact, GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines increased percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, and functional antigen-presenting DCs in tumor-infiltrated lymphocytes, while they reduced the levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and suppressor T cells (Treg). We conclude that GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines can work as monotherapies or combinatory immunotherapies with anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 antibodies for solid tumors with high T cell infiltration, such as bladder cancer or melanoma.

6.
FEBS J ; 289(14): 4251-4303, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33934527

ABSTRACT

Vaccination is one of the greatest achievements in biomedical research preventing death and morbidity in many infectious diseases through the induction of pathogen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Currently, no effective vaccines are available for pathogens with a highly variable antigenic load, such as the human immunodeficiency virus or to induce cellular T-cell immunity in the fight against cancer. The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has reinforced the relevance of designing smart therapeutic vaccine modalities to ensure public health. Indeed, academic and private companies have ongoing joint efforts to develop novel vaccine prototypes for this virus. Many pathogens are covered by a dense glycan-coat, which form an attractive target for vaccine development. Moreover, many tumor types are characterized by altered glycosylation profiles that are known as "tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens". Unfortunately, glycans do not provoke a vigorous immune response and generally serve as T-cell-independent antigens, not eliciting protective immunoglobulin G responses nor inducing immunological memory. A close and continuous crosstalk between glycochemists and glycoimmunologists is essential for the successful development of efficient immune modulators. It is clear that this is a key point for the discovery of novel approaches, which could significantly improve our understanding of the immune system. In this review, we discuss the latest advancements in development of vaccines against glycan epitopes to gain selective immune responses and to provide an overview on the role of different immunogenic constructs in improving glycovaccine efficacy.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Neoplasms , Vaccines , COVID-19/prevention & control , Glycoconjugates/therapeutic use , Humans , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Polysaccharides/therapeutic use , SARS-CoV-2
7.
Molecules ; 26(19)2021 Sep 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34641408

ABSTRACT

Among carbohydrate-processing enzymes, Jack bean α-mannosidase (JBα-man) is the glycosidase with the best responsiveness to the multivalent presentation of iminosugar inhitopes. We report, in this work, the preparation of water dispersible gold nanoparticles simultaneously coated with the iminosugar deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) inhitope and simple monosaccharides (ß-d-gluco- or α-d-mannosides). The display of DNJ at the gold surface has been modulated (i) by using an amphiphilic linker longer than the aliphatic chain used for the monosaccharides and (ii) by presenting the inhitope, not only in monomeric form, but also in a trimeric fashion through combination of a dendron approach with glyconanotechnology. The latter strategy resulted in a strong enhancement of the inhibitory activity towards JBα-man, with a Ki in the nanomolar range (Ki = 84 nM), i.e., more than three orders of magnitude higher than the monovalent reference compound.


Subject(s)
1-Deoxynojirimycin/administration & dosage , Canavalia/enzymology , Enzyme Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Gold/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/administration & dosage , alpha-Mannosidase/antagonists & inhibitors , 1-Deoxynojirimycin/chemistry , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry
8.
Small ; 17(35): e2102211, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34278713

ABSTRACT

An approach for reducing toxicity and enhancing therapeutic potential of supramolecular polyamine phosphate nanoparticles (PANs) through PEGylation of polyamines before their assembly into nanoparticles is presented here. It is shown that the number of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains for polyamine largely influence physico-chemical properties of PANs and their biological endpoints. Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) are functionalized through carbodiimide chemistry with three ratios of PEG molecules per PAH chain: 0.1, 1, and 10. PEGylated PAH is then assembled into PANs by exposing the polymer to phosphate buffer solution. PANs decrease size and surface charge with increasing PEG ratios as evidenced by dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements, with the ten PEG/PAH ratio PANs having practically zero charge. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) proves that PEG chains form a shell around a polyamine core, which is responsible for the screening of positive charges. MTT experiments show that the screening of amine groups decreases nanoparticle toxicity, with the lowest toxicity for the 10 PEG/PAH ratio. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) proves less interaction with proteins for PEGylated PANs. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of 18 F labelled PANs shows longer circulation time in healthy mice for PEGylated PANs than non-PEGylated ones.


