Effect of oncostatin-M on proliferation and activity in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

BACKGROUND

Osteogenic cells (osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblasts) respond to specific cytokines, growth factors and hormones. Understanding which cytokines affect osteogenic cells and the consequences of those effects are central to understanding normal and pathologic bone remodeling. Oncostatin-M (OSM) is a glycoprotein interleukin-6 cytokine known to inhibit bone resorption in fetal long bone cultures. However, it is still unclear whether OSM affects bone formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OSM on bone formation (bone cell proliferation, differentiation and function).

METHODS

For the in vitro bone formation bioassay, MC3T3-E1 cells were plated into 35 mm Petri dishes and cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM). Various concentrations (1, 10, 100 or 1,000 units/ml) of OSM were added daily to the experimental dishes, while only DMEM was added in the control dishes during the proliferative and differentiated stages of MC3T3-E1 cell growth. The effect of OSM on bone formation was evaluated using 3H-thymidine incorporation, alkaline phosphatase expression, type I collagen synthesis assay and phase-contrast light microscopy.

RESULTS

OSM significantly decreased osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity in a dose-related fashion. There was no effect on type I collagen synthesis noted at any OSM dose. Thus, OSM exerted significant inhibition on bone formation.

CONCLUSIONS

OSM is a potent inhibitor of bone formation by decreasing both osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity.

Dislocation after total hip arthroplasty

Hip dislocation has long been one of the major complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA). From 1980 to 1994, we performed 2728 THAs (including primary and revision cases). There were 97 hips (3. 6%) with the complication of dislocation, 62 of which were followed up for at least 2 years (mean 5.3 years; range 2-12 years). Single dislocations occurred in 40% and recurrent dislocations in 60%. More than half of the dislocations (58%) occurred within 3 months after the index operation. The dislocation rate was not related to sex, age, previous revision surgery, or types of prosthesis, but was related to a smaller size of the femoral head. The rate of recurrent dislocation was not related to a history of previous surgery, but was related to a smaller femoral head, late onset of dislocation (> 3 months), soft-tissue imbalance, and cup malposition in both anteversion and inclination. If the size of the femoral head was 26 mm or smaller, a posterior approach was not recommended. Closed reduction followed by 1-2 weeks of skin traction was the treatment of choice. The success rate for the first attempt at closed reduction for the treatment of dislocation was 41%; the success rate decreased gradually with the number of attempts. For the recurrent dislocation group, bracing for 4-6 weeks with training was recommended for the postural type and bracing for 3 months with muscle training for the soft-tissue imbalance type. Only 15% of the dislocated hips needed re-operation, and most of the patients resolved the problem after being informed and undergoing muscle training.

The mechanism of an immature secretion phenotype of a highly frequent naturally occurring missense mutation at codon 97 of human hepatitis B virus core antigen

A very frequent missense mutation at codon 97 of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (HBcAg) has been found in chronic carriers worldwide. Functional characterization of this mutant revealed one intracellular and two extracellular phenotypes in contrast to wild-type HBV: (i) a 6- to 12-fold decrease in the level of the full-length relaxed circular DNA, a 4- to 5-fold decrease in the plus-strand DNA, and an approximately 1.8-fold decrease in the minus-strand and overall DNA levels in the intracellular viral core particles; (ii) a 5.7-fold increase in the immature secretion of Dane particles, containing minus-strand, single-stranded virion DNA; and (iii) a significant reduction of nonenveloped core particles in the medium. The steady-state levels of mutant and wild-type core proteins expressed from the same vector appeared to be similar. Using a complementation assay and gradient centrifugation analysis, we demonstrated that this mutant core protein alone is necessary and sufficient for immature secretion. The decreased level of intracellular HBV DNA is caused by both the cis defect of the mutant genome and the trans defect of the mutant core protein. We have dissected further the relationship between the intracellular and extracellular phenotypes of mutant F97L. The pleiotropic effects of the HBcAg codon 97 mutation were observed consistently in several different experimental settings. The mechanism and biological significance of these findings are discussed.

