Differential hepatic processing and biliary secretion of head-group and acyl chains of liposomal phosphatidylcholines

Effect of Repeated Injections of Adenosine Diphosphate-Encapsulated Liposomes Coated with a Fibrinogen γ-Chain Dodecapeptide Developed as a Synthetic Platelet Substitute on Accelerated Blood Clearance in a Healthy and an Anticancer Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia Rat Model

Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-encapsulated liposomes coated with a fibrinogen γ-chain dodecapeptide [H12 (dodecapeptide ((400) HHLGGAKQAGDV(411) ))-(ADP)-liposome] is a synthetic platelet substitute, in which the surface is covered with polyethylene glycol (PEG). It has been reported that repeated injections of PEGylated liposomes induce an accelerated blood clearance (ABC) phenomenon, which involves a loss in the long-circulation half-life of the material when administered repeatedly to the same animals. The objective of this study was to determine whether the ABC phenomenon was induced by repeated injections of H12-(ADP)-liposome in healthy and anticancer drug-induced thrombocytopenia model rats. The findings show that the ABC phenomenon was induced by healthy rats that were repeatedly injected with H12-(ADP)-liposomes at the interval of 5 days at a dose of 10 mg lipids/kg. The ABC phenomenon involves the production of anti-H12-(ADP)-liposome immunoglobulin M (IgM) and complement activation. On the other hand, when thrombocytopenia model rats were repeatedly injected with H12-(ADP)-liposomes under the same conditions, no ABC phenomenon, nor was any suppression of anti-H12-(ADP)-liposome IgM-mediated complement activation observed. We thus conclude that the repeated injection of H12-(ADP)-liposome treatment in rat model with anticancer drug-induced thrombocytopenia did not induce the ABC phenomenon.

Pharmacokinetic study of the structural components of adenosine diphosphate-encapsulated liposomes coated with fibrinogen γ-chain dodecapeptide as a synthetic platelet substitute

Fibrinogen γ-chain (dodecapeptide HHLGGAKQAGDV, H12)-coated, ADP-encapsulated liposomes [H12-(ADP)-liposomes] were developed as a synthetic platelet alternative that specifically accumulates at bleeding sites as the result of interactions with activated platelets via glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and augments platelet aggregation by releasing ADP. The aim of this study is to characterize the pharmacokinetic properties of H12-(ADP)-liposomes and structural components in rats, and to predict the blood retention of H12-(ADP)-liposomes in humans. With use of H12-(ADP)-liposomes in which the encapsulated ADP and liposomal membrane cholesterol were radiolabeled with (14)C and (3)H, respectively, it was found that the time courses for the plasma concentration curves of (14)C and (3)H radioactivity showed that the H12-(ADP)-liposomes remained intact in the blood circulation for up to 24 hours after injection, and were mainly distributed to the liver and spleen. However, the (14)C and (3)H radioactivity of H12-(ADP)-liposomes disappeared from organs within 7 days after injection. The encapsulated ADP was metabolized to allantoin, which is the final metabolite of ADP in rodents, and was mainly eliminated in the urine, whereas the cholesterol was mainly eliminated in feces. In addition, the half-life of the H12-(ADP)-liposomes in humans was predicted to be approximately 96 hours from pharmacokinetic data obtained for mice, rats, and rabbits using an allometric equation. These results suggest that the H12-(ADP)-liposome has potential with proper pharmacokinetic and acceptable biodegradable properties as a synthetic platelet substitute.

Novel method to label solid lipid nanoparticles with 64cu for positron emission tomography imaging

