Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol)-insulin conjugates

Human insulin was modified by covalent attachment of short-chain (750 and 2000 Da) methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) (mPEG) to the amino groups of either residue PheB1 or LysB29, resulting in four distinct conjugates: mPEG(750)-PheB1-insulin, mPEG(2000)-PheB1-insulin, mPEG(750)-LysB29-insulin, and mPEG(2000)-LysB29-insulin. Characterization of the conjugates by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and N-terminal protein sequence analyses verified that only a single polymer chain (750 or 2000 Da) was attached to the selected residue of interest (PheB1 or LysB29). Equilibrium sedimentation experiments were performed using analytical ultracentrifugation to quantitatively determine the association state(s) of insulin derivatives. In the concentration range studied, all four of the conjugates and Zn-free insulin exist as stable dimers while Zn(2+)-insulin was exclusively hexameric and Lispro was monomeric. In addition, insulin (conjugate) self-association was evaluated by circular dichroism in the near-ultraviolet wavelength range (320-250 nm). This independent method qualitatively suggests that mPEG-insulin conjugates behave similarly to Zn-free insulin in the concentration range studied and complements results from ultracentrifugation studies. The physical stability/resistance to fibrillation of mPEG-insulin conjugates in aqueous solution were assessed. The data proves that mPEG(750 and 2000)-PheB1-insulin conjugates are substantially more stable than controls but the mPEG(750 and 2000)-LysB29-insulin conjugates were only slightly more stable than commercially available preparations. Circular dichroism studies done in the far ultraviolet region confirm insulin's tertiary structure in aqueous solution is essentially conserved after mPEG conjugation. In vivo pharmacodynamic assays reveal that there is no loss in biological activity after conjugation of mPEG(750) to either position on the insulin B-chain. However, attachment of mPEG(2000) decreased the bioactivity of the conjugates to about 85% of Lilly's HumulinR formulation. The characterization presented in this paper provides strong testimony to the fact that attachment of mPEG to specific amino acid residues of insulin's B-chain improves the conjugates' physical stability without appreciable perturbations to its tertiary structure, self-association behavior, or in vivo biological activity.     

佛波醇制备工艺优化及其衍生物的合成表征与细胞毒活性研究

目前佛波醇制备过程比较繁琐,本研究首先对制备工艺进行优化,使制备周期缩短至3天。然后以佛波醇、二十碳五烯酸、二十二碳六烯酸、花生酸为原料,设计合成了18个新化合物,运用1H NMR,13C NMR,HR-MS对化合物进行结构表征,并测试了这些化合物对人正常胚肺成纤维细胞(MRC-5)的毒性。结果显示13个化合物对正常细胞毒性较大(IC50<38.12μmol/L),5个化合物毒性较小(IC50> 100μmol/L)。佛波醇的12位羟基、13位羟基分别与长链饱和脂肪酸形成单酯时毒性较低,实验结果为佛波醇的结构修饰提供参考。     

PEG-doxorubicin conjugates: influence of polymer structure on drug release, in vitro cytotoxicity, biodistribution, and antitumor activity

