Development of a radioimmunoassay for human deoxyribonuclease I

Pt(II)-PLGA Hybrid in a pH-Responsive Nanoparticle System Targeting Ovarian Cancer

Platinum-based agents are the main treatment option in ovarian cancer (OC). Herein, we report a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle (NP) encapsulating platinum (II), which is targeted to a cell-spanning protein overexpressed in above 90% of late-stage OC, mucin 1 (MUC1). The NP is coated with phospholipid-DNA aptamers against MUC1 and a pH-sensitive PEG derivative containing an acid-labile hydrazone linkage. The pH-sensitive PEG serves as an off-on switch that provides shielding effects at the physiological pH and is shed at lower pH, thus exposing the MUC1 ligands. The pH-MUC1-Pt NPs are stable in the serum and display pH-dependent PEG cleavage and drug release. Moreover, the NPs effectively internalize in OC cells with higher accumulation at lower pH. The Pt (II) loading into the NP was accomplished via PLGA-Pt (II) coordination chemistry and was found to be 1.62 wt.%. In vitro screening using a panel of OC cell lines revealed that pH-MUC1-Pt NP has a greater effect in reducing cellular viability than carboplatin, a clinically relevant drug analogue. Biodistribution studies have demonstrated NP accumulation at tumor sites with effective Pt (II) delivery. Together, these results demonstrate a potential for pH-MUC1-Pt NP for the enhanced Pt (II) therapy of OC and other solid tumors currently treated with platinum agents.

Analysis of deoxyribonuclease activity by conjugation-free fluorescence polarisation in sub-nanolitre droplets

We report the analysis of deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity by conjugation-free fluorescence polarisation in a droplet-based microfluidic chip. DNase is a DNA cleaving enzyme and its activity is important in the maintenance of normal cellular functions. Alterations in DNase activity have been implicated as the cause of various cancers and autoimmune diseases. To date, various methods for the analysis of DNase activity have been reported. However, they are not cost effective due to the requirement of large sample volumes and the need for the conjugation of fluorescent dyes. In this study, we have used ethidium bromide (EtBr), a DNA intercalating reagent, as a fluorescent reporter without any prior conjugation or modification of DNA. Degradation of DNA by DNase 1 was monitored at a steady state by making changes in the fluorescence polarisation of EtBr in droplets with a volume of 330 picolitre at a 40 hertz frequency under visible light. Using this technique, we successfully determined the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for the inhibition of DNase 1 activity to be 1.56 ± 0.91 mM.

Assessment of Deoxyribonuclease Activity in Serum Samples of Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Fluorescence-Based Method Versus ELISA

BACKGROUND

We report the improvement of previously described method for determining deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity in serum samples that uses a fluorescently labeled DNA fragment as a substrate METHODS: Activity of serum DNase was analyzed in 31 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 13 healthy individuals by fluoresence-based method and ELISA test RESULTS: We found a mean decrease in DNase activity between cases and controls of 12.46% measured by the fluoresence-based method and of 12.21% measured by ELISA method. High level of positive correlation between two methods for DNase activity was observed: P < 0.001 and Pearson correlation coefficient 0.740. Decreased DNase activity was found in 25 of 31 SLE patients (81%) by fluoresence-based method and in 24 of 31 SLE patients (77%) by ELISA test. We also observed the significant positive correlation between titer of anti-dsDNA antibodies and DNase activity measured by both methods (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The key improvement is the use of internal control in the fluorescence-based method, which diminishes the influence of technical errors on the obtained results and increases reliability of the assay. This improved fluorescence-based method, with additional validation, may provide an alternative to more expensive and time-consuming conventional methods, such as ELISA.