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are submicrometer (1-1000 nm) colloidal carriers developed in the past decade as an alternative system to traditional carriers (emulsions, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles) for intravenous applications. Because of their potential as drug carriers, there is much interest in understanding the in vivo biodistribution of SLNs following intravenous (i.v.) injection. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an attractive method for investigating biodistribution but requires a radiolabeled compound. In this work, we describe a method to radiolabel SLN for in vivo PET studies. A copper specific chelator, 6-[p-(bromoacetamido)benzyl]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (BAT), conjugated with a synthetic lipid, was incorporated into the SLN. Following incubation with (64)CuCl(2) for 1 h at 25 °C in 0.1 M NH(4)OAc buffer (pH 5.5), the SLNs (∼150 nm) were successfully radiolabeled with (64)Cu (66.5% radiolabeling yield), exhibiting >95% radiolabeled particles following purification. The (64)Cu-SLNs were delivered intravenously to mice and imaged with PET at 0.5, 3, 20, and 48 h post injection. Gamma counting was utilized post imaging to confirm organ distributions. Tissue radioactivity (% injected dose/gram, %ID/g), obtained by quantitative analysis of the images, suggests that the (64)Cu-SLNs are circulating in the bloodstream after 3 h (blood half-life ∼1.4 h), but are almost entirely cleared by 48 h. PET and gamma counting demonstrate that approximately 5-7%ID/g (64)Cu-SLNs remain in the liver at 48 h post injection. Stability assays confirm that copper remains associated with the SLN over the 48 h time period and that the biodistribution patterns observed are not from free, dissociated copper. Our results indicate that SLNs can be radiolabeled with (64)Cu, and their biodistribution can be quantitatively evaluated by in vivo PET imaging and ex vivo gamma counting.

Positron emission tomography imaging of the stability of Cu-64 labeled dipalmitoyl and distearoyl lipids in liposomes

Changes in lipid acyl chain length can result in desorption of lipid from the liposomal anchorage and interaction with blood components. PET studies of the stability of such lipids have not been performed previously although such studies can map the pharmacokinetics of unstable lipids non-invasively in vivo. The purpose of this study was to characterize the in vivo clearance of (64)Cu-labeled distearoyl- and dipalmitoyl lipid included within long circulating liposomes. Distearoyl and dipalmitoyl maleimide lipids (1mol%) in liposomes were labeled with a (64)Cu-incorporated bifunctional chelator (TETA-PDP) after the activation of pyridine disulfide to thiol by TCEP. Long circulating liposomes containing HSPC:DSPE-PEG2k-OMe:cholesterol: x (55:5:39:1), where x was (64)Cu-DSPE or (64)Cu-DPPE, or HSPC:DSPE-PEG2k-OMe:cholesterol:(64)Cu-DSPE:DPPC (54:5:39:1:1) were evaluated in serum (in vitro) and via intravenous injection to FVB mice. The time-activity curves for the blood, liver, and kidney were measured from PET images and the biodistribution was performed at 48h. In vitro assays showed that (64)Cu-DPPE transferred from liposomes to serum with a 7.9h half-life but (64)Cu-DSPE remained associated with the liposomes. The half clearance of radioactivity from the blood pool was 18 and 5h for (64)Cu-DSPE- and (64)Cu-DPPE liposome-injected mice, respectively. The clearance of radioactivity from the liver and kidney was significantly greater following the injection of (64)Cu-DPPE-labeled liposomes than (64)Cu-DSPE-labeled liposomes at 6, 18 and 28h. Forty eight hours after injection, the whole body radioactivity was 57 and 17% ID/cc for (64)Cu-DSPE and (64)Cu-DPPE, respectively. These findings suggest that the acyl chain length of the radiolabel should be considered for liposomal PET studies and that PET is an effective tool for evaluating the stability of nanoformulations in vivo.

Comparison of the depot effect and immunogenicity of liposomes based on dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDA), 3β-[N-(N',N'-Dimethylaminoethane)carbomyl] cholesterol (DC-Chol), and 1,2-Dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP): prolonged liposome retention mediates stronger Th1 responses

The immunostimulatory capacities of cationic liposomes are well-documented and are attributed both to inherent immunogenicity of the cationic lipid and more physical capacities such as the formation of antigen depots and antigen delivery. Very few studies have however been conducted comparing the immunostimulatory capacities of different cationic lipids. In the present study we therefore chose to investigate three of the most well-known cationic liposome-forming lipids as potential adjuvants for protein subunit vaccines. The ability of 3β-[N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)carbomyl] cholesterol (DC-Chol), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP), and dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDA) liposomes incorporating immunomodulating trehalose dibehenate (TDB) to form an antigen depot at the site of injection (SOI) and to induce immunological recall responses against coadministered tuberculosis vaccine antigen Ag85B-ESAT-6 are reported. Furthermore, physical characterization of the liposomes is presented. Our results suggest that liposome composition plays an important role in vaccine retention at the SOI and the ability to enable the immune system to induce a vaccine specific recall response. While all three cationic liposomes facilitated increased antigen presentation by antigen presenting cells, the monocyte infiltration to the SOI and the production of IFN-γ upon antigen recall was markedly higher for DDA and DC-Chol based liposomes which exhibited a longer retention profile at the SOI. A long-term retention and slow release of liposome and vaccine antigen from the injection site hence appears to favor a stronger Th1 immune response.

