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1.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 19008, 2024 08 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39152165

ABSTRACT

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), a major cause of female infertility, is defined as follicular atresia and a rapid loss of germ cells in women of reproductive age due to ovarian failure. Recently, findings from several studies have indicated that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs) can alleviate ovarian dysfunction resulting from POI. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect require further clarification. In this study, a mouse model of POI was established as achieved with an intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX) into female C57BL/6J mice in vivo. These POI mice received a 1-week intervention of hUMACs. In addition, an in vitro POI model was also included. The cultured supernatants of hUMSCs and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3ß) inhibitor (SB216763) were used to treat theca cells (TCs) exposed to CTX. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to assess ovarian structure and morphology, as well as endocrine function in these POI mice. Based on results from the ELISA and JC-1 labeling, CTX exerted significant detrimental effects on testosterone levels and the mitochondrial membrane potential in TCs. Subsequently, Western Blot, Immunofluorescence staining (IF), and Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to evaluate various indicators of testosterone synthesis function and mitochondrial dynamics in ovaries and TCs of POI mice. In vivo, dysfunctions in ovarian structure and function in the POI mouse model were effectively restored following hUMSCs treatment, and abnormalities in hormone synthesis were significantly reduced. Furthermore, when the stem cell supernatants of hUMSCs were applied to TCs in vitro we found that GSK3ß expression was reduced, the imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics was alleviated, and the ability of mitochondrial testosterone synthesis was increased. Taken together, our results indicate that hUMSCs treatment can restore the imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics and restart testosterone synthesis of TCs by suppressing GSK3ß expression, ultimately alleviating POI damage.


Subject(s)
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Mitochondrial Dynamics , Primary Ovarian Insufficiency , Theca Cells , Animals , Female , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism , Mice , Theca Cells/metabolism , Theca Cells/drug effects , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Humans , Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/metabolism , Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/therapy , Mitochondrial Dynamics/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Ovary/metabolism , Ovary/drug effects , Umbilical Cord/cytology , Cyclophosphamide/pharmacology , Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/methods , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondria/drug effects , Testosterone , Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects , Indoles , Maleimides
2.
J Psychiatr Res ; 178: 259-269, 2024 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39167905

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Each year, 3-4% of the global population experiences post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a chronic mental disorder with significant social and economic repercussions. Although it has been shown that ketamine can effectively alleviate PTSD symptoms in individuals, the specific mechanism of action underlying its anti-PTSD effects remains unclear. In this study, we investigated how a single, low dose of ketamine affected the glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß)/glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling pathway in a single prolonged stress (SPS)-induced PTSD rat model. METHODS: After establishing the model, stress-related behavioral alterations in the rats were assessed following intraperitoneal injections of ketamine (10 mg/kg) and GSK-3ß antagonist SB216763 (5 mg/kg). In the hippocampus, alterations in the expression of specific proteins implicated in PTSD development, such as GR, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), GSK-3ß, and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (p-GSK-3ß), were assessed. We also measured changes in the mRNA expression levels of GR, BDNF, GSK-3ß, FK501 binding protein 51 (FKBP5), and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), as well as synaptic ultrastructure, in the hippocampus, and measured changes in corticosterone levels in the blood. RESULTS: SPS induced anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in rats and induced morphological changes in synapse, which were accompanied by higher GSK-3ß protein expression and conversely, decreased expression of GR, BDNF, p-GSK-3ß, FKBP5 and CRH. Intraperitoneal administration of ketamine (10 mg/kg) after SPS prevented SPS-induced anxiety-like behaviors. Most importantly, ketamine attenuated SPS-induced dysfunctions in GSK-3ß/GR signaling and synaptic deficits. Furthermore, treatment with a GSK-3ß inhibitor played the same effect as ketamine on behavioral changes of SPS model rats. CONCLUSION: Single doses of ketamine effectively ameliorate SPS-induced anxiety-like symptoms, potentially by improving synaptic plastic in the hippocampus by regulating GSK-3ß/GR signaling.


