DNA-loaded nano-adjuvant formed with a vitamin E-scaffold intracellular environmentally-responsive lipid-like material for cancer immunotherapy

Kawai M, Nakamura T, Miura N, Maeta M, Tanaka H, Ueda K, Higashi K, Moribe K, Tange K, Nakai Y, Yoshioka H, Harashima H, Akita H

Nanomedicine. 2018 Aug 28. pii: S1549-9634(18)30510-0. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2018.08.006. [Epub ahead of print

Abstract

Cytoplasmic DNA triggers cellular immunity via activating the stimulator of interferon genes pathway. Since DNA is degradable and membrane impermeable, delivery system would permit cytoplasmic delivery by destabilizing the endosomal membrane for the use as an adjuvant. Herein, we report on the development of a plasmid DNA (pDNA)-encapsulating lipid nanoparticle (LNP). The structural components include an SS-cleavable and pH-activated lipid-like material that mounts vitamin E as a hydrophobic scaffold, and dual sensing motifs that are responsive to the intracellular environment (ssPalmE). The pDNA-encapsulating LNP (ssPalmE-LNP) induced a high interferon-β production in Raw 264.7 cells. The subcutaneous injection of ssPalmE-LNP strongly enhanced antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell activity. The ssPalmE-LNP treatment efficiently induced antitumor effects against E.G7-OVA tumor and B16-F10 melanoma metastasis. Furthermore, when combined with an anti-programmed death 1 antibody, an extensive therapeutic antitumor effect was observed. Therefore, the ssPalmE-LNP is a promising carrier of adjuvants for cancer immunotherapy.

Corina A, Rangel-Zúñiga OA, Jiménez-Lucena R, Alcalá-Díaz JF, Quintana-Navarro G, Yubero-Serrano EM, López-Moreno J, Delgado-Lista J, Tinahones F, Ordovás JM, López-Miranda J, Pérez-Martínez P

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2018 Aug 27. doi: 10.1093/gerona/gly195. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortening is a biomarker of cellular aging that can be decelerated by diet. We aimed to investigate the effect of dietary intake of vitamin E on biomarkers of cellular senescence in patients with established cardiovascular disease. To this end, DNA from 1002 participants of the CORDIOPREV study (NCT00924937) was isolated and LTL wa s measured by real-time PCR. Dietary information was collected using a 146-item food frequency questionnaire, and several oxidative stress and damage biomarkers were determined. We found that patients with an inadequate intake of vitamin E according to the European Food Safety Authority, U.S. Food and Nutrition Board, and Spanish dietary recommendation had shorter LTL than those with an adequate intake (p=0.004, p=0.015 and p=0.005, respectively). Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between olive oil, fish consumption and LTL (r²=0.083, p=0.010; r²=0.090, p=0.006, respectively). Subjects who consumed more than 30 mL olive oil/day had longer LTL than subjects with lower consumption (p=0.013). Furthermore, we observed higher glutathione peroxidase activity in subjects consuming less vitamin E (p=0.031). Our findings support the importance of an adequate consumption of the antioxidant vitamin E, and the value of the diet as a modulating tool of the senescence process.Read More

Electrophilic nitroalkene-tocopherol derivatives: synthesis, physicochemical characterization and evaluation of anti-inflammatory signaling responses

Rodriguez-Duarte J, Dapueto R, Galliussi G, Turell L, Kamaid A, Khoo NKH, Schopfer FJ, Freeman BA, Escande C, Batthyány C, Ferrer-Sueta G, López GV

Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 24;8(1):12784. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-31218-7.

Abstract

Inflammation plays a major role in the onset and development of chronic non-communicable diseases like obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Combined, these diseases represent the most common causes of death worldwide, thus development of novel pharmacological approaches is crucial. Electrophilic nitroalkenes derived from fatty acids are formed endogenously and exert anti-inflammatory actions by the modification of proteins involved in inflammation signaling cascades. We have developed novel nitroalkenes derived from α-tocopherolaiming to increase its salutary actions by adding anti-inflammatory properties to a well-known nutraceutical. We synthesized and characterized an α-tocopherol-nitroalkene (NATOH) and two hydrosoluble analogues derived from Trolox (NATxME and NATx0). We analyzed the kinetics of the Michael addition reaction of these compounds with thiols in micellar systems aiming to understand the effect of hydrophobic partition on the reactivity of nitroalkenes. We studied NATxME in vitro showing it exerts non-conventional anti-inflammatory responses by inducing Nrf2-Keap1-dependent gene expression and inhibiting the secretion of NF-κB dependent pro-inflammatory cytokines. NATxME was also effective in vivo, inhibiting neutrophil recruitment in a zebrafish model of inflammation. This work lays the foundation for the rational design of a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of metabolic and inflammation-related diseases.

Wong SK, Chin KY, Suhaimi FH, Ahmad F, Ima-Nirwana S

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Aug 24;15(9). pii: E1828. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15091828.

