Eradication of large solid tumors in mice with an immunotoxin directed against tumor vasculature

Antibody-based therapy of solid tumors has met with limited success, chiefly because solid tumors are relatively impermeable to macromolecules. This problem could be circumvented by attacking the readily accessible endothelial cells of the tumor vascular bed. We have developed a model to test this "vascular targeting" approach in which cytokine gene transfection of the tumor cells causes them to induce an experimental marker selectively on tumor vascular endothelium. An anti-tumor endothelial cell immunotoxin caused complete occlusion of the tumor vasculature and dramatic regressions of large solid tumors. By contrast, a conventional anti-tumor cell immunotoxin of equivalent in vitro potency produced only minor, transient antitumor effects but, when combined, the two immunotoxins induced permanent complete remissions in over half of the animals. These experiments indicate that immunotoxins directed against recently described markers on vascular endothelial cells in human tumors could provide a general treatment for solid tumors in humans.

Posttraumatic innominate artery aneurysm with occlusion of the common carotid artery at its origin by an intimal flap

Blunt trauma involving the innominate and carotid arteries is a rare occurrence that can be lethal or have serious neurologic sequelae. To our knowledge this is the first reported case in the international literature describing the association of posttraumatic innominate artery aneurysm with total occlusion and thrombosis of the common carotid artery at its origin by an intimal flap. The diagnostic problems created by this unusual injury are discussed. In this case the patency of the distal portion of the common and internal carotid arteries was demonstrated by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), whereas color duplex and digital arteriographic studies were unsuccessful. This demonstration was crucial to patient management. Since no studies are available comparing color duplex imaging, conventional arteriography, and MRA in the evaluation of blunt carotid trauma, this case study is presented to demonstrate the utility of MRA in emergency situations. In addition, we analyze the possible pathogenesis and discuss the surgical treatment.

Heparin-steroid conjugates: new angiogenesis inhibitors with antitumor activity in mice

Inhibitors of angiogenesis hold potential in the treatment of cancer and other diseases where the disease is caused or maintained by the inappropriate growth of blood vessels. In the present study, a novel inhibitor of angiogenesis was synthesized by covalently linking a nonanticoagulating derivative of heparin, heparin adipic hydrazide (HAH), by an acid-labile bond to the antiangiogenic steroid, cortisol. The rationale was that the heparin derivative, which binds to sulfated polyanion receptors on endothelial cells, should concentrate the steroid on the surface of vascular endothelial cells. Endocytosis of the conjugate and decomposition of the acid-labile linkage inside lysosomes and other acidic intracellular compartments should then lead to release of the cortisol and expression of its antiproliferative activity. Analysis of the stability of HAH-cortisol showed that it was stable at pH 7.4 and broke down rapidly (t1/2 15 min) at pH 4.8 at 37 degrees C. Treatment of murine pulmonary capillary endothelial cells with HAH-cortisol at 10(-5) M (with respect to cortisol) suppressed their DNA synthesis by 50% and inhibited their migration into wounded areas of confluent monolayers. HAH-cortisol at 10(-4) M (with respect to cortisol) did not suppress the DNA synthesis of Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Daily i.p. injections of HAH-cortisol into mice bearing s.c. sponge implants retarded vascularization of the sponge, and injections directly into the sponge abolished vascularization for as long as the injections were continued. Daily i.v. injections of HAH-cortisol at doses causing no apparent toxicity retarded the growth of solid s.c. Lewis lung carcinomas in mice by up to 65%. In all of these assays, equivalent treatments with a mixture of the HAH plus cortisol was significantly less effective. The antiproliferative effect of HAH-cortisol on endothelial cells appeared independent of the glucocorticoid activity of the steroid since HAH conjugated to 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha,17 alpha,21-triol-20-one, a steroid lacking glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid activity, was even more effective at inhibiting DNA synthesis by murine pulmonary capillary endothelial cells than was HAH-cortisol. In conclusion, HAH-cortisol represents the prototype of a new class of angiogenesis inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and other angiogenic diseases.

Immunotoxins: magic bullets or misguided missiles?