Polymer-drug conjugates (polymer therapeutics) are finding increasing use as novel anticancer agents. Here a series of poly(ethylene glycol) PEG-doxorubicin (Dox) conjugates were synthesized using polymers of linear or branched architecture (molecular weight 5000-20000 g/mol) and with different peptidyl linkers (GFLG, GLFG, GLG, GGRR, and RGLG). The resultant conjugates had a drug loading of 2.7-8.0 wt % Dox and contained <2.0% free drug (% total drug). All conjugates containing a GFLG linker showed approximately 30% release of Dox at 5 h irrespective of PEG molecular weight or architecture. The GLFG linker was degraded more quickly (approximately 57% Dox release at 5 h), and the other linkers more slowly (<16% release at 5 h), by lysosomal enzymes in vitro. In vitro there was no clear relationship between cytotoxicity toward B16F10 cells and the observed Dox release rate. All PEG conjugates were more than 10-fold less toxic (IC50 values > 2 microg/mL) than free Dox (IC50 value = 0.24 microg/mL). Biodistribution in mice bearing sc B16F10 tumors was assessed after administration of PEGs (5000, 10000, or 20000 g/mol) radioiodinated using the Bolton and Hunter reagent or PEG-Dox conjugates by HPLC. The 125I-labeled PEGs showed a clear relationship between Mw and blood clearance and tumor accumulation. The highest Mw PEG had the longest plasma residence time and consequently the greatest tumor targeting. The PEG-Dox conjugates showed a markedly prolonged plasma clearance and greater tumor targeting compared to free Dox, but there was no clear molecular weight-dependence on biodistribution. This was consistent with the observation that the PEG-Dox conjugates formed micelles in aqueous solution comprising 2-20 PEG-Dox molecules depending on polymer Mw and architecture. Although PEG-Dox showed greater tumor targeting than free Dox, PEG conjugation led to significantly lower anthracycline levels in heart. Preliminary experiments to assess antitumor activity against sc B16F10 in vivo showed the PEG5000linear (L)-GFLG-Dox and PEG10000branched (B)-GLFG-Dox (both 5 mg/kg Dox-equiv) to be the most active with T/C values of 146 and 143%, respectively. Free Dox did not show significant activity in this model (T/C = 121%). Dose escalation of PEG5000(L)-GFLG-Dox to 10 mg/kg Dox-equiv prolonged further animal survival (T/C = 161%). Using the Dox-sensitive model ip L1210 (where Dox displayed a T/C = 150% after single ip dose), the PEG5000(L)-GFLG-Dox displayed a maximum T/C of 141% (10 mg/kg Dox-equiv) using a once a day (x3) schedule. Further studies are warranted with PEG5000(L)-GFLG-Dox to determine its spectrum of antitumor activity and also the optimum dosing schedule before clinical testing.     

PEGylation of bovine serum albumin using click chemistry for the application as drug carriers

Monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)-modified bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugates (BSA-mPEG) were obtained by the mild Cu(I)-mediated cycloaddition reaction of azided BSA (BSA-N(3) ) and alkyne-terminated mPEG. The structure and characteristics of BSA-mPEG conjugates were thoroughly investigated. There were about two PEG chains conjugated onto each BSA molecule as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis. The intrinsic nonspecific binding ability of BSA was used for adsorption and sustained release of both rifampicn and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The helical structures of BSA were preserved to a large extent after modification and drug adsorption on BSA was confirmed via circular dichroism spectroscopy. Drugs adsorbed onto the conjugated formulation to a lesser extent than on BSA due to mPEG modification. The in vitro release of both rifampicin and 5-FU, however, indicated that BSA-mPEG can function as a drug carrier. Overall, the click reaction provided a convenient tool for the pegylation of BSA. The biological activity of the BSA-mPEG conjugates, including the drug transportation capacity and biocompatibility, were largely retained.     

Comparison of bioactivities of monopegylated rhG-CSF with branched and linear mPEG

rhG-CSF (recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) was chemically conjugated with branched mPEG (monomethoxyl polyethylene glycols), which was synthesized by a new method with the reaction between highly reactive carboxymethylated PEG succinimidy ester (SCM-PEG) and strongly nuclophilicitic amino group of lysine ethyl ester hydrochloride (lys-OEt 2HCl) in methylene chloride. The monopegylated rhG-CSF with branched mPEG (mono-B-pegylated rhG-CSF) was purified by one-step cationic exchange chromatography and characterized with HPSEC (high performance size exclusion chromatography), SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS. A monopegylated rhG-CSF with linear mPEG (mono-L-pegylated rhG-CSF) was also prepared to investigate the effect of structural difference on bioactivities. The comparison of mono-B-pegylated and mono-L-pegylated rhG-CSF was carried out on in vitro bioactivity, in vivo half-life time and Fr (relative bioavailability). The results showed that the in vitro relative bioactivity decreased to 54%, 61% for mono-B-pegylated and mono-L-pegylated rhG-CSF, respectively. However, compared with the unmodified rhG-CSF, the mono-B-pegylated and mono-L-pegylated rhG-CSF prolonged plasma half-life time from 40 min to 190 min and 145 min, respectively. The Fr was 2.01 for the mono-B-pegylated rhG-CSF, while 1.32 for the mono-L-pegylated. These results suggested that the mono-B-pegylated rhG-CSF is more effective in improving pharmacokinetic performance than the mono-L-pegylated and unmodified rhG-CSF.     