Liposomal Cu-64 labeling method using bifunctional chelators: poly(ethylene glycol) spacer and chelator effects

Two bifunctional Cu-64 chelators (BFCs), (6-(6-(3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionamido)hexanamido)benzyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,4,8,11-tetraacetic acid (TETA-PDP) and 4-(2-(2-pyridyldithioethyl)ethanamido)-11-carboxymethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo(6.6.2)hexadecane (CB-TE2A-PDEA), were synthesized and conjugated to long-circulating liposomes (LCLs) via attachment to a maleimide lipid. An in vitro stability assay of (64)Cu-TETA, (64)Cu-TETA-PEG2k, and (64)Cu-CB-TE2A-PEG2k liposomes showed that more than 86% of the radioactivity remains associated with the liposomal fraction after 48 h of incubation with mouse serum. The in vivo time activity curves (TAC) for the three liposomal formulations showed that approximately 50% of the radioactivity cleared from the blood pool in 16-18 h. As expected, the in vivo biodistribution and TAC data obtained at 48 h demonstrate that the clearance of radioactivity from the liver slows with the incorporation of a poly(ethylene glycol)-2k (PEG2k) brush. Our data suggest that (64)Cu-TETA and (64)Cu-CB-TE2A are similarly stable in the blood pool and accumulation of radioactivity in the liver and spleen is not related to the stability of Cu-64 chelator complex; however, clearance of Cu-64 from the liver and spleen are faster when injected as (64)Cu-TETA-chelated liposomes rather than (64)Cu-CB-TE2A-chelated liposomes.

Physiological Capacity of the Reticuloendothelial System for the Degradation of Hemoglobin Vesicles (Artificial Oxygen Carriers) after Massive Intravenous Doses by Daily Repeated Infusions for 14 Days

A hemoglobin vesicle (HbV; diameter 252 +/- 53 nm) or liposome-encapsulated Hb is an artificial oxygen carrier developed for use as a transfusion alternative, and its oxygen-transporting capacity has been well characterized, although critical physiological compartments for the Hb degradation after a massive infusion of HbV and the safety outcome remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to examine the compartments for its degradation by daily repeated infusions (DRI) of HbV, focusing on its influence on the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Male Wistar rats intravenously received the HbV suspension at 10 ml/kg/day for 14 consecutive days. The cumulative infusion volume (140 ml/kg) was equal to 2.5 times the whole blood volume (56 ml/kg). The animals tolerated the DRI well and survived, and body weights continuously increased. One day after DRI, hepatosplenomegaly occurred significantly through the accumulation of large amounts of HbV. Plasma clinical chemistry was overall normal, except for a transient elevation of lipid components derived from HbV. These symptoms subsided 14 days after DRI. Hemosiderin deposition and up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 coincided in the liver and spleen but were not evident in the parenchyma of these organs. Furthermore, the plasma iron and bilirubin levels remained unchanged, suggesting that the heme-degrading capacity of the RES did not surpass the ability to eliminate bilirubin. In conclusion, phospholipid vesicles for the encapsulation of Hb would be beneficial for heme detoxification through their preferential delivery to the RES, a physiological compartment for degradation of senescent RBCs, even at doses greater than putative clinical doses.

