Exchange transfusion with albumin-heme as an artificial O2-infusion into anesthetized rats: physiological responses, O2-delivery, and reduction of the oxidized hemin sites by red blood cells

Generation of erythroid cells from polyploid giant cancer cells: re-thinking about tumor blood supply

INTRODUCTION

During development and tumor progression, cells need a sufficient blood supply to maintain development and rapid growth. It is reported that there are three patterns of blood supply for tumor growth: endothelium-dependent vessels, mosaic vessels, and vasculogenic mimicry (VM). VM was first reported in highly aggressive uveal melanomas, with tumor cells mimicking the presence and function of endothelial cells forming the walls of VM vessels. The walls of mosaic vessels are randomly lined with both endothelial cells and tumor cells. We previously proposed a three-stage process, beginning with VM, progressing to mosaic vessels, and eventually leading to endothelium-dependent vessels. However, many phenomena unique to VM channel formation remain to be elucidated, such as the origin of erythrocytes before VM vessels connect with endothelium-dependent vessels.

RESULTS

In adults, erythroid cells are generally believed to be generated from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. In contrast, embryonic tissue obtains oxygen through formation of blood islands, which are largely composed of embryonic hemoglobin with a higher affinity with oxygen, in the absence of mature erythrocytes. Recent data from our laboratory suggest that embryonic blood-forming mechanisms also exist in cancer tissue, particularly when these tissues are under environmental stress such as hypoxia. We review the evidence from induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro and in vivo to support this previously underappreciated cell functionality in normal and cancer cells, including the ability to generate erythroid cells. We will also summarize the current understanding of tumor angiogenesis, VM, and our recent work on polyploid giant cancer cells, with emphasis on their ability to generate erythroid cells and their association with tumor growth under hypoxia.

CONCLUSION

An alternative embryonic pathway to obtain oxygen in cancer cells exists, particularly when they are under hypoxic conditions.

Redox proteins and radiotherapy

Although conventional radiotherapy can directly damage DNA and other organic molecules within cells, most of the damage and the cytotoxicity of such ionising radiation, comes from the production of ions and free radicals produced via interactions with water. This 'indirect effect', a form of oxidative stress, can be modulated by a variety of systems within cells that are in place to, in normal situations, maintain homeostasis and redox balance. If cancer cells express high levels of antioxidant redox proteins, they may be more resistant to radiation and so targeting such systems may be a profitable strategy to increase therapeutic efficacy of conventional radiotherapy. An overview, with exemplars, of the main systems regulating redox homeostasis is supplied and discussed in relation to their use as prognostic and predictive biomarkers, and how targeting such proteins and systems may increase radiosensitivity and, potentially, improve the radiotherapeutic response.

Generation of erythroid cells from fibroblasts and cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Bone marrow is generally considered the main source of erythroid cells. Here we report that a single hypoxia-mimic chemical, CoCl2, can increase the size of fibroblasts and cancer cells and lead to formation of polyploidy giant cells (PGCs) or polyploidy giant cancer cells (PGCCs), activation of stem cell marker expression, increased growth of normal and cancer spheroid, and lead to differentiation of the fibroblasts and epithelial cells toward erythroid lineage expressing hemoglobins both in vitro and in vivo. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated that these cells are predominantly made of embryonic hemoglobins, with various levels of fetal and adult hemoglobins. Ectopic expression of c-Myc induced the generation of nucleated erythoid cells expressing variable levels of embryonic and fetal hemoglobins. Generation of these erythroid cells can be also observed via histological examination of other cancer cell lines and human tumor samples. These data suggest that normal and solid cancer cells can directly generate erythroid cells to obtain oxygen in response to hypoxia and may explain the ineffectiveness of conventional anti-angiogenic therapies for cancer, which are directed at endothelium-dependent vessels, and offer new targets for intervention.