Benefit of bilateral pallidotomy in the treatment of generalized dystonia. Case report

This 29-year-old man with cerebral palsy complicated by generalized dystonia was treated by simultaneous bilateral posteroventral pallidotomy. Postoperatively, there was slow, but steady, improvement in the patient's dystonia and disability. However, the improvement in abnormal movements was only prominent for cervical dystonia and oromandibular dyskinesia. The patient's Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia scores were 51 preoperatively and 37, 33.5 and 33.5, at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively, demonstrating a maximum improvement of 34%. These results suggest that pallidotomy can be an alternative therapy for those patients suffering from intractable generalized dystonia.

Enzyme inhibition, polyglutamation, and the effect of LY231514 (MTA) on purine biosynthesis

The pyrrolopyrimidine-based antifolate, N-¿4-[2-(2-amino-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethyl ]benzoyl¿glutamic acid, LY231514 (MTA) has demonstrated antitumor activity in a broad array of human tumors, including breast cancer, colon cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other solid tumors. The biochemical basis of this activity was explored by measuring activation of MTA by polyglutamation and the activity of MTA to inhibit several folate-dependent enzymes: thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT). The enzyme folylpolyglutamate synthase (FPGS) activated MTA very efficiently. Using FPGS from two different species, Km values below 2 micromol/L and high relative first order rate constants, k' (Vmax/Km) of 6.4 and 13.7 compared with another substrate, lometrexol, were obtained. The formation of polyglutamates of several antifolates were compared in vitro at high and low substrate concentrations. At low MTA concentrations, tetraglutamated and pentaglutamated MTA were the predominant forms identified after a 24-hour incubation period. In contrast, only diglutamyl methotrexate and a mixture triglutamylated, tetraglutamylated, and pentaglutamylated forms of the GARFT inhibitor lometrexol were formed under the same conditions. At higher substrate concentrations (20 micromol/L, 24 hours), greater amounts of each product were formed. The major metabolites, however, were triglutamated MTA or triglutamated lometrexol, while only diglutamyl methotrexate was recovered. Thus, MTA was an excellent substrate for FPGS and it was efficiently metabolized to highly polyglutamated species by this enzyme. The activity of MTA and its polyglutamated metabolites to inhibit several folate-dependent enzymes was measured. In vitro, MTA and its polyglutamates were potent, tight-binding inhibitors of several folate-dependent enzymes, including thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and GARFT. Preliminary cell-based assays (CCRF-CEM) demonstrated inhibition of the purine de novo pathway by MTA, consistent with its multitargeted mechanism of action against tumor cells. The combined effects of activation of MTA to highly polyglutamated metabolites and the potency of these polyglutamates to inhibit multiple folate-dependent enzymes provide a mechanistic basis for understanding the broad antitumor activity of this compound against many human tumor types.

Biological activity of the multitargeted antifolate, MTA (LY231514), in human cell lines with different resistance mechanisms to antifolate drugs

Prior studies have indicated that MTA requires intracellular polyglutamation for optimal cytotoxic effect and that these polyglutamates potently inhibit several key enzymes of folate metabolism, including thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT). In the present studies, we have investigated the mechanistic basis for resistance to MTA in several human tumor cell lines. The cell lines were developed for resistance by the gradual exposure to stepwise (fivefold) increases in the concentration of MTA over a 5-month period. The degree of resistance was 140-fold for GC3 colon carcinoma, 117-fold for HCT-8 ileocecal carcinoma, and 729-fold for CCRF-CEM leukemia cells adapted to 2 micromol/L MTA. The lines had strong cross-resistance (>3,200-fold) to raltitrexed. Only modest resistance was noted for methotrexate and the GARFT inhibitor, LY309887. The cytotoxicity of MTA in wild-type cells was only partially alleviated by thymidine addition (5 micromol/L) and complete protection required the addition of both hypoxanthine (100 micromol/L) and thymidine. In contrast, thymidine alone totally lacked protective activity in the MTA-resistant lines. The cells either demonstrated a GARFT-like reversal pattern (complete protection by hypoxanthine) for GC3MTA or a dihydrofolate reductase-like reversal pattern (complete protection by the combination of hypoxanthine and thymidine) for HCT-8MTA and CCRF-CEM(MTA) cells. Cellular resistance was multifactorial and stable on removal of selective pressure. Only GC3MTA cells showed increased TS activity (approximately 40-fold). Accumulations of 3H-MTA at 24 hours in CCRF-CEM(MTA), HCT-8MTA, and GC3MTA cells were 2%, 6%, and 46% of wild-type values, respectively. We also evaluated the cytotoxic activity of MTA in MCF-7 breast carcinoma and H630 colon carcinoma cells selected for resistance to raltitrexed and 5-fluorouracil, respectively, via TS amplification (provided by Dr P.G. Johnston, Belfast, Ireland). These cells demonstrated more than 200-fold less resistance to MTA compared with raltitrexed and MTA-induced cytotoxicity was prevented by hypoxanthine. These studies suggest that in addition to TS modulation, secondary targets emerge during the development of MTA resistance.