Subject(s)
Disease Models, Animal , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , Hippocampus , Ketamine , Neuronal Plasticity , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Signal Transduction , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Animals , Ketamine/pharmacology , Ketamine/administration & dosage , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/drug therapy , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/metabolism , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/physiopathology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/metabolism , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism , Male , Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects , Neuronal Plasticity/physiology , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Rats , Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism , Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/drug effects , Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/pharmacology , Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/administration & dosage , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Indoles , Maleimides
3.
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc ; 323: 124922, 2024 Dec 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39096671

ABSTRACT

It has been well established that Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is involved in various pathophysiological processes. Therefore, accurate monitoring H2S levels in vitro or vivo is of great significance in biological systems. Herein, we firstly developed a thiomaleimide-based compound MAL-1 bearing aggregation-induced emission characteristic for selective response toward H2S due to its nucleophilicity. The proposed sensor presented prominent sensitivity and selectivity with low detection limit of 75 nM and pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant of 9.65 × 10-2 s-1, as well as low cytotoxicity which works well in recognizing H2S in real samples and visualizing H2S in living cells. Thus, it could be concluded that the novel thiomaleimide-based probe would be a promising tool for assessing intracellular H2S levels.


Subject(s)
Fluorescent Dyes , Hydrogen Sulfide , Hydrogen Sulfide/analysis , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Humans , Maleimides/chemistry , Spectrometry, Fluorescence , Limit of Detection , HeLa Cells
4.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 18361, 2024 08 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39112534

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic resistance is a significant threat, leaving us vulnerable to bacterial infections. Novel strategies are needed to combat bacterial resistance beyond discovering new antibiotics. This research focuses on using maleimide conjugated PEGylated liposomes (Mal-PL-Ab) to individually encapsulate a variety of antibiotics (ceftriaxone, cephalexin, doxycycline, piperacillin, ampicillin, and ceftazidime) and enhance their delivery against multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). Mal-PL-Ab, with an average size of 84.2 nm ± 4.32 nm, successfully encapsulated these antibiotics with an encapsulation efficiency of 37.73 ± 3.19%. Compared to non-PEGylated liposomes (L-Ab), Mal-PL-Ab exhibited reduced toxicity in human dermal cells, emphasizing the importance of PEGylation in minimizing adverse effects. Mal-PL-Ab significantly decreased the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against both E. coli and K. pneumoniae by 9.33-fold and eightfold reduction (compared to non-PEGylated liposomes with 2.33-fold and 2.33fold reduction), respectively, indicating enhanced efficacy against MDR strains. Furthermore, in vitro scratch assay and gene expression analysis of human dermal fibroblast revealed that Mal-PL-Ab promoted cell proliferation, migration, and wound healing through upregulation of cell cycle, DNA repair, and angiogenesis-related genes. Harnessing the power of encapsulation, Mal-PL-Ab presents a novel avenue for enhanced antibiotic delivery and wound healing, potentially transcending the limitations of traditional options.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Liposomes , Maleimides , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Polyethylene Glycols , Wound Healing , Klebsiella pneumoniae/drug effects , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Liposomes/chemistry , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Maleimides/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Humans , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/drug effects , Wound Healing/drug effects
5.
Mol Pharm ; 21(9): 4386-4394, 2024 Sep 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39046432

