2. Academic Validation
  3. The Potential of the Fibronectin Inhibitor Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser in the Development of Therapies for Glioblastoma

The Potential of the Fibronectin Inhibitor Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser in the Development of Therapies for Glioblastoma

  • Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Apr 30;25(9):4910. doi: 10.3390/ijms25094910.
Maria L Castro-Ribeiro 1 2,  Vânia I B Castro 1 2,  Joana Vieira de Castro 1 2,  Ricardo A Pires 1 2,  Rui L Reis 1 2,  Bruno M Costa 2 3,  Helena Ferreira 1 2,  Nuno M Neves 1 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.
  • 2 ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057/4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
  • 3 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
PMID: 38732135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094910
Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal and common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. An important feature that supports GBM aggressiveness is the unique composition of its extracellular matrix (ECM). Particularly, fibronectin plays an important role in Cancer cell adhesion, differentiation, proliferation, and chemoresistance. Thus, herein, a hydrogel with mechanical properties compatible with the brain and the ability to disrupt the dynamic and reciprocal interaction between fibronectin and tumor cells was produced. High-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) functionalized with the inhibitory fibronectin peptide Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) was used to produce the polymeric matrix. Liposomes encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) were also included in the hydrogel to kill GBM cells. The resulting hydrogel containing liposomes with therapeutic DOX concentrations presented rheological properties like a healthy brain. In vitro assays demonstrated that unmodified HMW-HA hydrogels only caused GBM cell killing after DOX incorporation. Conversely, RGDS-functionalized hydrogels displayed per se cytotoxicity. As GBM cells produce several proteolytic Enzymes capable of disrupting the peptide-HA bond, we selected MMP-2 to illustrate this phenomenon. Therefore, RGDS internalization can induce GBM cell Apoptosis. Importantly, RGDS-functionalized hydrogel incorporating DOX efficiently damaged GBM cells without affecting astrocyte viability, proving its safety. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of the RGDS-functionalized hydrogel to develop safe and effective GBM treatments.

Keywords

RGDS-functionalized hyaluronic acid hydrogel; doxorubicin; fibronectin inhibitor; glioblastoma; liposomes.

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