Thirteen years have passed since specific in vitro and in vivo killing of tumor cells by immunotoxins was first described. Why, then, has it taken so long to determine whether these pharmaceuticals will have a major impact on the treatment of cancer, AIDS and autoimmune disease? The answer is that the transfer of basic discoveries to the clinic is a slow, multistep, interdisciplinary process. Thus, immunotoxin molecules must be designed and redesigned by the basic scientist depending on the efficacy and toxicity shown in vitro and in relevant experimental models. Next, each version must be evaluated by clinicians in humans through a lengthy process (1-3 years) in which the dose regimen is optimized and in which new problems and issues frequently emerge. These problems must again be modeled and studied in animals before additional clinical trials are initiated. In this article, Ellen Vitetta and colleagues discuss both basic and clinical aspects of the development of immunotoxin therapy.

Immunotoxins: magic bullets or misguided missiles?

Thirteen years have passed since specific in vitro and in vivo killing of tumour cells by immunotoxins was first described. Why, then, has it taken so long to determine whether these drugs will have a major impact on the treatment of cancer, AIDS and autoimmune disease? The answer is that the transfer of basic discoveries to the clinic is a slow, multistep, interdisciplinary process. Thus, immunotoxin molecules must be designed and redesigned by the basic scientist depending on the efficacy and toxicity shown in vitro and in relevant experimental models. Next, each version must be evaluated by clinicians in humans through a lengthy process (1-3 years) in which the dose regimen is optimized and in which new problems and issues frequently emerge. These problems must again be modelled and studied in animals before additional clinical trials are initiated. In this article, Ellen Vitetta and colleagues discuss both basic and clinical aspects of the development of immunotoxin therapy.

A murine model for antibody-directed targeting of vascular endothelial cells in solid tumors

An attractive approach to the therapy of solid tumors would be to target cytotoxic agents or coagulants to the vasculature of the tumor rather than to the tumor cells themselves. This strategy has 3 advantages: (a) it should be applicable to many types of solid tumors because all require a blood supply for survival and growth; (b) the target endothelial cells are directly accessible through the blood and are normal cells, making the outgrowth of resistant mutants unlikely; and (c) there is an in-built amplification mechanism because thousands of tumor cells are reliant on each capillary for nutrients and oxygen. Despite its theoretical attractions, the approach of tumor vascular targeting has not been testable because antibodies that recognize tumor vascular endothelial cell antigens with adequate specificity are currently not available. In this study, we developed a model system in which to investigate the antibody-directed targeting of vascular endothelial cells in solid tumors in mice. A neuroblastoma transfected with the mouse interferon-gamma gene, C1300(Mu gamma), was grown in antibiotic-treated BALB/c nude mice. The interferon-gamma secreted by the tumor induces the expression of major histocompatibility complex Class II antigens on the tumor vascular endothelium. Class II antigens are absent from the vasculature of normal tissues, although they are present on B-lymphocytes, cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage, and some epithelial cells. Anti-Class II antibody administered i.v. strongly stains the tumor vasculature, whereas an antitumor antibody directed against a major histocompatibility complex Class I antigen of the tumor allograft produces classical perivascular tumor cell staining. This model should enable the theoretical superiority of tumor vascular targeting over conventional tumor cell targeting to be tested.

Influence of tumor-derived interleukin 1 on melanoma-endothelial cell interactions in vitro

Human melanoma cell lines that express high constitutive levels of the metastasis-associated marker intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were found to secrete interleukin 1 (IL-1) in vitro. Experiments with neutralizing antibodies showed that this cytokine was responsible for their expression of ICAM-1 but not that of two other progression/metastasis markers, Muc-18 and Gp IIb/IIIa. The IL-1 present in melanoma-conditioned medium induced the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1, and ICAM-1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs) in culture and increased the rate at which melanoma cells and ECs adhered to each other. IL-1-producing melanoma lines adhered significantly more rapidly to ECs than did non-IL-1-producing lines, and this enhancement was reduced by prior incubation of the melanoma cells with neutralizing anti-IL-1 antibodies. Similarly, endothelial cells treated with conditioned medium from IL-1-producing melanoma lines adhered significantly more rapidly to melanoma cells than did ECs treated with medium from non-IL-1-producing melanoma lines, and this enhancement was abolished by addition of anti-IL-1 antibodies to EC cultures in conditioned medium. Blocking antibodies to endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1, and ICAM-1 failed to inhibit melanoma-EC adhesion, but an antibody to tumor cell GpIIb/IIIa did block adhesion by up to 44%. The ability to secrete IL-1 could increase the metastatic potential of melanoma cells by stimulating tumor cell-EC adhesion.