Addressing the instability of DNA nanostructures in tissue culture

DNA nanotechnology is an advanced technique that could contribute diagnostic, therapeutic, and biomedical research devices to nanomedicine. Although such devices are often developed and demonstrated using in vitro tissue culture models, these conditions may not be compatible with DNA nanostructure integrity and function. The purpose of this study was to characterize the sensitivity of 3D DNA nanostructures produced via the origami method to the in vitro tissue culture environment and identify solutions to prevent loss of nanostructure integrity. We examined whether the physiological cation concentrations of cell culture medium and the nucleases present in fetal bovine serum (FBS) used as a medium supplement result in denaturation and digestion, respectively. DNA nanostructure denaturation due to cation depletion was design- and time-dependent, with one of four tested designs remaining intact after 24 h at 37 °C. Adjustment of medium by addition of MgSO4 prevented denaturation. Digestion of nanostructures by FBS nucleases in Mg(2+)-adjusted medium did not appear design-dependent and became significant within 24 h and when medium was supplemented with greater than 5% FBS. We estimated that medium supplemented with 10% FBS contains greater than 256 U/L equivalent of DNase I activity in digestion of DNA nanostructures. Heat inactivation at 75 °C and inclusion of actin protein in medium inactivated and inhibited nuclease activity, respectively. We examined the impact of medium adjustments on cell growth, viability, and phenotype. Adjustment of Mg(2+) to 6 mM did not appear to have a detrimental impact on cells. Heat inactivation was found to be incompatible with in vitro tissue culture, whereas inclusion of actin had no observable effect on growth and viability. In two in vitro assays, immune cell activation and nanoparticle endocytosis, we show that using conditions compatible with cell phenotype and nanostructure integrity is critical for obtaining reliable experimental data. Our study thus describes considerations that are vital for researchers undertaking in vitro tissue culture studies with DNA nanostructures and some potential solutions for ensuring that nanostructure integrity and functions are maintained during experiments.

Immunochemical assay for deoxyribonuclease activity in body fluids

We have developed two microtiter plate assays to quantify the deoxyribonuclease activity in biological fluids. Both assays are based on hydrolysis of biotinylated and fluorescein-labeled DNA substrates, with subsequent immunochemical detection of non-digested DNA. The assay based on hydrolysis of 974 bp PCR product labeled with biotinylated forward and fluorescein-labeled reverse primers is more sensitive (0.05 U/ml) and convenient for quantifying the DNase activity in biological fluids than the assay based on hydrolysis of double-labeled 20 bp oligonucleotide. The DNase activity in urine and blood plasma of healthy donors was measured using the PCR product-based assay. Urine samples revealed greater activity, 1.49+/-1.41 U/ml; blood plasma DNase I-like activity was 0.36+/-0.20 U/ml. DNase II-like activity was not detected in the plasma samples. The data obtained confirm that DNase I-like enzymes are responsible for the majority of deoxyribonuclease activity in blood plasma.

Serum nucleosomes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with cervical cancer. Predictive and prognostic significance

Background

It has been shown that free DNA circulates in serum plasma of patients with cancer and that at least part is present in the form of oligo- and monucleosomes, a marker of cell death. Preliminary data has shown a good correlation between decrease of nucleosomes with response and prognosis. Here, we performed pre- and post-chemotherapy determinations of serum nucleosomes with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in a group of patients with cervical cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

From December 2000 to June 2001, 41 patients with cervical cancer staged as FIGO stages IB2-IIIB received three 21-day courses of carboplatin and paclitaxel, both administered at day 1; then, patients underwent radical hysterectomy. Nucleosomes were measured the day before (baseline), at day seven of the first course and day seven of the third course of chemotherapy. Values of nucleosomes were analyzed with regard to pathologic response and to time to progression-free and overall survival.

Results

All patients completed chemotherapy, were evaluable for pathologic response, and had nucleosome levels determined. At a mean follow-up of 23 months (range, 7–26 months), projected progression time and overall survival were 80.3 and 80.4%, respectively. Mean differential values of nucleosomes were lower in the third course as compared with the first course (p >0.001). The decrease in the third course correlated with pathologic response (p = 0.041). Survival analysis showed a statistically significant, better progression-free and survival time in patients who showed lower levels at the third course (p = 0.0243 and p = 0.0260, respectively). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that nucleosome increase in the third course increased risk of death to 6.86 (95% confidence interval [CI 95%], 0.84–56.0).