Cellular pharmacology of MTA: a correlation of MTA-induced cellular toxicity and in vitro enzyme inhibition with its effect on intracellular folate and nucleoside triphosphate pools in CCRF-CEM cells

The mechanism of action of an antifolate may be investigated using a variety of experimental methods. These include experiments in a cell culture setting to observe possible protection against drug effects afforded by the end products of metabolic pathways, assessing the activity of purified target enzymes in the presence of the antifolate, and, finally, the measurement of drug effects on intracellular folate and nucleoside triphosphate pools. The current discussion is focused on studies using CCRF-CEM leukemia cells that were designed to compare and contrast mechanisms of action of the antifolates methotrexate, which is primarily a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, raltitrexed, a thymidylate synthase inhibitor, LY309887, a glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase inhibitor, and MTA (multitargeted antifolate), which is a novel antifolate antimetabolite. The results of these studies support the hypothesis that MTA affects multiple enzymatic targets and has a distinct mechanism of action from methotrexate, raltitrexed, and LY309887.

Calcitonin-dependent down-regulation of the mouse C1a calcitonin receptor in cells of the osteoclast lineage involves a transcriptional mechanism

Although expression of the calcitonin (CT) receptor (CTR) decreases after CT binding, there has been no evidence that it occurs at the transcriptional level. In the present study we investigated the mechanism of CTR messenger RNA (mRNA) down-regulation by CT in mouse cocultures of bone marrow and osteoblasts. Ribonuclease protection analysis revealed that osteoclast-like cells purified from cocultures predominantly express the C1a isoform and do not express an appreciable amount of the brain-specific C1b mRNA (< 1% of C1a). Treatment of day 5 cocultures with CT caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the steady state level of C1a mRNA. This CT effect was mimicked by the cAMP agonists forskolin and (Bu)2cAMP. Prolonged suppression of C1a mRNA was observed after short treatment with CT, but not with (Bu)2cAMP, suggesting that persistent intracellular cAMP elevation is necessary for the prolonged CT effect. The half-life of the C1a mRNA in cocultures was 4-6 h and was not altered by CT or (Bu)2cAMP. Moreover, competitive RT-PCR analysis revealed that 1-h treatment with CT reduced the level of CTR heterogeneous nuclear RNA to 10% in a cycloheximide-independent manner. These results suggest that CT down-regulates C1a-CTR mRNA expression at least in part by a transcriptional mechanism, thereby contributing to the ligand-induced desensitization in cells of the osteoclast lineage.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of cryptophycin analogs with substitution at C-6 (fragment C region)

Analogs of the antitumor agents cryptophycins 1 and 8 with dialkyl substitution at C-6 (fragment C) were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against human leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM). The activity of these analogs decreased as the size of the substituents at C-6 increased. The C-6 spirocylopropyl compound (2g) was highly potent in vitro and showed excellent antitumor activity in animal models.

In vitro pharmacology of cryptophycin 52 (LY355703) in human tumor cell lines

PURPOSE

Cryptophycin 52 (LY355703) is a new member of the cryptophycin family of antitumor agents that is currently undergoing clinical evaluation for cancer chemotherapy. The mechanism of action of the cryptophycin class of compounds is associated with an action on microtubules. This report details the pharmacological profile of this new clinical compound in a panel of human tumor cell lines.