Immunotoxins containing ricin or its A chain

In this chapter we describe the development of first generation immunotoxins containing ricin and its A chain. The roles of the ligand, linker and toxin in generating highly specific in vivo reagents are discussed. The problems associated with first generation immunotoxins in the clinic, and the subsequent development and performance of second generation reagents are described. Finally, future directions for the successful application of these reagents to the therapy of cancer, autoimmunity, transplantation, and infectious diseases are outlined.

Blocked and non-blocked ricin immunotoxins against the CD4 antigen exhibit higher cytotoxic potency than a ricin A chain immunotoxin potentiated with ricin B chain or with a ricin B chain immunotoxin

An immunotoxin consisting of ricin A chain linked to the monoclonal antibody M-T151, recognising the CD4 antigen, was weakly toxic to the human T-lymphoblastoid cell line CEM in tissue culture. The incorporation of [3H]leucine by CEM cells was inhibited by 50% at an M-T151--ricin-A-chain concentration (IC50) of 4.6 nM compared with an IC50 of 1.0 pM for ricin. In contrast, immunotoxins made by linking intact ricin to M-T151 in such a way that the galactose-binding sites of the B chain subunit were either blocked sterically by the antibody component or were left unblocked, were both powerfully cytotoxic with IC50 values of 20-30 pM. The addition of ricin B chain to CEM cells treated with M-T151--ricin-A-chain enhanced cytotoxicity by only eight-fold indicating that isolated B chain potentiated the action of the A chain less effectively than it did as an integral component of an intact ricin immunotoxin. Ricin B chain linked to goat anti-(mouse immunoglobulin) also potentiated weakly. Lactose completely inhibited the ability of isolated ricin B chain to potentiate the cytotoxicity of M-T151--ricin-A-chain and partially (3- to 4-fold) inhibited the cytotoxicity of the blocked and non-blocked ricin immunotoxins. Thus, in this system, the galactose-binding sites of the B chain contributed to cell killing regardless of whether isolated B chain was associated with the A chain immunotoxin or was present in blocked or non-blocked form as part of an intact ricin immunotoxin. The findings suggest that the blocked ricin immunotoxin may become unblocked after binding to the target antigen to re-expose the cryptic galactose-binding sites. However, the unblocking cannot be complete because the maximal inhibition of [3H]leucine incorporation by the blocked immunotoxin was only 80% compared with greater than 99% inhibition by the non-blocked immunotoxin.

Cytotoxicity of a recombinant ricin-A-chain fusion protein containing a proteolytically-cleavable spacer sequence

Chimeric proteins composed of ricin toxin A chain (RTA) and staphylococcal protein A (PA) have been produced in E. coli. Constructs consisting of N-terminal RTA and C-terminal PA (RTA-PA) or N-terminal PA and C-terminal (PA-RTA) were capable of binding to immunoglobulin G (via PA) and of specifically depurinating 28 S ribosomal RNA (via RTA). However, neither fusion protein was cytotoxic to antigen-bearing target cells in the presence of an appropriate monoclonal antibody presumably because the RTA could not be released from the PA within the cytosol where the ribosomal substrate of RTA is located. The overcome this, a short amino acid sequence from diphtheria toxin was engineered between the RTA and PA to produce a disulfide-linked loop containing a trypsin sensitive cleavage site. Cleavage of this fusion protein with trypsin converted the RTA-DT-PA to the two chain form consisting of RTA linked by a disulfide bond to PA. The cleaved fusion protein was highly toxic to Daudi cells coated with anti-immunoglobulin antibody suggesting that the RTA could be released from the PA by reduction within the cytosol.

