Liposomal formulations represent attractive biocompatible and tunable drug delivery systems for peptide drugs. Among the tools to analyze their physicochemical properties, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, despite being an obligatory technique to characterize molecular structure and dynamics in chemistry as well as in structural biology, yet appears to be rather sparsely used to study drug-liposome formulations. In this work, we exploited several facets of liquid-state NMR spectroscopy to characterize liposomal delivery systems for the apelin-derived K14P peptide and K14P modified by Nα-fatty acylation. Various liposome compositions and preparation modes were analyzed. Using NMR, in combination with cryo-electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, we determined structural, dynamic, and self-association properties of these peptides in solution and probed their interactions with liposomes. Using P and H NMR, we characterized membrane fluidity and thermotropic phase transitions in empty and loaded liposomes. Based on diffusion and H NMR experiments, we localized and quantified peptides with respect to the interior/exterior of liposomes and changes over time and upon thermal treatments. Finally, we assessed the release kinetics of several solutes and compared various formulations. Taken together, this work shows that NMR has the potential to assist the design of peptide/liposome systems and more generally drug delivery systems.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00037 | DOI Listing |
BMC Psychiatry
January 2025
Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, 1-19 Torrington Place, WC1E 7HB, UK.
Background: Smoking rates in the UK have declined steadily over the past decades, masking considerable inequalities, as little change has been observed among people with a mental health condition. This trial sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of supplying an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) starter kit for smoking cessation as an adjunct to usual care for smoking cessation, to smokers with a mental health condition treated in the community, to inform a future effectiveness trial.
Methods: This randomised controlled feasibility trial, conducted March-December 2022, compared the intervention (e-cigarette starter kit with a corresponding information leaflet and demonstration with Very Brief Advice) with a 'usual care' control at 1-month follow-up.
Drug Deliv Transl Res
January 2025
Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland.
Functionalization of polymer nanoparticles (NPs) with targeting peptides is of interest for drug delivery applications to enhance tumor accumulation and penetration. Herein, we evaluated the feasibility of two different methods for the attachment of a tumor-penetrating peptide LinTT1 (AKRGARSTA) to poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG) NPs: (1) "post-conjugation" onto pre-formed nanoparticles, and (2) "pre-conjugation", the synthesis and purification of peptide-polymer conjugates and subsequent nanoprecipitation of the conjugates diluted with non-functionalized polymers. Conjugation of the labelled peptide via maleimide-thiol chemistry was verified by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and fluorescence measurements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProbiotics Antimicrob Proteins
January 2025
Faculty of Biotechnologies (BioTech), ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small, positively charged biomolecules produced by various organisms such as animals, microbes, and plants. These AMPs play a significant role in defense mechanisms and protect from adverse conditions. The emerging problem of drug resistance in microbes poses a global health challenge in treating diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Multidisciplinary Center for Infrastructure Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, China.
The current research introduces a model-free ultra-local model (MFULM) controller that utilizes the multi-agent on-policy reinforcement learning (MAOPRL) technique for remotely regulating blood pressure through precise drug dosing in a closed-loop system. Within the closed-loop system, there exists a MFULM controller, an observer, and an intelligent MAOPRL algorithm. Initially, a flexible MFULM controller is created to make adjustments to blood pressure and medication dosages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Gen Intern Med
January 2025
Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
Background: In the United States (U.S.), the prevalence of anxiety and depression is increasing, yet significant barriers to mental health treatment remain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!