METHODS

Antiproliferative effects of cryptophycin 52 were measured indirectly by detection of the metabolic reduction of alamarBlue. Cytoxicity was assessed by enzymatic dye activation (calcein AM) combined with dye exclusion (ethidium homodimer) and by clonogenicity assay. Cell cycle effects were evaluated using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

Both antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of cryptophycin 52 were concentration- and time-dependent. IC50 values for antiproliferative activity in both solid and hematologic tumor cell lines were in the low picomolar range, and without exception, were significantly below values for the antimitotic agents paclitaxel and vinblastine. Flow cytometry and microscopic examination of tumor cells treated with cryptophycin 52 indicated that they accumulated in the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. Cryptophycin 52 was tested for its sensitivity to multidrug-resistance in several paired cell lines in which a sensitive parental line was matched with a multidrug-resistant derivative line. The resistant lines have been shown to over express Pgp and/or MRP multidrug-resistance transport factors. Compared to other antimitotic agents (paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine), the potency of cryptophycin 52 was shown to be minimally affected in multidrug-resistant cells compared to their sensitive parental lines.

CONCLUSION

Cryptophycin 52 has potent antimitotic, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity in in vitro human tumor cell models. It is significantly more potent and less sensitive to multidrug resistance mechanisms than other antimitotic antitumor agents currently used in cancer therapy. These characteristics may translate into therapeutic advantages for the clinical use of cryptophycin 52 in cancer chemotherapy.

The synthesis and biological activity of a series of 2,4-diaminopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine based antifolates as antineoplastic and antiarthritic agents

A new series of 2,4-diaminopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine based antifolates 1-3 were synthesized through an efficient conversion of 2-pivaloyl-4-oxo-6-ethynylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine 5 to the corresponding 4-amino analog 7 via the activated 1,2,4-triazole intermediate 6. Compound 7 was used as the key intermediate for the preparation of the final products. The detailed biological evaluation of these compounds both as antineoplastic and antiarthritic agents will be discussed.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel cryptophycin analogs with modification in the beta-alanine region

Structure modification of the beta-alanine region (fragment C) of the potent antimitotic agent cryptophycin was investigated. This includes: (1) introduction of substituents at the previously unsubstituted C7 position of the macrolide ring and (2) replacement of the (2R)-3-amino-2-methyl-propanoic acid (beta-alanine) with various (1)-amino acids to give the corresponding 15-membered unnatural cryptophycin analogs.

Role of thymidylate synthase in the antitumor activity of the multitargeted antifolate, LY231514

The cytotoxicity of LY231514 was only partially alleviated by thymidine addition (5 microM) in GC3 human colon carcinoma cells, and complete protection required the addition of both hypoxanthine (100 microM) and thymidine. In contrast, the cytotoxic activity of tomudex (raltitrexed, ZD1694) was completely reversed by thymidine alone. MCF-7 human breast and H630 human colon carcinoma cells selected for resistance to tomudex and 5-fluorouracil, respectively via thymidylate synthase (TS) amplification demonstrated only modest resistance to LY231514 compared to tomudex. LY231514-induced cytotoxicity in these resistant cell lines was completely prevented by the addition of hypoxanthine (100 microM), indicating inhibition of purine de novo biosynthesis as a secondary target for LY231514 action. Thymidine at physiologic levels in mouse plasma (approximately 1 microM) produced only a 2.6-fold shift in the IC50 for LY231514-mediated cytotoxicity in GC3/cl1 cells compared to a 128-fold shift for tomudex. LY231514 treatment (i.p., qd x 10) significantly delayed tumor growth in the GC3 carcinoma xenograft model. However, a thymidine kinase-deficient mutant of this same tumor line demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the in vivo antitumor activity of LY231514 with complete regression of established tumors and a large number of tumor-free survivors after one course of treatment. The data demonstrate that inhibition of thymidylate synthase is a prominent mechanism for antitumor activity by LY231514, but important secondary sites of action exist for this multitargeted molecule.

Multiple folate enzyme inhibition: mechanism of a novel pyrrolopyrimidine-based antifolate LY231514 (MTA)

