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Cyclic alphavbeta6-targeting peptide selected from biopanning with clinical potential for head and neck squamous cell
Jenn-Ren Hsiao1, Yao Chang, Yuh-Ling Chen
1Department of Otolaryngology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College and Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Background:
A cyclic peptide-displaying phage library was used for biopanning on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells to identify cancer-targeting peptides. This study was designed to characterize the receptor specificity of a candidate phage clone/peptide (phage/peptide-29) and to explore the clinical potential of this peptide.
Methods:
Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy, phage binding assay, and immunohistochemical studies were used to demonstrate the receptor specificity of phage/peptide-29. The effect of peptide-29 on the proliferation of OSCC cells was studied using 3-dimensional (3D) cell cultures.
Results:
Phage/peptide-29 preferentially binds integrin alphavbeta6 rather than other alphav-associated integrins. Peptide-29 significantly inhibits the proliferation of OSCC cells in 3D cell cultures. On human pathological sections, phage-29 targets oral cancer cells in a alphavbeta6-dependent manner. Besides, we showed that integrin alphavbeta6 is universally (94.7%, 36/38) expressed in all major kinds of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).
Conclusions:
Peptide-29 selected from biopanning may have clinical potential for HNSCC.
Insights
A novel peptide, peptide-29, targets integrin alphavbeta6, a marker overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). This peptide inhibits oral cancer cell proliferation, showing potential for HNSCC therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) research utilizes phage display libraries to identify cancer-targeting peptides.
- A specific phage clone/peptide, designated phage/peptide-29, was identified for further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the receptor specificity of phage/peptide-29.
- To evaluate the clinical potential of peptide-29 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy and phage binding assays were employed to determine receptor specificity.
- Immunohistochemical studies on human pathological sections assessed in vivo targeting.
- Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures were used to evaluate the effect of peptide-29 on OSCC cell proliferation.
Main Results:
- Phage/peptide-29 demonstrated preferential binding to integrin alphavbeta6 over other integrins.
- Peptide-29 significantly inhibited the proliferation of OSCC cells in 3D cultures.
- Integrin alphavbeta6 was found to be universally expressed (94.7%) in major types of HNSCC, with phage-29 targeting cancer cells in an alphavbeta6-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Peptide-29, identified through biopanning, shows significant promise for HNSCC treatment.
- The specific targeting of alphavbeta6 by peptide-29 highlights its potential as a therapeutic agent for HNSCC.
