Multimeric Presentation of RGD Peptidomimetics Enhances Integrin Binding and Tumor Cell Uptake

The use of multimeric ligands is considered as a promising strategy to improve tumor targeting for diagnosis and therapy. Herein, tetrameric RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptidomimetics were designed to target α_vβ₃ integrin-expressing tumor cells. These compounds were prepared by an oxime chemoselective assembly of cyclo(DKP-RGD) ligands and a cyclodecapeptide scaffold, which allows a tetrameric presentation. The resulting tetrameric RGD peptidomimetics were shown to improve α_vβ₃ integrin binding compared with the monomeric form. Interestingly, these compounds were also able to enhance tumor cell endocytosis in the same way as tetrameric RGD peptides. Altogether, the results show the potential of the tetrameric cyclo(DKP-RGD) ligands for in vivo imaging and drug delivery.     

Synthesis and Biological Characterization of Monomeric and Tetrameric RGD-Cryptophycin Conjugates

The effective delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumor cells is a key challenge in anticancer therapy. Multivalent integrinspecific ligands are considered a promising tool to increase the binding affinity, selectivity, and internalization efficiency of small-molecule drug conjugates. Herein, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a multimeric conjugate containing the high-affinity integrin α_vβ₃ binding ligand RAFT-c(RGDfK)₄, a lysosomally cleavable Val-Cit linker, and cryptophycin-55 glycinate, a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization. In vitro cytotoxicity assays verified that the multimeric RGD-cryptophycin conjugate displays improved potency compared to the monomeric analogue in integrin α_vβ₃ overexpressing tumor cell lines, while significantly reduced activity was observed in the integrin-negative cell line.     

Neutrophil Elastase Promotes Linker Cleavage and Paclitaxel Release from an Integrin-Targeted Conjugate

This work takes advantage of one of the hallmarks of cancer, that is, the presence of tumor infiltrating cells of the immune system and leukocyte-secreted enzymes, to promote the activation of an anticancer drug at the tumor site. The peptidomimetic integrin ligand cyclo(DKP-RGD) was found to accumulate on the surface of α_vβ₃ integrin-expressing human renal cell carcinoma 786-O cells. The ligand was conjugated to the anticancer drug paclitaxel through a Asn-Pro-Val (NPV) tripeptide linker, which is a substrate of neutrophil-secreted elastase. In vitro linker cleavage assays and cell antiproliferative experiments demonstrate the efficacy of this tumor-targeting conjugate, opening the way to potential therapeutic applications.     

New cyclic RGD peptides: synthesis,characterization, and theoretical activity towards αvβ3 integrin

Two new cyclic RGD peptides were prepared using a click chemistry approach. The linear RGDfV peptide was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis using a 9-fluorenylmetoxicarbonyl (Fmoc) strategy and a 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin. After coupling 5-hexynoic acid the peptide was cleaved from the resin and linked to propargylamine. The bis-alkynyl RGDfV peptide was then reacted with two different bis-azides by treatment with copper iodide and triethylamine. These two cyclic RGD peptides were characterized by NMR and HRMS. In order to evaluate the interaction of these new compounds with integrin α_vβ₃ docking experiments were carried out and the results compared with those obtained with cyclo(RGDf[N–Me]V) (Cilengitide). The two new cyclic RGD peptides showed a higher affinity to the α_vβ₃ integrin when compared with Cilengitide thus representing two new potential integrin α_vβ₃ antagonists.     

Linker Hydrophilicity Modulates the Anticancer Activity of RGD–Cryptophycin Conjugates

Most anticancer agents are hydrophobic and can easily penetrate the tumor cell membrane by passive diffusion. This may impede the development of highly effective and tumor-selective treatment options. A hydrophilic β-glucuronidase-cleavable linker was used to connect the highly potent antimitotic agent cryptophycin-55 glycinate with the α_vβ₃ integrin ligand c(RGDfK). Incorporation of the self-immolative linker containing glucuronic acid results in lower cytotoxicity than that of the free payload, suggesting that hydrophilic sugar linkers can preclude passive cellular uptake. In vitro drug-release studies and cytotoxicity assays demonstrated the potential of this small molecule–drug conjugate, providing guidance for the development of therapeutics containing hydrophobic anticancer drugs.     

