Gallium-68 complex of a macrobicyclic cage amine chelator tethered to two integrin-targeting peptides for diagnostic tumor imaging

Tumor-targeting peptides radiolabeled with positron-emitting (68)Ga are promising candidates as new noninvasive diagnostic agents for positron emission tomography (PET). The targeting peptides are tethered to a chelator that forms a stable coordination complex with Ga(3+) that is inert to dissociation of Ga(3+)in vivo. Metal complexes of macrobicyclic hexaamine "sarcophagine" (sar = 3,6,10,13,16,19-hexaazabicyclo[6.6.6]icosane) ligands exhibit remarkable stability as a result of the encapsulating nature of the cage amine ligand. A Ga(3+) sarcophagine complex, [Ga-(1-NH(3)-8-NH(2)-sar)](4+), has been characterized using X-ray crystallography, demonstrating that Ga(3+) is coordinated to six nitrogen atoms in a distorted octahedral complex. A bifunctional derivative of (NH(2))(2)sar, possessing two aliphatic linkers with carboxylic acid functional groups has been attached to two cyclic-RGD peptides that target the α(v)β(3) integrin receptor that is overexpressed in some types of tumor tissue. This dimeric species can be radiolabeled with (68)Ga(3+) in >98% radiochemical yield and (68)Ga(3+) does not dissociate from the ligand in the presence of transferrin, an endogenous protein with high affinity for Ga(3+). Biodistribution and micro-PET imaging studies in tumor-bearing mice indicate that the tracer accumulates specifically in tumors with high integrin expression. The high tumor uptake is coupled with low nonspecific uptake and clearance predominantly through the kidneys resulting in high-quality PET images in animal models.     

Completely monodisperse, highly repetitive proteins for bioconjugate capillary electrophoresis: development and characterization

Protein-based polymers are increasingly being used in biomaterial applications because of their ease of customization and potential monodispersity. These advantages make protein polymers excellent candidates for bioanalytical applications. Here we describe improved methods for producing drag-tags for free-solution conjugate electrophoresis (FSCE). FSCE utilizes a pure, monodisperse recombinant protein, tethered end-on to a ssDNA molecule, to enable DNA size separation in aqueous buffer. FSCE also provides a highly sensitive method to evaluate the polydispersity of a protein drag-tag and thus its suitability for bioanalytical uses. This method is able to detect slight differences in drag-tag charge or mass. We have devised an improved cloning, expression, and purification strategy that enables us to generate, for the first time, a truly monodisperse 20 kDa protein polymer and a nearly monodisperse 38 kDa protein. These newly produced proteins can be used as drag-tags to enable longer read DNA sequencing by free-solution microchannel electrophoresis.     

The development and characterization of an E. coli O25B bioconjugate vaccine

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) cause a wide range of clinical diseases such as bacteremia and urinary tract infections. The increase of multidrug resistant ExPEC strains is becoming a major concern for the treatment of these infections and E. coli has been identified as a critical priority pathogen by the WHO. Therefore, the development of vaccines has become increasingly important, with the surface lipopolysaccharide constituting a promising vaccine target. This study presents genetic and structural analysis of clinical urine isolates from Switzerland belonging to the serotype O25. Approximately 75% of these isolates were shown to correspond to the substructure O25B only recently described in an emerging clone of E. coli sequence type 131. To address the high occurrence of O25B in clinical isolates, an O25B glycoconjugate vaccine was prepared using an E. coli glycosylation system. The O antigen cluster was integrated into the genome of E. coli W3110, thereby generating an E. coli strain able to synthesize the O25B polysaccharide on a carrier lipid. The polysaccharide was enzymatically conjugated to specific asparagine side chains of the carrier protein exotoxin A (EPA) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the PglB oligosaccharyltransferase from Campylobacter jejuni. Detailed characterization of the O25B-EPA conjugate by use of physicochemical methods including NMR and GC-MS confirmed the O25B polysaccharide structure in the conjugate, opening up the possibility to develop a multivalent E. coli conjugate vaccine containing O25B-EPA.

