News U1

NANBIOSIS in the Posters presentation in CIBER-BBN ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018

Last 12 and 13 of November, CIBER-BBN has celebrated its 12th Annual Conference in Hotel Felipe IV in Valladolid. In poster session participated NANBIOSIS itself and some of its units.

NANBIOSIS, Infrastructure for the Production & Characterization of Biomaterials, Nanomaterials and medical devices up to preclinical validation. Nanbiosis management team.
Divalent cation effects on assembly of histidine-rich protein nanoparticles. López-Laguna, U. Unzueta, O. Conchillo-Solé, A. Sánchez-Chardi, M. Pesarrodona, O. Cano-Garrido, E. Voltà, L. Sánchez-García, N. Serna, P. Saccardo, R. Mangues, A. Villaverde, E. Vázquez (NBT-UAB) (U1 -U18)
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) anchored on the surface of contact lenses to prevent corneal infections. Emiliano Salvagni, Clara García, Àngels Manresa, Carlos Rodríguez, María José García-Celma, Claudia Müller-Sánchez, Manuel Reina, Jordi Esquena (QCI-CSIC) (U12)
Preliminary studies on ultrasound characterization of perfluorocarbon-loaded polymeric nanocapsules. Gabriela Calderó, Marie Pierre Krafft, Da Shi, María José García-Celma, Conxita Solans, Carlos Rodríguez-Abreu (QCI-CSIC) (U12)
Multiplexed analytical platforms based on the use of antibodies for monitoring pollutants in marine environment samples. -Pablo Salvador, Ana Sanchís, Klaudia Kooper, Andrea Miti, M.-Pilar Marco (Nb4D-IQAC-CSIC) (U2)
In vitrodiagnostics of neurological disorders through the immunochemical detection of kynurenine. Montserrat Rodríguez Núñez, Ana Sanchís, Lluïsa Vilaplana, Roger Galve, M.-Pilar Marco (Nb4D-IQAC-CSIC) (U2)
Custom Antibody Service: From the molecule to the bioassay. Núria Pascual, Ana González-Gomzález, M.-Pilar Marco (Nb4D-IQAC-CSIC) (U2)
Hyaluronic acid enhances insulin release of microencapsulated pancreatic progenitors differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells. Alberto Cañibano-Hernández, Laura Sáenz del Burgo, Albert Espona-Noguera, Gorka Orive, Rosa María Hernández, Jesús Ciriza, Jose Luis Pedraz (NANOBIOCEL) (U10 )
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus reversal via implantation of magnetically purified microencapsulated pseudoislets. Albert Espona-Noguera, J. Etxebarria-Elezgarai, L. Saenz del Burgo, A. Cañibano-Hernández, H. Gurruchaga, Gorka Orive, Rosa M. Hernández, F. Benito-Lopez, J. Ciriza, L. Basabe-Desmonts and J.L. Pedraz (NANOBIOCEL) (U10 )
Unraveling the immune system participation in therapy response in GL261 glioblastoma: correlation with MRSI-based molecular imaging techniques. Calero, N. Arias-Ramos, R. Rabanal, M. Pumarola, C. Arús, A.P. Candiota (GABRMN-UAB) (U25)
Dual T1/T2 nanoscale coordination polymers as novel contrast agents for MRI: a preclinical study for brain tumor. Suárez-García, N. Arias-Ramos, C. Frias, A.P. Candiota, C. Arús, J. Lorenzo, D. Ruiz-Molina, F. Novio (GABRMN-UAB) (U25)
Impact of high glucose levels and ketoacidosis associated to diabetic complications on bacterial growth and attachment to Ti6Al4V. Miguel A. Pacha-Olivenza, María Fernández-Grajera, Daniel Romero-Guzmán, M. Luisa González-Martín (AM-UEX) (U16)
Preparation, characterization and bacterial performance on PLDA and PLDA 10% Mg films. Verónica Luque-Agudo, Daniel Romero-Guzmán, Coronada Fernández-Calderón, Miguel A. Pacha-Olivenza, María Fernández-Grajera, Margarita Hierro-Oliva, M. Luisa Navarro-Pérez, Ciro Pérez-Giraldo, M. Luisa González-Martín, Amparo M. Gallardo-Moreno (AM-UEX) (U16)
A wavelet-based approach for automatic diagnosis of strict left bundle branch block. Alba Martín-Yebra, Juan Pablo Martínez (BSICoS) (U27)
ECG-derived respiration in atrial fibrillation. Spyridon Kontaxis, Jesús Lázaro, Valentina D. A. Corino, Frida Sandberg, Raquel Bailón, Pablo Laguna, and Leif Sörnmo (BSICoS) (U27)
Development of highly metastatic, CXCR4-overexpressing, colorectal cancer models. Rita Sala, Alberto Gallardo, Ugutz Unzueta, Patricia Álamo, Carmen Cabrera, Esperanza Medina, Isolda Casanova, Irene Arroyo, Aïda Falgás, Carlos Navas, Manuel Trías, Antonio Villaverde, Esther Vázquez, Ramón Mangues, Mª Virtudes Céspedes (GOA-HSPau) (U18)
PATHGATE: Oligonucleotide-gated sensing nanodevices for pathogen detection. Luis Pla, Angela Ribes, M. Angeles Tormo-Mas, Javier Pemán, Félix Sancenón, Elena Aznar, Ramón Martínez-Máñez and Sara Santiago-Felipe (IQMA-IDM-UPV) (U26)
Towards chemical communication between abiotic nanoparticles and living systems. Beatriz de Luis, Paola Ricón, Cristina de la Torre, Antoni LLopis, Jose Gadea, Jose R. Murguía, Félix Sancenón, Ramón Martínez-Máñez, Elena Aznar (IQMA-IDM-UPV) (U26)
Development and in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial polymer coatings for the prophylactic treatment of hernia repair materials. Bárbara Pérez-Köhler, Selma Benito, Mar Fernández-Gutiérrez, Gemma Pascual, Marta Rodríguez, Verónica Gómez-Gil, Francisca García-Moreno, Julio San Román, Juan Manuel Bellón (GITBIT-UAH) (U17)
Experimental study of the application of a new bone cement loaded with broad spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of bone infection. Joaquín García, Galo Azuara, Blanca Ibarra, Miguel A. Ortega, Ángel Asúnsolo, Blanca Vázquez, Julio San Román, Julia Buján, Basilio De la Torre, Natalio García-Honduvilla (GITBIT-UAH) (U17)