Targeting folate receptor with folate linked to extremities of poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted liposomes: in vitro studies

Conjugates of three components, folic acid-poly(ethylene glycol)-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (FA-PEG-DSPE), derived from PEG with molecular masses of 2000 and 3350 Da were synthesized by a carbodiimide-mediated coupling of FA to H2N-PEG-DSPE. The conjugates were characterized by 1H NMR, MALDI-TOF, and HPLC analysis of enzymatic cleavage with carboxypeptidase G. As a prototype of a folate receptor (FR)-targeted system, the conjugates were formulated at 0.5 mol % phospholipid in hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol liposomes with or without additional methoxyPEG2000-DSPE. In vitro binding studies were performed with sublines of M109 (murine lung carcinoma) and KB (human epidermal carcinoma) cells each containing high and low densities of FR. FA-PEG-DSPE significantly enhanced liposome binding to tumor cells. The best binding was observed when FA-PEG liposomes contained no additional mPEG-lipid. In fact, our experiments showed that the presence of mPEG on liposomal surfaces significantly inhibited FA-PEG-liposome binding to FR. Increasing the molecular mass of the PEG tether from 2000 to 3350 Da improved the FR binding, particularly in the case of mPEG-coated liposomes. The FA-PEG liposomes bound to M109-HiFR cells very avidly as demonstrated by the inability of free FA (used in a 700-fold excess either at the beginning or at the end of the incubation) to prevent the cell binding. This is in contrast to the 5-10-fold lower cell binding activity of mPEG-FA compared to that of free FA, and likely to be related to the multivalent nature of the liposome-bound FA. Only 22% of FA-PEG3350 and 32% of FA-PEG3350/mPEG cell-associated liposomes could be removed by exposure to pH 3, conditions that dissociate FA-FR, suggesting that more than two-thirds of the bound liposomes were internalized during incubation for 24 h at 37 degrees C. FA-targeted liposomes also show enhanced nonspecific binding to extracellular tissue culture components, a phenomenon especially relevant in short incubation time experiments.     

Novel poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives for preparation of ribosome-inactivating protein conjugates

This study describes the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of new methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) derivatives containing a thioimidoester reactive group. These activated polymers are able to react with the lysyl epsilon-amino groups of suitable proteins, generating an amidinated linkage and thereby preserving the protein's positive charge. mPEG derivatives of molecular weight 2000 and 5000 Da were used, and two spacer arms were prepared, introducing chains of different lengths between the hydroxyl group of the polymer and the thioimidate group. These mPEG derivatives were used to modify gelonin, a cytotoxic single-chain glycoprotein widely used in preparation of antitumoral conjugates, whose biological activity is strongly influenced by charge modification. The reactivity of mPEG thioimidates toward lysil epsilon-amino groups of gelonin was evaluated, and the results showed an increased degree of derivatization in proportion to the molar excesses of the polymer used and to the length of the alkyl spacer. Further studies showed that the thioimidate reactive is able to maintain gelonin's significant biological activity and immunogenicity. On the contrary, modification of the protein with N-hydroxysuccinimide derivative of mPEG strongly reduces the protein's cytotoxic activity. Evaluation of the pharmacokinetic behavior of native and PEG-grafted gelonin showed a marked increase in plasma half-life after protein PEGylation; in particular, the circulating life of the conjugates increased with increased molecular weight of the polymer used. The biodistribution test showed lower organ uptake after PEGylation, in particular by the liver and spleen.     