     

Tyrosinase-catalyzed synthesis of a universal coil-chitosan bioconjugate for protein immobilization

Chitosan has been reported as a promising material for gene and drug delivery as well as for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. We report here the conjugation of a de novo designed coil peptide (Kcoil) to chitosan ( M(n) = 200 kDa) to achieve a universal Kcoil-chitosan scaffold for subsequent immobilization of proteins tagged with the Kcoil partner, i.e., the Ecoil peptide. Kcoil-chitosan conjugate was synthesized using a tyrosinase-catalyzed protocol. Extensive UV/vis and IR characterization demonstrated that Kcoil peptide was covalently grafted to amines of chitosan. The ability of Kcoil-chitosan conjugate to recruit Ecoil tagged epidermal growth factor (EGF) was assessed by surface plasmon resonance measurements (SPR). Despite nonspecific interactions between chitosan and EGF, the specific formation of an E/K coiled coil complex was observed at slightly acidic pH and high salt concentration conditions, demonstrating that grafting to chitosan did not negatively impact binding characteristics of Kcoil peptide. Finally, the benefits of such bioconjugates for biomedical applications are discussed.     

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of folate-cyclodextrin bioconjugate for active drug delivery

beta-Cyclodextrin-poly(ethylene glycol)-folic acid conjugate (CD-PEG-FA) was synthesized according to a two-step procedure: (1). synthesis of CD-PEG-NH(2) by reaction of monotosyl-activated beta-cyclodextrin with excess of 700 Da diamino-PEG; (2). synthesis of CD-PEG-FA by reaction of CD-PEG-NH(2) with succinimidyl ester-activated folic acid. The CD-PEG-NH(2) intermediate was purified by precipitation in acetone, and the CD-PEG-FA by gel permeation and C-18 reversed-phase chromatography. Both CD-PEG-NH(2) and CD-PEG-FA were analyzed by mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR, and UV-vis spectroscopy. All analytical methods confirmed the theoretical composition of the conjugates: the CD-PEG-NH(2) intermediate was composed of CD and PEG in the molar ratio of 1:1, and the CD-PEG-FA was composed of beta-cyclodextrin, PEG, and folic acid in the molar ratio of 1:1:1. The CD-PEG-FA conjugate was highly soluble in buffer (>42 mM) as compared to the unmodified beta-cyclodextrin (16.3 mM). Phase solubility diagrams of beta-estradiol revealed that drug solubility increases from 11 microM in buffer to 600 microM in the presence of beta-cyclodextrins and 5900 microM with CD-PEG-FA. However, the affinity of beta-estradiol for beta-cyclodextrins decreased about 4 times with PEG and folic acid conjugation. Stability studies carried out using chlorambucil confirmed that the conjugate partially prevents drug degradation in buffer, although this effect was considerably lower than that obtained with beta-cyclodextrin. Computer modeling studies showed that the folic acid linked to the beta-cyclodextrins through a PEG spacer could partially interact with the cyclodextrin cavity. Finally, CD-PEG-FA displayed reduced hemolytic effect as compared to unmodified beta-cyclodextrin.     

Site-specific polymer-streptavidin bioconjugate for pH-controlled binding and triggered release of biotin

Low molecular weight copolymers of acrylic acid (AAc) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) have been synthesized with reactive OH groups at one end, using a chain transfer polymerization technique. The copolymer displays both pH and temperature sensitivity over a wide and useful range of pHs and temperatures, which permits both pH and temperature control of polymer conformation. This copolymer has been conjugated to a specific cysteine thiol site inserted by genetic engineering near the recognition site of streptavidin (SAv). In this paper, we demonstrate that this bioconjugate can provide pH control of biotin binding to and triggered release from the mutant SAv. These actions are relevant to affinity separations, biosensors, diagnostics, enzyme processes, and targeted delivery of drugs or chemical agents, labels, and other signals.     

Synthesis and photochemical properties of nitro-naphthyl chromophore and the corresponding immunoglobulin bioconjugate

Synthesis, photochemistry, and biomolecular caging properties of a new chromophore namely 3-nitro-2-naphthalenemethanol are described. This chromophore is photoexcitable with photons in 350-400 nm range and in several solvents including aqueous medium. On irradiation, it gives the expected nitroso-aldehyde photoproduct with high quantum yield (0.6-0.8). Further, it can be conveniently coupled to the amino residues of immunoglobulin (IgG) using diphosgene. Irradiation of the resulting IgG-nitronaphthyl chromophore bioconjugate at 380 nm causes photorelease of IgG as evidenced by Protein-A affinity binding studies. The bioconjugate showed low level of binding to Protein-A. However, the binding increases after irradiation and, thus, modifies the Fc site of the IgG. Electrophoresis studies of the irradiated bioconjugate show that IgG does not undergo fragmentation or molecular weight change under the irradiation conditions. Thus, 3-nitro-2-naphthalenemethanol can be used as a photocaging agent under physiological conditions at wavelengths, which does not cause significant damage to the biomolecule. The work provides new directions for the development of organic chromophores for biomolecular caging applications.     