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A new pathway for the prevention of metastasis in colorectal cancer in humans is open: a nanomedicine that selectively eliminates metastatic stem cells

Researchers of NANBIOSIS U18 Nanotoxicology Unit and U1. Protein Production Platform (PPP) at the Biomedical Research Institute of Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), of the Hospital of Santa Creu i Sant Pau, of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Superior Council of Scientific Research (CSIC) and the Center for Biomedical Research in Network (CIBER) have published an article in one of the most prestigious international scientific journals in the field of Molecular Medicine, EMBO Molecular Medicine. This article demonstrates the efficacy of the nanopharmaceutical that selectively removes metastatic stem cells in animal models of colon cancer. The new drug works like a drone that has a ligand that identifies a receptor (CXCR4) in the metastatic stem cells, administers the drug and destroys these cells by blocking the metastasis. The drug acts only on metastatic tumor cells and not on healthy cells, so it avoids the general toxicity associated with the usual treatments

This nanopharmaceutical has been successfully tested in animal models of colorectal cancer, but could be used in 20 additional tumor types that express CXCR4,
as in those of prostate, breast, ovary and others

This is the first drug in the world selectively antimetastatic that addresses the medical need to block metastatic spread, the main cause of death in cancer patients, while eliminating the toxicity and adverse effects of conventional treatments

The Hospital de Sant Pau could be the first center in the world to carry out clinical trials that evaluate this new drug in patients, prior to its possible introduction in clinical therapeutics

It has been observed that this receptor is overexpressed in at least 20 different types of cancer, including those of the prostate, breast, ovary and others not as common as the pancreas. This means that this nanoparticle can be targeted to treat different types of neoplasms, making it a very versatile vehicle that can transport different therapeutic molecules of high potency.

Article of reference:

María Virtudes Céspedes, Ugutz Unzueta, Anna Aviñó, Alberto Gallardo, Patricia Álamo, Rita Sala, Alejandro Sánchez‐Chardi, Isolda Casanova, María Antònia Mangues, Antonio Lopez‐Pousa,Ramón Eritja, View Antonio Villaverde, Esther Vázquez, Ramón Mangues. Selective depletion of metastatic stem cells as therapy for human colorectal cancer. EMBO Molecular Medicine (2018) e8772 Published online 06.09.2018. DOI 10.15252/emmm.201708772

The team of researchers, led by Dr. Ramón Magues de l’IIB Sant Pau, Prof. Antonio Villaverde of the UAB and Dr. Esther Vázquez of the UAB, have shown that the drug acts only on metastasis-initiating cells through its specific interaction between a peptide present in the protein nanoparticle that transports it and the cellular receptor CXCR4 that is overexpressed in tumor cells. This allows attacking only the tumor cells, blocking their dissemination in early stages, in a way that prevents the appearance of metastasis while avoiding the adverse effects derived from the usual treatments.

Nanoligent, a new spin-off to finance the nanoparticle

In June 2017, researchers from the IIB Sant Pau, from the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine of the UAB and the CIBER from Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) who signed the article published now in EMBO Molecular Medicine created a spin-off, Nanoligent , with the aspiration to develop the first drug designed to eliminate metastatic cells.