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate a novel albumin-binding strategy for addressing the challenge of insufficient tumor retention of fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPIs). Maleimide, a molecule capable of covalent binding to free thiol groups, was modified to conjugate with FAPI-04 in order to enhance its binding to endogenous albumin, resulting in an extended blood circulation half-life and increased tumor uptake. DOTA-FAPI-maleimide was prepared and radiolabeled with Ga-68 and Lu-177, followed by cellular assays, pharmacokinetic analysis, PET/CT, and SPECT/CT imaging to assess the probe distribution in various tumor-bearing models. Radiolabeling of the modified probe was successfully achieved with a radiochemical yield of over 99% and remained stable for 144 h. Cellular assays showed that the ligand concentration required for 50% inhibition of the probe was 1.20 ± 0.31 nM, and the Kd was 0.70 ± 0.07 nM with a Bmax of 7.94 ± 0.16 fmol/cell, indicative of higher specificity and affinity of DOTA-FAPI-maleimide compared to other FAPI-04 variants. In addition, DOTA-FAPI-maleimide exhibited a persistent blood clearance half-life of 7.11 ± 0.34 h. PET/CT images showed a tumor uptake of 2.20 ± 0.44%ID/g at 0.5 h p.i., with a tumor/muscle ratio of 5.64 in HT-1080-FAP tumor-bearing models. SPECT/CT images demonstrated long-lasting tumor retention. At 24 h p.i., the tumor uptake of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-FAPI-maleimide reached 5.04 ± 1.67%ID/g, with stable tumor retention of 3.40 ± 1.95%ID/g after 4 days p.i. In conclusion, we developed and evaluated the thiol group-attaching strategy, which significantly extended the circulation and tumor retention of the adapted FAPI tracer. We envision its potential application for clinical cancer theranostics.


Subject(s)
Maleimides , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography , Radiopharmaceuticals , Animals , Maleimides/chemistry , Mice , Humans , Radiopharmaceuticals/pharmacokinetics , Radiopharmaceuticals/chemistry , Tissue Distribution , Cell Line, Tumor , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/methods , Gallium Radioisotopes/pharmacokinetics , Gallium Radioisotopes/chemistry , Radioisotopes/chemistry , Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring/chemistry , Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring/pharmacokinetics , Female , Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Mice, Nude , Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Computed Tomography/methods , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Endopeptidases , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Theranostic Nanomedicine/methods , Lutetium
6.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(13)2024 Jun 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39000025

ABSTRACT

3,4-disubstituted maleimides find wide applications in various pharmacologically active compounds. This study presents a highly effective approach for synthesizing derivatives of 3,4-disubstituted maleimides through the direct isomerization of α-succinimide-substituted allenoates, followed by a cascade γ'-addition and aryl imines using PR3 as a catalyst. The resulting series of 3,4-disubstituted maleimides exhibited excellent stereoselectivities, achieving yields of up to 86%. To our knowledge, the phosphine-mediated γ'-addition reaction of allenoates is seldom reported.


Subject(s)
Imines , Maleimides , Phosphines , Succinimides , Maleimides/chemistry , Maleimides/chemical synthesis , Phosphines/chemistry , Catalysis , Imines/chemistry , Succinimides/chemistry , Stereoisomerism , Molecular Structure , Isomerism
7.
J Am Chem Soc ; 146(30): 20709-20719, 2024 Jul 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39012647

ABSTRACT

Chemical post-translational protein-protein conjugation is an important technique with growing applications in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. Maleimides represent one of the most widely employed bioconjugation reagents. However, challenges associated with the instability of first- and second-generation maleimide technologies are yet to be fully addressed. We report the development of a novel class of maleimide reagents that can undergo on-demand ring-opening hydrolysis of the resulting thio-succinimide. This strategy enables rapid post-translational assembly of protein-protein conjugates. Thio-succinimide hydrolysis, triggered upon application of chemical, photochemical, or enzymatic stimuli, allowed homobifunctional bis-maleimide reagents to be applied in the production of stable protein-protein conjugates, with complete temporal control. Bivalent and bispecific protein-protein dimers constructed from small binders targeting antigens of oncological importance, PD-L1 and HER2, were generated with high purity, stability, and improved functionality compared to monomeric building blocks. The modularity of the approach was demonstrated through elaboration of the linker moiety through a bioorthogonal propargyl handle to produce protein-protein-fluorophore conjugates. Furthermore, extending the functionality of the homobifunctional reagents by temporarily masking reactive thiols included in the linker allowed the assembly of higher order trimeric and tetrameric single-domain antibody conjugates. The potential for the approach to be extended to proteins of greater biochemical complexity was demonstrated in the production of immunoglobulin single-domain antibody conjugates. On-demand control of thio-succinimide hydrolysis combined with the facile assembly of chemically defined homo- and heterodimers constitutes an important expansion of the chemical methods available for generating stable protein-protein conjugates.