Metabolism of hemoglobin-vesicles (artificial oxygen carriers) and their influence on organ functions in a rat model

Phospholipid vesicles encapsulating Hb (Hb-vesicles: HbV) have been developed for use as artificial O(2) carriers (250 nm phi). As one of the safety evaluations, we analyzed the influence of HbV on the organ functions by laboratory tests of plasma on a total of 29 analytes. The HbV suspension ([Hb]=10 g/dl) was intravenously infused into male Wistar rats (20 ml/kg; whole blood = 56 ml/kg). The blood was withdrawn at 8h, and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after infusion, and the plasma was ultracentrifuged to remove HbV in order to avoid its interference effect on the analytes. Enzyme concentrations, AST, ALT, ALP, and LAP showed significant, but minor changes, and did not show a sign of a deteriorative damage to the liver that was one of the main organs for the HbV entrapment and the succeeding metabolism. The amylase and lipase activities showed reversible changes, however, there was no morphological changes in pancreas. Plasma bilirubin and iron did not increase in spite of the fact that a large amount of Hb was metabolized in the macrophages. Cholesterols, phospholipids, and beta-lipoprotein transiently increased showing the maximum at 1 or 2 days, and returned to the control level at 7 days. They should be derived from the membrane components of HbV that are liberated from macrophages entrapping HbV. Together with the previous report of the prompt metabolism of HbV in the reticuloendothelial system by histopathological examination, it can be concluded that HbV infusion transiently modified the values of the analytes without any irreversible damage to the corresponding organs at the bolus infusion rate of 20 ml/kg.

Hemoglobin-vesicles as oxygen carriers: influence on phagocytic activity and histopathological changes in reticuloendothelial system

Hemoglobin-vesicles (HbV) have been developed for use as artificial oxygen carriers (particle diameter, 250 nm) in which a purified Hb solution is encapsulated with a phospholipid bilayer membrane. The influence of HbV on the reticuloendothelial system was studied by carbon clearance measurements and histopathological examination. The HbV suspension ([Hb] = 10 g/dl) was intravenously infused in male Wistar rats at dose rates of 10 and 20 ml/kg, and the phagocytic activity was measured by monitoring the rate of carbon clearance at 8 hours and at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after infusion. The phagocytic activity transiently decreased one day after infusion by about 40%, but it recovered and was enhanced at 3 days, showing a maximum of about twice the quiescent level at 7 days, and then returned to the normal value at 14 days. The initial transient decreased activity indicates a partly, but not completely, suppressed defensive function of the body. The succeeding increased phagocytic activity corresponds to the increased metabolism of HbV. The histopathological examination with anti-human Hb antibody, hematoxylin/eosin, and oil red O stainings showed that HbV was metabolized within 7 days. Hemosiderin was very slightly confirmed with Berlin blue staining at 3 and 7 days in liver and spleen, though they completely disappeared at 14 days, indicating that the heme metabolism, excretion or recycling of iron proceeded smoothly and iron deposition was minimal. Electron microscopic examination of the spleen and liver tissues clearly demonstrated the particles of HbV with a diameter of about 1/40 of red blood cells in capillaries, and in phagosomes as entrapped in the spleen macrophages and Kupffer cells one day after infusion. The vesicular structure could not be observed at 7 days. Even though the infusion of HbV modified the phagocytic activity for 2 weeks, it does not seem to cause any irreversible damage to the phagocytic organs. These results offer important information for evaluating the safety issues of HbV for clinical use.

The role of hepatocytes in the clearance of liposomes from the blood circulation

In this chapter we summarize literature and describe in more detail our own observations over a period of nearly two decennia on the role of hepatocytes in the hepatic clearance of intravenously administered liposomes. Evidence is presented indicating that, although size is an important parameter, it is not decisive in determining access of liposomes to the hepatocytes. Also lipid composition is an important parameter, including charge, rigidity and headgroup composition. The role of the fenestrated sinusoidal endothelial cells in determining liposome accessibility of hepatocytes is discussed as well as the involvement of opsonizing plasma proteins such as apolipoprotein E. Our observations led us to postulate the existence of at least four different mechanisms of interaction of liposomes with hepatocytes, i.e. an endocytic and a non-endocytic one for both neutral and negatively charged vesicles

Evidence for secretory coupling of phosphatidylcholine molecular species to cholesterol in rat bile

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hepatocytes secrete cholesterol into bile within lipid vesicles of selected phosphatidylcholines, mainly palmitoyl-linoleoyl-phosphatidylcholines, palmitoleoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholines and palmitoleoyl-arachidonyl-phosphatidylcholines, which could in part determine the secreted amount of cholesterol.

AIMS

To study whether increased secretion of cholesterol, as caused by manipulation of cholesterol synthesis rate, changes the composition of phosphatidylcholines secreted in bile.