Upper extremity venous thrombosis. Case report and literature review

Upper extremity venous thrombosis is a clinical entity with numerous etiologic factors. Only 2% of all cases of deep venous thrombosis involve the upper extremity, and the incidence of pulmonary embolism related to thrombosis in this location is approximately 12%. Primary or "effort" thrombosis of the upper limb is related to the inherent anatomical structure of the thoracic outlet and axillary region. Secondary thrombosis may have such diverse origins as trauma, infection, congestive heart failure, central venous catheters, neoplasms, septic phlebitis, intravenous drug use, and hypercoagulable states. Patients present with peripheral edema and prominent superficial veins, and neurologic symptoms (pain and paresthesias) are usually present as well. Clinical diagnosis is confirmed by venography or sonography. Treatment regimens include conservative measures, thrombolysis with fibrinolytic agents, and surgical correction of indicated thoracic outlet and axillary structures. We present an unusual case in which upper extremity venous thrombosis in a young healthy female athlete was associated with the presence of cervical ribs. The patient was successfully treated with focal thrombolysis and surgical resection of her ipsilateral cervical rib.

The epitope specificity and tissue reactivity of four murine monoclonal anti-CD22 antibodies

The CD22 antigen is expressed on the surface of normal human B cells and some neoplastic B cell lines and tumors. Previous cross-blocking studies using a panel of monoclonal anti-CD22 antibodies have defined four epitope groups, termed A-D. In the present studies, we have further dissected the epitopes recognized by four monoclonal anti-CD22 antibodies using immunoprecipitation and cross-blocking techniques, immunofluorescence analyses with a variety of cell lines, and immunoperoxidase analyses of 36 normal human tissues. Two of the antibodies, HD6 and RFB4, have been described previously, and two, UV22-1 and UV22-2, are described in this report. Our studies indicate that the four monoclonal antibodies show unexpected complexities in their reactivity with CD22+ and CD22- cells and their reactivity with solubilized CD22 molecules. The four antibodies, which recognize epitopes defined previously as CD22-A and CD22-B, further subdivide these epitope clusters into four determinants, A1, A2, B1, and B2. Furthermore, only two of the antibodies, RFB4 and UV22-2, are B cell-specific. In summary, our data indicate that RFB4 and UV22-2 would be the antibodies of choice for constructing immunotoxins to treat B cell tumors.

Ricin A-chain containing immunotoxins directed against different epitopes on the CD2 molecule differ in their ability to kill normal and malignant T cells

Immunoconjugates consisting of mAb covalently coupled to plant or bacterial toxins or to cytotoxic drugs have provided novel experimental reagents for the treatment of malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In this report, we analyzed the efficacy of three ricin A chain-containing immunotoxins (IT-A) which recognize different epitopes on the CD2 molecule (E rosette receptor) on human T cells. Although all IT-A had similar binding avidities and A-chain activities, one (RFT11-A) was 100-1000-fold more effective in killing normal and malignant T cells than the others (35.1-A, 9.6-A). Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that all IT-A bound to the CD2 molecule. However, cross-blocking experiments, differential proteolysis with trypsin, and T cell co-activation experiments showed that the less effective IT-A, 35.1-A and 9.6-A, bound to an epitope far from the cell membrane (region I), whereas the more effective IT-A, RFT11-A bound to an epitope closer to the membrane (region II). Using cellular RIA and immunoelectron microscopy, it was shown that both RFT11-A and 35.1-A were rapidly internalized by T cells, but that their intracellular fates differed. The more toxic IT-A, RFT11-A, was retained for longer periods of time inside the cells and was more slowly degraded than the less effective IT-A, 35.1-A, which was rapidly transported to lysosomes, digested, and expelled. These results demonstrate that different IT-A targeting the same surface molecule can differ markedly in potency, and that the epitope recognized by an IT-A may have a significant impact on the ability of the IT-A to insert into cell membranes, translocate to the cytosol, and kill cells.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and hepatotoxic effects of saporin and ricin A-chain immunotoxins on murine liver parenchymal cells

