Yasuo Yoshioka

Solution of the Structure of the TNF-TNFR2 Complex

Structural differences in the binding of tumor necrosis factor to its two receptors may aid in the development of receptor-specific therapeutics. Structural Differences The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) functions in the immune response; however, TNF also plays a pathophysiological role in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. The effects of TNF are mediated by TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2; whereas TNFR1 is ubiquitously expressed, TNFR2 is mostly restricted to cells of the immune system. Currently available therapies that block TNF include monoclonal antibodies against TNF and a soluble form of TNFR2; however, these therapies can result in serious side effects, some of which may be due to their nonselective effects. Here, Mukai et al. solved the structure of TNF in complex with TNFR2 and found differences between the ligand-binding interface of TNFR2 and that of TNFR1, whose structure is known. The authors also observed the formation of TNF-TNFR2 aggregates on the surface of transfected cells, which may be required for signal initiation. Solution of the TNFR2 structure may aid in the development of receptor-specific therapies. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an inflammatory cytokine that has important roles in various immune responses, which are mediated through its two receptors, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2. Antibody-based therapy against TNF is used clinically to treat several chronic autoimmune diseases; however, such treatment sometimes results in serious side effects, which are thought to be caused by the blocking of signals from both TNFRs. Therefore, knowledge of the structural basis for the recognition of TNF by each receptor would be invaluable in designing TNFR-selective drugs. Here, we solved the 3.0 angstrom resolution structure of the TNF-TNFR2 complex, which provided insight into the molecular recognition of TNF by TNFR2. Comparison to the known TNFR1 structure highlighted several differences between the ligand-binding interfaces of the two receptors. Additionally, we also demonstrated that TNF-TNFR2 formed aggregates on the surface of cells, which may be required for signal initiation. These results may contribute to the design of therapeutics for autoimmune diseases.

Amorphous silica nanoparticles size-dependently aggravate atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions following an intradermal injection.

BackgroundDue to the rising use of nanomaterials (NMs), there is concern that NMs induce undesirable biological effects because of their unique physicochemical properties. Recently, we reported that amorphous silica nanoparticles (nSPs), which are one of the most widely used NMs, can penetrate the skin barrier and induce various biological effects, including an immune-modulating effect. Thus, it should be clarified whether nSPs can be a risk factor for the aggravation of skin immune diseases. Thus, in this study, we investigated the relationship between the size of SPs and adjuvant activity using a model for atopic dermatitis.ResultsWe investigated the effects of nSPs on the AD induced by intradermaly injected-mite antigen Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) in NC/Nga mice. Ear thickness measurements and histopathological analysis revealed that a combined injection of amorphous silica particles (SPs) and Dp induced aggravation of AD in an SP size-dependent manner compared to that of Dp alone. In particular, aggravation was observed remarkably in nSP-injected groups. Furthermore, these effects were correlated with the excessive induction of total IgE and a stronger systemic Th2 response. We demonstrated that these results are associated with the induction of IL-18 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the skin lesions.ConclusionsA particle size reduction in silica particles enhanced IL-18 and TSLP production, which leads to systemic Th2 response and aggravation of AD-like skin lesions as induced by Dp antigen treatment. We believe that appropriate regulation of nanoparticle physicochemical properties, including sizes, is a critical determinant for the design of safer forms of NMs.

Amorphous nanosilicas induce consumptive coagulopathy after systemic exposure

We previously reported that well-dispersed amorphous nanosilicas with particle size 70 nm (nSP70) penetrate skin and produce systemic exposure after topical application. These findings underscore the need to examine biological effects after systemic exposure to nanosilicas. The present study was designed to examine the biological effects. BALB/c mice were intravenously injected with amorphous nanosilicas of sizes 70, 100, 300, 1000 nm and then assessed for survival, blood biochemistry, and coagulation. As a result, injection of nSP70 caused fatal toxicity, liver damage, and platelet depletion, suggesting that nSP70 caused consumptive coagulopathy. Additionally, nSP70 exerts procoagulant activity in vitro associated with an increase in specific surface area, which increases as diameter reduces. In contrast, nSP70-mediated procoagulant activity was absent in factor XII-deficient plasma. Collectively, we revealed that interaction between nSP70 and intrinsic coagulation factors such as factor XII, were deeply related to nSP70-induced harmful effects. In other words, it is suggested that if interaction between nSP70 and coagulation factors can be suppressed, nSP70-induced harmful effects may be avoided. These results would provide useful information for ensuring the safety of nanomaterials (NMs) and open new frontiers in biological fields by the use of NMs.

Surface modification of amorphous nanosilica particles suppresses nanosilica-induced cytotoxicity, ROS generation, and DNA damage in various mammalian cells

Recently, nanomaterials have been utilized in various fields. In particular, amorphous nanosilica particles are increasingly being used in a range of applications, including cosmetics, food technology, and medical diagnostics. However, there is concern that the unique characteristics of nanomaterials might induce undesirable effects. The roles played by the physical characteristics of nanomaterials in cellular responses have not yet been elucidated precisely. Here, by using nanosilica particles (nSPs) with a diameter of 70nm whose surface was either unmodified (nSP70) or modified with amine (nSP70-N) or carboxyl groups (nSP70-C), we examined the relationship between the surface properties of nSPs and cellular responses such as cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and DNA damage. To compare the cytotoxicity of nSP70, nSP70-N, or nSP70-C, we examined in vitro cell viability after nSP treatment. Although the susceptibility of each cell line to the nSPs was different, nSP70-C and nSP70-N showed lower cytotoxicity than nSP70 in all cell lines. Furthermore, the generation of ROS and induction of DNA damage in nSP70-C- and nSP70-N-treated cells were lower than those in nSP70-treated cells. These results suggest that the surface properties of nSP70 play an important role in determining its safety, and surface modification of nSP70 with amine or carboxyl groups may be useful for the development of safer nSPs. We hope that our results will contribute to the development of safer nanomaterials.

Suppression of nanosilica particle-induced inflammation by surface modification of the particles

It has gradually become evident that nanomaterials, which are widely used in cosmetics, foods, and medicinal products, could induce substantial inflammation. However, the roles played by the physical characteristics of nanomaterials in inflammatory responses have not been elucidated. Here, we examined how particle size and surface modification influenced the inflammatory effects of nanosilica particles, and we investigated the mechanisms by which the particles induced inflammation. We compared the inflammatory effects of silica particles with diameters of 30–1,000 nm in vitro and in vivo. In macrophages in vitro, 30- and 70-nm nanosilica particles (nSP30 and nSP70) induced higher production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) than did larger particles. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of nSP30 and nSP70 induced stronger inflammatory responses involving cytokine production than did larger particles in mice. nSP70-induced TNFα production in macrophage depended on the production of reactive oxygen species and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, nSP70-induced inflammatory responses were dramatically suppressed by surface modification of the particles with carboxyl groups in vitro and in vivo; the mechanism of the suppression involved reduction in MAPK activation. These results provide basic information that will be useful for the development of safe nanomaterials.

Tumor vascular targeted delivery of polymer-conjugated adenovirus vector for cancer gene therapy.

Previously, we generated a cancer-specific gene therapy system using adenovirus vectors (Adv) conjugated to polyethylene glycol (Adv-PEG). Here, we developed a novel Adv that targets both tumor tissues and tumor vasculatures after systemic administration by conjugating CGKRK tumor vasculature homing peptide to the end of a 20-kDa PEG chain (Adv-PEG(CGKRK)). In a primary tumor model, systemic administration of Adv-PEG(CGKRK) resulted in ~500- and 100-fold higher transgene expression in tumor than that of unmodified Adv and Adv-PEG, respectively. In contrast, the transgene expression of Adv-PEG(CGKRK) in liver was about 400-fold lower than that of unmodified Adv, and was almost the same as that of Adv-PEG. We also demonstrated that transgene expression with Adv-PEG(CGKRK) was enhanced in tumor vessels. Systemic administration of Adv-PEG(CGKRK) expressing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene (Adv-PEG(CGKRK)-HSVtk) showed superior antitumor effects against primary tumors and metastases with negligible side effects by both direct cytotoxic effects and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. These results indicate that Adv-PEG(CGKRK) has potential as a prototype Adv with suitable efficacy and safety for systemic cancer gene therapy against both primary tumors and metastases.

Annexin A4 is a possible biomarker for cisplatin susceptibility of malignant mesothelioma cells.

Mesothelioma is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Although cisplatin (CDDP) is an effective anticancer drug, its response rate is only 20%. Therefore, discovery of biomarkers is desirable to distinguish the CDDP-susceptible versus resistant cases. To this end, differential proteome analysis was performed to distinguish between mesothelioma cells of different CDDP susceptibilities, and this revealed that expression of annexin A4 (ANXA4) protein was higher in CDDP-resistant cells than in CDDP-susceptible cells. Furthermore, ANXA4 expression levels were higher in human clinical malignant mesothelioma tissues than in benign mesothelioma and normal mesothelial tissues. Finally, increased susceptibility was observed following gene knockdown of ANXA4 in mesothelioma cells, whereas the opposite effect was observed following transfection of an ANXA4 plasmid. These results suggest that ANXA4 has a regulatory function related to the cisplatin susceptibility of mesothelioma cells and that it could be a biomarker for CDDP susceptibility in pathological diagnoses.

Amorphous silica nanoparticles enhance cross-presentation in murine dendritic cells

Nanomaterials (NMs) exhibit unique physicochemical properties and innovative functions, and they are increasingly being used in a wide variety of fields. Ensuring the safety of NMs is now an urgent task. Recently, we reported that amorphous silica nanoparticles (nSPs), one of the most widely used NMs, enhance antigen-specific cellular immune responses and may therefore aggravate immune diseases. Thus, to ensure the design of safer nSPs, investigations into the effect of nSPs on antigen presentation in dendritic cells, which are central orchestrators of the adaptive immune response, are now needed. Here, we show that nSPs with diameters of 70 and 100 nm enhanced exogenous antigen entry into the cytosol from endosomes and induced cross-presentation, whereas submicron-sized silica particles (>100 nm) did not. Furthermore, we show that surface modification of nSPs suppressed cross-presentation. Although further studies are required to investigate whether surface-modified nSPs suppress immune-modulating effects in vivo, the current results indicate that appropriate regulation of the characteristics of nSPs, such as size and surface properties, will be critical for the design of safer nSPs.

Hemopexin as biomarkers for analyzing the biological responses associated with exposure to silica nanoparticles

Practical uses of nanomaterials are rapidly spreading to a wide variety of fields. However, potential harmful effects of nanomaterials are raising concerns about their safety. Therefore, it is important that a risk assessment system is developed so that the safety of nanomaterials can be evaluated or predicted. Here, we attempted to identify novel biomarkers of nanomaterial-induced health effects by a comprehensive screen of plasma proteins using two-dimensional differential in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) analysis. Initially, we used 2D-DIGE to analyze changes in the level of plasma proteins in mice after intravenous injection via tail veins of 0.8 mg/mouse silica nanoparticles with diameters of 70 nm (nSP70) or saline as controls. By quantitative image analysis, protein spots representing >2.0-fold alteration in expression were found and identified by mass spectrometry. Among these proteins, we focused on hemopexin as a potential biomarker. The levels of hemopexin in the plasma increased as the silica particle size decreased. In addition, the production of hemopexin depended on the characteristics of the nanomaterials. These results suggested that hemopexin could be an additional biomarker for analyzing the biological responses associated with exposure to silica nanoparticles. We believe that this study will contribute to the development of biomarkers to ensure the safety of silica nanoparticles.

Novel protein engineering strategy for creating highly receptor-selective mutant TNFs.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays important roles in host defense and in preventing tumor formation by acting via its receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2, functions of which are less understood. To this end, we have been isolating TNF receptor-selective mutants using phage display technique. However, generation of a phage library with large repertoire (>10(8)) is impeded by the limited transformation efficiency of Escherichia coli. Therefore, it is currently difficult to create a mutant library containing amino acid substitutions in more than seven residues. To overcome this problem, here we have used two different TNF mutant libraries, each containing random substitutions at six selected amino acid residues, and utilized a gene shuffling method to construct a randomized mutant library containing substitutions at 12 different amino acid residues of TNF. Consequently, using this library, we identified TNF mutants with greater receptor-selectivity and enhanced receptor-specific bioactivity than the existing mutants.