Pharmaceutical aspects of the recombinant human serum albumin dimer: structural characteristics, biological properties, and medical applications

Human serum albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood. It is clinically used in the treatment of severe hypoalbuminemia and as a plasma expander. The use of albumins as a carrier for drugs is currently being developed, and some are now in the preclinical and clinical trial stages. The main technologies for utilizing an albumin as a drug carrier are protein fusion, polymerization and surface modification, and so on. Among these technologies, albumin dimerization has wide clinical applications as a plasma expander as well as a drug carrier. Despite the fact that many reports have appeared on drugs using an albumin dimer as a carrier, our knowledge of the characteristics of the albumin dimer itself is incomplete. In this review, we summarize the structural characteristics of recombinant albumin dimers produced by two methods, namely, chemical linkage with 1,6-bis(maleimido)hexane and genetically linked with an amino acid linker, and the physicochemical characteristics and biological properties of these preparations. Finally, the potential for pharmaceutical applications of albumin dimers in clinical situations is discussed.

Ligand binding strategies of human serum albumin: how can the cargo be utilized?

Human serum albumin (HSA), being the most abundant carrier protein in blood and a modern day clinical tool for drug delivery, attracts high attention among biologists. Hence, its unfolding/refolding strategies and exogenous/endogenous ligand binding preference are of immense use in therapeutics and clinical biochemistry. Among its fellow proteins albumin is known to carry almost every small molecule. Thus, it is a potential contender for being a molecular cargo/or nanovehicle for clinical, biophysical and industrial purposes. Nonetheless, its structure and function are largely regulated by various chemical and physical factors to accommodate HSA to its functional purpose. This multifunctional protein also possesses enzymatic properties which may be used to convert prodrugs to active therapeutics. This review aims to highlight current overview on the binding strategies of protein to various ligands that may be expected to lead to significant clinical applications.

Toward 21st Century Blood Component Replacement Therapeutics: Artificial Oxygen Carriers, Platelet Substitutes, Recombinant Clotting Factors, and Others

In this brief overview, recent progress and current status of blood substitute research and development is summarized. Current blood substitute development efforts are focused on red blood cell substitutes but substitutes for platelets and other blood components are also in progress. Red cell substitutes currently in various stages of development are semi-synthetic or synthetic oxygen carriers that include "stealth" or "masked" red cells, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers. Artificial platelets (or platelet substitutes) are in early stages of development and include human platelet fragments or particles of synthetic/semi-synthetic materials or recombinant human serum albumin coupled with platelet surface receptor fragments. Of note, some recombinant clotting factors (Factors VII, VIII, IX) have already been successfully developed and licensed for treatment of hemophilia. In addition, some future approaches and prospects of blood component replacement therapeutics are discussed.

Enhanced radiation response of a solid tumor with the artificial oxygen carrier 'albumin-heme'

Tumor-cell hypoxia is one of the main factors inducing radioresistance. Enhanced tumor oxygenation has previously been achieved in an animal model using the synthetic heme-based oxygen carrier 'albumin-heme' (recombinant human serum albumin-Fe cyclohexanoil heme; rHSA-FeP). The present study was done to determine whether rHSA-FeP enhances the radiation response in an experimental tumor model. Male Donryu rats and LY80, a variant of the syngenic liver ascites tumor, were used. A total of 1 x 10(6) cells were injected into the subfascial tissue of the right thigh. The rats were divided randomly into five groups: sham (tumor implantation and sham operation); rHSA-FeP; irradiation; rHSA + irradiation; and rHSA-FeP + irradiation. Six days after, under general anesthesia, intra-arterial administration of 10 mL/kg of either 5% rHSA solution or oxygenated rHSA-FeP solution at 2.5 mL/min was done and a dose of 20 Gy was given. There were significant differences in tumor growth between the sham and irradiation groups, and between the sham and rHSA-FeP + irradiation groups. Tumor growth delay was observed and differences were significant between the sham and irradiation groups, and between the irradiation and rHSA-FeP + irradiation groups. In the present study, rHSA-FeP itself had a slight effect on tumor growth without irradiation. Enhancing the effect of rHSA-FeP on the radiation response is responsible in part for the oxygen-carrying property of rHSA-FeP. In conclusion, rHSA-FeP is a candidate radiation-enhancing drug. Arterial infusion of rHSA-FeP may serve as a local oxygenation method that enhances the radiation effect.