This company, which has more than 10 years of studies behind it, is directed by Dr. Manuel Rodríguez Mariscal, a professional with a long experience in the field of investment and the creation of biotechnology companies and aims to obtain financing for the realization of the project.

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Recombinant proteins production: optimization strategies.

On October 24th-26th, Aula Científica, in collaboration with IBB, organizes a theorical and practical course on “Recombinant proteins production: optimization strategies“. Some researchers of NANBIOSIS Unit1 Protein Production Platform (PPP), will transmit their knowhow and experience to the attendees, as José Luis Corchero, Rosa Mendoza Moreno and Neus Ferrer Miralles, Scientific Director of the Protein production planform of ICTS NANBIOSIS.

The course is aimed at researchers and laboratory technicians from universities, hospitals, companies and research centers who are interested in the expression, production and purification of recombinant proteins with de objectives of analyze and design strategies for the improvement in the expression, production and purification of recombinant proteins in heterologous systems.

Information and registration:

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How to optimize strategies to produce recombinant proteins?

Researchers of NANBIOSIS U1. Protein Production Platform (PPP), organize a course on production of recombinant proteins together with Aula Científica whose objective is to analyze and design strategies for the improvement in the expression, production and purification of recombinant proteins in heterologous systems.

For further information

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The general consul of France meets with NANBIOSIS researchers

The general consul of France in Barcelona, Mr. Cyril Piquemal visited the IBB UAB facilities last July 18, to find out about the research that is being carried out and, in particular, explore possible collaborations in nano-pharmacy development projects.

During the visit, the Consul of France in Barcelona was received by Màrius Martínez, Vice President of International Relations at the UAB; Maite Paramio, Deputy Vice President; Ivan Martínez, vice president of Research; Salvador Ventura, director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, and Antonio Villaverde, head of the IBB Nanotechnology Unit-NANBIOSIS U1. Protein Production Platform (PPP)

Next, the mayor visited the facilities and laboratories of the Institute and met with the researchers Esther Vázquez and Antonio Villaverde, (NANBIOSIS U1. Protein Production Platform (PPP)), and Ugutz Unzueta and Ramón Mangues, (NANBIOSIS Unit 18 Nanotoxicology Unit) at the Institute of Research of the ‘Hospital de la Santa Cruz and San Pablo, to find out about the research in the development of nanoparticles for metastases treatment by means of the selective elimination of tumor stem cells.

In addition, the researchers explained to the consul the case of the spin-off Nanoligent, to show a project born from the research and whose objective is to develop the first selective drug to treat metastasis

The purpose of the meeting was to explore possible collaborations between the University and the Consulate, an entity that aims to connect research groups and venture capital funds with the Catalan biotechnology ecosystem.

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Nanomedicine to fight against the spread of cancer

Nanoligent, S.L., the company stablished on March 2017 by professors Dr. A. Villaverde and Dra. E. Vázquez from NANBIOSIS Unit 1, professor Dr. M. Mangués from NANBIOSIS Unit 18, and entrepreneur Dr. M. Rodríguez is highlighted in la Vanguardia.

More information here

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Selective CXCR4+ Cancer Cell Targeting and Potent Antineoplastic Effect by a Nanostructured Version of Recombinant Ricin

Researchers of NANBIOSIS Unit 1 and NANBIOSIS Unit 18, led by Prof Antoni Villaverde have published the article “Selective CXCR4+ Cancer Cell Targeting and Potent Antineoplastic Effect by a Nanostructured Version of Recombinant Ricin” at SMALL journal.

Under the unmet need of efficient tumor‐targeting drugs for oncology, a recombinant version of the plant toxin ricin (the modular protein T22‐mRTA‐H6) is engineered to self‐assemble as protein‐only, CXCR4‐targeted nanoparticles. The soluble version of the construct self‐organizes as regular 11 nm planar entities that are highly cytotoxic in cultured CXCR4⁺ cancer cells upon short time exposure, with a determined IC50 in the nanomolar order of magnitude. The chemical inhibition of CXCR4 binding sites in exposed cells results in a dramatic reduction of the cytotoxic potency, proving the receptor‐dependent mechanism of cytotoxicity. The insoluble version of T22‐mRTA‐H6 is, contrarily, moderately active, indicating that free, nanostructured protein is the optimal drug form. In animal models of acute myeloid leukemia, T22‐mRTA‐H6 nanoparticles show an impressive and highly selective therapeutic effect, dramatically reducing the leukemia cells affectation of clinically relevant organs. Functionalized T22‐mRTA‐H6 nanoparticles are then promising prototypes of chemically homogeneous, highly potent antitumor nanostructured toxins for precise oncotherapies based on self‐mediated intracellular drug delivery.

