Synthesis of Alkyl Glycerolipids with Functional Groups in Their Polar Heads

A number of alkyl glycerolipids with short-chain substituents at the C2 atom of glycerol and functional groups (carboxy and amino) in the polar head were synthesized. Cationic alkyl glycerolipids with a hydroxyl function in the hydrophilic moiety were also obtained.     

The Synthesis of Cholesterol-Containing Cationic Amphiphils with Heterocyclic Bases

A number of cationic derivatives of cholesterol containing polar residues of N-methylimidazole, pyridine, N-methylmorpholine, and 4-N,N-dimethyaminopyridine were synthesized by the interaction of the corresponding heterocyclic bases with cholesterol 5-bromopentanoate followed by the treatment with methyl iodide in the case of tertiary amines. In addition, N-(4-cholesteryloxycarbonylbutyl)piperazine was obtained for the preparation of pH-sensitive liposomes.     

Identification and Characterization of Novel Lipophilic Antimicrobial Peptides Derived from Naturally Occurring Proteins

Microbes are increasingly developing defensive mechanisms against known drugs via mutations. There are signs of emergence of superbugs immune to most known antibiotics available. The need for a new class of drugs to counteract this problem is of paramount importance for continued general well being of mankind. A new class of drugs, antimicrobial peptides, has not been fully exploited primarily due to high cytotoxicity, poor lipophilicity preventing systemic distribution and stability. We have synthesised 9-amino acid residue cationic peptides RH01 and RH02 lipidated with myristoyl and octyl groups respectively. These peptides exhibited potent antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity. The lipopeptide RH01 has antimicrobial activity against a broad range of microorganisms including bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi with greatest activity toward Gram-positive bacteria, including S. aureus MRSA stain, MIC’s ranging between 2–8 μM. The MIC for Gram-negative bacteria was higher ranging from between 30–250 μM. RH01 also had antimicrobial activity towards fungi showing good activity against the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans but was less active towards the filamentous fungi Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial activity of RH01 as a measure of Ki₍₅₀₎ for E. coli and S. aureus was 35–60 μM and 3–7 μM, respectively. In-house data showed the compound is bactericidal even at higher bacteria concentration. The octylated lipopeptide RH02 has similar activities towards S. aureus (3.3 μM) and E coli (53.3 μM) as the myristolated RH01. There was no haemolytic activity of the lipopeptide RH01 towards human blood. Acute intravenous toxicity study in mice showed that both RH01 and RH02 induced no macroscopic abnormalities at their highest non-lethal dose of 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg bodyweight, respectively.Australian Peptide Conference Issue.     

The Synthesis of Cationic Glycerolipid Acetals Containing Aliphatic and Heterocyclic Bases

1,3-Dioxolane series cationic lipids containing residues of aliphatic or heterocyclic nitrogenous bases were synthesized. The bases were attached to the glycerol backbone either directly (piperazine) or via a spacer group through a thioether bond.     

用作基因传递系统的阳离子纳米载体的 细胞毒性及其机制研究进展

作为基因治疗中的非病毒基因载体,阳离子纳米载体可通过电荷作用与核酸类药物相结合,具有广阔的应用前景。然而,其细胞毒 性,主要表现为诱导细胞凋亡,限制了其临床开发与应用,也成为阳离子纳米载体研究所关注的重点。揭示和准确评价阳离子纳米载体的 细胞毒性及其机制,将有助于设计和开发更安全、更高效地用于基因传递的阳离子纳米载体。综述常用作基因传递系统的阳离子纳米载体 材料阳离子脂质体、聚乙烯亚胺、多聚赖氨酸、聚苯乙烯纳米粒以及其他阳离子聚合物的细胞毒性及其机制研究进展。     

Improved non-viral transfection of glial and adult neural stem cell lines and of primary astrocytes by combining agents with complementary modes of action

BACKGROUND: Rational design of gene vectors for therapeutic applications requires understanding of transfection mechanisms. In this study, multiple transfection assays revealed complementary mechanisms between two commonly used transfection agents. This finding was then exploited to produce improved transfection outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rat C6 glial cells, adult rat hippocampal progenitor cells and primary astrocytes were transfected using Lipofectamine (LA) or polyethylenimine (PEI), in vitro. Although LA- and PEI-transfected populations expressed the same total level of transgene product, LA transfected considerably more cells than PEI (approximately 20 vs. 14%). A fluorescently labelled plasmid and time-course analysis, involving both flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, were used to explain this apparent discrepancy. Results showed that LA delivered more plasmid DNA to the cytoplasm and achieved transgene expression in more cells than PEI. In contrast, PEI transfected fewer cells but, on average, produced more transgene product per transfected cell. CONCLUSIONS: A comparative transfection model was developed to explain these different characteristics. According to this model, transfection is a multistage process with different transfection agents exerting their primary effect at different stages in this process. This model forecast that it should be possible to prepare a chimeric complex with a transfection efficiency that exceeded that achievable with Lipofectamine or polyethylenimine alone. This prediction was tested and shown to hold for glioma cells, primary astrocytes, and adult neural stems cells.     

