Nano-thérapie ciblée des tumeurs endocrines par hyperthermie magnétique intra-lysosomale

Les tumeurs endocrines sont habituellement diagnostiquées grâce à l'emploi d'une technique d'imagerie utilisant un peptide radio-marqué (somatostatine ou Osteoscan) dont le récepteur est présent dans 80% des tumeurs. Le récepteur à sept domaines transmembranaires RCCK2 est également sur-exprimé avec une forte incidence dans les tumeurs endocrines. De plus, notre équipe a montré que la gastrine et la CCK, les deux ligands agonistes naturels du RCCK2, induit une internalisation massive du RCCK2 ; le récepteur est ensuite orienté majoritairement avec ses ligands vers les lysosomes pour y être dégradé. Notre équipe a alors formulé l'hypothèse que la surexpression de RCCK2 dans les tumeurs endocrines comparativement aux tissus sains et sa capacité d'internalisation massive pouvaient être avantageusement utilisées pour développer une nouvelle approche diagnostique et thérapeutique. Mon projet de thèse présentaient plusieurs objectifs : 1°) optimiser une nanoplateforme magnétique permettant le ciblage efficace de cellules tumorales surexprimant le RCCK2 ; 2°) valider la stratégie de nanothérapie ciblée par hyperthermie magnétique afin d'éradiquer spécifiquement des cellules tumorales surexprimant le RCCK2, puis étudier les mécanismes cellulaires impliqués dans la signalisation de mort ; 3°) élaborer des stratégies permettant d'augmenter l'efficacité thérapeutique anti-tumorale. Dans un premier temps, j'ai développé une nano-plateforme constituée d'une nanoparticule magnétique (NPM) d'oxyde de fer de type SPION (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles). J'ai élaboré différents lots de NPM présentant différentes densités en ligand à leur surface et analysé leur capacité de liaison, d'internalisation et d'accumulation dans les lysosomes. Les nanoparticules vectorisées s'accumulent dans les cellules de façon dépendante du récepteur (2.2pg de fer/cellule). J'ai ensuite cherché à valider la stratégie de nanothérapie ciblée par hyperthermie magnétique. Pour cela, j'ai appliqué un champ magnétique alternatif à haute fréquence (275 kHz, 40 mT) sur des cellules ayant ou non internalisé des NPM. L'application du champ magnétique, induit la mort de 30% des cellules tumorales ayant internalisé des NPM, sans élévation détectable de température du milieu extracellulaire, suggérant que l'hyperthermie magnétique serait probablement induite très localement à l'échelle du lysosome. Nous avons appelé ce phénomène : hyperthermie magnétique intra-lysosomale. Ensuite, j'ai cherché à préciser les mécanismes cellulaires pouvant être impliqué dans l'induction de la mort des cellules. Mes résultats montrent que l'application du champ magnétique sur des cellules ayant accumulé des NPM dans leur lysosome induit une production de radicaux libres oxygénés (ROS) responsables de la perméabilisation de la membrane lysosomale et conduisant à la fuite des cystéines protéases lysosomales dans le cytosol, impliqués ainsi dans le mécanisme de mort par hyperthermie magnétique intra-lysosomale. Enfin, dans le but d'augmenter l'efficacité thérapeutique, j'ai combiné ce traitement d'hyperthermie magnétique intra-lysosomale à un traitement chimiothérapeutique, la doxorubicine. Les résultats montrent un effet additif des traitements hyperthermique et chimiothérapeutique. Une telle stratégie de combinaison d'approches thérapeutiques présente l'avantage d'utiliser des doses faibles d'agent chimiothérapeutique, afin de limiter les effets secondaires vis-à-vis des cellules saines.Endocrine tumors are usually diagnosed through the use of an imaging technique using a radiolabeled peptide (somatostatin or Osteoscan) whose receptor is present in 80% of tumors. The CCK2R which belongs to the seven transmembrane domains receptor family is also overexpressed with a high incidence in endocrine tumors. In addition, our team has shown that gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK), both natural agonists of the CCK2R, induce a massive CCK2R internalization; then the receptor is directed with the ligand to lysosomes to be degraded. Our team hypothesized that CCK2R overexpression in endocrine tumors compared to healthy tissue and its ability to internalize could advantageously be used to develop a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach. My thesis project had several objectives: 1) To optimize a magnetic nano-platform for an effective targeting of tumor cells overexpressing the CCK2R; 2) To validate the targeted nanotherapy strategy by magnetic hyperthermia to specifically eradicate tumor cells overexpressing the CCK2R, and study the mechanisms involved in cell death; 3) To develop strategies in order to increase the anti-tumor therapeutic efficiency. Firstly, I have developed a nano-platform composed of a SPION (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) type magnetic nanoparticle (MNP). I developed different batches of MNP with different ligand densities at their surface and analyzed their binding capacity, internalization and lysosomal accumulation. Targeted nanoparticles uptake is receptor dependent, reaching a rate of 2.2 pg iron/cell, after 24 hours of incubation. Thus, I validated the strategy of targeted nanotherapy by magnetic hyperthermia. For this, I applied a high frequency alternating magnetic field (275 kHz, 40 mT) on cells with or without internalized MNPs. The application of the magnetic field induces the death of 30% of tumoral cells having internalized MNPs, without any perceptible temperature rise in the incubation medium, suggesting that the magnetic hyperthermia would probably be induces very locally at the scale of the nanoparticules or the lysosome. We called this phenomenon intra-lysosomal magnetic hyperthermia. Then, I studied the cellular mechanisms involved in the induction of cell death by intra-lysosomal magnetic hyperthermia. My results showed that the application of a magnetic field increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to lysosomal membrane permeabilization and to the leakage of lysosomal enzymes in the cytosol of cells having internalized MNPs, indicating that ROS production and lysosomal cysteine proteases are involved in the mechanisms of cell death. Finally, in order to increase the therapeutic efficacy, I combined this intra-lysosomal magnetic hyperthermia treatment to a chemotherapeutic treatment, the doxorubicin. The results showed an additive effect of hyperthermia and chemotherapy treatments. This combining therapeutic strategy presents the advantage of using low doses of chemotherapeutic agent, in order to decrease the side effects towards healthy cells