Subject(s)
Maleimides , Succinimides , Hydrolysis , Succinimides/chemistry , Maleimides/chemistry , Proteins/chemistry , Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism , Receptor, ErbB-2/chemistry , Humans , Molecular Structure
8.
Bioorg Chem ; 149: 107504, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38850783

ABSTRACT

The notable characteristics of recently emerged Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) encompass the targeting of Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) through monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and a high ratio of drug to antibody (DAR). The achievements of Kadcyla® (T-DM1) and Enhertu® (T-Dxd) have demonstrated that HER2-targeting antibodies, such as trastuzumab, have shown to be competitive in terms of efficacy and price for development. Furthermore, with the arrival of T-Dxd and Trodelvy®, high-DAR (7-8) ADCs, which differ from the moderate DAR (3-4) ADCs that were formerly regarded as conventional, are being acknowledged for their worth. Following this trend of drug development, we endeavored to develop a high-DAR ADC using a straightforward approach involving the utilization of DM1, a highly potent substance, in combination with the widely recognized trastuzumab. To achieve a high DAR, DM1 was conjugated to reduced cysteine through the simple design and synthesis of various dimaleimide linkers with differing lengths. Using LC and MS analysis, we have demonstrated that our synthesis methodology is uncomplicated and efficacious, yielding trastuzumab-based ADCs that exhibit a remarkable degree of uniformity. These ADCs have been experimentally substantiated to exert an inhibitory effect on cancer cells in vitro, thus affirming their value as noteworthy additions to the realm of ADCs.


Subject(s)
Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine , Immunoconjugates , Receptor, ErbB-2 , Trastuzumab , Humans , Immunoconjugates/chemistry , Immunoconjugates/pharmacology , Receptor, ErbB-2/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism , Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine/chemistry , Trastuzumab/chemistry , Trastuzumab/pharmacology , Molecular Structure , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Maleimides/chemistry , Maleimides/chemical synthesis , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Structure-Activity Relationship , Maytansine/chemistry , Maytansine/pharmacology , Maytansine/chemical synthesis , Maytansine/analogs & derivatives , Cell Line, Tumor , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacology
9.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett ; 110: 129851, 2024 Sep 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38906336

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major cause of dementia and one of the most common chronic diseases affecting the aging population. Because AD is considered a public health priority, there is a critical need to discover novel and effective agents for the treatment of this condition. In view of the known contribution of up-regulated glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) to the initiation of AD, we previously evaluated a series of dual inhibitors containing maleimide and imidazole motifs as potential anti-AD agents. Here, we assessed another series of hybrids containing maleimide and imidazole motifs to gain an in-depth understanding of the structure-activity relationship (SAR). Based on the primary screening, the introduction of 5-methyl imidazole at one side of the molecule did not enhance the QC-specific inhibitory activity of these hybrids (2, IC50 = 1.22 µM), although the potency was increased by 2' substitution on the maleimide motif at the other side of the molecule. Interestingly, compounds containing 5-methyl imidazole exhibited stronger GSK-3ß-specific inhibitory activity (2, IC50 = 0.0021 µM), and the electron-withdrawing group and 2' and 3' substitution were favorable. Further investigation of substitutions on the maleimide motif in compounds 14-35 revealed that QC-specific inhibition in the presence of piperidine was improved by introduction of a methoxy group (R2). Increasing the linker length and introduction of a methoxy group (R2) also increased the GSK-3ß-specific inhibitory potency. These findings were further confirmed by molecular docking analysis of 33 and 24 with QC and GSK-3ß. Overall, these hybrids exhibited enhanced inhibitory potency against both QC and GSK-3ß, highlighting an important strategy for improving the potency of hybrids as dual-targeting anti-AD agents.


