Peptide Transduction Domain Research Articles

SiRNA delivery using peptide transduction domains

Targeting mRNA degradation by short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) offers great potential to treat multiple diseases. However, owing to their high molecule size and strong anionic charge, siRNAs cannot pass through the highly regulated and restricted plasma membrane. To overcome these problems, many approaches have been developed and applied in clinical trial. However, other siRNA delivery systems are still required to enhance the siRNA uptake. Over the past 20 years, peptide transduction domains (PTDs) have been discovered that can cross the cellular membrane by themselves despite their high molecule size. PTDs have been used for the delivery of a wide range of molecules including peptides, proteins and antisense oligonucleotides and applied in vivo systems. Here, we review siRNA delivery using PTDs in vitro and in vivo and discuss its potential for use in siRNA-based therapy.

Efficient siRNA delivery into primary cells by a peptide transduction domain-dsRNA binding domain fusion protein.

SUMMARYShort interfering RNA (siRNA) induced RNA interference (RNAi) responses allow for discovery research and performing large scale screening1-5; however, due to their size and anionic charge, siRNAs have no bioavailability to enter cells4,5. Current approaches fail to deliver siRNAs into a high percentage of primary cells in a non-cytotoxic fashion. Here we report an efficient siRNA delivery approach that utilizes a Peptide Transduction Domain-dsRNA Binding Domain (PTD-DRBD) fusion protein. DRBDs bind to siRNAs with high avidity, masking the siRNA negative charge and allow for PTD-mediated cellular uptake. PTD-DRBD delivered siRNAs induced rapid RNAi responses in a non-cytotoxic manner in the entire cell population of primary and transformed cells, including T cells, HUVECs and hESCs. Whole genome microarray analysis showed minimal transcriptional changes by PTD-DRBD and we did not detect any innate immune responses in PBMCs. Thus, PTD-DRBD mediated siRNA delivery allows efficient RNAi manipulation of difficult primary cell types.

Neuroprotection against neonatal hypoxia/ischemia-induced cerebral cell death by prevention of calpain-mediated mGluR1α truncation

Many cellular events are involved in ischemic neuronal death, and it has been difficult to identify those that play a critical role in the cascade triggered by lack of oxygen and glucose, although it has been widely recognized that overactivation of glutamate receptors represents one of the initiating factors. Different glutamate receptor antagonists, especially those for N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, have achieved significant success in animal models of hypoxia/ischemia; however, these antagonists have failed in clinical trials. We previously reported that calpain-mediated truncation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α (mGluR1α) played a critical role in excitotoxicity, and that a TAT-mGluR1 peptide consisting of a peptide surrounding the calpain cleavage site of mGluR1α and the peptide transduction domain of the transactivating regulatory protein (TAT) of HIV was neuroprotective against excitotoxicity. In the present study we tested the effect of this peptide in in vitro and in vivo models of neonatal hypoxia/ischemia. TAT-mGluR1 peptide prevented oxygen/glucose deprivation- (OGD) and hypoxia/ischemia- (H/I) induced neuronal death in cultured hippocampal slices and neonatal rats, respectively. TAT-mGluR1 blocked H/I-induced mGluR1α degradation but had no effect on H/I-induced spectrin degradation, suggesting that neuroprotection was due to prevention of calpain-mediated mGluR1α truncation and not to calpain inhibition. Our results therefore suggest that mGluR1α truncation plays a critical role in neonatal hypoxia/ischemia and that blockade of this event may prevent the activation of many downstream cytotoxic cascades. Compared to glutamate receptor antagonists and general calpain inhibitors, TAT-mGluR1 may have limited side effects.