Cyclic isoDGR and RGD Peptidomimetics Containing Bifunctional Diketopiperazine Scaffolds are Integrin Antagonists

The cyclo[DKP‐isoDGR] peptidomimetics 2 – 5 , containing bifunctional diketopiperazine (DKP) scaffolds that differ in the configuration of the two DKP stereocenters and in the substitution at the DKP nitrogen atoms, were prepared and examined in vitro in competitive binding assays with purified α_vβ₃ and α_vβ₅ integrin receptors. IC₅₀ values ranged from low nanomolar (ligand 3 ) to submicromolar with α_vβ₃ integrin. The biological activities of ligands cyclo[DKP3‐RGD] 1 and cyclo[DKP3‐isoDGR] 3 , bearing the same bifunctional DKP scaffold and showing similar α_Vβ₃ integrin binding values, were compared in terms of their cellular effects in human U373 glioblastoma cells. Compounds 1 and 3 displayed overlapping inhibitory effects on the FAK/Akt integrin activated transduction pathway and on integrin‐mediated cell infiltration processes, and qualify therefore, despite the different RGD and isoDGR sequences, as integrin antagonists. Both compounds induced apoptosis in glioma cells after 72 hour treatment.     

Synthesis and In Vitro Photodynamic Activities of an Integrin‐Targeting cRGD‐Conjugated Zinc(II) Phthalocyanine

A 1,4‐disubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanine conjugated with a cyclic Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐D ‐Phe‐Lys (cRGDfK) moiety through a triazole linker was prepared and characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy and high‐resolution ESI‐MS. The conjugate showed a relatively weak fluorescence emission in N,N‐dimethylformamide (Φ_F=0.08), but it was a very efficient singlet oxygen generator (Φ_Δ=0.80) as a result of the di‐α‐substituted structure. Owing to the presence of the cyclic peptide sequence cRGDfK, which is a well‐known α_vβ₃‐integrin antagonist, this conjugate exhibited significantly higher cellular uptake toward the α_vβ₃⁺ U87‐MG cells compared with the α_vβ₃^? MCF‐7 cells, as determined by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The photocytotoxicity of this compound against these two cell lines, however, was comparable owing to the similar efficiency of intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. Confocal microscopic studies also revealed that this conjugate localized preferentially in the lysosomes, but not in the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria of the U87‐MG cells.     

Conjugates of Cryptophycin and RGD or isoDGR Peptidomimetics for Targeted Drug Delivery

RGD-cryptophycin and isoDGR-cryptophycin conjugates were synthetized by combining peptidomimetic integrin ligands and cryptophycin, a highly potent tubulin-binding antimitotic agent across lysosomally cleavable Val-Ala or uncleavable linkers. The conjugates were able to effectively inhibit binding of biotinylated vitronectin to integrin α_vβ₃, showing a binding affinity in the same range as that of the free ligands. The antiproliferative activity of the novel conjugates was evaluated on human melanoma cells M21 and M21-L with different expression levels of integrin α_vβ₃, showing nanomolar potency of all four compounds against both cell lines. Conjugates containing uncleavable linker show reduced activity compared to the corresponding cleavable conjugates, indicating efficient intracellular drug release in the case of cryptophycin-based SMDCs. However, no significant correlation between the in vitro biological activity of the conjugates and the integrin α_vβ₃ expression level was observed, which is presumably due to a non-integrin-mediated uptake. This reveals the complexity of effective and selective α_vβ₃ integrin-mediated drug delivery.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of RGD Peptidomimetic–Paclitaxel Conjugates Bearing Lysosomally Cleavable Linkers