Extensive biochemical and pharmacological evidence indicates that LY231514 is a novel antifolate antimetabolite. LY231514 is transported into cells mainly through the reduced folate carrier system and extensively metabolized to polyglutamated forms. The polyglutamates of LY231514 inhibit at least three key folate enzymes: TS, DHFR, and GARFT, and to a lesser extent AICARFT and C1-tetrahydrofolate synthase. The combined effects of the inhibition exerted by LY231514 at each target give rise to an unusual end-product reversal pattern at the cellular level that is distinct from those of other inhibitors such as methotrexate and the quinazoline antifolates. The metabolic effects exerted by LY231514 on the folate and nucleotide pools are also quite distinct from those of MTX and LY309887. The efficient polyglutamation, longer cellular retention and the multiple folate enzyme inhibition mechanism may all have contributed directly to the exciting antitumor responses now observed in Phase I and II studies. The multitargeted inhibition mechanism of LY231514 is particularly intriguing. This new level of mechanistic insight, which has evolved from the study of LY231514, challenges the traditional concept and paradigm of antifolate drug discovery and development which focused on developing very potent and selective inhibitors of single folate enzyme targets, such as DHFR, TS or one of the enzymes along the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway. Given the complex nature of folate metabolism and the critical role of folates in maintaining the physiological functions of living systems, it is completely reasonable to suspect that agents which can interfere at multiple sites in the folate pathway may trigger and cause more biochemical imbalance in the cellular DNA and RNA synthesis of malignant cells than agents that act on a single point (Fig. 5). In conclusion, LY231514 (MTA) is a new generation antifolate antimetabolite demonstrating inhibitory activity against multiple folate enzymes including TS, DHFR and GARFT. In current phase II studies, MTA is broadly active as a single agent and is showing very encouraging antitumor activity in multiple solid tumors including colorectal, breast and non-small cell lung cancers (38-43). The every three week dosing schedule has proven to be convenient and easy to administer and the clinical toxicities of LY231514 seem to be well tolerated. More advanced and extensive clinical trials of LY231514 are currently in progress.

Role of folic acid in modulating the toxicity and efficacy of the multitargeted antifolate, LY231514

We studied the effects of folic acid on modulating the toxicity and antitumor efficacy of LY231514. Using several human tumor cell lines adapted to growth in low folate medium, folic acid was shown to be 100- to 1000-fold less active than folinic acid at protecting cells from LY231514-induced cytotoxicity. The lethality of LY231514 was compared in mice maintained on standard diet or low folate diet. The LD50 occurred at 60- and 250-fold lower doses of LY231514 in DBA/2 and CD1 nu/nu mice, respectively, maintained on low folate diet compared to standard diet. The L5178Y/TK-/HX-murine lymphoma was much more sensitive to the antitumor action of LY231514 compared to wild type L5178Y-S tumors. For mice on low folate diet, LY231514 at 0.3 and 1 mg/kg (qd x 10, i.p.) produced 100% inhibition of L5178Y/TK-/HX-lymphoma growth, and significant lethality occurred at > or = 3 mg/kg. For mice on standard diet, LY231514 produced > 95% inhibition of tumor growth at 30 to 300 mg/kg, but all mice died at 800 mg/kg. Folic acid supplementation was demonstrated to preserve the antitumor activity of LY231514 while reducing toxicity. The combination of folic acid with LY231514 may provide a mechanism for enhanced clinical antitumor selectivity.

Triangular fibrocartilage perforations with bilateral negative ulnar variant wrists: a case report

Triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) constitutes the major part in the triangular fibrocartilage complex, which stabilizes the distal radioulnar joint and functions as a cushion for axial compression forces. Tears in the TFC are often encountered with positive ulnar variance and regarded as part of a degenerative process of the ulnocarpal joint. They are occasionally seen as the result of trauma and are less likely to be found in a young population, especially in those who are in the first two decades of life, without causative traumatic injury. We report the case of a 12-year-old boy with bilateral negative ulnar variances with incidental findings of TFC tears in both wrists. This is a rare case, as he had no history of a traumatic event.

Binding of the epoxide cryptophycin analog, LY355703 to albumin and its effect on in vitro antiproliferative activity