Hexa-arginine enhanced uptake and residualization of selective high affinity ligands by Raji lymphoma cells

BackgroundA variety of arginine-rich peptide sequences similar to those found in viral proteins have been conjugated to other molecules to facilitate their transport into the cytoplasm and nucleus of targeted cells. The selective high affinity ligand (SHAL) (DvLPBaPPP)2LLDo, which was developed to bind only to cells expressing HLA-DR10, has been conjugated to one of these peptide transduction domains, hexa-arginine, to assess the impact of the peptide on SHAL uptake and internalization by Raji cells, a B-cell lymphoma.ResultsAn analog of the SHAL (DvLPBaPPP)2LLDo containing a hexa-arginine peptide was created by adding six D-arginine residues sequentially to a lysine inserted in the SHAL's linker. SHAL binding, internalization and residualization by Raji cells expressing HLA-DR10 were examined using whole cell binding assays and confocal microscopy. Raji cells were observed to bind two fold more 111In-labeled hexa-arginine SHAL analog than Raji cells treated with the parent SHAL. Three fold more hexa-arginine SHAL remained associated with the Raji cells after washing, suggesting that the peptide also enhanced residualization of the 111In transported into cells. Confocal microscopy showed both SHALs localized in the cytoplasm of Raji cells, whereas a fraction of the hexa-arginine SHAL localized in the nucleus.ConclusionThe incorporation of a hexa-D-arginine peptide into the linker of the SHAL (DvLPBaPPP)2LLDo enhanced both the uptake and residualization of the SHAL analog by Raji cells. In contrast to the abundant cell surface binding observed with Lym-1 antibody, the majority of (DvLPBaPPP)2LArg6AcLLDo and the parent SHAL were internalized. Some of the internalized hexa-arginine SHAL analog was also associated with the nucleus. These results demonstrate that several important SHAL properties, including uptake, internalization, retention and possibly intracellular distribution, can be enhanced or modified by conjugating the SHALs to a short polypeptide.

PTD-mediated Loading of Tumor-Seeking Lymphocytes with Prodrug-Activating Enzymes

Using the approach of peptide transduction domain (PTD)-mediated loading of interleukin-2(IL-2)-activated natural killer (A-NK) cells, tumor-seeking lymphocytes, with prodrug-activating enzymes, we primarily aim to generate a cytotoxic drug selectively within tumors and minimize damage to normal tissues. A-NK cells are able to accumulate selectively at tumor sites. While these cells by themselves possess significant antitumor effect in vivo, we suggest that they can also serve as Trojan horses, by bringing anticancer agents, such as prodrug-activating enzymes, selectively to tumors. We have successfully demonstrated in a mouse model that A-NK cells can be rapidly loaded with prodrug-activating enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase (AP) and beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), in vitro using enzyme-conjugated peptide PTD5. Upon adoptive transfer into lung-tumor-bearing animals, the loaded A-NK cells are able to bring their cargo of the prodrug-activating enzymes selectively to pulmonary metastases. The targeting of the AP to the tumor tissues is highly specific, since more than a fivefold higher concentration of AP was found in the tumor tissues compared to the surrounding normal lung tissue at 24 h after injection. The approach of transporting prodrug-activating enzymes selectively into tumors clearly shows potential for future targeted chemotherapy. Ongoing studies in our laboratory are evaluating the antitumor efficacy of cellular-dependent enzyme prodrug therapy.

Cell-Permeable MR Contrast Agents with Increased Intracellular Retention

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique used in both clinical and experimental settings to produce high-resolution images of opaque organisms without ionizing radiation. Currently, MR imaging is augmented by contrast agents, and the vast majority these small molecule Gd(III) chelates are confined to the extracellular regions. As a result, contrast agents are confined to vascular regions reducing their ability to provide information about cell physiology or molecular pathology. We have shown that polypeptides of arginine have the capacity to transport Gd(III) contrast agents across cell membranes. However, this transport is not unidirectional, and once inside the cell, the arginine-modified contrast agents efflux rapidly, decreasing the intracellular Gd(III) concentration and corresponding MR image intensity. By exploiting the inherent disulfide reducing environment of cells, thiol compounds, Gd(III)-DOTA-SS-Arg 8 and Gd(III)-DTPA-SS-Arg 8, are cleaved from their cell-penetrating peptide transduction domains upon cell internalization. This reaction prolongs the cell-associated lifetime of the chelated Gd(III) by cleaving it from the cell transduction domain.