Subject(s)
Nanoparticles , Phosphates , Animals , Mice , Nanoparticles/toxicity , Polyamines/toxicity , Polyethylene Glycols , Scattering, Small Angle , X-Ray Diffraction
9.
Chem Commun (Camb) ; 57(37): 4540-4543, 2021 May 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33956004

ABSTRACT

Herein, we report the evaluation of dextran (DXT) derivatives bearing hydrophobic or hydrophilic functional groups as stabilisers of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. All investigated modifications conferred interfacial activity to produce stable O/W emulsions, methacrylate(MA)-functionalised DXT being the most promising stabiliser. A minimum amount of MA was required to obtain stable O/W nanoemulsions, which could be degraded in the presence of lipases.


Subject(s)
Dextrans/metabolism , Fungal Proteins/metabolism , Lipase/metabolism , Nanoparticles/metabolism , Oils/metabolism , Water/metabolism , Dextrans/chemistry , Emulsions/chemistry , Emulsions/metabolism , Fungal Proteins/chemistry , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Lipase/chemistry , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Oils/chemistry , Particle Size , Water/chemistry
10.
FEBS J ; 288(16): 4746-4772, 2021 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33752265

ABSTRACT

Glycan structures are common posttranslational modifications of proteins, which serve multiple important structural roles (for instance in protein folding), but also are crucial participants in cell-cell communications and in the regulation of immune responses. Through the interaction with glycan-binding receptors, glycans are able to affect the activation status of antigen-presenting cells, leading either to induction of pro-inflammatory responses or to suppression of immunity and instigation of immune tolerance. This unique feature of glycans has attracted the interest and spurred collaborations of glyco-chemists and glyco-immunologists to develop glycan-based tools as potential therapeutic approaches in the fight against diseases such as cancer and autoimmune conditions. In this review, we highlight emerging advances in this field, and in particular, we discuss on how glycan-modified conjugates or glycoengineered cells can be employed as targeting devices to direct tumor antigens to lectin receptors on antigen-presenting cells, like dendritic cells. In addition, we address how glycan-based nanoparticles can act as delivery platforms to enhance immune responses. Finally, we discuss some of the latest developments in glycan-based therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells to achieve targeting of tumor-associated glycan-specific epitopes, as well as the use of glycan moieties to suppress ongoing immune responses, especially in the context of autoimmunity.


Subject(s)
Autoimmunity/immunology , Polysaccharides/immunology , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Animals , Cell Communication/immunology , Humans , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Protein Processing, Post-Translational
11.
Beilstein J Org Chem ; 16: 2272-2281, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32983271

ABSTRACT

Mechanochemistry is an emerging and reliable alternative to conventional solution (batch) synthesis of complex molecules under green and solvent-free conditions. In this regard, we report here on the conjugation of a dextran polysaccharide with a fluorescent probe, a phenylboronic acid (PBA)-functionalized boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) applying the ball milling approach. The ball milling formation of boron esters between PBA BODIPY and dextran proved to be more efficient in terms of reaction time, amount of reactants, and labelling degree compared to the corresponding solution-based synthetic route. PBA-BODIPY dextran assembles into nanoparticles of around 200 nm by hydrophobic interactions. The resulting PBA-BODIPY dextran nanoparticles retain an apolar interior as proved by pyrene fluorescence, suitable for the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs with high biocompatibility while remaining fluorescent.

12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32540976

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have seen limited clinical use as antimicrobial agents, largely due to issues relating to toxicity, short biological half-life, and lack of efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria. However, the development of novel AMP-nanomedicines, i.e., AMPs entrapped in nanoparticles, has the potential to ameliorate these clinical problems. The authors investigated two novel nanomedicines based on AA139, an AMP currently in development for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. AA139 was entrapped in polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) or lipid-core micelles (MCLs). The antimicrobial activity of AA139-PNP and AA139-MCL was determined in vitro The biodistribution and limiting doses of AA139-nanomedicines were determined in uninfected rats via endotracheal aerosolization. The early bacterial killing activity of the AA139-nanomedicines in infected lungs was assessed in a rat model of pneumonia-septicemia caused by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae In this model, the therapeutic efficacy was determined by once-daily (q24h) administration over 10 days. Both AA139-nanomedicines showed equivalent in vitro antimicrobial activities (similar to free AA139). In uninfected rats, they exhibited longer residence times in the lungs than free AA139 (∼20% longer for AA139-PNP and ∼80% longer for AA139-MCL), as well as reduced toxicity, enabling a higher limiting dose. In rats with pneumonia-septicemia, both AA139-nanomedicines showed significantly improved therapeutic efficacy in terms of an extended rat survival time, although survival of all rats was not achieved. These results demonstrate potential advantages that can be achieved using AMP-nanomedicines. AA139-PNP and AA139-MCL may be promising novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of patients suffering from multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pneumonia-septicemia.