Cryptophycin, isolated from the cyanobacterium Nostoc, is a cytotoxic dioxadiazacyclohexadecenetetrone which causes rapid depletion of microtubules in intact cells. In the present report, the effect of protein binding of a new synthetic cryptophycin analog, LY355703 (cryptophycin 52), is discussed. In handling the compound, it was found to bind extensively to surfaces, and a high degree of plasma protein binding was also observed (about 99% in human plasma). Similarly, while LY355703 displays potent antiproliferative activity against several human tumor cell lines in vitro (IC50s ranging from 12 to 40 pM), the addition of human or bovine serum albumin (BSA) to CCRF-CEM cells adapted to serum-free (UltraCHO) medium markedly reduced its anti-proliferative activity. For example, the IC50s for LY355703 in BSA at 0, 4 and 40 mg/ml were 2, 19 and 34 pM, respectively. In comparison, the IC50 only increased 2-fold (4210-8530 pM) for taxol over the same BSA concentration range. When log phase CCRF-CEM cells were exposed to 1 microM [3H]LY355703, there was a rapid accumulation of drug, so that LY355703 reached steady state within 10 min. The rate of LY355703 uptake in log-phase CCRF-CEM human leukemia cells was a linear function of concentration over a wide range (0.25-50 microM), although the cytotoxicity IC50 was 19 pM. Drug accumulation was not inhibited by sodium azide. Although cryptophycin was observed to bind extensively to albumin, binding did not markedly modulate cryptophycin uptake by CCRF-CEM cells. Overall, these results demonstrate that attention must be given to the binding properties of LY355703 and similar cryptophycins while handling these compounds, and that binding to albumin (and probably other cellular components as well) is a significant factor for interpretation of results both in vitro and in vivo.

Functional characterization of naturally occurring variants of human hepatitis B virus containing the core internal deletion mutation

Naturally occurring variants of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) containing the core internal deletion (CID) mutation have been found frequently in HBV carriers worldwide. Despite numerous sequence analysis reports of CID variants in patients, in the past decade, CID variants have not been characterized functionally, and thus their biological significance to HBV infection remains unclear. We report here two different CID variants identified from two patients that are replication defective, most likely due to the absence of detectable core protein. In addition, we were unable to detect the presence of the precore protein and e antigen from CID variants. However, the production of polymerase appeared to be normal. The replication defect of the CID variants can be rescued in trans by complementation with wild-type core protein. The rescued CID variant particles, which utilize the wild-type core protein, presumably are enveloped properly since they can be secreted into the medium and band at a position similar to that of mature wild-type Dane particles, as determined by gradient centrifugation analysis. Our results also provide an explanation for the association of CID variants with helper or wild-type HBV in nature. The significance of CID variants in HBV infection and pathogenesis is discussed.

Whole-body disposition and polyglutamate distribution of the GAR formyltransferase inhibitors LY309887 and lometrexol in mice: effect of low-folate diet

PURPOSE

The whole-body autoradiographic distribution of two radiolabeled antifolate inhibitors of GAR formyltransferase, lometrexol and LY309887, were compared in tumor-bearing mice maintained on standard diet (SD) and a low-folate diet (LFD) in order to determine the total amounts of drug that accumulated in blood, tumor, liver and kidney. The time-dependent changes in tissue distribution were evaluated over a 7-day period in order to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of both inhibitors and to assess the influence of dietary folate on this distribution. In addition, the effect of dietary folate on polyglutamation of compound accumulating in the liver was measured. The results have bearing on the potential of these two clinical agents to produce delayed toxicity in cancer patients and the use of dietary folate to modulate or prevent the development of this toxicity.

METHODS

Single equimolar i.v. doses of [14C]LY309887 and [14C]lometrexol were administered to C3H mammary tumor bearing mice on SD or LFD, and the disposition of these compounds was quantitated using whole-body autoradiography. Livers were also harvested and extracted for determination of polyglutamate distribution. Animals were sacrificed both early and late (7 days) after dosing to determine the long-term retention of these compounds.

RESULTS

Whole-body autoradiography revealed that the highest concentrations of both compounds were in liver and kidney. Concentrations of both compounds were two-fold higher in livers from LFD mice than in livers from SD mice. Lometrexol concentrations in liver averaged 2.8- and 2.2-fold higher than LY309887 in SD and LFD livers, respectively. In SD livers, the polyglutamate profiles of both compounds were similar, with hexaglutamates being the longest chain species detected. In LFD livers, hexaglutamates of LY309887 were observed, while hepta- and octaglutamates of lometrexol were detected after 168 h.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduced hepatic retention and biochemical profile of LY309887 compared to lometrexol suggest that it may be less likely to produce delayed cumulative toxicity while still retaining antitumor activity. However, the increased hepatic accumulation observed in LFD mice emphasizes the importance of assessing and supplementing folate in cancer patients treated with this class of compounds.