Targeting a G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Overexpressed in Endocrine Tumors by Magnetic Nanoparticles To Induce Cell Death

Nanotherapy using targeted magnetic nanoparticles grafted with peptidic ligands of receptors overexpressed in cancers is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, nanoconjugation of peptides can dramatically affect their properties with respect to receptor recognition, mechanism of internalization, intracellular trafficking, and fate. Furthermore, investigations are needed to better understand the mechanism whereby application of an alternating magnetic field to cells containing targeted nanoparticles induces cell death. Here, we designed a nanoplatform (termed MG-IONP-DY647) composed of an iron oxide nanocrystal decorated with a ligand of a G-protein coupled receptor, the cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R) that is overexpressed in several malignant cancers. MG-IONP-DY647 did not stimulate inflammasome of Raw 264.7 macrophages. They recognized cells expressing CCK2R with a high specificity, subsequently internalized via a mechanism involving recruitment of β-arrestins, clathrin-coated pits, and dynamin and were directed to lysosomes. Binding and internalization of MG-IONP-DY647 were dependent on the density of the ligand at the nanoparticle surface and were slowed down relative to free ligand. Trafficking of CCK2R internalized with the nanoparticles was slightly modified relative to CCK2R internalized in response to free ligand. Application of an alternating magnetic field to cells containing MG-IONP-DY647 induced apoptosis and cell death through a lysosomal death pathway, demonstrating that cell death is triggered even though nanoparticles of low thermal power are internalized in minute amounts by the cells. Together with pioneer findings using iron oxide nanoparticles targeting tumoral cells expressing epidermal growth factor receptor, these data represent a solid basis for future studies aiming at establishing the proof-of-concept of nanotherapy of cancers using ligand-grafted magnetic nanoparticles specifically internalized via cell surface receptors

Targeted nano-therapy of endocrine tumors by intra-lysosomal magnetic hypethermia