Subject(s)
Aminoacyltransferases , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , Imidazoles , Maleimides , Structure-Activity Relationship , Maleimides/chemistry , Maleimides/pharmacology , Maleimides/chemical synthesis , Imidazoles/chemistry , Imidazoles/pharmacology , Imidazoles/chemical synthesis , Humans , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/antagonists & inhibitors , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism , Aminoacyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors , Aminoacyltransferases/metabolism , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Molecular Structure , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/antagonists & inhibitors , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
10.
Chembiochem ; 25(16): e202400206, 2024 Aug 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38837740

ABSTRACT

A one-to-one conjugate of cross-linked human hemoglobin and human serum albumin results from a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) of the modified proteins. Additions of a strained alkyne-substituted maleimide to the Cys-34 thiol of human serum albumin and an azide-containing cross-link between the amino groups of each ß-unit at Lys-82 of human hemoglobin provide sites for coupling by the SPAAC process. The coupled hemoglobin-albumin conjugate can be readily purified from unreacted hemoglobin. The oxygen binding properties of the two-protein bioconjugate demonstrate oxygen affinity and cooperativity that are suitable for use in an acellular oxygen carrier.


Subject(s)
Alkynes , Azides , Cycloaddition Reaction , Hemoglobins , Serum Albumin , Alkynes/chemistry , Azides/chemistry , Humans , Hemoglobins/chemistry , Serum Albumin/chemistry , Oxygen/chemistry , Maleimides/chemistry
11.
Bioorg Med Chem ; 108: 117786, 2024 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38843656

ABSTRACT

An efficient protocol for direct coupling of maleimides and indolines at the C7-position was achieved under Rh(III) catalysis. Thirty four novel indoline-maleimide conjugates were prepared in good to excellent yields using this method. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferative effect against colorectal cell lines. Among them, compound 3ab showed the most potent anti-proliferative activity against the CRC cells, and displayed low toxicity in the normal cell. Further investigation indicated that 3ab could effectively suppress the proliferation and migration of CRC cells, along with inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed that compound 3ab inhibited the proliferation of CRC cells via suppressing the AKT/GSK-3ß pathway. In vivo evaluation demonstrated remarkable antitumor effect of 3ab (10 mg/kg) in the HCT116 xenograft model with no obvious toxicity, which is superior to that of 5-Fluorouracil (20 mg/kg). Therefore, conjugate 3ab could be considered as a potential CRC therapy agent for further development.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Apoptosis , Cell Proliferation , Colorectal Neoplasms , Drug Design , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Indoles , Maleimides , Humans , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Indoles/chemistry , Indoles/pharmacology , Indoles/chemical synthesis , Maleimides/chemistry , Maleimides/chemical synthesis , Maleimides/pharmacology , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Animals , Structure-Activity Relationship , Apoptosis/drug effects , Molecular Structure , Mice , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Mice, Nude , Cell Line, Tumor , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Cell Movement/drug effects
12.
Carbohydr Polym ; 337: 122144, 2024 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38710569

ABSTRACT

In vivo, cells interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), which provides a multitude of biophysical and biochemical signals that modulate cellular behavior. Inspired by this, we explored a new methodology to develop a more physiomimetic polysaccharide-based matrix for 3D cell culture. Maleimide-modified alginate (AlgM) derivatives were successfully synthesized using DMTMM to activate carboxylic groups. Thiol-terminated cell-adhesion peptides were tethered to the hydrogel network to promote integrin binding. Rapid and efficient in situ hydrogel formation was promoted by thiol-Michael addition "click" chemistry via maleimide reaction with thiol-flanked protease-sensitive peptides. Alginate derivatives were further ionically crosslinked by divalent ions present in the medium, which led to greater stability and allowed longer cell culture periods. By tailoring alginate's biofunctionality we improved cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, providing an ECM-like 3D microenvironment. We were able to systematically and independently vary biochemical and biophysical parameters to elicit specific cell responses, creating custom-made 3D matrices. DMTMM-mediated maleimide incorporation is a promising approach to synthesizing AlgM derivatives that can be leveraged to produce ECM-like matrices for a broad range of applications, from in vitro tissue modeling to tissue regeneration.