Preparation and biological evaluation of (64)Cu labeled Tyr(3)-octreotate using a phosphonic acid-based cross-bridged macrocyclic chelator

Somatostatin receptors (SSTr) are overexpressed in a wide range of neuroendocrine tumors, making them excellent targets for nuclear imaging and therapy, and radiolabeled somatostatin analogues have been investigated for positron emission tomography imaging and radionuclide therapy of SSTr-positive tumors, especially of the subtype-2 (SSTr2). The aim of this study was to develop a somatostatin analogue, Tyr(3)-octreotate (Y3-TATE), conjugated to a novel cross-bridged macrocyclic chelator, 11-carboxymethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane-4-methanephosphonic acid (CB-TE1A1P). Unlike traditional cross-bridged macrocycles, such as 4,11-bis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane (CB-TE2A), CB-TE1A1P-Y3-TATE was radiolabeled with (64)Cu in high purity and high specific activity using mild conditions. Saturation binding assays revealed that (64)Cu-CB-TE1A1P-Y3-TATE had comparable binding affinity but bound to more binding sites in AR42J rat pancreatic tumor cell membranes than (64)Cu-CB-TE2A-Y3-TATE. Both radiopharmaceuticals showed comparable uptake in SSTr2 positive tissues in AR42J tumor-bearing rats. (64)Cu-CB-TE1A1P-Y3-TATE demonstrated improved blood clearance compared to (64)Cu-CB-TE2A-Y3-TATE, as the tumor/blood ratios of (64)Cu-CB-TE1A1P-Y3-TATE were shown to be significantly higher than those of (64)Cu-CB-TE2A-Y3-TATE at 4 and 24 h postinjection. (64)Cu-CB-TE1A1P-Y3-TATE, in spite of a relatively high kidney uptake, accumulated less in nontarget organs such as liver, lung, and bone. Small animal PET/CT imaging of (64)Cu-CB-TE1A1P-Y3-TATE in AR42J tumor bearing rats validated significant uptake and good contrast in the tumor. This study suggests that CB-TE1A1P is a promising bifunctional chelator for (64)Cu-labeled for Y3-TATE, owing to high binding affinity and target tissue uptake, the ability to radiolabel the agent at lower temperatures, and improved tumor/nontarget organ ratios over (64)Cu-CB-TE2A-Y3-TATE.     

A multifunctional bioconjugate module for versatile photoaffinity labeling and click chemistry of RNA

A multifunctional reagent based on a coumarin scaffold was developed for derivatization of naive RNA. The alkylating agent N3BC [7-azido-4-(bromomethyl)coumarin], obtained by Pechmann condensation, is selective for uridine. N3BC and its RNA conjugates are pre-fluorophores which permits controlled modular and stepwise RNA derivatization. The success of RNA alkylation by N3BC can be monitored by photolysis of the azido moiety, which generates a coumarin fluorophore that can be excited with UV light of 320?nm. The azidocoumarin-modified RNA can be flexibly employed in structure-function studies. Versatile applications include direct use in photo-crosslinking studies to cognate proteins, as demonstrated with tRNA and RNA fragments from the MS2 phage and the HIV genome. Alternatively, the azide function can be used for further derivatization by click-chemistry. This allows e.g. the introduction of an additional fluorophore for excitation with visible light.     