Conclusion

Serum nucleosomes may have a predictive role for response and prognostic significance in patients with cervical cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

DNaseY: a rat DNaseI-like gene coding for a constitutively expressed chromatin-bound endonuclease

A rat gene, designated DNaseY, encoding a 36 kDa endonuclease was identified and cloned. Sequence analysis of the cDNA showed it to be the rat homologue of human DNAS1L3. The DNaseY gene product had 42% identity to DNaseI, including conserved critical active site residues, the essential disulfide bridge, the calcium binding domain, and a signal peptide, as well as 2 of the 3 signature boxes. Significantly, DNaseY had 2 nuclear localization signals and was more basic (pI 9.5) than DNaseI (pI 4.8). The DNaseY gene contained a number of exons similar to that of DNaseI, separated by much larger introns, resulting in a gene of >17 kb compared to <4 kb gene of DNaseI. The 36 kDa DNaseY gene product was catalytically inactive but was converted to an active 33 kDa endonuclease following processing of the hydrophobic signal peptide. Antibody generated against peptides representing the predicted amino acid sequence of DNaseY cross-reacted with a 33 kDa nuclear protein which possessed endonucleolytic activity. The enzyme was active over a broad pH range (optimum pH 7-8), was Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent, was inhibited by Zn2+, and was capable of both single- and double-stranded DNA cleavage, producing DNA fragments with 3'-OH ends. Furthermore, the DNaseY gene was expressed constitutively in all cells and tissues tested, but it was not transcriptionally up-regulated in apoptotic cells. All these features were consistent with a role in the early stages of apoptotic DNA fragmentation.

Cellular catabolism in apoptosis: DNA degradation and endonuclease activation

Recent research has focused on identifying the biochemical events associated with the apoptotic process. These include specific degradation of the chromatin which was described by Wyllie in 1980 [1], with the report of the appearance of discretely sized DNA fragments from apoptotic rat thymocytes. The fragments corresponded in size to strands of DNA that were cleaved at internucleosomal regions and create a 'ladder pattern' when electrophoresed on an agarose gel. Because of its near universality, internucleosomal DNA degradation is considered a diagnostic hallmark of cells undergoing apoptosis. It is of great interest to identify the enzymes involved, and some of the candidates will be discussed.

An antibody capture bioassay (ACB) for DNase in human serum samples

A novel assay for antibody captured bioactivity (ACB) has been developed to quantitate deoxyribonuclease I (DNase) in human serum samples. The procedure is simple, sensitive, reproducible and has a high throughput. Serum samples are diluted a minimum of 1/4 and assayed in 96-well microtiter plates coated with polyclonal antibodies specific to DNase. The serum is removed from the wells, the plates are washed and the antibody bound DNase is incubated at 37 degrees C with a DNA-methyl green substrate. The assay is sensitive to 0.8 ng/ml with a range to 10 +/- 2 ng/ml, depending upon the time of incubation (48 +/- 2 h). The recovery of rhDNase spiked into human serum samples averaged 84.4% +/- 6.7% in sera diluted 1/4 and 97.8% +/- 7.2% at a 1/8 serum dilution. Intra-assay precision ranged from 3.0 to 7.5% coefficient of variation (% CV) and interassay precision ranged from 5.0 to 10.2% CV for spiked serum controls. Endogenous DNase concentrations in 27 normal human sera were found to range from < 2.0 to 11.4 ng/ml. Endogenous DNase-like activity was found in Cynomolgus and Rhesus monkey sera; this activity diluted linearly and did not interfere with accurate quantitation of added rh DNase. No endogenous DNase-like activity could be detected in ten Sprague-Dawley rat sera. Bovine pancreatic DNase was found to have only very low cross-reactivity in this assay system. The ACB assay format can potentially be applied to the quantitation of other enzymes in serum and other biological samples.

Relationship between pancreatic enzymes and pathological changes in the pancreas in acute pancreatitis. The significance of determination of serum deoxyribonuclease

To clarify the relationship between changes in serum pancreatic enzymes and pathological changes in pancreatic parenchyma, this study was performed by using rat models with acute pancreatitis. The models were rats with edematous and necrotizing pancreatitis. Amylase, lipase, ribonuclease (RNase), and deoxyribonuclease (DNase I, II) in the serum were determined for 48 h after the development of pancreatitis. Amylase and lipase levels rose directly in both pancreatitis groups. These enzymes in the necrotizing pancreatitis group were higher than those in the edematous pancreatitis group, but there was no significant difference. RNase levels also rose markedly, but there was no obvious difference between either of the pancreatitis groups. On the other hand, DNase levels were high in the necrotizing pancreatitis group but low in the edematous pancreatitis group, with significant differences between the two groups, especially in the DNase II levels over a 36-h period (p less than 0.05-0.01). Therefore, these results suggest that serum DNase levels reveal the necrotizing changes in pancreatic parenchyma.