Subject(s)
Alginates , Click Chemistry , Extracellular Matrix , Hydrogels , Maleimides , Sulfhydryl Compounds , Humans , Alginates/chemistry , Cell Adhesion/drug effects , Cross-Linking Reagents/chemistry , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Extracellular Matrix/chemistry , Hydrogels/chemistry , Hydrogels/chemical synthesis , Maleimides/chemistry , Sulfhydryl Compounds/chemistry
13.
J Am Chem Soc ; 146(25): 17334-17347, 2024 Jun 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38767615

ABSTRACT

Manipulation of cell-cell interactions via cell surface modification is crucial in tissue engineering and cell-based therapy. To be able to monitor intercellular interactions, it can also provide useful information for understanding how the cells interact and communicate. We report herein a facile bioorthogonal strategy to promote and monitor cell-cell interactions. It involves the use of a maleimide-appended tetrazine-caged boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based fluorescent probe and a maleimide-substituted bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yne (BCN) to modify the membrane of macrophage (RAW 264.7) and cancer (HT29, HeLa, and A431) cells, respectively, via maleimide-thiol conjugation. After modification, the two kinds of cells interact strongly through inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction of the surface tetrazine and BCN moieties. The coupling also disrupts the tetrazine quenching unit, restoring the fluorescence emission of the BODIPY core on the cell-cell interface, and promotes phagocytosis. Hence, this approach can promote and facilitate the detection of intercellular interactions, rendering it potentially useful for macrophage-based immunotherapy.


Subject(s)
Boron Compounds , Cell Communication , Fluorescent Dyes , Humans , Boron Compounds/chemistry , Mice , Animals , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , RAW 264.7 Cells , Maleimides/chemistry , HeLa Cells
14.
Drug Dev Res ; 85(4): e22196, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38812449

ABSTRACT

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid compound found in chamomile (Matricaia chamomilla L.) from the Asteraceae family, has been shown in our previous study to possess antimyocardial hypertrophy and anti-cardiac fibrosis effects. However, its effects and mechanisms on the pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by doxorubicin (DOX) are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of GSK-3ß and the effects of apigenin in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. H9c2 cells stimulated with DOX were treated with SB216763 and apigenin. Additionally, a mouse model of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity was prepared and further treated with apigenin and SB216763 for 30 days. The findings revealed that treatment with SB216763 or apigenin resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of pyroptosis-related factors. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of GSK-3ß was enhanced while the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB) p65 was reduced following treatment with either SB216763 or apigenin. Conversely, the effects of apigenin treatment were nullified in siRNA-GSK-3ß-transfected cells. Results from computer simulation and molecular docking analysis supported that apigenin could directly target the regulation of GSK-3ß. Therefore, our study confirmed that the inhibition of GSK-3ß and treatment with apigenin effectively suppressed the pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes in both DOX-stimulated H9c2 cells and mice. These benefits may be attributed in part to the decrease in GSK-3ß expression and subsequent reduction in NF-κB p65 activation. Overall, our findings revealed that the pharmacological targeting of GSK-3ß may offer a promising therapeutic approach for alleviating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.