Two small‐molecule–drug conjugates (SMDCs, 6 and 7 ) featuring lysosomally cleavable linkers (namely the Val–Ala and Phe–Lys peptide sequences) were synthesized by conjugation of the α_vβ₃‐integrin ligand cyclo[DKP–RGD]‐CH₂NH₂ ( 2 ) to the anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX). A third cyclo[DKP–RGD]–PTX conjugate with a nonpeptide “uncleavable” linker ( 8 ) was also synthesized to be tested as a negative control. These three SMDCs were able to inhibit biotinylated vitronectin binding to the purified α_Vβ₃‐integrin receptor at nanomolar concentrations and showed good stability at pH 7.4 and pH 5.5. Cleavage of the two peptide linkers was observed in the presence of lysosomal enzymes, whereas conjugate 8 , which possesses a nonpeptide “uncleavable” linker, remained intact under these conditions. The antiproliferative activities of the conjugates were evaluated against two isogenic cell lines expressing the integrin receptor at different levels: the acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line CCRF‐CEM (α_Vβ₃?) and its subclone CCRF‐CEM α_Vβ₃ (α_Vβ₃+). Fairly effective integrin targeting was displayed by the cyclo[DKP–RGD]–Val–Ala–PTX conjugate ( 6 ), which was found to differentially inhibit proliferation in antigen‐positive CCRF‐CEM α_Vβ₃ versus antigen‐negative isogenic CCRF‐CEM cells. The total lack of activity displayed by the “uncleavable” cyclo[DKP–RGD]–PTX conjugate ( 8 ) clearly demonstrates the importance of the peptide linker for achieving the selective release of the cytotoxic payload.     

Radiosynthesis and evaluation of 188Re-c(RGDyK)-His as a novel radiotherapeutic agent for integrin αvβ3 targeting tumour

The successes of noninvasive methods to visualize and quantify integrin α_vβ₃ expression in vivo have paved the way for radiolabeling anti-integrin therapy in clinic. Arginine-glycine-aspartice (RGD) peptide and related derivatives labeled with radionuclides for radio-therapy, which specifically targeting integrin α_vβ₃-positive tumors, could be used to treat these tumors. We have labeled c(RGDyK)-His, a RGD derivative, with ¹⁸⁸Re and the radio-therapy efficiency has been evaluated in model nude mice. c(RGDyK)-His was labeled with ¹⁸⁸Re by chelating with [¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ under a slightly basic condition. The in vitro specific binding affinity to U87 MG cell lines and the biodistribution of ¹⁸⁸Re-c(RGDyK)-His in the animal tumor models was measured. The inhibitory effects of ¹⁸⁸Re-c(RGDyK)-His were observed more than 1 month, and evaluated by microPET/CT imaging with ¹⁸F-FDG. Results of in vivo, cell uptake demonstrated ¹⁸⁸Re-c(RGDyK)-His had a high specific binding affinity to receptor integrin α_vβ₃. In biodistribution experiment, ¹⁸⁸Re-c(RGDyK)-His was accumulated in the tumor and cleared fast from the normal tissues. In radiotherapy study, tumor growth inhibition was significantly higher in the treatment groups than in the control groups. These studies showed that ¹⁸⁸Re-c(RGDyK)-His could be effectively used for integrin α_vβ₃ targeting therapy. This may offer a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of integrin-positive tumors in clinic.     