Amelioration of Chronic Murine Colitis by Peptide-Mediated Transduction of the IκB Kinase Inhibitor NEMO Binding Domain Peptide

The NF-kappaB family of transcription factors is a central regulator of chronic inflammation. The phosphorylation of IkappaB proteins by the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex (IKKalpha, IKKbeta, and NF-kappaB essential modulator or NEMO) is a key step in NF-kappaB activation. Peptides corresponding to the NEMO binding domain (NBD) of IKK blocks NF-kappaB activation without inhibiting basal NF-kappaB activity. In this report, we determined the effects of the IKK inhibitor peptide (NBD) in a model of spontaneously occurring chronic murine colitis, the IL-10-deficient (IL-10(-/-)) mouse. Using a novel cationic peptide transduction domain (PTD) consisting of eight lysine residues (8K), we were able to transduce the NBD peptide into cells and tissues. In a NF-kappaB reporter system, 8K-NBD dose-dependently inhibits TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation. Furthermore, 8K-NBD inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB family members. In NF-kappaB(EGFP) knock-in mice, 8K-NBD inhibited LPS-activated NF-kappaB (EGFP activity) in the ileum but did not inhibit basal NF-kappaB in Peyer's patches. IL-10(-/-) mice treated systemically with 8K-NBD demonstrate amelioration of established colitis, decreased NF-kappaB activation in the lamina propria, and a reduction in spontaneous intestinal IL-12 p40, TNF, IFN-gamma, and IL-17 production. These results demonstrate that inhibitors of IKK, in particular a PTD-NBD peptide, may be therapeutic in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Targeting Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 Family Members with Cell-Permeable BH3 Peptides Induces Apoptosis Signaling, Death in Head, Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Head, neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are frequently characterized by chemotherapy, radiation resistance, by overexpression of Bcl-XL, an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family. In this report, we examined whether cell-permeable peptides derived from the BH3 domains of proapoptotic Bax, Bad, or Bak could be used to target Bcl-XL and/or Bcl-2 in HNSCC cells, induce apoptotic death in these cells. To render the peptides cell-permeable, Antennapedia (Ant) or polyarginine (R8) peptide transduction domain was fused to the amino termini. Fluorescence microscopy of peptide-treated HNSCC cells revealed that the BH3 peptides colocalized with mitochondria, the site of Bcl-XL, Bcl-2 expression. By contrast, a mutant peptide (BaxE BH3) that cannot bind Bcl-XL or Bcl-2 was diffusely localized throughout the cytoplasm. Treatment of three HNSCC cell lines (1483, UM-22A, UM-22B) with the wild-type BH3 peptides resulted in loss of viability, induction of apoptosis, as assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assays, annexin V staining. In general, Ant-conjugated peptides were more potent than R8-conjugated peptides, Bad BH3 peptide was typically more potent than Bax BH3 or Bak BH3. Treatment of purified HNSCC mitochondria with BH3 peptides resulted in robust release of cytochrome c. Thus, the relative apoptosis resistance of HNSCC cells is not due to a deficit in this step of the intrinsic, mitochondrialmediated apoptosis pathway. We conclude that cellpermeable BH3 peptides can be used to target Bcl-XL and/or Bcl-2 in HNSCC, that targeting of these proteins may have therapeutic value in the treatment of this disease.

Anti-apoptotic peptides protect against radiation-induced cell death

The risk of terrorist attacks utilizing either nuclear or radiological weapons has raised concerns about the current lack of effective radioprotectants. Here it is demonstrated that the BH4 peptide domain of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL can be delivered to cells by covalent attachment to the TAT peptide transduction domain (TAT-BH4) and provide protection in vitro and in vivo from radiation-induced apoptotic cell death. Isolated human lymphocytes treated with TAT-BH4 were protected against apoptosis following exposure to 15 Gy radiation. In mice exposed to 5 Gy radiation, TAT-BH4 treatment protected splenocytes and thymocytes from radiation-induced apoptotic cell death. Most importantly, in vivo radiation protection was observed in mice whether TAT-BH4 treatment was given prior to or after irradiation. Thus, by targeting steps within the apoptosis signaling pathway it is possible to develop post-exposure treatments to protect radio-sensitive tissues.