Subject(s)
Apigenin , Doxorubicin , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , Myocytes, Cardiac , Pyroptosis , Apigenin/pharmacology , Animals , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism , Pyroptosis/drug effects , Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects , Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism , Mice , Cell Line , Male , Rats , Cardiotoxicity/drug therapy , Cardiotoxicity/prevention & control , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Molecular Docking Simulation , Indoles/pharmacology , Maleimides
15.
Macromol Rapid Commun ; 45(15): e2400158, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38651593

ABSTRACT

Carbon-chain dendritic polymers hold unique properties and promising applications. However, synthesizing carbon-chain dendrimers, beyond conjugated ones, remains a challenge. Here, the use of the iterative single unit monomer insertion technique for synthesizing 2.5 generation partial-carbon-chain dendrimers (G2.5) is described, utilizing bismaleimide as the core, a maleimide-trithiocarbonate conjugate as the branching unit, and indene as the spacer unit, following a divergent growth strategy. The optimized conditions for synthesizing the maleimide-trithiocarbonate branching unit are a bismaleimide to trithiocarbonate ratio of 5:1 and a reaction time of 30 min. The structures are verified using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectra. A four-arm star polymer is then synthesized using the G2.5 as the core. This synthesis of a partial-carbon-chain dendrimer establishes a foundational step toward creating all-carbon-chain ones and may open new application avenues in material science.


Subject(s)
Carbon , Dendrimers , Dendrimers/chemistry , Dendrimers/chemical synthesis , Carbon/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Maleimides/chemistry , Maleimides/chemical synthesis , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization , Polymerization , Polymers/chemistry , Polymers/chemical synthesis
16.
J Chromatogr A ; 1721: 464861, 2024 Apr 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38564931

ABSTRACT

The covalent attachment of polyoxometalates (POMs) to polymers has been developed as a strategic approach for the advancement of POM-based hybrid materials with versatile applications. In this study, we utilized thiol-maleimide Michael addition to investigate the kinetics and efficacy of the "one-to-one" conjugation between Keggin type POM and polystyrene. We explored the effects of solvent polarity, catalyst, molecular weight of PS and synthetic strategies on the reaction kinetics and efficiency, by means of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). A series of comparative analysis affirmed the superior efficiency of the one-pot method, particularly when facilitated by the addition of a high-polarity solvent and an excess of maleimide. These findings offer valuable insights into the intricate interplay between reaction conditions, kinetics, and selectivity in thiol-maleimide reactions of POMs and polymers. They hold profound implications for advancing the study of POM-based multifunctional materials and the synthesis of complex hybrid molecules.


Subject(s)
Anions , Polyelectrolytes , Polymers , Sulfhydryl Compounds , Polymers/chemistry , Maleimides/chemistry , Solvents
17.
Cells ; 13(7)2024 Mar 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38607047

ABSTRACT

Cohesin is a highly conserved ring-shaped complex involved in topologically embracing chromatids, gene expression regulation, genome compartmentalization, and genome stability maintenance. Genomic analyses have detected mutations in the cohesin complex in a wide array of human tumors. These findings have led to increased interest in cohesin as a potential target in cancer therapy. Synthetic lethality has been suggested as an approach to exploit genetic differences in cancer cells to influence their selective killing. In this study, we show that mutations in ESCO1, NIPBL, PDS5B, RAD21, SMC1A, SMC3, STAG2, and WAPL genes are synthetically lethal with stimulation of WNT signaling obtained following LY2090314 treatment, a GSK3 inhibitor, in several cancer cell lines. Moreover, treatment led to the stabilization of ß-catenin and affected the expression of c-MYC, probably due to the occupancy decrease in cohesin at the c-MYC promoter. Finally, LY2090314 caused gene expression dysregulation mainly involving pathways related to transcription regulation, cell proliferation, and chromatin remodeling. For the first time, our work provides the underlying molecular basis for synthetic lethality due to cohesin mutations and suggests that targeting the WNT may be a promising therapeutic approach for tumors carrying mutated cohesin.