Subject(s)
Bacteremia , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Klebsiella Infections/drug therapy , Pneumonia, Bacterial , Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacteremia/drug therapy , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Nanomedicine , Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy , Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/pharmacology , Rats , Tissue Distribution
13.
Int J Nanomedicine ; 15: 1117-1128, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32110011

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill 25,000 people every year in the EU. Patients subject to recurrent lung infections are the most vulnerable to severe or even lethal infections. For these patients, pulmonary delivery of antibiotics would be advantageous, since inhalation can achieve higher concentration in the lungs than iv administration and can provide a faster onset of action. This would allow for the delivery of higher doses and hence reduce the number of treatments required. We report here about a new nanosystem (M33-NS) obtained by capturing SET-M33 peptide on single-chain dextran nanoparticles. SET-M33 is a non-natural antimicrobial peptide synthesized in branched form. This form gives the peptide resistance to degradation in biological fluids. SET-M33 has previously shown efficacy in vitro against about one hundred of Gram-negative multidrug and extensively drug-resistant clinical isolates and was also active in preclinical infection models of pneumonia, sepsis and skin infections. METHODS: The new nanosystem was evaluated for its efficacy in bacteria cells and in a mouse model of pneumonia. Toxicity and genotoxicity were also tested in vitro. Biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies in healthy rats were carried out using a radiolabeled derivative of the nanosystem. RESULTS: The M33-nanosystem, studied here, showed to be effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in time-kill kinetic experiments. Cytotoxicity towards different animal cell lines was acceptable. Lung residence time of the antimicrobial peptide, administered via aerosol in healthy rats, was markedly improved by capturing SET-M33 on dextran nanoparticles. M33-NS was also efficient in eradicating pulmonary infection in a BALB/c mouse model of pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa. DISCUSSION: This study revealed that the encapsulation of the antimicrobial peptide in dextran nanoparticles markedly improved lung residence time of the peptide administered via aerosol. The result has to be considered among the aims of the development of a new therapeutic option for patients suffering recurrent infections, that will benefit from high local doses of persistent antimicrobials.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Nanoparticles/administration & dosage , Peptides/administration & dosage , Pseudomonas Infections/drug therapy , Administration, Inhalation , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Dextrans , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Female , Humans , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Peptides/chemical synthesis , Peptides/pharmacology , Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects , Rats , Respiratory Therapy , Tissue Distribution
14.
Toxicol In Vitro ; 63: 104714, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31706036

ABSTRACT

Due to the increasing need of new treatment options against bacterial lung infections, novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are under development. Local bioavailability and less systemic exposure lead to the inhalation route of administration. Combining AMPs with nanocarriers (NCs) into nanosystems (NSs) might be a technique for improved results. An air-liquid interface (ALI) in vitro inhalation model was set up including a human alveolar lung cell line (A549) and an optimized exposure system (P.R.I.T.® ExpoCube®) to predict acute local lung toxicity. The approach including aerosol controls (cupper-II-sulfate and lactose) delivered lowest observable adverse effect levels (LOAELs). Different combinations of AMPs (AA139, M33) and NCs (polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs), micelles and liposomes) were tested under ALI and submerged in vitro conditions. Depending on the nature of AMP and NCs, packing of AMPs into NSs reduced the AMP-related toxicity. Large differences were found between the LOAELs determined by submerged or ALI testing with the ALI approach indicating higher sensitivity of the ALI model. Since aerosol droplet exposure is in vivo relevant, it is assumed that ALI based results represents the more significant source than submerged testing for in vivo prediction of local acute lung toxicity. In accordance with the current state-of-the-art view, this study shows that ALI in vitro inhalation models are promising tools to further develop in vitro methods in the field of inhalation toxicology.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/toxicity , Nanoparticles/toxicity , Peptides/toxicity , A549 Cells , Aerosols , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Cell Survival/drug effects , Humans , Liposomes , Lung/drug effects , Lung Diseases/drug therapy , Methacrylates/administration & dosage , Methacrylates/toxicity , Micelles , Nanoparticles/administration & dosage , Nylons/toxicity , Peptides/administration & dosage
15.
Pharmaceutics ; 11(10)2019 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31581497