Oxygen therapeutics: pursuit of an alternative to the donor red blood cell

CONTEXT

There is no true substitute for the many functions of human red blood cells, and synthetic products will not replace the need for blood donation in the foreseeable future. Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers have many characteristics that would serve as a useful adjunct to red cells in clinical settings. Over time, these technologies have the potential to dramatically reshape the practice of transfusion medicine.

OBJECTIVE

To review the characteristics and potential utility of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers. Several hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers are under study in phase III clinical trials. Novel uses for synthetic oxygen therapeutics are emphasized.

DATA SOURCES

All published reports with the key words oxygen therapeutics, blood substitutes, and red cell substitutes from 1933 until March 2006 were searched through Medline. Significant findings were synthesized.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of the true impact of red cell substitutes is still several years away. The most compelling products, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, have potential use in trauma, providing immediate oxygen-carrying support in the face of alloantibodies or autoantibodies, and in other clinical situations in which long-term survival of red cells is not essential. In the interim, efforts should be focused on enhancing the current blood supply system while supporting ongoing and planned blood substitute research efforts, including trials assessing novel clinical indications for these products.

Engineering blood cells and proteins as blood substitutes: A short review

In this brief review, basic principles and recent progresses on the development of therapeutic substitutes for major blood components are briefly discussed with primary focus on the red cell substitutes.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-Conjugated Human Serum Albumin Including Iron Porphyrins: Surface Modification Improves the O2-Transporting Ability

Artificial O2-carrying hemoprotein composed of human serum albumin including tetrakis(o-amidophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) (Fe4P or Fe3P) [HSA-FeXP] has been modified by maleimide- or succinimide-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and the formed PEG bioconjugates have been physicochemically characterized. 2-Iminothiolane (IMT) reacted with the amino groups of Lys to create active thiol groups, which bind to alpha-maleimide-omega-methoxy PEG [Mw: 2-kDa (PEG(M2)), 5-kDa (PEG(M5))]. On the other hand, alpha-succinimidyl-omega-methoxy PEG [Mw: 2-kDa (PEG(S2)), 5-kDa (PEG(S5))] directly binds to Lys residues. MALDI-TOF MS of the PEG-conjugated HSA-FeXP showed distinct molecular ion peaks, which provide an accurate number of the PEG chains. In the case of PEG(MY)(HSA-FeXP), the spectroscopic assay of the thiol groups also provided the mean of the binding numbers of the polymers, and the degree of the modification was controlled by the ratio of [IMT]/[HSA]. The viscosity and colloid osmotic pressures of the 2-kDa PEG conjugates (phosphate-buffered saline solution, [HSA] = 5 g dL(-1)) were almost the same as that of the nonmodified one, whereas the 5-kDa PEG binding increased the rheological parameters. The presence of flexible polymers on the HSA surface retarded the association reaction of O2 to FeXP and stabilized the oxygenated complex. Furthermore, PEG(MY)(HSA-FeXP) exhibited a long circulation lifetime of FeXP in rats (13-16 h). On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that the surface modification of HSA-FeXP by PEG has improved its comprehensive O2-transporting ability. In particular the PEG(MY)(HSA-FeXP) solution could be a promising material for entirely synthetic O2-carrying plasma expander as a red cell substitute.