Immunotoxins containing the ribosome-inactivating protein, saporin, are very effective antitumor agents but are highly toxic to mice. They induce severe necrotic lesions in the liver parenchyma of the recipients. Such extensive damage to the liver parenchyma is not observed with ricin A-chain immunotoxins even at 5-fold higher dosage. The hepatotoxicity of the saporin immunotoxins was found in the present study to arise from a combination of two effects. First, saporin and saporin immunotoxins were 30- and 6-fold more toxic to primary cultures of mouse liver parenchymal cells than were ricin A-chain and ricin A-chain immunotoxins, respectively. This was despite the fact that the cells bound 4- to 5-fold less saporin or saporin immunotoxins than ricin A-chain or ricin A-chain immunotoxins. The binding of ricin A-chain and its immunotoxin to the cells was mediated through the carbohydrate residues present on the A-chain whereas saporin is not glycosylated and thus must bind to other sites on the cell surface which result in transport of saporin relatively efficiently to the cytosol. The second reason for the hepatotoxic action of the saporin immunotoxin was that it had a longer blood half-life (t 1/2 alpha = 1.1 h; t 1/2 beta = 17.1 h) than the ricin A-chain immunotoxin (t 1/2 = 0.52 h; t 1/2 beta = 9.7 h). Analyses using a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model showed that the two immunotoxins broke down in vivo to give free antibody at a similar rate (t 1/2 = 10-12 h) but that the ricin A-chain immunotoxin was eliminated 11 times more rapidly than the saporin immunotoxin by routes other than breakdown. It was calculated that, in mice given a median lethal dose of saporin immunotoxin, the blood levels of immunotoxin remained above the concentration that killed 50% of parenchymal cells in vitro for more than 48 h. In mice given a median lethal dose of ricin A-chain immunotoxin, the blood levels fell below the concentration that was toxic to parenchymal cells in vitro within 4 h. The longer blood half-life of the saporin immunotoxin may also explain our previous finding that it had antitumor activity superior to that of a ricin A-chain immunotoxin in mice.

Ricin A-chain containing immunotoxins directed against different epitopes on the CD2 molecule differ in their ability to kill normal and malignant T cells

Immunoconjugates consisting of mAb covalently coupled to plant or bacterial toxins or to cytotoxic drugs have provided novel experimental reagents for the treatment of malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In this report, we analyzed the efficacy of three ricin A chain-containing immunotoxins (IT-A) which recognize different epitopes on the CD2 molecule (E rosette receptor) on human T cells. Although all IT-A had similar binding avidities and A-chain activities, one (RFT11-A) was 100-1000-fold more effective in killing normal and malignant T cells than the others (35.1-A, 9.6-A). Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that all IT-A bound to the CD2 molecule. However, cross-blocking experiments, differential proteolysis with trypsin, and T cell co-activation experiments showed that the less effective IT-A, 35.1-A and 9.6-A, bound to an epitope far from the cell membrane (region I), whereas the more effective IT-A, RFT11-A bound to an epitope closer to the membrane (region II). Using cellular RIA and immunoelectron microscopy, it was shown that both RFT11-A and 35.1-A were rapidly internalized by T cells, but that their intracellular fates differed. The more toxic IT-A, RFT11-A, was retained for longer periods of time inside the cells and was more slowly degraded than the less effective IT-A, 35.1-A, which was rapidly transported to lysosomes, digested, and expelled. These results demonstrate that different IT-A targeting the same surface molecule can differ markedly in potency, and that the epitope recognized by an IT-A may have a significant impact on the ability of the IT-A to insert into cell membranes, translocate to the cytosol, and kill cells.

Surgery for conditions causing decreased fertility in mares. Case selection

Many factors should be considered before one makes a decision to perform surgery, and it is the practitioner's responsibility to make certain the client makes an informed decision. This article considers the various factors of importance in the decision-making process.