See article: https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201800665

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Self-assembling toxin-based nanoparticles as self-delivered antitumoral drugs

Scientists of NANBIOSIS Units U1. Protein Production Platform (PPP), and U18. Nanotoxicology Unit, have recently published an article titlled “Self-assembling toxin-based nanoparticles as self-delivered antitumoral drugs” in the Journal of Controlled Release.

Loading capacity and drug leakage from vehicles during circulation in blood is a major concern when developing nanoparticle-based cell-targeted cytotoxics. To circumvent this potential issue it would be convenient the engineering of drugs as self-delivered nanoscale entities, devoid of any heterologous carriers. In this context, we have here engineered potent protein toxins, namely segments of the diphtheria toxin and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin as self-assembling, self-delivered therapeutic materials targeted to CXCR4⁺ cancer stem cells. The systemic administration of both nanostructured drugs in a colorectal cancer xenograft mouse model promotes efficient and specific local destruction of target tumor tissues and a significant reduction of the tumor volume. This observation strongly supports the concept of intrinsically functional protein nanoparticles, which having a dual role as drug and carrier, are designed to be administered without the assistance of heterologous vehicles.

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Release of targeted protein nanoparticles from functional bacterial amyloids: A death star-like approach

Sustained release of drug delivery systems (DDS) has the capacity to increase cancer treatment efficiency in terms of drug dosage reduction and subsequent decrease of deleterious side effects. In this regard, many biomaterials are being investigated but none offers morphometric and functional plasticity and versatility comparable to protein-based nanoparticles (pNPs). Researchers of NANBIOSIS units 1 and 18 are co-authors of an article publish by Journal of Controlled Release in which it is described a new DDS by which pNPs are fabricated as bacterial inclusion bodies (IB), that can be easily isolated, subcutaneously injected and used as reservoirs for the sustained release of targeted pNPs. Our approach combines the high performance of pNP, regarding specific cell targeting and biodistribution with the IB supramolecular organization, stability and cost effectiveness. This renders a platform able to provide a sustained source of CXCR4-targeted pNPs that selectively accumulate in tumor cells in a CXCR4⁺ colorectal cancer xenograft model. In addition, the proposed system could be potentially adapted to any other protein construct offering a plethora of possible new therapeutic applications in nanomedicine.

In the study the researchers have generated novel smart biomaterials gathering most of the desirable features for implantable DDS, with cost effectiveness and simplicity in the biofabrication process. In this regard, single step fabricated IBs when injected subcutaneously rendered a long lasting release of targeted pNPs, able to enter to the blood stream and specifically target the tumor for as long as 10 days and they have described for the first time an approach for the fabrication of protein DDS based on protein deposition as IBs and their sustained release in form of fully functional targeted pNPs. This technology provides and stable source of targeted protein nanoparticles during long periods within the body with the action at distal points from the implantation site and pave the way for the appearance of new more efficient and less invasive treatments for a broad number of pathologies.

Protein production has been partially performed by the ICTS “NANBIOSIS”, more specifically by the U1. Protein Production Platform (PPP), whereas the in vivo biodistribution assays were performed in the NANBIOSIS U18. Nanotoxicology Unit,

For further information see https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168365918301780?via%3Dihub

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Switching cell penetrating and CXCR4-binding activities of nanoscale-organized arginine-rich peptides

Scientists of Units 1 and 18 of NANBIOSIS are coathors of the article “Switching cell penetrating and CXCR4-binding activities of nanoscale-organized arginine-rich peptides” published by Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine

Arginine-rich protein motifs have been described as potent cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) but also as rather specific ligands of the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR4, involved in the infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Polyarginines are commonly used to functionalize nanoscale vehicles for gene therapy and drug delivery, aimed to enhance cell penetrability of the therapeutic cargo. However, under which conditions these peptides do act as either unspecific or specific ligands is unknown. The authors have here explored the cell penetrability of differently charged polyarginines in two alternative presentations, namely as unassembled fusion proteins or assembled in multimeric protein nanoparticles. By this, they have observed that arginine-rich peptides switch between receptor-mediated and receptor-independent mechanisms of cell penetration. The relative weight of these activities is determined by the electrostatic charge of the construct and the oligomerizationstatus of the nanoscale material, both regulatable by conventional protein engineering approaches

Article of reference:

Marianna Teixeira de Pinho Favaro, Naroa Serna, Laura Sánchez-García, Rafael Cubarsi, Mónica Roldán, Alejandro Sánchez-Chardi, Ugutz Unzueta, Ramón Mangues, Neus Ferrer-Miralles, Adriano Rodrigues Azzoni, Esther Vázquez, Antonio Villaverde. Switching cell penetrating and CXCR4-binding activities of nanoscale-organized arginine-rich peptides Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine Volume 14, Issue 6, August 2018, Pages 1777-1786

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