ABSTRACT

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are produced endogenously in our body, or introduced through external factors, such as pollution, cigarette smoke, and excessive sunlight exposure. In normal conditions, there is a physiological balance between pro-oxidant species and antioxidant molecules that are able to counteract the detrimental effect of the former. Nevertheless, when this homeostasis is disrupted, the resulting oxidative stress can lead to several pathological conditions, from inflammation to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we report on the recent developments of different polymeric formulations that are able to reduce the oxidative stress, from natural extracts, to films and hydrogels, and finally to nanoparticles (NPs).

16.
Oncoimmunology ; 8(2): e1541534, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30713801

ABSTRACT

Gold glyconanoparticles loaded with the listeriolysin O peptide 91-99 (GNP-LLO91-99), a bacterial peptide with anti-metastatic properties, are vaccine delivery platforms facilitating immune cell targeting and increasing antigen loading. Here, we present proof of concept analyses for the consideration of GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines as a novel immunotherapy for cutaneous melanoma. Studies using mouse models of subcutaneous melanoma indicated that GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines recruite and modulate dendritic cell (DC) function within the tumour, alter tumour immunotolerance inducing melanoma-specific cytotoxic T cells, cause complete remission and improve survival. GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines showed superior tumour regression and survival benefits, when combined with anti-PD-1 or anti-CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitors, resulting in an improvement in the efficacy of these immunotherapies. Studies on monocyte-derived DCs from patients with stage IA, IB or IIIB melanoma confirmed the ability of GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines to complement the action of checkpoint inhibitors, by not only reducing the expression of cell-death markers on DCs, but also potentiating DC antigen-presentation. We propose that GNP-LLO91-99 nanovaccines function as immune stimulators and immune effectors and serve as safe cancer therapies, alone or in combination with other immunotherapies.

17.
ACS Macro Lett ; 7(2): 196-200, 2018 Feb 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35610892

ABSTRACT

The "pancarcinoma" Tn antigen (αGalNAc-O-Ser/Thr) is a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA) overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells and suitable target for anticancer vaccines. However, TACAs commonly show weak immunogenicity, low in vivo stability, and poor bioavailability. To address these issues, the development of physiologically stable TACA synthetic mimetics and novel nanocarriers for multivalent display are object of intense research. Nanomaterials represent suitable scaffolds to multimerize antigens, but absence of toxicity, easy functionalization and capability to incorporate biomolecules are compulsory characteristics for vaccine nanocarriers. Here, we report on the conjugation of a synthetic Tn-antigen mimetic to biocompatible and water-dispersible dextran-based single-chain nanoparticles (DXT-SCPNs). In vitro stimulation of PBMCs and analysis of interleukins production indicated a specific innate immune modulation mediated by the multivalent presentation of the Tn mimetic at the nanoparticle surface. These preliminary results pave the way for the development of Tn-mimetic clusters on biocompatible DXT-SCPN for TACA-based vaccines.

18.
Nanomedicine ; 14(2): 339-351, 2018 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29157976

ABSTRACT

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) decorated with glycans ameliorate dendritic cells (DC) uptake, antigen-presentation and T-cells cross-talk, which are important aspects in vaccine design. GNPs allow for high antigen loading, DC targeting, lack of toxicity and are straightforward prepared and easy to handle. The present study aimed to assess the capacity of DC to process and present HIV-1-peptides loaded onto GNPs bearing high-mannoside-type oligosaccharides (P1@HM) to autologous T-cells from HIV-1 patients. The results showed that P1@HM increased HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation and induced highly functional cytokine secretion compared with HIV-peptides alone. P1@HM elicits a highly efficient secretion of pro-TH1 cytokines and chemokines, a moderate production of pro-TH2 and significant higher secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1ß. Thus, co-delivery of HIV-1 antigens and HM by GNPs is an excellent vaccine delivery system inducing HIV-specific cellular immune responses in HIV+ patients, being a promising approach to improve anti-HIV-1 vaccines.