A Novel Anti-HIV Dextrin–Zidovudine Conjugate Improving the Pharmacokinetics of Zidovudine in Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate a newly synthesized dextrin–zidovudine (AZT) conjugate designed as a sustained release prodrug of AZT for parenteral administration. AZT was first reacted with succinic anhydride to form a succinoylated AZT which was subsequently coupled with dextrin to yield the dextrin–AZT conjugate. The structure of the conjugate was characterized by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The drug content of the conjugate was 18.9 wt.%. The release in vitro of free AZT and succinoylated AZT was investigated in buffer solutions at pH 5.5 and 7.4 and in human plasma. AZT and succinoylated AZT release from the conjugate was 1.4% (pH 5.5), 41.7% (pH 7.4) and 78.4% in human plasma after 24 h. Release was complete in human plasma after 48 h. A pharmacokinetic study in rats following intravenous administration of the conjugate showed prolonged plasma levels of AZT compared to free AZT. The use of the conjugate extended the plasma half-life of AZT from 1.3 to 19.3 h and the mean residence time from 0.4 to 23.6 h. Furthermore, the conjugate provided a significant greater area under the plasma concentration-time curve and reduced the systemic clearance of AZT. This study suggested the potential of this novel dextrin–AZT conjugate as a new intravenous preparation of AZT.     

PEGylation of alpha-momorcharin: synthesis and characterization of novel anti-tumor conjugates with therapeutic potential

Alpha-momorcharin (??-MMC) is a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) with excellent cytotoxicity to tumor cells. However, its strong immunogenicity and short plasma half-life limit its clinical applications. To overcome this, we have to PEGylated ??-MMC using a branched 20?kDa (mPEG) ₂-Lys-NHS. Homogeneous mono-, di- and tri-PEGylated ??-MMCs were synthesized, purified and characterized. In vitro and in vivo analysis indicated that the serial PEG-conjugates preserved moderate anti-tumor activity with 36% acute toxicity and at most 66% immunogenicity decrease. These results suggested the potential application of ??-MMC-PEG conjugates as an anti-tumor agent.     

Filling a cavity dramatically increases pressure stability of the c-Myb R2 subdomain

Cavities or packing defects in proteins may generally be related with the dynamics and function of a protein. In the c-Myb R2 subdomain, its single cavity has been shown to be crucial for its DNA recognition. Cavities are also considered important in determining the pressure stability of a protein. In the present work, high-pressure proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) spectroscopy at 750 MHz is used to study the effect of a cavity-filling mutation (V103L) on the stability of the c-Myb R2 subdomain in the pressure range between 1 and 3,700 bar at 5 degrees C. A dramatic increase in the pressure stability of the c-Myb R2 subdomain is attained, from which we estimate the cavity size to be 35.3 A(3), in good agreement with literature values. We also evaluated the increase in thermodynamic stability DeltaG(0)(1bar) from 5.35 kJ/mol to 7.34 kJ/mol by the mutation, giving a clear example of the effect of a cavity on the global stability of a globular protein.     

NB901的细胞毒作用及对拓扑异构酶Ⅱ活性的影响

DNA拓扑异构酶是抗肿瘤药物的一个重要靶点,近年来已发现许多不同类型的化合物对该靶酶有作用[1]．NB901是一种新合成的单核着类似物[2],具有较强的细胞毒作用[3]．本实验采用中性红（NR）染色法观察了NB901体外细胞毒作用和DNA拓扑异构酶（topoisomerase）Ⅱ活性的影响．1实验材料NB901为北京医科大学药学院合成,分子量280,淡黄色粉末,易溶于水．中性红（C15H17N4Cl）,北京化工厂生产,AR级．蛋白酶K,牛血清白蛋白（BSA）及腺苷三磷酸（ATP）均购自Sigma公司．细胞系：人肝癌细胞BEL7402及人巨细胞肺癌细胞PGT由北京…     

Synthesis of 2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-3(4H)-one derivatives as platelet aggregation inhibitors

Novel 2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-3(4H)-ones have been synthesized by condensation, reduction, O-alkylation and Smiles rearrangement using 3-bromo-4-hydroxy benzaldehyde, anilines, and chloroacetyl chloride as starting materials. All the synthesized compounds have been characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and HRMS, and tested for the inhibitory ability on platelet aggregation. The results have shown that the ADP (adenosine 5'-diphosphate)-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by 7a-g with the IC(50) value at 10.14-18.83 μmol/L. Compound 7a exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect (IC(50)=10.14 μmol/L) among all the compounds, but less potent than the control drug ticlopidine (3.18 μmol/L) and aspirin (6.07 μmol/L). The preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) was initially investigated in the study.     