Preclinical cellular pharmacology of LY231514 (MTA): a comparison with methotrexate, LY309887 and raltitrexed for their effects on intracellular folate and nucleoside triphosphate pools in CCRF-CEM cells

LY231514 (N-[4-[2-(2-amino-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethy l]-benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid) is a new folate-based antimetabolite currently in broad phase II clinical evaluation. Previous in vitro studies (C. Shih et al, CancerRes 57: 1116-1123, 1997) have suggested that LY231514 could be a multitargeted antifolate (MTA) capable of inhibiting thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT). The present study compared LY231514 with methotrexate, raltitrexed and a glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase inhibitor, LY309887, at 300, 100, 30 and 100 nM, respectively, for their effects on intracellular folate and at 100, 66, 20 and 30 nM respectively, for their effects on nucleoside triphosphate pools in CCRF-CEM cells. Methotrexate induced an accumulation of dihydrofolate species, together with a rapid depletion of ATP, GTP and all of the deoxynucleoside triphosphates. LY309887 caused an accumulation of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate, a rapid loss of ATP, GTP and dATP, but a slower loss in dCTP, dTTP and dGTP. Both LY231514 and raltitrexed had minimal effects on folate pools. In contrast, they caused rapid depletion of dTTP, dCTP and dGTP, but induced an accumulation of dATP at different rates, with raltitrexed doing so about 2.5 times faster. Most of the observed metabolic changes could be understood on the basis of current knowledge of folate and nucleotide metabolism. We concluded that LY231514 was distinct from methotrexate, LY309887 and raltitrexed based on their metabolic effects in CCRF-CEM cells, and that in this cell line the inhibitory effects of LY231514 were exerted primarily against the thymidylate cycle and secondarily against de novo purine biosynthesis.

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for LY309887, a potent inhibitor of glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase

LY309887, a reduced analogue of folic acid, is a potent inhibitor of glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and possesses a broad spectrum of antitumor activity. During preclinical studies using supplementation with oral folic acid, this second-generation inhibitor displayed both the desired safety profile and the pharmacology to warrant clinical investigation. A sensitive analytical method was needed to assess the pharmacokinetics of LY309887 due to the low doses planned for Phase I studies and the potential for low concentrations in plasma long after i.v. administration. We therefore undertook the development of a competitive RIA. A highly specific antiserum was raised in rabbits following immunization with LY309887 coupled to BSA. A RIA tracer was prepared by radioiodination of compound 389753, the adduct of LY309887 with p-tyramine. We developed a competitive-binding RIA procedure and used superparamagnetic particles coated with goat antirabbit IgG as a method for separating the bound and free forms of LY309887. The RIA is sensitive (0.5 ng/ml in serum and 25 ng/ml in urine), specific (negligible interference from endogenous folates), and reproducible (interassay coefficients of variation ranging from 8.1 to 15.4% and 7.6 to 8.3% for serum and urine controls, respectively). We used the RIA to assess the i.v. pharmacokinetics of LY309887 in both patients with metastatic cancer and dogs. The sensitivity of the RIA permitted the demonstration that serum concentrations of LY309887 decline in a multiexponential manner with a prolonged terminal elimination phase. We conclude that the RIA is a valid method for quantifying LY309887 in biological fluids.

A defective interference-like phenomenon of human hepatitis B virus in chronic carriers

Defective interfering (DI) particles have been found in many RNA and DNA viruses of bacteria, plants, and animals since their first discovery in influenza virus. However, this fundamental phenomenon has not been demonstrated in human natural infections. Using a new approach, here we provide the first experimental evidence for the existence of DI-like viruses in human chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Functional characterization of naturally occurring core internal deletion (CID) variants of HBV revealed all of the features of DI particles. When equal amounts of wild-type and CID variant DNAs were cotransfected into a human hepatoma cell line, Huh7, a three- to fivefold enrichment of CID variants was most often observed. The fluctuations of the virus populations between CID variants and helper HBV in three chronic carriers are reminiscent of the cycling phenomenon in other DI viral systems. This finding has important implications for chronic viral hepatitis and other chronic progressive viral diseases.