Les tumeurs endocrines sont habituellement diagnostiquées grâce à l'emploi d'une technique d'imagerie utilisant un peptide radio-marqué (somatostatine ou Osteoscan) dont le récepteur est présent dans 80% des tumeurs. Le récepteur à sept domaines transmembranaires RCCK2 est également sur-exprimé avec une forte incidence dans les tumeurs endocrines. De plus, notre équipe a montré que la gastrine et la CCK, les deux ligands agonistes naturels du RCCK2, induit une internalisation massive du RCCK2 ; le récepteur est ensuite orienté majoritairement avec ses ligands vers les lysosomes pour y être dégradé. Notre équipe a alors formulé l'hypothèse que la surexpression de RCCK2 dans les tumeurs endocrines comparativement aux tissus sains et sa capacité d'internalisation massive pouvaient être avantageusement utilisées pour développer une nouvelle approche diagnostique et thérapeutique. Mon projet de thèse présentaient plusieurs objectifs : 1°) optimiser une nanoplateforme magnétique permettant le ciblage efficace de cellules tumorales surexprimant le RCCK2 ; 2°) valider la stratégie de nanothérapie ciblée par hyperthermie magnétique afin d'éradiquer spécifiquement des cellules tumorales surexprimant le RCCK2, puis étudier les mécanismes cellulaires impliqués dans la signalisation de mort ; 3°) élaborer des stratégies permettant d'augmenter l'efficacité thérapeutique anti-tumorale. Dans un premier temps, j'ai développé une nano-plateforme constituée d'une nanoparticule magnétique (NPM) d'oxyde de fer de type SPION (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles). J'ai élaboré différents lots de NPM présentant différentes densités en ligand à leur surface et analysé leur capacité de liaison, d'internalisation et d'accumulation dans les lysosomes. Les nanoparticules vectorisées s'accumulent dans les cellules de façon dépendante du récepteur (2.2pg de fer/cellule). J'ai ensuite cherché à valider la stratégie de nanothérapie ciblée par hyperthermie magnétique. Pour cela, j'ai appliqué un champ magnétique alternatif à haute fréquence (275 kHz, 40 mT) sur des cellules ayant ou non internalisé des NPM. L'application du champ magnétique, induit la mort de 30% des cellules tumorales ayant internalisé des NPM, sans élévation détectable de température du milieu extracellulaire, suggérant que l'hyperthermie magnétique serait probablement induite très localement à l'échelle du lysosome. Nous avons appelé ce phénomène : hyperthermie magnétique intra-lysosomale. Ensuite, j'ai cherché à préciser les mécanismes cellulaires pouvant être impliqué dans l'induction de la mort des cellules. Mes résultats montrent que l'application du champ magnétique sur des cellules ayant accumulé des NPM dans leur lysosome induit une production de radicaux libres oxygénés (ROS) responsables de la perméabilisation de la membrane lysosomale et conduisant à la fuite des cystéines protéases lysosomales dans le cytosol, impliqués ainsi dans le mécanisme de mort par hyperthermie magnétique intra-lysosomale. Enfin, dans le but d'augmenter l'efficacité thérapeutique, j'ai combiné ce traitement d'hyperthermie magnétique intra-lysosomale à un traitement chimiothérapeutique, la doxorubicine. Les résultats montrent un effet additif des traitements hyperthermique et chimiothérapeutique. Une telle stratégie de combinaison d'approches thérapeutiques présente l'avantage d'utiliser des doses faibles d'agent chimiothérapeutique, afin de limiter les effets secondaires vis-à-vis des cellules saines.Endocrine tumors are usually diagnosed through the use of an imaging technique using a radiolabeled peptide (somatostatin or Osteoscan) whose receptor is present in 80% of tumors. The CCK2R which belongs to the seven transmembrane domains receptor family is also overexpressed with a high incidence in endocrine tumors. In addition, our team has shown that gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK), both natural agonists of the CCK2R, induce a massive CCK2R internalization; then the receptor is directed with the ligand to lysosomes to be degraded. Our team hypothesized that CCK2R overexpression in endocrine tumors compared to healthy tissue and its ability to internalize could advantageously be used to develop a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach. My thesis project had several objectives: 1) To optimize a magnetic nano-platform for an effective targeting of tumor cells overexpressing the CCK2R; 2) To validate the targeted nanotherapy strategy by magnetic hyperthermia to specifically eradicate tumor cells overexpressing the CCK2R, and study the mechanisms involved in cell death; 3) To develop strategies in order to increase the anti-tumor therapeutic efficiency. Firstly, I have developed a nano-platform composed of a SPION (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) type magnetic nanoparticle (MNP). I developed different batches of MNP with different ligand densities at their surface and analyzed their binding capacity, internalization and lysosomal accumulation. Targeted nanoparticles uptake is receptor dependent, reaching a rate of 2.2 pg iron/cell, after 24 hours of incubation. Thus, I validated the strategy of targeted nanotherapy by magnetic hyperthermia. For this, I applied a high frequency alternating magnetic field (275 kHz, 40 mT) on cells with or without internalized MNPs. The application of the magnetic field induces the death of 30% of tumoral cells having internalized MNPs, without any perceptible temperature rise in the incubation medium, suggesting that the magnetic hyperthermia would probably be induces very locally at the scale of the nanoparticules or the lysosome. We called this phenomenon intra-lysosomal magnetic hyperthermia. Then, I studied the cellular mechanisms involved in the induction of cell death by intra-lysosomal magnetic hyperthermia. My results showed that the application of a magnetic field increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to lysosomal membrane permeabilization and to the leakage of lysosomal enzymes in the cytosol of cells having internalized MNPs, indicating that ROS production and lysosomal cysteine proteases are involved in the mechanisms of cell death. Finally, in order to increase the therapeutic efficacy, I combined this intra-lysosomal magnetic hyperthermia treatment to a chemotherapeutic treatment, the doxorubicin. The results showed an additive effect of hyperthermia and chemotherapy treatments. This combining therapeutic strategy presents the advantage of using low doses of chemotherapeutic agent, in order to decrease the side effects towards healthy cells