硫化氢通过调控SIRT1抑制阿霉素诱导的H9c2细胞损伤

目的探讨硫化氢（H₂S）对阿霉素（DOX）诱导的H9c2细胞损伤的影响及其作用机制。 方法H₂S对DOX心肌毒性保护作用的实验分组为：对照组（Control组）,5?μmol/?L DOX处理组（A组）,5?μmol/L DOX和400?μmol/L NaHS共同处理组（B组）,400?μmol/L NaHS单独处理组（C组）,5?μmol/L DOX、400?μmol/L NaHS和15?μmol/L Sirtinol共同处理组（D组）,15?μmol/L Sirtinol单独处理组（E组）。SIRT1是否参与H₂S抗DOX心肌毒性作用机制的实验分组为：对照组（Control组）,5?μmol/L DOX处理组（F组）,5?μmol/L DOX和400?μmol/L NaHS共同处理组（G组）,5?μmol/L DOX、400?μmol/L NaHS和15?μmol/L Sirtinol共同处理组（H组）,15?μmol/L Sirtinol单独处理组（I组）。使用MTT法检测细胞活力;Elisa法检测细胞MDA以及SOD水平;DCFH-?DA荧光探针法检测ROS水平;采用Western Blot法检测SIRT1蛋白表达。使用单因素方差分析法进行统计学分析。 结果NaHS预处理可抑制DOX导致的H9c2细胞活力下降：Control组,A组、B组、C组细胞活力分别为100﹪、（54.58±1.58）﹪、（85.05±4.31）﹪、（100.22±4.46）﹪ （F = 134.9,P < 0.001）。NaHS预处理可减弱DOX引起的H9c2细胞ROS、MDA水平的增加以及SOD水平的降低：Control组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是100﹪、（34.18±1.56） μmol/g、（53.69±1.44） U/?mg;A组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（174.90±12.65）﹪、（72.65±2.66） μmol/g、（31.80±2.05） U/?mg;B组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（126.08±6.25）﹪、（44.59±1.92） μmol/g、（48.06±1.56） U/mg;C组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（91.86±1.66）﹪、（32.93±1.56）?μmol/?g、（55.93±1.58）?U/?mg （F?= 83.26,P < 0.001;F = 271.4,P < 0.001;F = 127.0,P < 0.001）。F组（6、12、24?h）H9c2细胞SIRT1蛋白表达水平分别是（0.45±0.03）、（0.27±0.02）、（0.25±0.03）,较Control组（1.00±0.00）降低（F = 611.1,P < 0.001）。本研究还发现,NaHS预处理H9c2细胞能阻止DOX引起的SIRT1蛋白表达下调：Control组、F组、G组、H组的SIRT1蛋白表达水平分别是（1.00±0.00）、（0.31±0.03）、（0.60±0.04）、（1.09±0.09）（F = 123.4,P?2S对DOX诱导的H9c2细胞活力降低的抑制作用：Control组,F组、G组、H组、I组细胞活力分别为100﹪、（54.58±1.58）﹪、（85.37±3.62）﹪、（71.11±2.11）﹪、（97.53±1.45）﹪ （F = 238.2,P < 0.001）。Sirtinol预处理可明显逆转H₂S对DOX导致的H9c2细胞ROS和MDA含量增加及SOD水平降低的抑制作用：Control组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是100﹪、（35.84±2.22）μmol/?g、（53.03±3.16） U/mg;F组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（184.6±11.33）﹪、（74.78±5.30）μmol/g、（29.26±0.85）U/mg;G组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（126.5±7.57）﹪、（41.95±3.43）μmol/g、（52.61±2.26）U/mg;H组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（174.7±5.50）﹪、（67.69±1.52） μmol/g、（35.33±1.95） U/mg,I组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（98.03±2.86）﹪、（37.66±2.49）μmol/g、51.14 U/mg（F = 112.0,P < 0.001;F = 93.73,P < 0.001;F = 84.92,P < 0.001）。 结论H₂S通过调控SIRT1抑制DOX诱导的H9c2细胞损伤。     