Abstract

The beneficial effects of vitamin E in improving components of MetS or bone loss have been established. This study aimed to investigate the potential of palm vitamin E (PVE) as a single agent, targeting MetS and bone loss concurrently, using a MetS animal model. Twelve-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The baseline group was sacrificed upon arrival. The normal group was given standard rat chow. The remaining three groups were fed with high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet and treated with tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle), 60 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg PVE. At the end of the study, the rats were evaluated for MetS parameters and bone density. After euthanasia, blood and femurs were harvested for the evaluation of lipid profile, bone histomorphometric analysis, and remodeling markers. PVE improved blood pressure, glycemic status, and lipid profile; increased osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, bone volume, and trabecular thickness, as well as decreased eroded surface and single-labeled surface. Administration of PVE also significantly reduced leptin level in the HCHF rats. PVE is a potential agent in concurrently preventing MetS and protecting bone loss. This may be, in part, achieved by reducing the leptin level and modulating the bone remodeling activity in male rats.

Shanmugapriya K, Kim H, Saravana PS, Chun BS, Kang HW

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2018 Aug 20;172:170-179. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.08.042. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

Emulsion-based delivery systems have been fabricated and developed to increase the bioavailability of astaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol as active compounds for various biomedical applications. Astaxanthin-alpha tocopherol nanoemulsion (ATNE) is well known for its potential 6.-6.30 effect. The current study investigated ATNE by spontaneous (SENE) and ultrasonication emulsification (USNE) methods to optimally fabricate oil/water nanoemulsion characterized for biomedical applications. The two methods were compared by using a response surface method of 3-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) with significant factors. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed spherical-shaped nanoemulsion from SENE and USNE methods and dynamic light scattering (DLS) proved the good stability of the fabricated nanoemulsion. Cytotoxicity studies on three different cancer cells confirmed that the nanoemulsion at higher concentrations was more toxic than one at lower concentrations by accompanying a significant decrease in the cellular viability after 24 and 48 h of exposure. The wound-healing potential using scratch assay evidenced faster healing effect of the nanoemulsion. Both minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) methods confirmed significant antibacterial activity to disrupt the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane. The current results suggested that ATNE act as effectively targeted drug delivery vehicles in the future for cancer treatment applications due to its significant results of anticancer, wound healing, and antimicrobial effects.

Zhang YH, Ma K, Liu JR, Wang HX, Tian WX, Tu YH, Sun WG

Oncol Rep. 2018 Aug;40(2):999-1007. doi: 10.3892/or.2018.6497. Epub 2018 Jun 14.

Abstract

γ-tocotrienol (γ-T3), a tocotrienol isoform belonging to the vitamin E family, has been revealed to exert inhibitory effects on proliferation, migration and invasion in human gastric cancer cells. However, its precise mechanism of action is still unclear and needs to be further tested. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is well known for its key role in promoting the migration and invasion abilities of human gastric cancer cells. In light of these data, our study aimed to validate whether the inhibitory actions of γ-T3 could be achieved by downregulation of COX-2 activity in vitro. In the present study, a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to observe proliferation in human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells), and wound healing and Transwell chamber assays were performed to detect migration and invasion. Western blot analyses were performed to analyse the relative expression of COX-2, matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) proteins, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to determine the exocrine roles of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The results revealed that γ-T3 exerted significant inhibitory effects on proliferation, migration, invasion and COX-2 protein expression, as well as on exocrine functions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells. Therefore, our results indicated that γ-T3 exerts inhibitory effects on migration and invasion, which may be mediated through downregulation of COX-2 expression in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells.

Bartosińska E, Jacyna J, Borsuk-De Moor A, Kaliszan M, Kondej K, Jankau J, Renkielska A, Kruszewski WJ, Markuszewski MJ, Siluk D

Biomed Chromatogr. 2018 Aug 16:e4361. doi: 10.1002/bmc.4361. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

Tocopherols and tocotrienols have been extensively studied due to their anticancer potential, especially against breast cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantitatively determine tocochromanols in human breast adipose tissue with the use of HPLC-FLD. The sample preparation procedure included homogenization and solvent extraction with isopropanol/ethanol/0.1% formic acid mixture prior to solid phase extraction (SPE). After implementation of central composite design (CCD), satisfactory separation of all eight target compounds was achieved within 10.5 min. Chromatographic runs were carried out with the use of a naphthylethyl chromatographic column with methanol/water mixture (89/11, v/v) as the mobile phase. Fluorescence detection of tocochromanols was performed with excitation and emission wavelengths 298 and 330 nm, respectively. The method was validated in terms of linearity, carryover, recovery, precision, accuracy and stability. Extraction yield was also determined for accurate evaluation of vitamin E content in human breast adipose tissue samples. Finally, concentrations of particular tocochromanols compounds were assessed in human breast adipose tissue samples obtained from 99 patients, including women with breast cancer, healthy volunteers and women deceased by accident. The raw data was transformed according to the newly developed equation for accurate estimation of tocochromanols’ concentrations in breast adipose tissue samples. Results obtained in the study indicated that proposed analytical assay could be useful in breast cancer research.