Human serum albumin bearing covalently attached iron(II) porphyrins as O2-coordination sites

Tetrakis{(alpha,alpha,alpha,alpha-o-pivalamido)phenyl}porphinatoiron(II) with a bifunctional tail possessing an axially coordinated imidazolyl group and a protein attachable succinimidyl(glutamyl) group (FeP-GluSu) has been synthesized. It can efficiently react with the lysine residues of recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA), giving a new albumin-heme conjugate [rHSA(FeP-Glu)]. MALDI-TOFMS showed a distinct molecular ion peak at m/z 70 643, which indicates that three FeP-Glu molecules were covalently linked to the rHSA scaffold. The binding number of FeP-Glu is approximately three (mol/mol) and independent of the mixing ratio. The CD spectrum and Native PAGE revealed that the albumin structure remained unaltered after the covalent bonding of the hemes. This rHSA(FeP-Glu) conjugate can bind and release O2 reversibly under physiological conditions (pH 7.3, 37 degrees C) in the same manner as hemoglobin and myoglobin. The O2-adduct complex had a remarkably long lifetime (tau(1/2): 5 h). The O2-binding affinity [P(1/2)O2: 27 Torr] was identical to that of human red cells. Laser flash photolysis experiments gave the O2- and CO-association rate constants and suggested that there are two different geometries of the imidazole binding to the central ion.

Physicochemical characterization of cross-linked human serum albumin dimer and its synthetic heme hybrid as an oxygen carrier

The recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) dimer, which was cross-linked by a thiol group of Cys-34 with 1,6-bis(maleimido)hexane, has been physicochemically characterized. Reduction of the inert mixed-disulfide of Cys-34 beforehand improved the efficiency of the cross-linking reaction. The purified dimer showed a double mass and absorption coefficient, but unaltered molar ellipticity, isoelectric point (pI: 4.8) and denaturing temperature (65 degrees C). The concentration dependence of the colloid osmotic pressure (COP) demonstrated that the 8.5 g dL(-1) dimer solution has the same COP with the physiological 5 g dL(-1) rHSA. The antigenic epitopes of the albumin units are preserved after bridging the Cys-34, and the circulation lifetime of the 125I-labeled variant in rat was 18 h. A total of 16 molecules of the tetrakis[(1-methylcyclohexanamido)phenyl]porphinatoiron(II) derivative (FecycP) is incorporated into the hydrophobic cavities of the HSA dimer, giving an albumin-heme hybrid in dimeric form. It can reversibly bind and release O2 under physiological conditions (37 degrees C, pH 7.3) like hemoglobin or myoglobin. Magnetic circular dichroism (CD) revealed the formation of an O2-adduct complex and laser flash photolysis experiments showed the three-component kinetics of the O2-recombination reaction. The O2-binding affinity and the O2-association and -dissociation rate constants of this synthetic hemoprotein have also been evaluated.

Safety Evaluation of an Artificial O2 Carrier as a Red Blood Cell Substitute by Blood Biochemical Tests and Histopathology Observations

Recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) incorporating synthetic heme with a covalently linked proximal base (albumin-heme [rHSA-hemel) is an artificial O2 carrier that can transport O2 like hemoglobin does in the blood stream. To evaluate the clinical safety of this compound, 20% and 40% exchange transfusions with rHSA-heme into anesthetized rats were followed by blood biochemical tests and histopathologic observations for 7 days. In the 20% rHSA-heme group, a total of 30 analytes by blood biochemical tests showed almost the same values as those observed in the reference 20% rHSA group. Although some abnormal values for liver parameters were found in the 40% rHSA-heme group, they returned to normal after 7 days. Histopathologic observations indicated that the administration of rHSA-heme in a volume of 20% total blood volume did not produce any negative side effects on the vital organs.

Artificial Oxygen Carriers as Red Blood Cell Substitutes: A Selected Review and Current Status

Two distinct approaches are being explored in red blood cell substitute (RCS) development: hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) and perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers (PFBOCs). HBOCs are based on intra- and/or intermolecularly "engineered" human or animal hemoglobins (Hbs), optimized for O2 delivery and longer intravascular circulation. Some are currently being evaluated in Phase II/III clinical studies. PFBOCs are aqueous emulsions of perfluorocarbon derivatives that dissolve relatively large amounts of O2. A PFBOC based on a 60% (wt/vol) emulsion of perfluorooctyl bromide has been evaluated in Phase II/III clinical trials. Although current PFBOC products generally require patients to breathe O2 enriched air, they render certain advantages since they are totally synthetic. This article provides a short review of the basic principles, approaches, and current status of RCS development. Results of preclinical and clinical studies including recent Phase II/III clinical studies are discussed.