pH-sensitive cationic lipopeptides for the design of drug-delivery systems

Lipopeptides on the basis of L-glutamic acid and glutamine di-and monoesters with aliphatic alcohols of various lengths that contain L-arginine, L-ornithine, and L-lysine were synthesized. The behavior of these amphiphiles in aqueous medium was shown to depend on their structure.     

Synthesis of Cationic Amphiphiles on the Basis of Deoxycholic Acid

Cationic derivatives of deoxycholic acid with N,N-dimethylenediamine, -aminocaproic acid, and pyridine as polar heads were synthesized. The cationic groups were linked to 3- and 12-hydroxy groups of the steroid moiety through ester or urethane bonds. Liposomal formulations of the compounds synthesized may be used for gene delivery in cells.     

Purification and characterization of cationic chymotrypsin from the pancreas of the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius)

This study reports on the purification and characterization of a cationic enzyme with chymotryptic activity from camel pancreas. The enzyme was purified 52-fold in a 48% yield by a three-step chromatographic procedure consisting of anion-exchange, cation-exchange and affinity chromatographies. The purified enzyme was homogeneous on gel isoelectric focusing and on SDS gel electrophoresis. Its isoelectric point was estimated to be 7.3 and its molecular mass was found to be 23,600 Da. The enzyme was identified as a cationic chymotrypsin according to its physiochemical properties, substrate specificity and susceptibility to inhibition. It was active towards esters of aromatic amino acids but much less active towards a leucine ester. In all cases, the k_cat values of the camel enzyme were less than the corresponding values of bovine chymotrypsin A. It also showed a lower level of kininase activity. Camel chymotrypsin was more susceptible than its bovine equivalent to inhibition by soybean trypsin inhibitor and aprotinin. It showed the same pH optimium as bovine chymotrypsin A for its esterolytic activity, but was more dependent on CaCl₂ for long-term stability.     

Potent and selective gene inhibition using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides

The development of antisense technology as a generally useful tool relies on the use of potent agents and the utilization of many controls in experiments. Here we describe our experience using oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing C-5 propynyl pyrimidine and phosphorothioate modifications as broadly applicable gene inhibition agents in cell culture. Methods include selection of antisense sequences, synthesis and purification of ODNs, choice of controls, delivery methods (microinjection, cationic lipid transfection, and electroporation), and analysis of gene inhibition.     

The cardiac mutant Mexican axolotl is a unique animal model for evaluation of cardiac myofibrillogenesis

Hearts from cardiac mutant Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, do not form organized myofibrils and fail to beat. Though previous biochemical and immunohistochemical experiments showed a possible reduction of cardiac tropomyosin it was not clear that this caused the lack of organized myofibrils in mutant hearts. We used cationic liposomes to introduce both rabbit and chicken tropomyosin protein into whole hearts of embryonic axolotls in whole heart organ cultures. The mutant hearts had a striking increase in the number of well-organized sarcomeric myofibrils when treated with rabbit or chicken tropomyosin. FITC-labeled rabbit tropomyosin was used to examine the kinetics of incorporation of the exogenous protein into mutant hearts and confirmed the uptake of exogenous protein by the cells of live hearts in culture. By 4 h of transfection, both normal and mutant hearts were found to incorporate FITC-labeled tropomyosin into myofibrils. We also delivered an anti-tropomyosin antibody (CH 1) into normal hearts to disrupt the existing cardiac myofibrils which also resulted in reduced heartbeat rates. CH1 antibody was detected within the hearts and disorganization of the myofibrils was apparent when compared to normal controls. Introduction of a C-protein monoclonal antibody (ALD 66) did not result in a disruption of organized myofibrils. The results show clearly that chicken or rabbit tropomyosin could be incorporated by the mutant hearts and that it was sufficient to overcome the factors causing a lack of myofibril formation in the mutant. This finding also suggests that a lack of organized myofibrils is caused primarily by either inadequate levels of tropomyosin or endogenous tropomyosin in mutant hearts is unsuitable for myofibril formation, which we were able to duplicate with the introduction of tropomyosin antibody. Furthermore, incorporation of a specific exogenous protein or antibody into normal and mutant hearts of the Mexican axolotl in whole heart organ culture offers an unique model to evaluate functionalroles of contractile proteins necessary for cardiac development and differentiation.     