The iron chelator desferrioxamine inhibits atherosclerotic lesion development and decreases lesion iron concentrations in the cholesterol-fed rabbit

Several epidemiological studies have suggested that increased iron stores are associated with increased atherosclerotic events. In order to test the hypothesis that decreasing the vascular level of iron slows lesion growth, we examined the effects of the iron chelator Desferal (72 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week) on atherosclerosis and lesion iron content in cholesterol-fed New Zealand White rabbits. Rabbits were fed with a 1% w/w cholesterol diet for either 8 weeks (and for the last 5 weeks injected daily with Desferal) or 12 weeks (and for the last 9 weeks injected with Desferal). Controls were injected with saline. A significant reduction in average lesion area (p = 0.038) was observed in the 12-week treated animals compared with the 12-week controls. The average lesion iron level of the 12-week treated animals (58 ppm dry wt) was also significantly lower (p = 0.030) than in 12-week control animals (95 ppm dry wt), as measured using nuclear microscopy with the combination of scanning transmission ion microscopy, Rutherford back-scattering spectroscopy, and particle-induced X-ray emission. No reduction in lesion area or iron content was observed in the 8-week treated animals compared with controls, and no change in lesion zinc concentration was observed for either group. Our data strengthen the concept that iron contributes to the early stages of the development of atherosclerosis.     

New technologies for vaccine development

Despite important success of preventive vaccination in eradication of smallpox and in reduction in incidence of poliomyelitis and measles, infectious diseases remain the principal cause of mortality in the world. Technologies used in the development of vaccines used so far, mostly based on empirical approaches, are limited and insufficient to fight diseases like malaria, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or adult tuberculosis. Until recently, technologies for making vaccines were based on live attenuated microorganisms, whole killed microorganisms and subunit vaccines such as purified toxoids. Fortunately, the recent advances in the understanding of host-pathogen interaction as well as our increasing knowledge of how immune responses are triggered and regulated have opened almost unlimited possibilities of developing new immunization strategies based on recombinant microorganisms or recombinant polypeptides or bacterial or viral vectors, synthetic peptides, natural or synthetic polysaccharides or plasmid DNA. Thus, considering the expending number of technologies available for making vaccines, it becomes possible for the first time in the history of vaccinology to design vaccines based on a rational approach and leading to increased efficacy and safety.     

Pre-clinical development of cord blood-derived progenitor cell graft expanded ex vivo with cytokines and the polyamine copper chelator tetraethylenepentamine

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that the copper chelator tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) enables preferential expansion of early hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34+CD38-, CD34+CD38-Lin-) in human umbilical cord blood (CB)-derived CD34+ cell cultures. This study extends our previous findings that copper chelation can modulate the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. METHODS: In the present study we established a clinically applicative protocol for large-scale ex vivo expansion of CB-derived progenitors. Briefly, CD133+ cells, purified from CB using Miltenyi Biotec's (Bergisch Gladbach, Germany) CliniMACS separation device and the anti-CD133 reagent, were cultured for 3 weeks in a clinical-grade closed culture bag system, using the chelator-based technology in combination with early-acting cytokines (SCF, thrombopoietin, IL-6 and FLT-3 ligand). This protocol was evaluated using frozen units derived from accredited cord blood banks. RESULTS: Following 3 weeks of expansion under large-scale culture conditions that were suitable for clinical manufacturing, the median output value of CD34+ cells increase by 89-fold, CD34+CD38- increase by 30-fold and CFU cells (CFUc) by 172-fold over the input value. Transplantation into sublethally irradiated non-obese diabetic (NOD/SCID) mice indicated that the engraftment potential of the ex vivo expanded CD133+ cells was significantly superior to that of unexpanded cells: 60+/-5.5% vs. 21+/-3.5% CD45+ cells, P=0.001, and 11+/-1.8% vs. 4+/-0.68% CD45+CD34+ cells, P=0.012, n=32, respectively. DISCUSSION: Based on these large-scale experiments, the chelator-based ex vivo expansion technology is currently being tested in a phase 1 clinical trial in patients undergoing CB transplantation for hematological malignancies.     

Mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic effects of Tachpyr--a novel metal chelator

Tachpyr (N,N'N"-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane), a novel metal chelator, was previously shown to deplete intracellular iron and exert a cytotoxic effect on cultured bladder cancer cells. Tachpyr binds Fe(II) and readily reduces Fe(III). The iron(II)-Tachpyr chelate undergoes intramolecular oxidative dehydrogenation resulting in mono- and diimino Fe(II) complexes. The present study investigates the redox-activity of the Tachpyr-iron complex to better define the mechanism of Tachpyr's cytotoxicity. Tachpyr's mechanism of cytotoxicity was studied using cell-free solutions, isolated DNA, and cultured mammalian cells by employing UV-VIS spectrophotometry, oximetry, spin-trapping technique, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry. The results show that: (1) Tachpyr by itself after 24 h of incubation had a cytotoxic effect on cultured cells; (2) fully oxidized Tachpyr had no cytotoxic effects on cultured cells even after 24 h of incubation; (3) Tachpyr protected isolated DNA against H(2)O(2)-induced damage, but not against HX/XO-induced damage; and (4) Tachpyr-Fe(II) chelate slows down but does not block oxidation of Fe(II), allows O*(-)(2)-induced or Tachpyr-induced reduction of Fe(III), and consequently promotes production of *OH through the Haber-Weiss reaction cycle. The results indicate that Tachpyr can protect cells against short-term, metal-mediated damage. However, upon prolonged incubation, Tachpyr exerts cytotoxic effects. Therefore, in addition to iron depletion, low-level oxidative stress, which in part occurs because of redox cycling of the coordinated iron ion, may contribute to the cytotoxic effects of Tachpyr.     

Inhibition of the differentiation of Candida albicans by the chelator 1,10-phenanthroline

Several chelators were examined for their ability to prevent the synchronous release of 24- to 48-hour stationary phase singlet cells of the dimorphic yeast Candida albicans into either the mycelial or the budding phenotypes (in a defined liquid medium at 37°C; at pH 6.5 or pH 4.5, respectively). The only chelator that was found to inhibit mycelium formation completely and to restrict bud formation to about 10% was 1,10-phenanthroline at minimal concentrations of 50 M and 230 M, respectively.The inhibition of both phenotypes could be reversed completely by the addition of 200 M of ZnSO₄. The synchrony of recovery from inhibition by the addition of zinc paralleled that of the controls for both phenotypes, and the final number of mycelia or buds as a percentage of the control was the same (100%).These findings support the hypothesis that the lag period between the release from stationary phase and the onset of development for Candida represents the time of acquisition of a minimum threshold amount of a cation, such as zinc. The involvement of zinc in phenotypic development is discussed, suggesting that while zinc is involved in the initiation of development, it may not determine the phenotype of Candida albicans.     

A bioconjugate approach toward squalamine mimics: Insight into the mechanism of biological action

A short and efficient synthesis has been devised for a family of squalamine mimics, based on the use of cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, putrescine, and spermine as starting materials. Those mimics that contain two facially amphiphilic sterol-spermidine conjugates show strong antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacteria; their corresponding activities against a broad spectrum of Gram-negative bacteria are relatively moderate. Larger mimics, containing four such sterol-spermidine conjugates, exhibit very weak activities. Reversal of the pendent spermidine moiety and a putrescine linkage on the A- and D-rings had little consequence on the antibacterial activity for the most active of the squalamine mimics, which contained two sterol-polyamine units; similar results were obtained with squalamine mimics made from only one sterol unit. Detailed structure-activity measurements, in combination with kinetic studies carried out using liposomes as model membranes, support a mechanism of action involving noncovalent dimers as ion transporting species, most probably via the formation of pores or channels.     

New softwares for automated microsatellite marker development

Microsatellites are repeated small sequence motifs that are highly polymorphic and abundant in the genomes of eukaryotes. Often they are the molecular markers of choice. To aid the development of microsatellite markers we have developed a module that integrates a program for the detection of microsatellites (TROLL), with the sequence assembly and analysis software, the Staden Package. The module has easily adjustable parameters for microsatellite lengths and base pair quality control. Starting with large datasets of unassembled sequence data in the form of chromatograms and/or text data, it enables the creation of a compact database consisting of the processed and assembled microsatellite containing sequences. For the final phase of primer design, we developed a program that accepts the multi-sequence ‘experiment file’ format as input and produces a list of primer pairs for amplification of microsatellite markers. The program can take into account the quality values of consensus bases, improving success rate of primer pairs in PCR. The software is freely available and simple to install in both Windows and Unix-based operating systems. Here we demonstrate the software by developing primer pairs for 427 new candidate markers for peanut.     

New animal models for evolution and development

A report on the annual UK Evolutionary Developmental Biology meeting, Oxford, UK, 13 September 2004.