Exchange transfusion with synthetic oxygen-carrying plasma protein ?albumin-heme? into an acute anemia rat model after seventy-percent hemodilution

Recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) incorporating the synthetic heme "albumin-heme" is an oxygen-carrying plasma protein that has the potential to be a red blood cell substitute. The physiological responses to a 30% exchange transfusion with two types of albumin-heme (rHSA-FecycP, rHSA-FepivP) solutions after 70% isovolemic hemodilution with 5 g/dL rHSA were investigated using anesthetized rats. The circulation parameters, blood parameters, renal cortical oxygen pressure (pO2), and muscle tissue pO2 were carefully monitored for 60 min after the injection. The declined mean arterial pressure and the mixed venous partial pO2 significantly recovered to 70.8 and 91.9% of the basal values by intravenous infusion of albumin-hemes, respectively. The lowered renal cortical pO2 also increased, indicating oxygen transport by this synthetic hemoprotein. The administration of albumin-heme into the acute anemia rat model after hemorrhage improved the circulatory volume and resuscitated the shock state. Both rHSA-FecycP and rHSA-FepivP transported oxygen through the body.

Exchange transfusion with entirely synthetic red-cell substitute albumin-heme into rats: Physiological responses and blood biochemical tests

Recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) incorporating 2-[8-[N-(2-methylimidazolyl)]octanoyloxymethyl]-5,10,15,20-[tetrakis[alpha,alpha,alpha,alpha-o-(1-methylcyclohexanoyl)amino]phenyl]porphinatoiron(II) [albumin-heme (rHSA-heme)] is an artificial hemoprotein which has the capability to transport O(2) in vitro and in vivo. A 20% exchange transfusion with rHSA-heme into anesthetized rats has been performed to evaluate its clinical safety by monitoring the circulation parameters and blood parameters for 6 h after the infusion. Time course changes in all parameters essentially showed the same features as those of the control group (without infusion) and rHSA group (with administration of the same amount of rHSA). Blood biochemical tests of the withdrawn plasma at 6 h after the exchange transfusion have also been carried out. No significant difference was found between the rHSA-heme and rHSA groups, suggesting the initial clinical safety of this entirely synthetic O(2)-carrier as a red-cell substitute.

Compatibility in vitro of albumin-heme (O(2) carrier) with blood cell components

Recombinant human serum albumin including 2-[8-[N-(2-methylimidazolyl)]octanoyloxymethyl]-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(alpha,alpha,alpha,alpha-o-pivaloylamino)phenylporphinatoiron(II) (albumin-heme; rHSA-FeP) is a synthetic hemoprotein that has sufficient capability to reversibly bind and release O(2) under physiological conditions (pH 7.3, 37 degrees C) similar to hemoglobin and myoglobin. In order to use this albumin-based O(2) carrier as a new class of red blood cell substitutes, its compatibility with blood cell components carefully was investigated in vitro. After the addition of the rHSA-FeP solution into whole blood at 10, 20, and 44 vol %, the FeP concentration in the plasma phase remained constant for 6 h at 37 degrees C in each group, and no significant time dependence was observed in the numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. The microscopic observations clearly showed that the shapes of the red blood cells had not been deformed during the measurement period. With respect to the blood coagulation parameters (prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time), the coexistence of rHSA-FeP had only a negligibly small influence. Also the blood compatibility under dynamic flow conditions was evaluated using a microchannel array flow analyzer. All these results suggest that the albumin-heme has no effect on the morphology of blood cell components in vitro.