METHODS

Livers from control rats (Control), rats fed pravastatin for 7 days (Pravastatin) and livers isolated 5-7 or 8-11 hours after pravastatin had been withdrawn (Rebound5-7h; Rebound8-11h) were isolated perfused during infusion of taurocholic acid (400 nmol/min/100 g rat), to study biliary secretion of bile salts, cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine molecular species.

RESULTS

Bile salt secretion rate was similar in all four groups, secretion of cholesterol and phosphatidylcholines was similar in Control and Pravastatin. With duration of pravastatin withdrawal the secretion rates of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol progressively increased by +38% and +122% in Rebound5-7h and by +70% and +300% in Rebound8-11h (vs Control), respectively. In parallel, the secretion rates of palmitoleoyl-oleoyl- and palmitoleoyl-arachidonyl-phosphatidylcholines rose up to sixfold and twofold, respectively, while the secretion rate of palmitoyl-linoleoylphospatidylcholines remained constant. The secretion rate of cholesterol was correlated (p < 0.01) with the secretion rates of palmitoleoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholines (r = 0.83) and palmitoleoyl-arachidonyl-phosphatidylcholines (r = 0.81). Bilirubin ditaurate or taurodehydrocholate reduced (p < 0.05) biliary secretion of phosphatidylcholines (-33%; -72%) without changes in cholesterol/phosphatidylcholine secretory ratio or phosphatidylcholine species.

CONCLUSIONS

The secretion of the major molecular species of phosphatidylcholine in bile could be coregulated with the amount of cholesterol destined for biliary secretion.

Processing of the phospholipid analogue phosphatidyl(N-sulphorhodamine B sulphonyl)ethanolamine by rat hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo

We have investigated the processing of the non-exchangeable fluorescent phospholipid analogue phosphatidyl(N-sulphorhodamine B sulphonyl)ethanolamine (N-Rh-PE) by rat liver cells. In the hepatocyte couplet system, N-Rh-PE was incorporated into the plasma membrane at 2 degrees C and readily internalized upon warming to 37 degrees C. Fluorescence was initially found to be concentrated in vesicles clustered throughout the cell, but subsequently it started to accumulate in pericanalicular vesicles, tentatively identified as lysosomes, and in the bile canalicular lumen. Analysis of cells and media by t.l.c. revealed the slow formation of at least two metabolites. After intravenous injection into bile-fistula rats of [9,10-3H-oleoyl]N-Rh-PE incorporated in small unilamellar liposomes, the initial rates of elimination from plasma of 3H and rhodamine label were virtually identical. However, biliary secretion of the 3H label (5.5% of dose at 2 h) was much slower than that of the rhodamine label (49.3% at 2 h). The rhodamine label in bile was chloroform-soluble, but not identical to the native molecule, and was resistant to phospholipase A2 and alkaline hydrolysis. To gain insight in the mechanism of the rapid bile secretion of this metabolite, we compared the processing of N-Rh-PE, its deacylated form [glycerophospho(N-sulphorhodamine B sulphonyl)ethanolamine; Gly-N-Rh] and the rhodamine label itself (sulphorhodamine B sulphonyl chloride; SRho). Intravenous injection of chloroform-soluble N-Rh-PE and of methanol/water-soluble Gly-N-Rh complexed with albumin both resulted in rapid bile secretion of chloroform-soluble fluorescent compounds (60.2% and 86.3% respectively at 2 h), which showed behaviour identical to that of the metabolite of liposomal N-Rh-PE on t.l.c. Methanol/water-soluble SRho was also rapidly secreted into bile (89.5% at 2 h) without being metabolized. Bile secretion of the chloroform-soluble metabolite of N-Rh-PE and of SRho was markedly impaired (-31% and -52% respectively) in GY Wistar rats, which express a genetic defect in the hepatobiliary transport of organic anions. Our data show that the rat hepatocyte is capable of modifying the structure of N-Rh-PE, a process which proceeds considerably faster in vivo than in vitro. The chloroform-soluble metabolite is subsequently rapidly removed via the bile. The canalicular organic anion transporting system, which is deficient in GY rats, appears to be involved in the excretion of this apolar product of hepatic metabolism.