Antioxidant combinations are no more beneficial than individual components in combating ram sperm oxidative stress during storage at 5°C

The unfrozen storage of ram semen for 2-4 days is an important goal for the acceptance of artificial insemination in sheep breeding programmes. The objective was to investigate the benefits of antioxidant supplementation on the production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) by ram spermatozoa stored at 5°C over 3 days. Ejaculates from 9 rams were split between two defined diluents, INRA-96 and RSD-1, and cooled slowly to 5°C for storage. Four different additives (vitamin E phosphate 6-100 μmol/L, catalase 500 IU+superoxide dismutase 9-150 μmol/L, and glutathione peroxidase, 20 IU) were investigated both separately and in combination. The amount of H(2)O(2) generated was assessed by use of a 1-step fluorometric micro-plate assay. Sperm viability, acrosome integrity and membrane fluidity were assessed by flow cytometry. H(2)O(2) production in INRA-96- compared with RSD-1-diluted spermatozoa increased approximately 2-3-fold after 24h in storage at 5°C and then declined up to 72 h, while that in RSD-1 showed no change over 72 h; this had no effect on the sperm characteristics. Addition of antioxidants singly reduced H(2)O(2) production in INRA-96, regardless of concentration. Optimal concentrations were vitamin E phosphate 12.5 μmol/L, catalase 500 IU, superoxide dismutase 37 μmol/L, and glutathione peroxidase, 20 IU. In any combination, none was more effective than others. Viability was reduced but acrosomal integrity protected by the antioxidants in INRA-96 but not in RSD-1; membrane fluidity was not affected. Based on this study, there were no combinations more efficient at combating oxidative stress than any one alone.     

Polyacetal-doxorubicin conjugates designed for pH-dependent degradation

Terpolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), divinyl ethers, and serinol can be used to synthesize water soluble, hydrolytically labile, amino-pendent polyacetals (APEGs) suitable for drug conjugation. As these polyacetals display pH-dependent degradation (with faster rates of hydrolysis at acidic pH) and they are not inherently hepatotropic after intravenous (iv) injection, they have potential for development as biodegradable carriers to facilitate improved tumor targeting of anticancer agents. The aim of this study was to synthesize a polyacetal-doxorubicin (APEG-DOX) conjugate, determine its cytotoxicity in vitro and evaluate its potential for improved tumor targeting in vivo compared to an HPMA copolymer-DOX conjugate in clinical development. Amino-pendent polyacetals were prepared, and following succinoylation (APEG-succ), the polymeric intermediate conjugated to DOX via one of three methods using carbodiimide mediated coupling (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) in aqueous solution was the most successful). The resultant APEG-DOX conjugates had a DOX content of 3.0-8.5 wt %, contained <1.2% free DOX (relative to total DOX content) and had a M(w) = 60000-100000 g/mol and M(w)/M(n) = 1.7-2.6. In vitro cytotoxicity studies showed APEG-DOX to be 10-fold less toxic toward B16F10 cells than free DOX (IC(50) = 6 microg/mL and 0.6 microg/mL respectively), but confirmed the serinol-succinoyl-DOX liberated during main-chain degradation to be biologically active. When administered iv to C57 black mice bearing subcutaneous (sc) B16F10 melanoma, APEG-DOX of M(w) = 86000 g/mol, and 5.0 wt % DOX content exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) prolonged blood half-life and enhanced tumor accumulation compared to an HPMA copolymer-GFLG-DOX conjugate of M(w) = 30000 g/mol and 6.2 wt % DOX content. Moreover, APEG-DOX exhibited lower uptake by liver and spleen. These observations suggest that APEG anticancer conjugates warrant further development as novel polymer therapeutics for improved tumor targeting.     

