Modification of protein with BGL06, a novel branched oligoglycerol derivative

A novel prodrug strategy for extremely hydrophobic agents: conjugation to symmetrically branched glycerol trimer improves pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of fenofibrate

Management of a lipophilic-hydrophilic balance is a key element in drug design to achieve desirable pharmacokinetic characters. Therefore we have created unique modular molecules, symmetrically branched oligoglycerols (BGL), as an alternative way to endow hydrophobic molecules with sufficient hydrophilicity. We have successfully demonstrated amelioration of the water solubility and thermal stability of several hydrophobic agents by covalent conjugation to BGL so far. However, it has not been clarified whether the molecular modification by BGL also improves the pharmacological and/or pharmacokinetic properties indeed. Recently, we synthesized a novel BGL-prodrug derivative of fenofibrate, which is an antihyperlipidemic agent and one of the most hydrophobic medicinal compounds currently used clinically, by conjugating fenofibric acid to symmetrically branched glycerol trimer (BGL003), the simplest BGL. We have previously demonstrated that the hydrophilicity and water solubility of fenofibrate are improved more than 2000 times just by conjugation to the BGL003. To verify our hypothesis that the prodrug strategy with BGL should improve pharmacological efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties of extremely hydrophobic agents such as fenofibrate by the rise in hydrophilicity, we evaluated the BGL003-prodrug derivative of fenofibrate (FF-BGL) using rodent models. Here we demonstrate that the lipid-lowering effects of fenofibrate are much potentiated by chemical conjugation to BGL003 without exhibiting significant toxicity. Plasma concentration of fenofibric acid, an active metabolite of fenofibrate, after single oral administration of FF-BGL was more than 3 times higher than that of fenofibrate, in accordance. In fasting rats, plasma concentration of fenofibric acid after fenofibrate administration was curtailed into less than half of that in ad libitum-fed rats, while FF-BGL showed about the same plasma level even in the starving rats. This is the first report showing that BGL-prodrug improves pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties as well as hydrophilicity of highly hydrophobic compounds. Furthermore, prodrug strategy using BGL suggests the possibility of diminishing the food-drug interaction effects, which should be advantageous for promoting drug compliance. BGL will be a suitable prodrug strategy to ameliorate physical, pharmacological, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of extremely hydrophobic compounds.

Synthesis of paclitaxel-BGL conjugates

Four kinds of symmetrically branched oligoglyceryl trimeric (BGL003)-paclitaxel conjugates and a corresponding heptameric (BGL007) conjugate were synthesized. Molecular weights of all the compounds were less than two times that of paclitaxel. The anti-tumor activity of the most water-soluble BGL003 conjugate was examined and found to be preserved in spite of the chemical modification that is displacement of the N3'-debenzoyl residue with the BGL003 succinyl residue.

Preparation and properties of branched oligoglycerol modifiers for stabilization of liposomes

We examined the effect on drug delivery of liposomes with surfaces that were modified with branched oligoglycerols (BGLs) and explored possible formulation advantages to increase drug exposure. BGL012 is a branched oligoglycerol derivative with a cascade-like structure of 12 glycerol units, characterized as a widely spread structure in aqueous solution. We prepared BGL-phospholipid derivatives (BGL-PEs), including BGL012, by coupling 1,2-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine to BGLs. BGL012-PE modification of the liposomes (BGL012L) achieved a long circulation time after intravenous injection in rats. The circulation lifetime of BGL012L was almost the same as that of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified liposomes. The surface of BGL012L induced the formation of a fixed aqueous layer and reduced protein adsorption on the liposome surface, without strong interference with the binding reaction on the liposome. Thus, the newly synthesized branched oligoglycerol derivatives are considered to have useful hydrophilic and physical properties for modifying the liposome surface to increase drug exposure.

Hetero-Multifunctional Poly(ethylene glycol) Copolymers with Multiple Hydroxyl Groups and a Single Terminal Functionality

Hetero-multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol-co-glycerol) random copolymers with multiple hydroxyl functionalities and a single terminal functionality have been prepared by copolymerization of ethylene oxide (EO) and ethoxy ethyl glycidyl ether (EEGE) with the use of a suitable initiator, introducing a protected amino group or a double bond, respectively. Acidic deprotection was used for removal of the acetal protecting groups in the chain, and the terminal amino group was regenerated by catalytic hydrogenation. A series of copolymers with narrow polydispersity was obtained, varying comonomer fractions from 3 to 67% and molecular weights in the range of 5 000-32 000 g · mol(-1) (1.05 < $\overline M _{\rm w} /\overline M _{\rm n}$ < 1.25). Molecular and thermal characterization was carried out using (1) H- and (13) C NMR, SEC and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

No effect of covalently linked poly(ethylene glycol) chains on protein internal dynamics

Poly(ethylene glycol) or PEG is a hydrophilic polymer that covalently linked to therapeutical proteins may significantly increase their pharmacological properties. Despite the extensive production of PEG-conjugated proteins the effects of the polymer on the protein structure and dynamics is poorly understood, making the production of active biomaterials a largely unpredictable process. The present investigation examines the effects of 5 k and 20 k PEG on the internal flexibility of Ribonuclease T1, the mutant C112S of azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, alcohol dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase, native and Zn-depleted. These systems encompass structural domains that range from rather superficial, flexible sites to deeply buried, rigid cores. The approach is based on three sensitive parameters related to the phosphorescence emission of internal Trp residues, namely, the intrinsic room-temperature phosphorescence lifetime (tau(0)) that reports on the local flexibility of the protein matrix around the chromophore and the bimolecular rate constant (k(q)) for the quenching of phosphorescence by O(2) and by acrylamide in solution, which are related to the diffusion of these solutes through the protein fold. The results obtained by these three independent, intrinsic probes of protein structure-dynamics concur that mono-PEGylation does not detectably perturb the conformation and dynamics of the protein native fold, over a wide temperature range. The implication is that protein motions are essentially not coupled to the polymer and that adverse effects of chemical modification on biological function are presumably owed to steric hindrance by PEG units blocking the access to sites critical for molecular recognition.