Crystal structural analysis of human serum albumin complexed with hemin and fatty acid

BACKGROUND

Human serum albumin (HSA) is an abundant plasma protein that binds a wide variety of hydrophobic ligands including fatty acids, bilirubin, thyroxine and hemin. Although HSA-heme complexes do not bind oxygen reversibly, it may be possible to develop modified HSA proteins or heme groups that will confer this ability on the complex.

RESULTS

We present here the crystal structure of a ternary HSA-hemin-myristate complex, formed at a 1:1:4 molar ratio, that contains a single hemin group bound to subdomain IB and myristate bound at six sites. The complex displays a conformation that is intermediate between defatted HSA and HSA-fatty acid complexes; this is likely to be due to low myristate occupancy in the fatty acid binding sites that drive the conformational change. The hemin group is bound within a narrow D-shaped hydrophobic cavity which usually accommodates fatty acid; the hemin propionate groups are coordinated by a triad of basic residues at the pocket entrance. The iron atom in the centre of the hemin is coordinated by Tyr161.

CONCLUSION

The structure of the HSA-hemin-myristate complex (PDB ID 1o9x) reveals the key polar and hydrophobic interactions that determine the hemin-binding specificity of HSA. The details of the hemin-binding environment of HSA provide a structural foundation for efforts to modify the protein and/or the heme molecule in order to engineer complexes that have favourable oxygen-binding properties.

Human serum albumin incorporating synthetic heme: red blood cell substitute without hypertension by nitric oxide scavenging

The administration of extracellular, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers often elicits an acute increase in blood pressure by vasoconstriction. This side effect is now recognized to be due to the depletion of nitric oxide (endothelial-derived relaxing factor) by the extravasuated hemoglobins. We have recently found that the administration of a recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA)-based oxygen carrier involving synthetic tetraphenyporphinatoiron(II) derivative (FeP) (rHSA-FeP) does not induce such hypertensive action, because of its low permeability through the vascular endothelium. The heart rate responses after the rHSA-FeP injection were also negligibly small. Visualization of the intestinal microcirculatory changes clearly revealed the widths of the venule and arteriole to be fairly constant. The entirely synthetic rHSA-FeP becomes a promising material as a new type of red blood cell substitute.

Oxygenation of hypoxic region in solid tumor by administration of human serum albumin incorporating synthetic hemes

Recombinant human serum albumin incorporating synthetic heme (rHSA-FeP) was tested for its ability to increase O(2) tension in the hypoxia of the solid tumor rat model. By the direct administration of the rHSA-FeP solution (10 mL/kg) via the aorta descendens to the ascites hepatoma LY80 tumor on the right femur, the O(2) tension of the hypoxic region immediately increased to 3.45 +/- 1.43 Torr, which corresponds to a 2.4-fold increase compared to that of the baseline value. These high O(2) levels continued for 300 s after the infusion. The rHSA-FeP solution can be utilized not only as a red blood cell substitute but also as an O(2)-carrying medicine for the effective reoxygenation of the hypoxia solid tumor.

Pharmaceutical strategies utilizing recombinant human serum albumin

Gene manipulation techniques open up the possibility of making recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) or mutants with desirable therapeutic properties and for protein fusion products. rHSA can serve as a carrier in synthetic heme protein, thus reversibly carrying oxygen. Myristoylation of insulin results in a prolonged half-life because of self aggregation and increased albumin binding. Preferential albumin uptake by tumor cells serves as the basis for albumin-anticancer drug conjugate formulation. Furthermore, drug targeting can be achieved by incorporating drugs into albumin microspheres whereas liver targeting can be achieved by conjugating drug with galactosylated or mannosylated albumin. Microspheres and nanoparticles of different sizes can, with or without drugs and/or radioisotopes, be used for drug delivery or diagnostic purposes. In vivo implantation of albumin fusion protein expressing cells encapsulated in HSA-alginate coated beads showed promising results compared to organoids in rats. Chimeric peptide strategy with cationized albumin as the transport can deliver drugs via receptor mediated transcytosis through the blood brain barrier. Gene bearing, albumin microbubbles containing ultrasound contrast agents can non-invasively deliver gene after destruction by ultrasound. Various site-directed mutants of HSA can be tailor made depending on the application required.