TAT-Bim Induces Extensive Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

Suppression of apoptosis is central to the development of cancer and is associated with resistance to modern adjuvant treatments. Therefore, molecules and pathways of apoptotic processes are critical targets for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics. Since apoptosis is executed by intracellular proteins, molecular approaches must incorporate a method to deliver the treatment into the tumor cells. We utilized a peptide that contains two domains, a peptide transduction domain derived from the HIV-1 TAT protein and a biological effector domain, the BH3 domain from the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bim. We examined whether this construct (TAT-Bim) induced apoptosis in several cancer cell lines (T-cell lymphoma (EL4), pancreatic cancer (Panc-02), and melanoma (B16)) and whether TAT-Bim treatment synergized with radiation. A mutant TAT-Bim peptide with no biologic activity (TAT-Bim-inactive) was used as a control. C57/BL6 mice were challenged with syngeneic cancer cell lines and the effects of intratumoral TAT-Bim injection on tumor growth and host survival were determined. TAT-Bim was internalized by all cancer cells within two hours. TAT-Bim resulted in apoptosis in a dose dependent fashion in all cell lines and sublethal irradiation augmented the effects of TAT-Bim induced apoptosis. TAT-Bim significantly slowed tumor growth in murine models of pancreatic cancer and melanoma. TAT-Bim exemplifies a strategy for cancer therapy that involves inducing apoptosis by antagonizing the endogenous anti-apoptotic machinery. Small peptide therapeutics, in combination with traditional adjuvant therapies such as radiation, may provide a valuable 'second hit' and drive tumor cells into programmed cell death.

Effects on synaptic activity in cultured hippocampal neurons by influenza A viral proteins

Certain viruses can infect neurons and cause persistent infections with restricted expression of viral proteins. To study the consequences of such viral proteins on synaptic functions, the effects of two influenza A virus proteins, the nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) and the nucleoprotein (NP), were analyzed in cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. Transduction of the NS1 and NP proteins into the neurons was performed by applying the 11-amino acid peptide transduction domain (PTD) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT coupled to the viral proteins. Neurons exposed to the NS1 and NP fusion proteins (NS1-PTD and NP-PTD, respectively) for 4 h were immunopositive for these proteins as diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear distribution. After exposure for 48 h to NP-PTD, a punctate pattern of the immunolabel appeared in dendritic spinelike processes. Electrophysiologically, a reduction in both the frequency of spontaneous excitatory synaptic activity and in the amplitude of the miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents were recorded after exposing the hippocampal neurons to NP-PTD between 17 and 22 days in culture. These changes may reflect disturbances in postsynaptic functions. No such alterations in synaptic activities were recorded after exposure to NS1-PTD or to green fluorescent protein-PTD, which was used as a control. Based on these findings the authors hypothesize that the viral NP, by its localization to dendritic spinelike structures, interferes with the expression or anchoring of postsynaptic glutamate receptors and thereby disturbs synaptic functions. Thus a persistent viral infection in the brain may be associated with functional disturbances at the synaptic level.

Cationic TAT peptide transduction domain enters cells by macropinocytosis

Naturally occurring and synthetic short arginine containing protein transduction domains (PTDs), including HIV1 TAT, poly-Arg and Antp, have been used to deliver a wide variety of macromolecular, biologically active therapeutic cargo into cells, including peptides, proteins, antisense oligonucleotides and liposomes, in vitro and to treat pre-clinical models of cancer and stroke. PTDs enter cells in a rapid, receptor-independent fashion. Recently, large TAT-fusion proteins (in excess of 30,000 Da) were shown to transduce into cells by fluid-phase macropinocytosis, a specialized form of endocytosis that is independent of caveloe, clathrin and dynamin. However, it remains controversial as to whether or not PTD peptides (1000–5000 Da) enter cells via macropinocytosis and/or through an unknown alternative mechanism. Due to strong ionic interactions with the cell surface, previous measurements of PTD peptide internalization were inaccurate. Cationic PTD peptides containing variable numbers of arginine residues and conditions entered cells exclusively through macropinocytosis. In addition, no PTD peptide was found to enter cells at 4 °C, a long held assumption of transduction. Taken together, these observations provide a solid scientific basis for the development of novel biologically active transducible anticancer PTD peptide therapeutics.

Synthesis and characterization of a Gd-DOTA-D-permeation peptide for magnetic resonance relaxation enhancement of intracellular targets.