A Cyclen‐Based Tetraphosphinate Chelator for the Preparation of Radiolabeled Tetrameric Bioconjugates

The cyclen‐based tetraphosphinate chelator 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetrakis[methylene(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphinic acid] (DOTPI) comprises four additional carboxylic acid moieties for bioconjugation. The thermodynamic stability constants (logK_ML) of metal complexes, as determined by potentiometry, were 23.11 for Cu^II, 20.0 for Lu^III, 19.6 for Y^III, and 21.0 for Gd^III. DOTPI was functionalized with four cyclo(Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐D ‐Phe‐Lys) (RGD) peptides through polyethylene glycol (PEG₄) linkers. The resulting tetrameric conjugate DOTPI(RGD)₄ was radiolabeled with ¹⁷⁷Lu and ⁶⁴Cu and showed improved labeling efficiency compared with 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid (DOTA). The labeled compounds were fully stable in transchelation challenges against trisodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ETDA), in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and human plasma. Integrin α_vβ₃ affinities of the non‐radioactive Lu^III and Cu^II complexes of DOTPI(RGD)₄ were 18 times higher (both IC₅₀ about 70 picomolar) than that of the c(RGDfK) peptide (IC₅₀=1.3 nanomolar). Facile access to tetrameric conjugates and the possibility of radiolabeling with therapeutic and diagnostic radionuclides render DOTPI suitable for application in peptide receptor radionuclide imaging (PRRI) and therapy (PRRT).     

A Precise Chemical Strategy To Alter the Receptor Specificity of the Adeno‐Associated Virus

The ability to target the adeno‐associated virus (AAV) to specific types of cells, by altering the cell‐surface receptor it binds, is desirable to generate safe and efficient therapeutic vectors. Chemical attachment of receptor‐targeting agents onto the AAV capsid holds potential to alter its tropism, but is limited by the lack of site specificity of available conjugation strategies. The development of an AAV production platform is reported that enables incorporation of unnatural amino acids (UAAs) into specific sites on the virus capsid. Incorporation of an azido‐UAA enabled site‐specific attachment of a cyclic‐RGD peptide onto the capsid, retargeting the virus to the α_vβ₃ integrin receptors, which are overexpressed in tumor vasculature. Retargeting ability was site‐dependent, underscoring the importance of achieving site‐selective capsid modification. This work provides a general chemical approach to introduce various receptor binding agents onto the AAV capsid with site selectivity to generate optimized vectors with engineered infectivity.     

Development of a Novel Covalent Folate‐Albumin‐Photosensitizer Conjugate

There is considerable interest in the development of novel and more efficient delivery systems for improving the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The authors in this highlighted issue describe the synthesis and the photobiological characterizations of two photosensitizer (PS) conjugates based on β‐carboline derivatives covalently conjugated to folic acid (FA) coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a carrier system specifically targeting cancer cells overexpressing FA receptor alpha (FRα). Accordingly, only the FA–BSA–β‐carboline conjugates are internalized specifically in FRα‐positive cells and are proved to be phototoxic. On the other hand, albumin–β‐carboline conjugates without FA or β‐carboline derivatives alone are not internalized and nontoxic. This conjugate is among the first to produce a conjugate composed of a PS and FA molecules that are directly conjugated to BSA. In addition, the in vitro studies are the first evidence that directly conjugated FA‐BSA can be used as carriers to selectively enhance cytotoxicity by PDT relative to unmodified PS or nontargeted BSA‐PS. This strategy is a positive step forward for the covalent design and construction of a photodynamic nanomedicine for FR‐positive tumors.     

Phenothiazine-Biaryl-Containing Fluorescent RGD Peptides

Cyclic RGD peptides are well-known ligands of integrins. The integrins α_Vβ₃ and α₅β₁ are involved in angiogenesis, and integrin α_Vβ₃ is abundantly present on cancer cells, thus representing a therapeutic target. Hence, synthetic and biophysical studies continuously are being directed towards the understanding of ligand-integrin interaction. In this context, the development of versatile synthetic strategies to obtain fluorescent building blocks that can add molecular diversity and modular spectral characteristics while not compromising binding affinity or selectivity is a relevant task. An on-resin intramolecular Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling (SMC) between l - or d -7-bromotryptophan (7BrTrp) and a phenothiazine (Ptz) boronic acid affords fluorescent cyclic RGD pseudopeptides, c(RGD(W/w)Ptz). Ring closure by SMC establishes a phenothiazine–indole moiety with axial chirality. An array of eight novel compounds has been synthesized, among them one fluorescent compound with good affinity to integrin α_Vβ₃. The fluorescence properties of the analogues can be efficiently tuned depending on the substituents in Ptz moiety even for fluorescence emission in the visible (red) spectral range.     