Subject(s)
Dendritic Cells/immunology , Gold/chemistry , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , Metal Nanoparticles/administration & dosage , Peptide Fragments/pharmacology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Chemokines/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Dendritic Cells/drug effects , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/drug effects , Humans , Lymphocyte Activation , Mannosides/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Peptide Fragments/administration & dosage , Peptide Fragments/immunology , Phosphoproteins/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/drug effects , T-Lymphocytes/virology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology , Viral Matrix Proteins/immunology , gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/immunology
19.
Oncotarget ; 8(33): 53916-53934, 2017 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28903312

ABSTRACT

Clinical cases of neonatal listeriosis are associated with brain disease and fetal loss due to complications in early or late pregnancy, which suggests that microglial function is altered. This is believed to be the first study to link microglial apoptosis with neonatal listeriosis and listeriosis-associated brain disease, and to propose a new nanovaccine formulation that reverses all effects of listeriosis and confers Listeria monocytogenes (LM)-specific immunity. We examined clinical cases of neonatal listeriosis in 2013-2015 and defined two useful prognostic immune biomarkers to design listeriosis vaccines: high anti-GAPDH1-22 titres and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/interleukin (IL)-6 ratios. Therefore, we developed a nanovaccine with gold glyco-nanoparticles conjugated to LM peptide 1-22 of GAPDH (Lmo2459), GNP-GAPDH1-22 nanovaccinesformulated with a pro-inflammatory Toll-like receptor 2/4-targeted adjuvant. Neonates born to non-vaccinated pregnant mice with listeriosis, showed brain and vascular diseases and significant microglial dysfunction by induction of TNF-α-mediated apoptosis. This programmed TNF-mediated suicide explains LM dissemination in brains and livers and blocks production of early pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß and interferon-α/ß. In contrast, neonates born to GNP-GAPDH1-22-vaccinated mothers before LM infection, did not develop listeriosis or brain diseases and had functional microglia. In nanovaccinated mothers, immune responses shifted towards Th1/IL-12 pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles and high production of anti-GAPDH1-22 antibodies, suggesting good induction of LM-specific memory.

20.
Nanomedicine (Lond) ; 12(1): 13-23, 2017 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27879152

ABSTRACT

AIM: Nanotechnology-based fully synthetic carbohydrate vaccines are promising alternatives to classic polysaccharide/protein conjugate vaccines. We have prepared gold glyco-nanoparticles (GNP) bearing two synthetic carbohydrate antigens related to serotypes 19F and 14 of Streptococcus pneumoniae and evaluated their immunogenicity in vivo. RESULTS: A tetrasaccharide fragment of serotype 14 (Tetra-14), a trisaccharide fragment of serotype 19F (Tri-19F), a T-helper peptide and d -glucose were loaded onto GNP in different ratios. Mice immunization showed that the concomitant presence of Tri-19F and Tetra-14 on the same nanoparticle critically enhanced the titers of specific IgG antibodies toward type 14 polysaccharide compared with GNP exclusively displaying Tetra-14, while no IgG antibodies against type 19F polysaccharide were elicited. CONCLUSION: This work is a step forward toward synthetic nanosystems combining carbohydrate antigens and immunogenic peptides as potential carbohydrate-based vaccines.


Subject(s)
Gold , Immunogenicity, Vaccine , Metal Nanoparticles , Streptococcal Vaccines/immunology , Streptococcus pneumoniae/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Female , Immunization , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Nanotechnology/methods , Oligosaccharides/chemistry , Oligosaccharides/immunology , Ovalbumin/immunology , Particle Size , Peptide Fragments/immunology , Vaccines, Conjugate/immunology , Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
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