Many MR contrast agents have been developed and proven effective for extracellular nontargeted applications, but exploitation of intracellular MR contrast agents has been elusive due to the permeability barrier of the plasma membrane. Peptide transduction domains can circumvent this permeability barrier and deliver cargo molecules to the cell interior. Based upon enhanced cellular uptake of permeation peptides with D-amino acid residues, an all-D Tat basic domain peptide was conjugated to DOTA and chelated to gadolinium. Gd-DOTA-D-Tat peptide in serum at room temperature showed a relaxivity of 7.94 +/- 0.11 mM(-1) sec(-1) at 4.7 T. The peptide complex displayed no significant binding to serum proteins, was efficiently internalized by human Jurkat leukemia cells resulting in intracellular T1 relaxation enhancement, and in preliminary T1-weighted MRI experiments, significantly enhanced liver, kidney, and mesenteric signals.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Gd-DOTA-D-Permeation Peptide for Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Enhancement of Intracellular Targets

Many MR contrast agents have been developed and proven effective for extracellular nontargeted applications, but exploitation of intracellular MR contrast agents has been elusive due to the permeability barrier of the plasma membrane. Peptide transduction domains can circumvent this permeability barrier and deliver cargo molecules to the cell interior. Based upon enhanced cellular uptake of permeation peptides with D-amino acid residues, an all-D Tat basic domain peptide was conjugated to DOTA and chelated to gadolinium. Gd-DOTA-D-Tat peptide in serum at room temperature showed a relaxivity of 7.94 +/- 0.11 mM(-1) sec(-1) at 4.7 T. The peptide complex displayed no significant binding to serum proteins, was efficiently internalized by human Jurkat leukemia cells resulting in intracellular T1 relaxation enhancement, and in preliminary T1-weighted MRI experiments, significantly enhanced liver, kidney, and mesenteric signals.

Protection of Islets by in SituPeptide-mediated Transduction of the IκB Kinase Inhibitor Nemo-binding Domain Peptide

We have previously demonstrated that adenoviral gene transfer of the NF-kappaB inhibitor IkappaB to human islets results in protection from interleukin (IL)-1beta-mediated dysfunction and apoptosis. Here we report that human and mouse islets can be efficiently transduced by a cationic peptide transduction domain (PTD-5) without impairment of islet function. PTD mediated delivery of a peptide inhibitor of the IL-1beta-induced IkappaB kinase (IKK), derived from IKKbeta (NBD; Nemo-binding domain), and completely blocked the detrimental effects of IL-1beta on islet function and NF-kappaB activity, in a similar manner to Ad-IkappaB. We also demonstrate that mouse islets can be transduced in situ by infusion of the transduction peptide through the bile duct prior to isolation, resulting in 40% peptide transduction of the beta-cells. Delivery of the IKK inhibitor transduction fusion peptide (PTD-5-NBD) in situ to mouse islets resulted in improved islet function and viability after isolation. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using PTD-mediated delivery to transiently modify islets in situ to improve their viability and function during isolation, prior to transplantation.

Induction of synovial apoptosis by gene transfer and peptide mediated protein transduction

The destruction of articular cartilage and bone due to pannus formation is one of the more clinically challenging problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis. While synovectomy, the physical removal or killing of synovial tissue, has demonstrated the ability to delay the degradation of the rheumatoid joint the various methods available for this procedure are either highly invasive or are associated with side effects. In order to combat these problems we have been developing a biological synovectomy technique based on the induction of apoptosis. Our approach has focused on the delivery of pro-apoptotic proteins to the diseased synovium either through gene transfer or direct peptide mediated protein delivery. Utilizing a rabbit model of RA we have examined the effects of over expressing a number of proapoptotic proteins (p53, FasL, TRAIL, granzymeB and activated caspase3) in the cells of the synovial lining. These experiments have demonstrated that the over expression of all of these proteins induce apoptosis in the synovial layer, albeit to differing extents. Intra-articular delivery of adenoviral vectors encoding the proapoptotic genes or proteins fused to peptide transduction domains results in extensive apoptosis in the cells of the synovial lining within 24 h after vector delivery. The induction of apoptosis in the synovium is also associated with a decrease in the inflammation observed in the treated joints. The magnitude of the reduction in leukocytic infiltration correlates directly with the extent of apoptosis induced. These data suggest that the over expression of proapoptotic proteins in synovium may have applications in the treatment of RA.