A Combined NMR and Computational Approach to Determine the RGDechi‐hCit‐αvβ3 Integrin Recognition Mode in Isolated Cell Membranes

The critical role of integrins in tumor progression and metastasis has stimulated intense efforts to identify pharmacological agents that can modulate integrin function. In recent years, α_vβ₃ and α_vβ₅ integrin antagonists were demonstrated to be effective in blocking tumor progression. RGDechi‐hCit, a chimeric peptide containing a cyclic RGD motif linked to an echistatin C‐terminal fragment, is able to recognize selectively α_vβ₃ integrin both in vitro and in vivo. High‐resolution molecular details of the selective α_vβ₃ recognition of the peptide are certainly required, nonetheless RGDechi‐hCit internalization limited the use of classical in cell NMR experiments. To overcome such limitations, we used WM266 isolated cellular membranes to accomplish a detailed NMR interaction study that, combined with a computational analysis, provides significant structural insights into α_vβ₃ molecular recognition by RGDechi‐hCit. Remarkably, on the basis of the identified molecular determinants, we design a RGDechi‐hCit mutant that is selective for α_vβ₅ integrin.     

Synthesis of Unnatural Lipohilic N-(9H-Fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl-Substituted α-Amino Acids and Their Incorporation into Cyclic RGD-Peptides: A structure-activity study

The α_v/β₃ integrin is implicated in human tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. It has been shown that structures of the sequence cyclo(-Arg¹-Gly²-Asp³-D -Phe⁴-Xaa⁵-) ( I ) and cyclo(-Arg¹-Gly²-Asp³-Phe⁴-D -Xaa⁵-) ( II ) bind with high affinity and the latter with high selectivity to this receptor. The residues Xaa and D -Xaa accept a broad variety of amino acids. Here, we report on the synthesis, activities, and conformational analysis of cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides containing liophilic amino acids Xaa or D -Xaa in position 5. For I , these were (2S)-2-aminohexadecanoic acid (Ahd) and N′-hexadecylglycine (Hd-Gly) and in II , D -Ahd and Hd-Gly, and, for control purposes, Ahd were incorporated (Fig. 1). The enantiomerically pure a-amino acids were obtained by non-enantioselective synthesis and subsequent enzymatic separation of isomers using acylase I (Scheme). Hd-Gly was prepared in a modified procedure according to Stewart from ethyl bromoacetate and hexadecylamine (Scheme). The synthesis and physicochemical properties of the corresponding (9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl (Fmoc) derivatives, compatible with solid-phase peptide synthesis, are described. Structure elucidation by NMR reveals that the lipid modification has no significant impact on the template structures when incorporated into them. For peptides I with Xaa = Ahd or Hd-Gly ( 1 or 2 ), a βII′/γ-turn-like arrangement with D -Phe in i+1 position of the β-turn is found. Peptides II with D -Xaa = D -Ahd or Hd-Gly ( 3 or 4 ) exhibit a βII′/γ-turn conformation with Gly in i+1 position of the β-turn, whereas II with Ahd instead of D -Xaa, i.e., lacking a D -amino acid in position 4 or 5 ( 5 ). adopts no defined conformation. However, in assays of receptor specificity employing human α_vv/β₃ integrin, the compounds exhibit IC₅₀ values ranging from nanomolar to less than millimolar. These results indicate that although the arrangement of the pharmacophoric groups is preserved in the target compounds, the biological activity is highly dependent on spatial requirements of the lipid anchor in the receptor binding pocket. Obviously, only certain positions do not affect the binding.     

