Inhibition of DAMP actions in the tumoral microenvironment using lactoferrin-glycyrrhizin conjugate for glioblastoma therapy

Hyung Shik Kim; Seok Chan Park; Hae Jin Kim; Dong Yun Lee

doi:10.1186/s40824-023-00391-w

Inhibition of DAMP actions in the tumoral microenvironment using lactoferrin-glycyrrhizin conjugate for glioblastoma therapy

Biomater Res. 2023 May 20;27(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s40824-023-00391-w.

Authors

Hyung Shik Kim¹, Seok Chan Park¹, Hae Jin Kim¹, Dong Yun Lee^{2

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Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, and BK FOUR Biopharmaceutical Innovation Leader for Education and Research Group, Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanyang University, and Elixir Pharmatech Inc, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, and BK FOUR Biopharmaceutical Innovation Leader for Education and Research Group, Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanyang University, and Elixir Pharmatech Inc, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea. dongyunlee@hanyang.ac.kr.
³ Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) & Institute For Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research (IBBR), Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea. dongyunlee@hanyang.ac.kr.
⁴ Elixir Pharmatech Inc., Seoul, 07463, Republic of Korea. dongyunlee@hanyang.ac.kr.

Abstract

Background: High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) released from the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in the tumor progression. HMGB1 serves as a damaged-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that induces tumor angiogenesis and its development. Glycyrrhizin (GL) is an effective intracellular antagonist of tumor released HMGB1, but its pharmacokinetics (PK) and delivery to tumor site is deficient. To address this shortcoming, we developed lactoferrin-glycyrrhizin (Lf-GL) conjugate.

Methods: Biomolecular interaction between Lf-GL and HMGB1 was evaluated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding affinity assay. Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and development by Lf-GL attenuating HMGB1 action in the tumor microenvironment was comprehensively evaluated through in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Pharmacokinetic study and anti-tumor effects of Lf-GL were investigated in orthotopic glioblastoma mice model.

Results: Lf-GL interacts with lactoferrin receptor (LfR) expressed on BBB and GBM, therefore, efficiently inhibits HMGB1 in both the cytoplasmic and extracellular regions of tumors. Regarding the tumor microenvironment, Lf-GL inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth by blocking HMGB1 released from necrotic tumors and preventing recruitment of vascular endothelial cells. In addition, Lf-GL improved the PK properties of GL approximately tenfold in the GBM mouse model and reduced tumor growth by 32%. Concurrently, various biomarkers for tumor were radically diminished.

Conclusion: Collectively, our study demonstrates a close association between HMGB1 and tumor progression, suggesting Lf-GL as a potential strategy for coping with DAMP-related tumor microenvironment. HMGB1 is a tumor-promoting DAMP in the tumor microenvironment. The high binding capability of Lf-GL to HMGB1 inhibits tumor progression cascade such as tumor angiogenesis, development, and metastasis. Lf-GL targets GBM through interaction with LfR and allows to arrest HMGB1 released from the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, Lf-GL can be a GBM treatment by modulating HMGB1 activity.

Keywords: Damaged-associated molecular patterns; Glioblastoma multiforme; Glycyrrhizin; Lactoferrin; Tumor-microenvironment.

Abstract

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