Improved antitumor effects of immunotoxins prepared with deglycosylated ricin A-chain and hindered disulfide linkages

A monoclonal anti-Thy-1.1 antibody (OX7) was coupled to either native or chemically deglycosylated ricin A-chain (dgA) using one of two different cross-linking agents. One cross-linker, N-succinimidyloxycarbonyl-alpha-methyl-alpha-(2-pyridyldithio)tolu ene (SMPT), generates a sterically hindered disulfide bond which is relatively resistant to reduction, whereas the other, 2-iminothiolane hydrochloride, generates an unhindered disulfide bond with greater lability. A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was used to analyze the blood levels of each immunotoxin and its breakdown product (free antibody) after i.v. injection into mice. Immunotoxins prepared with SMPT broke down in vivo 6.3-fold more slowly than those prepared with 2-iminothiolane hydrochloride, and immunotoxins containing native A-chain were cleared 2- to 3-fold more rapidly from the bloodstream than those containing dgA. As a result, 24 h after injection, 16% of the OX7-SMPT-dgA remained in the blood as compared with 0.4 to 2.5% of the other immunotoxins. Immunotoxins prepared with dgA were about 3-fold more toxic to mice than those prepared with native A-chain, whereas immunotoxins prepared with SMPT were only slightly more toxic than those prepared with 2-iminothiolane hydrochloride. When equivalent toxic doses of the immunotoxins were administered i.v. to mice which had been given injections of Thy-1.1+ AKR-A/2 lymphoma cells, the OX7-SMPT-dgA gave the best antitumor effect. A dose equivalent to one-seventh of the median lethal dose extended the survival time of the animals by the extent expected if 99.999% of the tumor cells had been eradicated. Furthermore, the tumors that did develop in the mice treated with OX7-SMPT-dgA were mutants which were resistant to all the immunotoxins. Some of the mutants were deficient in Thy-1.1 whereas others were not. In conclusion, both the use of the SMPT cross-linker and deglycosylation of the A-chain significantly improve the therapeutic index of the immunotoxins in AKR-A/2 tumor-bearing mice.

Selective cytotoxic activity of immunotoxins composed of a monoclonal anti-Thy 1.1 antibody and the ribosome-inactivating proteins bryodin and momordin

The ribosome-inactivating proteins, bryodin, from Bryonia dioica, and momordin, from Momordica charantia, were coupled by a disulphide bond to a monoclonal anti-Thy 1.1 antibody (OX7). Both immunotoxins were specifically cytotoxic to the Thy 1.1-expressing mouse lymphoma cell line AKR-A in vitro. The OX7-bryodin immunotoxins were the more powerfully toxic and reduced protein synthesis in AKR-A cells by 50% at a concentration of 1-4 x 10(-11) M as compared with 1 x 10(-9) M for the OX7-momordin immunotoxins. Neither of the immunotoxins was toxic to mouse lymphoma EL4 cells, which lack the Thy 1.1 antigen, at concentrations up to 3 x 10(-8) M. Further, bryodin and momordin immunotoxins made from an antibody (R10) of irrelevant specificity were without effect on AKR-A cells.

Circular dichroism of isolated ricin A- and B-chains

An analysis of the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of isolated ricin A- and B-chains revealed several bands not apparent in the spectrum of intact ricin. Arithmetic combination of the A- and B-chain spectra gave a composite spectrum resembling that of native ricin, indicating that the two chains did not undergo any major conformational change upon dissociation. The addition of lactose to the B-chain at pH 7.2 caused a slight perturbation of a tryptophan-derived negative CD band centred at 283 nm without change to the overall structure of the polypeptide.

Ricin B chain-containing immunotoxins prepared with heat-denatured B chain lacking galactose-binding ability potentiate the cytotoxicity of a cell-reactive ricin A chain immunotoxin

Ricin B chain incubated at 37 degrees C in the absence of lactose loses its ability to bind the galactose-containing protein, asialofetuin. Circular dichroism analysis of the B chain during thermal denaturation indicates that the loss of galactose-binding ability by the B chain correlates with limited unfolding of the molecule. As a result of this conformational change, disulfide bonds that are shielded from the solvent by the compact folded structure of the B chain become exposed and the chitobiosyl cores of both N-linked oligomannose chains become susceptible to cleavage by endoglycosidases. The heat-denatured B chain does not enhance the toxicity of a ricin A chain-containing rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin (RAHIg-A) to Daudi cells. However, when heat-denatured B chain is coupled to goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (GARIg), the resulting immunotoxin, GARIg-hdB, potentiates the killing of RAHIg-A-treated Daudi cells to an extent similar to that of an immunotoxin prepared with GARIg and native B chain. These results indicate that the native, galactose-binding structure of the B chain is not necessary to enhance the cytotoxicity of the cell-reactive A chain immunotoxin (IT-A) and suggests that regions of the B chain exposed by unfolding the molecule may mediate potentiation of cytotoxicity.