Stimulus‐Induced Conformational Transformation of a Cyclic Peptide for Selective Cell‐Targeting On–Off Gatekeeper for Mesoporous Nanocarriers

α_vβ₃ Integrin is upregulated on many cancer cells. We designed a dual functional cyclic peptide gatekeeper with a capability of stimuli‐responsive conformational transformation which could serve as a selective cell‐targeting on–off gatekeeper for mesoporous nanocarriers. The advantage of employing the motif of stimuli‐induced conformational transformation of cyclic peptides is that they could be utilized not only as an on–off gatekeeper for the triggered release of cargo drugs but also as a targeting ligand of the carriers to desired cells with their respective binding receptors. The peptide gatekeepers on the surface of nanocarriers exhibited on–off gatekeeping via conformational transformation triggered by intracellular glutathione levels of the cancer cells. The cyclic RGD sequence of the peptide gatekeepers enhanced the intracellular uptake into tumor cells (A549) and the therapeutic efficacy of the nanocarrier.     

Light absorption due to higher harmonics of molecular vibrations in transparent amorphous polymers for plastic optical fibers

We have studied simple empirical equations to estimate light absorption loss α_v due to harmonics of molecular vibrations of transparent amorphous polymers used in plastic optical fibers (POFs). In the visible region, absorption involves two losses. One is α_v, and the other is the electronic transition absorption loss, α_e. Of the two, α_v is considerably larger than α_e in the wavelength region used for optical communication with POFs. We have clarified relationships between chemical structure of repeat units of polymers and α_v. We find that α_v is proportional to the concentration of specific chemical bonds (C? H, N? H, and Obond;H bonds) in the polymer solid, and we propose empirical equations to estimate α_v from the polymer density and the chemical structure of the repeat unit. These equations are used to estimate α_v of several polymers [i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, and polycarbonate]. The estimated values are nearly equal to the experimental or reference values. Furthermore, to minimize the attenuation in the POF, we conclude that the POF core polymer should have no N? H, O? H, or aliphatic C? H bonds in its repeat unit.     

A Peptide Stapling Strategy with Built-In Fluorescence by Direct Late-Stage C(sp2)−H Olefination of Tryptophan

Fluorescent stapled peptides are important chemical tools for detecting intracellular distribution, protein–protein interactions, and localization of target proteins. These peptides are usually labeled with bulky sized fluorophores through reactive functional groups, which may alter the physical properties and biological activities of peptides. Herein, a unique strategy is developed for synthesizing new stapled peptides with built-in fluorescence. The stapled peptides were prepared through Rh-catalyzed C(sp²)−H olefination in tryptophan (Trp) residues by using pyridine/pyrimidine as the directing groups under mild conditions. This method displays good regioselectivity and high efficiency. Furthermore, as a proof of concept for its biological applications, stapled peptides without additional fluorophore 9 a and 9 b were constructed for a cell imaging study. These peptides displayed strong binding affinity toward integrin αvβ3 in A549 cells by cell imaging experiments. Notably they demonstrated even better anticancer activity than commercial antagonist cyclic (RGDfK). The method will provide robust tools for the peptide macrocyclization field.     

In situ construction of ligand nano-network to integrin αvβ3 for angiogenesis inhibition

Angiogenesis occurs during the process of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, and is essential for the survival of solid tumors. As an integrin significantly overexpressed in human tumor vascular endothelial cells, α_vβ₃ is a suitable targeting site for anti-angiogenesis of tumor. We designed and prepared a self-assembling peptide (SAP) with the ability to targeting α_vβ₃ and self-assembly. SAP formed nanoparticles in solution and transformed into nanofibrous network once specifically binding to integrin α_vβ₃ on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The SAP network stably anchored on HUVECs over 24 h, which consequently resulted in high-efficient inhibition of vascularization. In vitro anti-angiogenesis experiment displayed that the inhibition rate of tube-formation reached 94.9%. In vivo anti-angiogenesis array based on chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model exhibited that the SAP had an inhibition rate up to 63.1%. These results indicated the outstanding anti-angiogenic ability of SAP, potentially for tumor therapy.