Subject(s)
Cohesins , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring , Maleimides , Neoplasms , Humans , Synthetic Lethal Mutations/genetics , Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics , Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics , Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism , Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics , Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/metabolism , Neoplasms/genetics , Neoplasms/pathology , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics
18.
Adv Healthc Mater ; 13(17): e2303749, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38483042

ABSTRACT

The Golgi apparatus (GA) is central in shuttling proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to different cellular areas. Therefore, targeting the GA to precisely destroy its proteins through local heat could induce apoptosis, offering a potential avenue for effective cancer therapy. Herein, a GA-targeted photothermal agent based on protein anchoring is introduced for enhanced photothermal therapy of tumor through the modification of near-infrared molecular dye with maleimide derivative and benzene sulfonamide. The photothermal agent can actively target the GA and covalently anchor to its sulfhydryl proteins, thereby increasing its retention within the GA. Under laser irradiation, the heat generated by the photothermal agent efficiently disrupts sulfhydryl proteins in situ, leading to GA dysfunction and ultimately inducing cell apoptosis. In vivo experiments demonstrate that the photothermal agent can precisely treat tumors and significantly reduce side effects.


Subject(s)
Golgi Apparatus , Photothermal Therapy , Golgi Apparatus/metabolism , Golgi Apparatus/drug effects , Photothermal Therapy/methods , Animals , Humans , Mice , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/pathology , Mice, Nude , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Maleimides/chemistry , Maleimides/pharmacology
19.
Biomolecules ; 14(3)2024 Mar 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38540772

ABSTRACT

The enhancement of bioactivity in materials has become an important focus within the field of bone tissue engineering. Four-dimensional intelligent osteogenic module, an innovative fusion of 3D printing with the time axis, shows immense potential in augmenting the bioactivity of these materials, thereby facilitating autologous bone regeneration efficiently. This study focuses on novel bone repair materials, particularly bioactive scaffolds with a developmental osteogenic microenvironment prepared through 3D bioprinting technology. This research mainly creates a developmental osteogenic microenvironment named "DOME". This is primed by the application of a small amount of the small molecule drug SB216763, which activates canonical Wnt signaling in osteocytes, promoting osteogenesis and mineralization nodule formation in bone marrow stromal cells and inhibiting the formation of adipocytes. Moreover, DOME enhances endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis, which is integral to bone repair. More importantly, the DOME-PCI3D system, a 4D intelligent osteogenic module constructed through 3D bioprinting, stably supports cell growth (91.2% survival rate after 7 days) and significantly increases the expression of osteogenic transcription factors in bone marrow stromal cells and induces osteogenic differentiation and mineralization for 28 days. This study presents a novel approach for bone repair, employing 3D bioprinting to create a multifunctional 4D intelligent osteogenic module. This innovative method not only resolves challenges related to shape-matching and biological activity but also demonstrates the vast potential for applications in bone repair.


Subject(s)
Indoles , Maleimides , Osteogenesis , Wnt Signaling Pathway , Osteogenesis/physiology , Osteocytes , Bone and Bones , Tissue Engineering/methods , Cell Differentiation
20.
FEBS Lett ; 598(9): 1080-1093, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38523059

ABSTRACT

Recent developments in sequencing and bioinformatics have advanced our understanding of adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing. Surprisingly, recent analyses have revealed the capability of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) to edit DNA:RNA hybrid strands. However, edited inosines in DNA remain largely unexplored. A precise biochemical method could help uncover these potentially rare DNA editing sites. We explore maleimide as a scaffold for inosine labeling. With fluorophore-conjugated maleimide, we were able to label inosine in RNA or DNA. Moreover, with biotin-conjugated maleimide, we purified RNA and DNA containing inosine. Our novel technique of inosine chemical labeling and affinity molecular purification offers substantial advantages and provides a versatile platform for further discovery of A-to-I editing sites in RNA and DNA.


Subject(s)
Adenosine , Inosine , RNA Editing , Inosine/chemistry , Inosine/metabolism , Adenosine/chemistry , Adenosine/metabolism , Adenosine/analogs & derivatives , Deamination , DNA/chemistry , DNA/metabolism , Maleimides/chemistry , Adenosine Deaminase/metabolism , Adenosine Deaminase/chemistry , RNA/chemistry , RNA/metabolism , Staining and Labeling/methods , Humans , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Biotin/chemistry , Biotin/metabolism
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