Conjugation of monoclonal antibodies to a synthetic peptide substrate for protein kinase: a method for labelling antibodies with 32P

In recent years, radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies have been evaluated for their use in the diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic disease. One isotope which has not been assessed for antibody targeting is 32P, even though it has many favourable radiobiological characteristics and has been used clinically for the treatment of certain neoplastic disorders such as polycythaemia rubra vera. The main drawback so far in using 32P has been the absence of a general method for phosphorylating antibodies. We have now developed a novel process for the phosphorylation of immunoglobulins which is rapid, efficient and allows high specific activities to be achieved (greater than 10 muCi micrograms-1). The technique involves the chemical conjugation of Kemptide, a synthetic heptapeptide substrate for kinases, to immunoglobulins. The antibody-Kemptide conjugate can then be phosphorylated using protein kinases and [32P]-gamma-ATP. The procedure does not compromise the binding activity of the antibody. The 32P-labelled monoclonal antibodies were stable in human, mouse and rat plasmas in vitro, although they cleared from the bloodstream of mice with a beta-phase half life of 2 days which is approximately two times faster than that of native antibody. The application of this phosphorylation technique should allow the therapeutic potential of targeted 32P to be assessed.

An assay that predicts the ability of monoclonal antibodies to form potent ricin A chain-containing immunotoxins

In this report, we describe an assay for screening monoclonal antibodies for their cytotoxic potential as ricin A chain-containing immunotoxins. The assay involves treating cells with dilutions of the test antibody followed by a Fab fragment of a secondary antibody coupled to ricin A chain ("indirect assay"). The cytotoxicity of the indirect assay is compared to that of the direct assay where the monoclonal antibody is coupled to ricin A chain. Indirect and direct assays were carried out using 14 antibodies and a panel of 8 human and mouse cell types. The two assays showed virtually 100% correlation. The indirect assay, therefore, predicts the potency of a given monoclonal antibody to make an effective immunotoxin and should be useful in screening monoclonal antibodies for use as immunotoxins.

Uptake of native and deglycosylated ricin A-chain immunotoxins by mouse liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells in vitro and in vivo

The therapeutic activity of ricin A-chain immunotoxins is undermined by their rapid clearance from the bloodstream of animals by the liver. This uptake has generally been attributed to recognition of the mannose-terminating oligosaccharides present on ricin A-chain by receptors present on the non-parenchymal (Kupffer and sinusoidal) cells of the liver. However, we demonstrate here that, in the mouse, the liver uptake of a ricin A-chain immunotoxin occurs in both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells in equal amounts. This is in contrast to the situation in the rat, where uptake of the immunotoxin is predominantly by the non-parenchymal cells. Recognition of sugar residues on the A-chain portion of the immunotoxin plays an important role in the liver uptake by both cell types in both species. However it is not the only mechanism since, firstly, an immunotoxin containing ricin A-chain which had been effectively deglycosylated with metaperiodate and cyanoborohydride was still trapped to a significant extent by hepatic non-parenchymal cells after it was injected into mice. Secondly, deglycosylation, while eliminating uptake of the free A-chain by parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells in vitro, only reduced the uptake of an immunotoxin by either cell type by about half. Thirdly, the addition of excess D-mannose or L-fucose inhibited the uptake of free A-chain by mouse liver cell cultures by more than 80% but only inhibited the uptake of the native A-chain immunotoxin by about half and had little effect on the uptake of the deglycosylated ricin A-chain immunotoxin. Recognition of the antibody portion of the immunotoxin by liver cells seems improbable, since antibody alone or an antibody-bovine serum albumin conjugate were not taken up in appreciable amounts by the cultures. Possibly attachment of the A-chain to the antibody exposes sites on the A-chain that are recognised by liver cells in vitro and in vivo.