Hinman A, Holst CR, Latham JC, Bruegger JJ, Ulas G, McCusker KP, Amagata A, Davis D, Hoff KG, Kahn-Kirby AH, Kim V, Kosaka Y, Lee E, Malone SA, Mei JJ, Richards SJ, Rivera V, Miller G, Trimmer JK, Shrader WD

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 15;13(8):e0201369. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201369. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death associated with inflammation, neurodegeneration, and ischemia. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) has been reported to prevent ferroptosis, but the mechanism by which this occurs is controversial. To elucidate the biochemical mechanism of vitamin E activity, we systematically investigated the effects of its major vitamers and metabolites on lipid oxidation and ferroptosis in a striatal cell model. We found that a specific endogenous metabolite of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol hydroquinone, was a dramatically more potent inhibitor of ferroptosis than its parent compound, and inhibits 15-lipoxygenase via reduction of the enzyme’s non-heme iron from its active Fe3+ state to an inactive Fe2+ state. Furthermore, a non-metabolizable isosteric analog of vitamin E which retains antioxidant activity neither inhibited 15-lipoxygenase nor prevented ferroptosis. These results call into question the prevailing model that vitamin E acts predominantly as a non-specific lipophilic antioxidant. We propose that, similar to the other lipophilic vitamins A, D and K, vitamin E is instead a pro-vitamin, with its quinone/hydroquinone metabolites responsible for its anti-ferroptotic cytoprotective activity.

Rajasinghe LD, Pindiprolu RH, Gupta SV

Send to Onco Targets Ther. 2018 Jul 24;11:4301-4314. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S160163. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Delta-tocotrienol (δT), an isomer of vitamin E, exhibits anticancer properties in different cancer types including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Yet, anti-invasive effects of δT and its underlying cellular mechanism in NSCLC have not been fully explored. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9)-based cell migration and invasion are critical cellular mechanisms in cancer development. The current evidence indicates that MMP-9 is upregulated in most patients, and the inhibition of MMPs is involved in decreasing invasion and metastasis in NSCLC. Therefore, its suppression is a promising strategy for attenuating cell invasion and metastasis processes in NSCLC.

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of MMP-9 inhibition as the underlying mechanism behind the antimetastatic properties of δT on NSCLC cells.

METHODS:

The effects of δT on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, adhesion, and aggregation capabilities were investigated using different cell-based assays. An inhibitory effect of MMP-9 enzyme activity with δT was also identified using gel zymography. Using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, a number of cellular proteins, regulatory genes, and miRNA involved in the Notch-1 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)-mediated MMP-9 pathways were examined.

RESULTS:

The study found that δT inhibited cell proliferation, cell migration, invasion, aggregation, and adhesion in a concentration-dependent manner and reduced MMP-9 activities. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis data revealed that δT increased miR-451 expressions and downregulated Notch-1-mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), which led to the repressed expression of MMP-9 and uPA proteins.

CONCLUSION:

δT attenuated tumor invasion and metastasis by the repression of MMP-9/uPA via downregulation of Notch-1 and NF-κB pathways and upregulation of miR-451. The data suggest that δT may have potential therapeutic benefit against NSCLC metastasis.

Huwait EA

Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2018 Aug 14. doi: 10.5603/FM.a2018.0070. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

L-carnitine and Vitamin E have antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of L-carnitine, Vitamin Eand the combination of them in protection against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in rat heart.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Fifty male Wistar rats assigned to 5 groups; control, ISO-treated group (100 mg/kg), ISO+vitamin E-treated group (100 IU/kg), ISO+L-carnitine (100 mg/kg) and ISO+vitamin E+L-carnitine treated group. At the end of the experiment, serum cardiac enzyme as well as the cardiac level Malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha were assessed. Histopathological changes in the left ventricle wall was assessed using the light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS:

Treating rats with vitamin E and L-carnitine could alleviate ISO-induced changes as it significantly reduced the serum level cardiac enzymes, MDA and IL-6, TNF-alpha and improved the antioxidants enzymes (SOD, GSPxase and GSRase). Histopathological, they improved cardiac fibers atrophy, hemorrhages between cardiac fibers, lost striations, and disturbed sarcomere structure. The combined effect of vitamin E and L-carnitine was more superior compared to the other groups.

CONCLUSION:

Combined administration of vitamin E, L-carnitine ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological cardiac affection induced by ISO. The effect seemed to be mediated through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin E, L-carnitine. Administration of these two element is recommended for patient at risk for myocardial infarction.