醋酸棉酚诱导人粘液表皮样癌MEC-1细胞DNA双链断裂

本文研究醋酸棉酚(gossypol acetic acid,GAA)对人粘液表皮样癌细胞MEC-1体外增殖的影响,并初步探讨其抑制肿瘤细胞增殖的机制.体外培养人粘液表皮样癌细胞系MEC-1细胞,用MTT法检测GAA对MEC-1细胞增殖的影响;用中性彗星实验检测GAA对MEC-1细胞的DNA双链断裂;用免疫荧光染色法检测...     

Role of the methoxy group in immune responses to mPEG-protein conjugates

Anti-PEG antibodies have been reported to mediate the accelerated clearance of PEG-conjugated proteins and liposomes, all of which contain methoxyPEG (mPEG). The goal of this research was to assess the role of the methoxy group in the immune responses to mPEG conjugates and the potential advantages of replacing mPEG with hydroxyPEG (HO-PEG). Rabbits were immunized with mPEG, HO-PEG, or t-butoxyPEG (t-BuO-PEG) conjugates of human serum albumin, human interferon-α, or porcine uricase as adjuvant emulsions. Assay plates for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were coated with mPEG, HO-PEG, or t-BuO-PEG conjugates of the non-cross-reacting protein, porcine superoxide dismutase (SOD). In sera from rabbits immunized with HO-PEG conjugates of interferon-α or uricase, the ratio of titers of anti-PEG antibodies detected on mPEG-SOD over HO-PEG-SOD ("relative titer") had a median of 1.1 (range 0.9-1.5). In contrast, sera from rabbits immunized with mPEG conjugates of three proteins had relative titers with a median of 3.0 (range 1.1-20). Analyses of sera from rabbits immunized with t-BuO-PEG-albumin showed that t-butoxy groups are more immunogenic than methoxy groups. Adding Tween 20 or Tween 80 to buffers used to wash the assay plates, as is often done in ELISAs, greatly reduced the sensitivity of detection of anti-PEG antibodies. Competitive ELISAs revealed that the affinities of antibodies raised against mPEG-uricase were c. 70 times higher for 10 kDa mPEG than for 10 kDa PEG diol and that anti-PEG antibodies raised against mPEG conjugates of three proteins had >1000 times higher affinities for albumin conjugates with c. 20 mPEGs than for analogous HO-PEG-albumin conjugates. Overall, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that antibodies with high affinity for methoxy groups contribute to the loss of efficacy of mPEG conjugates, especially if multiply-PEGylated. Using monofunctionally activated HO-PEG instead of mPEG in preparing conjugates for clinical use might decrease this undesirable effect.     

硫化氢对家兔窦房结起搏细胞的电生理效应

本研究应用细胞内微电极技术,观察硫化氢(hydrogen sulfide,H2S)对家兔窦房结起搏细胞的电生理效应.结果表明:(1)NaHs(H2S供体)50、100、200 μmol/L浓度依赖地降低家兔窦房结起搏细胞4相去极化速率及起搏放电频率.(2)ATP敏感性钾(ATP-sensitive K ,KATP)通道阻断剂格列苯脲(glybenclamide,Gli,20 μmol/L)阻断NariS(100 μmol/L)的电生理效应.(3)预先应用起搏离子流(pacemaker currenL,If)通道阻断剂氯化铯(CsCl,2 mmol/L)对Naris(100μmol/L.)的电生理效应无影响.(4)胱硫醚-γ裂解酶(cystathionine γ-lyase,CSE)的不可逆抑制剂DL-propargylglycine (PPG,200 μmol/L)的家兔窦房结起搏细胞的动作电位参数无影响.以上结果提示,H2S对家兔窦房结起搏细胞有负性变时作用,这些效应可能与其开放KATP通道,增加K 外流有关,与If无关.本实验没有发现窦房结起搏细胞内有CSE催化产生的内源性H2S的合成.