Co-Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles with C7H2 and HuAL1 Peptides: Enhanced Antimicrobial and Antitumoral Activities

Author(s)

Formaggio, Daniela M. D. ; Magalhaes, Jessica A. ; Andrade, Vitor M. ; Conceicao, Katia ; Anastacio, Juliana M. ; Santiago, Gabrielli S. ; Arruda, Denise C. ; Tada, Dayane B.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHARMACEUTICS; v. 14, n. 7, p. 17-pg., 2022-07-01.

Abstract

The functionalization of nanoparticles with therapeutic peptides has been pointed out as a promising strategy to improve the applications of these molecules in the field of health sciences. Peptides are highly bioactive but face several limitations such as low bioavailability due to the difficulty of overcoming the physiological barriers in the body and their degradation by enzymes. In this work, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were co-functionalized with two therapeutic peptides simultaneously. The peptides from the complementary determining region of monoclonal antibodies, composed of the amino acid sequences YISCYNGATSYNQKFK (C7H2) and RASQSVSSYLA (HuAL1) were chosen for having exhibited antitumor and antimicrobial activity before. The peptides-conjugated AuNPs were characterized regarding size, morphology, and metal concentration by using TEM, dynamic light scattering, and ICP-OES techniques. Then, peptides-conjugated AuNPs were evaluated regarding the antimicrobial activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans. The antitumoral activity was evaluated in vitro by cell viability assays with metastatic melanoma cell line (B16F10-Nex2) and the cytotoxicity was evaluated against human foreskin fibroblast (Hs68) cell line. Finally, in vivo assays were performed by using a syngeneic animal model of metastatic melanoma. Our findings have highlighted the potential application of the dual-peptide AuNPs in order to enhance the antitumor and antimicrobial activity of peptides. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/22890-1 - Synthesis and functionalization of metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles to modulate the photoactivity of photosensibilizers
• Grantee: Jéssica Aparecida Magalhães
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/01697-6 - Synthesis and functionalization of bimetallic nanoparticles for application in photodynamic therapy of cancer
• Grantee: Dayane Batista Tada
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/11972-7 - Analysis of Protein Expression Regulated by the Brn-2 Transcription Factor in Cells treated with Peptides-Derived from POU Domain of Brn-2 and Determination of the Internalization and Cell Localization of this Peptide
• Grantee: Denise Costa Arruda
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants