Nanoencapsulation of leech saliva proteins in liposomes as a nanocarrier for inhibiting angiogenesis through targeting VEGFA in breast cancer
Drug-delivery preclinical published in Bioimpacts (2021)
Abstract
Introduction: Breast cancer is the most serious cause of women's death throughout the world. Using nanocarrier vehicles to the exact site of cancer upgrades the therapeutic efficiency of the drugs. Capsulation of active proteins in the vesicular liposomes' hydrophilic core is essential to develop a therapeutic protein carrier system. We aimed to encapsulate the medicinal leech saliva extract (LSE) and assess the inhibition of angiogenesis of breast cancer cells by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Methods: In this research, enhanced formulation of liposomal protein was determined by zeta potential analysis, droplet size, drug release assay, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, a cytotoxicity assay of liposomal LSE was performed to determine the cytotoxic activity of components. For assessing the expression of VEGFA, P53, and hypoxia-inducible factor subunit alpha (HIF1a) genes, Real-Time PCR was applied. Results: Nano liposome was chosen as an enhanced formulation due to its much smaller size (46.23 nm). Liposomal LSE had more practical actions on the MCF-7 cells. As noticed by DAPI staining, apoptosis was extensively greater in treated MCF-7 cells. Wound healing assay demonstrated that MCF-7 cells could not sustain growth at the presence of liposomal LSE and expression of the VEGFA gene was declined in treated cells. Downregulation of VEGFA was evaluated with western blotting technique. Conclusion: It can be concluded that our investigation of the tests confirmed the fact that nano liposomal LSE is a novel promising formulation for anticancer drugs and can significantly improve the penetration of protein drugs to cancer cells.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Leech saliva extract encapsulated in 46 nm liposomes downregulated VEGFA expression and inhibited migration in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, demonstrating a novel nanocarrier-formulated leech-derived anti-angiogenic anticancer formulation.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study examined whether nanoencapsulated leech saliva extract (LSE) in liposomes could inhibit angiogenesis in breast cancer cells by targeting VEGFA, testing formulations on MCF-7 cells with assays for cytotoxicity, apoptosis (DAPI), wound healing, and gene expression (VEGFA, P53, HIF1α via RT-PCR and western blot). It is relevant to ASH's domain as it explores a potential therapeutic application of the leech secretome—specifically, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic effects of leech saliva proteins delivered via nanocarrier. The abstract reports that liposomal LSE (46.23 nm particle size) increased apoptosis, reduced MCF-7 migration, and downregulated VEGFA expression. However, this is an in-vitro cell-line study using crude saliva extract rather than purified or identified leech proteins, with no in-vivo validation, no identification of active components, and no clinical data; the leech species is not specified in the abstract.
Citation
Nanoencapsulation of proteins in liposomes as a nanocarrier for inhibiting angiogenesis through targeting VEGFA in the Breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).
Shakouri A et al. · BioImpacts : BI, 2021
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