Mercury-induced conformational changes and identification of conserved surface loops in plasma membrane aquaporins from higher plants. Topology of PMIP31 from Beta vulgaris L

Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins occurring in mammals, plants, and microorganisms, which serve as channels that permit the bidirectional passage of water through cellular membranes. Higher plants contain abundant levels of aquaporins in both the tonoplast and plasma membrane. Aquaporins contain six transmembrane segments with three surface loops located at the apoplastic face of the membrane and two loops at the cytosolic side. In this study, we probed the topology of plasma membrane aquaporins to determine the effects of divalent cations on aquaporin conformation, and to identify structural features that distinguish plasma membrane intrinsic proteins from tonoplast intrinsic proteins. Plasma membrane vesicles from storage tissue of Beta vulgaris L. were subjected to limited proteolysis, and proteolytic fragmentation patterns were detected using affinity-purified antibodies recognizing aquaporins of 31-kDa. In its native membrane-associated state, the 31-aquaporin band, PMIP31, was refractory to proteolysis by trypsin. However, mercuric compounds specifically induced a conformational change resulting in the exposure of a proteolytic cleavage site and formation of a unique 22-kDa proteolytic fragment (p22). N-terminal sequence analysis of p22 established its identity as an aquaporin-derived fragment. Topological studies using sealed right-side-out plasma membrane vesicles established that the proteolytic cleavage site is located at surface loop C, the second apoplastic loop, immediately preceding the sequence Gly-Gly-Gly-Ala-Asn. The Gly-Gly-Gly-Ala-Asn-X-X-X-X-Gly-Tyr motif of loop C and a 14 amino acid motif in apoplastic loop E, Thr-Gly-Ile/Thr-Asn-Pro-Ala-Arg-Ser-Leu/Phe-Gly-Ala-Ala-Ile/Val-Ile/ Val-Phe/Tyr-Asn are completely conserved in all known higher plant aquaporins of plasma membrane origin and are not present in any of the known tonoplast intrinsic proteins. These results demonstrate that the two highly conserved plasma membrane intrinsic protein surface loops are structural features that clearly distinguish plasma membrane from tonoplast aquaporins.

Evaluation of tibial cortical bone by ultrasound velocity in oriental females

In order to evaluate the feasibility of detecting bone status by measuring cortical ultrasound velocity, ultrasonic transmission velocity of the anterior cortex of shin was measured on 175 normal Chinese females aged 31-75 years (mean 52.3 +/- SD 9.1 years). The data were compared with bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and/or hip measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which was performed on the same day as speed of sound (SOS) examination. Comparison was made with SOS of Caucasian women previously reported in the literature. SOS of three volunteers measured by two different operators were also enrolled in our study for precision testing. The mean value of SOS of the 175 females was 3850.7 +/- 119.3 m s-1 (range: 3411.7-4220.5 m s-1), the peak value being in the fourth decade. The rate of decrease of transmission velocity per decade from fourth decade to fifth decade was 1.7%, while that of fifth decade to sixth decade was 2.2% and that of sixth decade to seventh decade was 4.0%. The interoperative and intraoperative coefficient variance with and without reposition were under 0.32%. SOS moderately correlated with BMD at different sites, the best correlation being with the lumbar spine anteroposterior projection (r = 0.509; p < 0.0001, Pearson's test). There were significant differences in SOS between pre- and post-menopausal groups (p = 0.01, ANOVA test), and between peri- and post-menopausal groups (p = 0.02), but there was no correlation of body weight and height with SOS. SOS also inversely correlated with age and post-menopausal duration. The mean value of SOS in our study was similar to that of Caucasians, but the rate of decrease over 50 years of age was faster. The rate of decline of tibial cortical SOS was similar to that of trabecular bone as previously reported in the literature. As there is a significant decrease of SOS in older females, and older Oriental females suffer from an accelerated cortical bone loss, it is concluded that cortical bone SOS may be a useful method for detecting potential osteoporotic patients in this ethnic group.

Pharmacological characterization of LY335979: a potent cyclopropyldibenzosuberane modulator of P-glycoprotein

The above data indicate that LY335979 displays the following characteristics of an 'ideal modulator' of Pgp-mediated multidrug resistance: high affinity binding to Pgp, high potency for in vitro reversal of drug resistance, high therapeutic index (activity was demonstrated at doses ranging from 1-30 mg/kg) observed in in vivo antitumor efficacy experiments, and a lack of pharmacokinetic interactions that alter the plasma concentration of coadministered oncolytic agents. These desirable features strongly suggest that LY335979 is an exciting new clinical agent to test the hypothesis that inhibition of P-glycoprotein activity will result in reversal of multidrug resistance in human tumors.