Supramolecular assemblies of a new class of nonplanar cationic metalloporphyrins and anionic metallophthalocyanines

The heteroaggregation behavior between a new class of nonplanar cationic β-octabrominated meso-alkylpyridinium zinc(II)-porphyrins (β-Br₈(ZnP)) and anionic tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines (MTSPc, M = Ni(II) and Cu(II)) has been studied by UV-Vis electronic spectroscopy, in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution. The heteroaggregate stoichiometry and the association constants were determined by means of Job plots. Dimers and unexpected trimers, taking into account the existence of axially coordinated DMSO molecules to the central metal in both β-Br₈(ZnP) and MTSPc complexes, are formed in solution. The spectroscopic properties of the heteroaggregates are markedly different from those observed in the correspondent planar cationic derivatives, the heteroaggregates showing major changes predominantly in the β-Br₈(ZnP) Soret band region and minor effects in the MTSPc Q bands. The observed changes in the Soret band region (red/blue shifts, decrease in the absorption intensities) depend on the nature of the alkyl substituent attached to the meso-pyridinium group. The greater versatility of the nonplanar porphyrins accommodating the meso-substituents in out-of-plane and in-plane conformations is proposed to explain the observed stoichiometries and the differences on the heteroaggregates spectroscopic properties for each β-Br₈ZnP compound. The likely conformations assumed by the meso-substituents in these β-Br₈(ZnP) compounds and its spectroscopic characteristics are in accordance with the participation of the substituents as the main factor on the extent of the observed red-shifted spectra in nonplanar porphyrins. The obtained association constants (K_IP) for the dimers and trimers are lower than those previously found for the similar planar cationic porphyrin systems, due to the lack of extensive π-π interactions and to the less effective approximation between the ionic groups, resulting in loosened heteroaggregates, particularly for the trimeric systems. Furthermore, the experimental results suggest that the NiTSPc is more distorted in DMSO solution than the CuTSPc derivative, favoring the interaction with the nonplanar β-Br₈(ZnP) compounds.     

Sinorhizobium meliloti genes involved in tolerance to the antimicrobial peptide protamine

The innate resistance of plants and animals to microbial infection is mediated in part by small cationic peptides with antimicrobial activity. We assessed the susceptibility of the alfalfa symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti to the model antimicrobial peptide protamine. Twenty-one Tn5-induced mutants showing increased sensitivity to protamine were isolated, and nine were further characterized in detail. These nine mutants carried distinct transposon insertions that affected a total of seven different genes. Three of these genes are involved in exopolysaccharide and beta-(1,2)-glucan biosynthesis (exoT, exoU and ndvB), three other genes are implicated in nitrogen metabolism, such as a putative dyhidropyrimidinase, hutU and ureF, and the last gene exhibited similarity to the ATP binding cassette family of membrane transporters. Symbiotic defects ranging from severe to moderate were displayed by some of the protamine-hypersensitive mutants suggesting that S. meliloti possess active mechanisms to counteract hypothetical cationic peptides that may be produced by its host plant.     

Investigation of various structures of DN A molecules (Ⅲ)—Coil-globe transition of λ-DNA induced by cationic surfactant

The structure transition of λ-DNA induced by cationic surfactant cellar media was investigated by using CD, SEM and AFM. The experimental data of CD revealed that λ-DNA can be induced from B-form to a collapsed structure with the addition of the cationic surfactant CTAB to the system. The condensed process of λ-DNA from coil state to small globular state (diameter about 1.25 μm) and finally big globular state (diameter about 5.4 μm) was observed by using SEM and AFM. Project supported by the Ninth Five-Year Great and Important Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China.     

阳离子聚合物在非病毒基因转染中的研究进展

基因治疗为治疗先天性遗传疾病和严重后天获得性疾病提供了一条新途径.目前,基因载体分为两类:病毒载体和非病毒载体.病毒载体转染效率高,但由于某些病毒载体存在免疫原性、致癌性、宿主DNA插入整合等缺点,从而限制了它们的应用.非病毒载体具有价格低、制备简单、安全有效、无免疫原性等优点,成为基因载体研究的热点.阳离子多聚物是非病毒载体的典型代表.文中综述近年来阳离子多聚物作为基因载体的研究现状和进展,重点介绍了阳离子多聚物基因载体的分类和与DNA的相互作用和传递机制.     