Combined Treatments of Magnetic Intra-Lysosomal Hyperthermia with Doxorubicin Promotes Synergistic Anti-Tumoral Activity

Doxorubicin is a cytotoxic drug used for the treatment of many cancer types. However, its significant dose-related adverse effects including cardiotoxicity may hamper its efficiency. Moreover, the multidrug resistance that appears during treatments limits anti-cancer therapies. Hyperthermia has been introduced as an adjuvant anti-cancer therapy and presents promising opportunities especially in combination with chemotherapy. However, hyperthermia methods including standard magnetic hyperthermia do not discriminate between the target and the surrounding normal tissues and can lead to side effects. In this context, a Magnetic Intra-Lysosomal Hyperthermia (MILH) approach, which occurs without perceptible temperature rise, has been developed. We previously showed that minute amounts of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles targeting the gastrin receptor (CCK2R) are internalized by cancer cells through a CCK2R-dependent physiological process, accumulated into their lysosomes and kill cancer cells upon high frequency alternating magnetic field (AMF) application through lysosomal cell death. Here, we show that the combination of MILH with doxorubicin increases the efficiency of the eradication of endocrine tumor cells with synergism. We also demonstrate that these two treatments activate two different cell death pathways that are respectively dependent on Caspase-1 and Caspase-3 activation. These findings will result in the development of new anti-tumoral, intra-lysosomal-thermo/chemotherapy with better curative effects than chemotherapy alone and that are devoid of adverse effects linked to standard hyperthermia approaches

Targeting a G‑Protein-Coupled Receptor Overexpressed in Endocrine Tumors by Magnetic Nanoparticles To Induce Cell Death

Nanotherapy using targeted magnetic nanoparticles grafted with peptidic ligands of receptors overexpressed in cancers is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, nanoconjugation of peptides can dramatically affect their properties with respect to receptor recognition, mechanism of internalization, intracellular trafficking, and fate. Furthermore, investigations are needed to better understand the mechanism whereby application of an alternating magnetic field to cells containing targeted nanoparticles induces cell death. Here, we designed a nanoplatform (termed MG-IONP-DY647) composed of an iron oxide nanocrystal decorated with a ligand of a G-protein coupled receptor, the cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R) that is overexpressed in several malignant cancers. MG-IONP-DY647 did not stimulate inflammasome of Raw 264.7 macrophages. They recognized cells expressing CCK2R with a high specificity, subsequently internalized <i>via</i> a mechanism involving recruitment of β-arrestins, clathrin-coated pits, and dynamin and were directed to lysosomes. Binding and internalization of MG-IONP-DY647 were dependent on the density of the ligand at the nanoparticle surface and were slowed down relative to free ligand. Trafficking of CCK2R internalized with the nanoparticles was slightly modified relative to CCK2R internalized in response to free ligand. Application of an alternating magnetic field to cells containing MG-IONP-DY647 induced apoptosis and cell death through a lysosomal death pathway, demonstrating that cell death is triggered even though nanoparticles of low thermal power are internalized in minute amounts by the cells. Together with pioneer findings using iron oxide nanoparticles targeting tumoral cells expressing epidermal growth factor receptor, these data represent a solid basis for future studies aiming at establishing the proof-of-concept of nanotherapy of cancers using ligand-grafted magnetic nanoparticles specifically internalized <i>via</i> cell surface receptors