The atomic structure of human methemalbumin at 1.9 A

The high resolution structure of hemalbumin was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction to a resolution of 1.9 A. The structure revealed the protoporphyrin IX bound to a single site within a hydrophobic cavity in subdomain IB, one of the principal binding sites for long chain fatty acid. The iron is penta coordinated with the fifth ligand comprised of the hydroxyl oxygen of Tyr-161 (phenolic oxygen to heme plane distance: 2.73 A) in an otherwise completely hydrophobic pocket. The heme propionic acid residues form salt bridges with His-142 and Lys-190, which together with a series of hydrophobic interactions, enclose and secure the heme within the IB helical motif. A detailed discussion of the structure together with its implications for the development of potential blood substitutes is presented.

Photoreduction of autooxidized albumin-heme hybrid in saline solution: revival of its O(2)-binding ability

Recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) incorporating 2-[8-[N-(2-methylimidazolyl)]octanoyloxymethyl]-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(alpha,alpha,alpha,alpha-o-pivalamido)phenylporphinatoiron(II)s (Fe(II)Ps) [rHSA-Fe(II)P] is a synthetic hemoprotein which can bind and release O(2) reversibly under physiological conditions (saline solution [NaCl]: 150 mM, pH 7.3) as do hemoglobin and myoglobin. However, the central ferrous ions of Fe(II)Ps are slowly oxidized to O(2)-inactive ferric forms. Based on the UV-vis. absorption spectroscopy, the majority of the autooxidized Fe(III)Ps in albumin are determined to be six-coordinate high-spin complexes with a proximal imidazole and a chloride anion, which show ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) absorption at 330 nm. Interestingly, photoirradiation of this LMCT band under an argon atmosphere led to reduction of the central ferric iron of Fe(III)P, allowing the revival of the O(2)-binding ability. The ratio of the photoreduction reached a maximum of 83%, which is probably due to the partial dissociation of the axial imidazole. The same photoirradiation under a CO atmosphere provides the corresponding carbonyl rHSA-Fe(II)P. Laser flash photolysis experiments revealed that the reduction was completed within 100 ns. The quantum yields (Phi) of these photoreductions were approximately 0.01.

Crystal structure analysis of warfarin binding to human serum albumin: anatomy of drug site I

Human serum albumin (HSA) is an abundant transport protein found in plasma that binds a wide variety of drugs in two primary binding sites (I and II) and can have a significant impact on their pharmacokinetics. We have determined the crystal structures at 2.5 A-resolution of HSA-myristate complexed with the R-(+) and S-(-) enantiomers of warfarin, a widely used anticoagulant that binds to the protein with high affinity. The structures confirm that warfarin binds to drug site I (in subdomain IIA) in the presence of fatty acids and reveal the molecular details of the protein-drug interaction. The two enantiomers of warfarin adopt very similar conformations when bound to the protein and make many of the same specific contacts with amino acid side chains at the binding site, thus accounting for the relative lack of stereospecificity of the HSA-warfarin interaction. The conformation of the warfarin binding pocket is significantly altered upon binding of fatty acids, and this can explain the observed enhancement of warfarin binding to HSA at low levels of fatty acid.