Efficient lipid-mediated transfection of DNA into primary rat hepatocytes

Cationic lipids are an effective means for transfecting nucleic acids into a variety of cell types. Very few of these lipids, however, have been reported to be effective with primary cells. We report on the efficacy of several commercially available cationic lipid reagents to transfect plasmid DNA into primary rat hepatocytes in culture. The reagents tested in this study include TransfectAce, LipofectAmine, Lipofectin, N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-n,n,n-trimethylammoniumchloride (DOTMA), (N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethyl-ammonium methylsulfate (DOTAP), and cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide/dioleoylphosphatidylethanol-amine (CTAB/DOPE). Electron micrographic (EM) studies indicate that similar size Lipofectin and DOTAP vesicles contain DNA-like material internally and that these vesicles attach to the cell membrane. DOTAP vesicles are multilamellar, appear as clusters, and have a high DNA-to-lipid ratio. Lipofectin vesicles appear to attach to the cell surface as individual vesicles. The EM observations are consistent with current theories on the mechanism of transfection by cationic lipids. While Lipofectin has proven to be effective in transfection studies of primary cells in culture, we have found DOTAP to be a viable alternative. DOTAP yields transfection rates in hepatocytes comparable to DOTMA and Lipofectin, however, at lower concentrations of reagent and at considerably less cost. Optimal conditions for transfecting 5 μg of plasmid DNA with DOTAP were achieved by utilizing multilamellar (vortexed) vesicles at a concentration of 15 μg DOTAP per 2 ml media in 60-mm plates for 2 h transfection time. In this study, DOTAP has proven to be economical, easy to prepare, and very effective in transfecting DNA into primary rat hepatocytes.     

Enhancement of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection via Increased Membrane Fluidity by a Cationic Polymer

Cationic polymers are known to have potent activity against bacteria, but their effects on viral activity have been little studied. We investigated the effect of one such polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), on HIV-1 infection. Although virus-cell binding was significantly inhibited by PEI, HIV-1 infection in human T-cell lines such as MT-4 and MOLT-4 was accelerated conversely when the drug treatment was carried out, after the virus had attached to the cells or PEI was simultaneously added to the virus and cell culture system. This paradoxical effect of PEI on HIV-1 infection was examined using HIV-1 chronically infected cells (MOLT-4/HIV-1). Dissociation of the glycoprotein gp120 (as revealed by exposure of transmembrane protein gp41) from MOLT-4/HIV-1 cells and the resultant fusion of these cells was shown to be induced by the addition of PEI. Accordingly, it was suggested that the binding inhibition of HIV-1 to CD4-positive cells by PEI was due to the shedding of gp120 from HIV-1 particles, and this PEI rather promoted membrane fusion between the virus and cells leading to the enhancement of HIV-1 infection. Similarly, dissociation of gp120 from MOLT-4/HIV-1 was also induced by sCD4. The effect of these reagents on changes in membrane fluidity was evaluated by polarization (p) measurements, and it was observed that the acceleration of membrane fluidity occurred only in the PEI system. Therefore, it is likely that PEI accelerates HIV-1 infection by facilitating virus entry into the host cells through an increase in membrane fluidity.     

DNA pre-condensation with an amino acid-based cationic amphiphile. A viable approach for liposome-based gene delivery

A study related to the development and characterization of a new gene delivery system was performed. The approach consists in both the pre-condensation of plasmid DNA with an arginine-based cationic surfactant, arginine–N-lauroyl amide dihydrochloride (ALA), which was found not to be toxic, and the incorporation of the blood protein transferrin (Tf) into the formulations.Two cationic liposome formulations were used, one composed of a mixture of dioleoyl trimethylammoniopropane and cholesterol (DOTAP:Chol) and the other a pH sensitive formulation constituted of DOTAP, Chol, Dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS).Particles with different ALA/DNA and cationic lipid/DNA charge ratios were produced and a physicochemical characterization of the systems developed was performed. DNA conformational changes in the presence of ALA were studied by Circular Dichroism (CD) and the ALA binding to DNA was followed by surface tension measurements. Insight into the structure and morphology of the various ALA-complexes (complexes composed of ALA, DNA, Tf and liposomes) was obtained by cryogenic-Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryo-TEM) and the sizes of the ALA-complexes were determined through Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS). We found that the transfection capacity of these systems is directly related with the presence of ALA and the lipidic composition. Complexes based on the pH sensitive liposome formulation present better transfection profiles. The correlation between the inner structure, density and size of the ALA-complexes and their biological activity is discussed. Overall, we demonstrate that the presence of ALA improves the transfection efficiency when conjugated with cationic liposome systems.