Reaction of nitric oxide with synthetic hemoprotein, human serum albumin incorporating tetraphenylporphinatoiron(II) derivatives

The reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with a synthetic hemoprotein, the recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) incorporating eight tetraphenylporphinatoiron(II) derivatives bearing a covalently linked axial base (FeP) [rHSA-FeP], has been investigated. The UV--vis absorption spectrum of the phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.3) of rHSA-FeP showed maxima at 425 and 546 nm upon the addition of NO. The carbonyl rHSA-FeP, in which FePs are six-coordinate CO-adducts, also moved to the same species after bubbling with NO gas. ESR spectroscopy revealed that the incorporated FePs in the albumin formed six-coordinate nitrosyl complexes; the proximal imidazole moiety does not dissociate from the central iron when NO binds to the trans side. The NO-binding affinity of rHSA-FeP (P(1/2)(NO), 1.7 x 10(-6) Torr, pH 7.3, 298 K) was significantly lower than that of FeP itself (P(1/2)(NO), 1.8 x 10(-8) Torr in toluene). Kinetically, this arises from the decreased association rate constant (k(on)(NO), 8.9 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) --> 1.5 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)). Since NO-association is diffusion controlled, incorporation of the synthetic heme into the albumin matrix appears to restrict the NO access to the central iron(II).

Kinetics of CO and O(2) binding to human serum albumin-heme hybrid

The kinetics of the CO and O(2) binding to the synthetic hemoprotein, recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) incorporating eight 2-[8-¿N-(2-methylimidazolyl)¿octanoyloxymethyl]-5,10,15, 20-tetrakis(o-pivalamido)phenylporphinatoiron(II)s (FePs) [rHSA-FeP(8)] have been investigated by laser flash photolysis. Time dependence of the absorption change accompanied the CO rebinding to rHSA-FeP(8) was composed of three phases. The fastest component was the axial base elimination, and the long-lived biphasic decay corresponds to the direct recombination of CO to the five-N-coordinated FePs in rHSA. The rate constants of the fast and slow phases of the CO association [(fast), (slow)] were determined to be 4.9 x 10(6) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) and 6.7 x 10(5) M(-)(1) s(-)(1), respectively. The initial amplitude after the laser pulse gave the concentration ratio of the fast and slow phases (n = 3); (i) two of the eight FePs exhibited the slow rate constants and (ii) they are presumably accommodated in the second and fifth binding sites of FeP in the albumin structure. The absorption decay following the O(2) photodissociation of rHSA-FeP(8) also showed the same behavior. Thermodynamically, the large DeltaG() of the slow phase of the CO rebinding, which mainly comes from the enthalpic factor, suggests the appearance of additional steric hindrance on the central metal iron of FeP. Furthermore, orientation of the porphyrin plane in rHSA was predicted by molecular simulation, which supports the experimental data from the kinetic observations.

Human serum albumin incorporating Tetrakis(o-pivalamido) phenylporphinatoiron(II) derivative as a totally synthetic O2-carrying hemoprotein

2-[8-{N-(2-Methylimidazolyl)}octanoyloxymethyl]-5,10,15, 20-tetrakis(o-pivalamido)phenylporphinatoiron(II)s (FePs) were incorporated into hydrophobic cavities of recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA), providing a totally synthetic O(2)-carrying hemoprotein (rHSA-FeP). An rHSA host absorbs maximally eight FeP molecules. Solution properties of the obtained albumin hybrid [[rHSA] = 5 wt %; FeP/HSA = 1-8 (mol/mol)] are almost identical to those of the rHSA itself; the specific gravity is 1.013 and the viscosity is 1.1 cP. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and isoelectric focusing measurement revealed that the second-order structure and surface charge distribution of rHSA were always constant independent of the binding numbers of FeP. Hydrophobic interaction is probably a major molecular force of the incorporation of this synthetic heme. rHSA-FeP can bind and release dioxygen reversibly under physiological conditions (in aqueous media, pH 7.3, 37 degrees C) like hemoglobin and myoglobin. Its O(2)-coordination structure was evaluated by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The O(2) rebinding after the laser flash photolysis showed three-phases decay, which were analyzed by triple-exponential kinetics. The O(2)-binding affinity and O(2)-association and -dissociation rate constants of rHSA-FeP satisfy the initial clinical requirements for O(2) infusion as a red cell substitute.