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Tsitokana ME, Lafon PA, Prézeau L, Pin JP, Rondard P. Targeting the Brain with Single-Domain Antibodies: Greater Potential Than Stated So Far? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032632. [PMID: 36768953 PMCID: PMC9916958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for central nervous system diseases with therapeutic antibodies have been increasingly investigated over the last decades, leading to some approved monoclonal antibodies for brain disease therapies. The detection of biomarkers for diagnosis purposes with non-invasive antibody-based imaging approaches has also been explored in brain cancers. However, antibodies generally display a low capability of reaching the brain, as they do not efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier. As an alternative, recent studies have focused on single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that correspond to the antigen-binding fragment. While some reports indicate that the brain uptake of these small antibodies is still low, the number of studies reporting brain-penetrating sdAbs is increasing. In this review, we provide an overview of methods used to assess or evaluate brain penetration of sdAbs and discuss the pros and cons that could affect the identification of brain-penetrating sdAbs of therapeutic or diagnostic interest.
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Zheng F, Pang Y, Li L, Pang Y, Zhang J, Wang X, Raes G. Applications of nanobodies in brain diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:978513. [PMID: 36426363 PMCID: PMC9679430 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.978513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies are antibody fragments derived from camelids, naturally endowed with properties like low molecular weight, high affinity and low immunogenicity, which contribute to their effective use as research tools, but also as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in a wide range of diseases, including brain diseases. Also, with the success of Caplacizumab, the first approved nanobody drug which was established as a first-in-class medication to treat acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, nanobody-based therapy has received increasing attention. In the current review, we first briefly introduce the characterization and manufacturing of nanobodies. Then, we discuss the issue of crossing of the brain-blood-barrier (BBB) by nanobodies, making use of natural methods of BBB penetration, including passive diffusion, active efflux carriers (ATP-binding cassette transporters), carrier-mediated influx via solute carriers and transcytosis (including receptor-mediated transport, and adsorptive mediated transport) as well as various physical and chemical methods or even more complicated methods such as genetic methods via viral vectors to deliver nanobodies to the brain. Next, we give an extensive overview of research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nanobodies in brain-related diseases, with emphasis on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and brain tumors. Thanks to the advance of nanobody engineering and modification technologies, nanobodies can be linked to toxins or conjugated with radionuclides, photosensitizers and nanoparticles, according to different requirements. Finally, we provide several perspectives that may facilitate future studies and whereby the versatile nanobodies offer promising perspectives for advancing our knowledge about brain disorders, as well as hopefully yielding diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yucheng Pang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Luyao Li
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuxing Pang
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Geert Raes
- Research Group of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
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Blocking P2X7 by intracerebroventricular injection of P2X7-specific nanobodies reduces stroke lesions. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:256. [PMID: 36224611 PMCID: PMC9559872 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02601-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated that purinergic receptors could be therapeutic targets to modulate the inflammatory response in multiple models of brain diseases. However, tools for the selective and efficient targeting of these receptors are lacking. The development of new P2X7-specific nanobodies (nbs) has enabled us to effectively block the P2X7 channel. METHODS Temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in wild-type (wt) and P2X7 transgenic (tg) mice was used to model ischemic stroke. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release was assessed in transgenic ATP sensor mice. Stroke size was measured after P2X7-specific nbs were injected intravenously (iv) and intracerebroventricularly (icv) directly before tMCAO surgery. In vitro cultured microglia were used to investigate calcium influx, pore formation via 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) uptake, caspase 1 activation and interleukin (IL)-1β release after incubation with the P2X7-specific nbs. RESULTS Transgenic ATP sensor mice showed an increase in ATP release in the ischemic hemisphere compared to the contralateral hemisphere or the sham-treated mice up to 24 h after stroke. P2X7-overexpressing mice had a significantly greater stroke size 24 h after tMCAO surgery. In vitro experiments with primary microglial cells demonstrated that P2X7-specific nbs could inhibit ATP-triggered calcium influx and the formation of membrane pores, as measured by Fluo4 fluorescence or DAPI uptake. In microglia, we found lower caspase 1 activity and subsequently lower IL-1β release after P2X7-specific nb treatment. The intravenous injection of P2X7-specific nbs compared to isotype controls before tMCAO surgery did not result in a smaller stroke size. As demonstrated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), after stroke, iv injected nbs bound to brain-infiltrated macrophages but not to brain resident microglia, indicating insufficient crossing of the blood-brain barrier of the nbs. Therefore, we directly icv injected the P2X7-specific nbs or the isotype nbs. After icv injection of 30 µg of P2X7 specific nbs, P2X7 specific nbs bound sufficiently to microglia and reduced stroke size. CONCLUSION Mechanistically, we can show that there is a substantial increase of ATP locally after stroke and that blockage of the ATP receptor P2X7 by icv injected P2X7-specific nbs can reduce ischemic tissue damage.
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Küppers J, Kürpig S, Bundschuh RA, Essler M, Lütje S. Radiolabeling Strategies of Nanobodies for Imaging Applications. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:1530. [PMID: 34573872 PMCID: PMC8471529 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11091530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies are small recombinant antigen-binding fragments derived from camelid heavy-chain only antibodies. Due to their compact structure, pharmacokinetics of nanobodies are favorable compared to full-size antibodies, allowing rapid accumulation to their targets after intravenous administration, while unbound molecules are quickly cleared from the circulation. In consequence, high signal-to-background ratios can be achieved, rendering radiolabeled nanobodies high-potential candidates for imaging applications in oncology, immunology and specific diseases, for instance in the cardiovascular system. In this review, a comprehensive overview of central aspects of nanobody functionalization and radiolabeling strategies is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Küppers
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (S.K.); (R.A.B.); (M.E.); (S.L.)
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Ruiz-López E, Schuhmacher AJ. Transportation of Single-Domain Antibodies through the Blood-Brain Barrier. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081131. [PMID: 34439797 PMCID: PMC8394617 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-domain antibodies derive from the heavy-chain-only antibodies of Camelidae (camel, dromedary, llama, alpaca, vicuñas, and guananos; i.e., nanobodies) and cartilaginous fishes (i.e., VNARs). Their small size, antigen specificity, plasticity, and potential to recognize unique conformational epitopes represent a diagnostic and therapeutic opportunity for many central nervous system (CNS) pathologies. However, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) poses a challenge for their delivery into the brain parenchyma. Nevertheless, numerous neurological diseases and brain pathologies, including cancer, result in BBB leakiness favoring single-domain antibodies uptake into the CNS. Some single-domain antibodies have been reported to naturally cross the BBB. In addition, different strategies and methods to deliver both nanobodies and VNARs into the brain parenchyma can be exploited when the BBB is intact. These include device-based and physicochemical disruption of the BBB, receptor and adsorptive-mediated transcytosis, somatic gene transfer, and the use of carriers/shuttles such as cell-penetrating peptides, liposomes, extracellular vesicles, and nanoparticles. Approaches based on single-domain antibodies are reaching the clinic for other diseases. Several tailoring methods can be followed to favor the transport of nanobodies and VNARs to the CNS, avoiding the limitations imposed by the BBB to fulfill their therapeutic, diagnostic, and theragnostic promises for the benefit of patients suffering from CNS pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Ruiz-López
- Molecular Oncology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Alberto J. Schuhmacher
- Molecular Oncology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Fundación Aragonesa para la Investigación y el Desarrollo (ARAID), 500018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Brilhante-da-Silva N, de Oliveira Sousa RM, Arruda A, Dos Santos EL, Marinho ACM, Stabeli RG, Fernandes CFC, Pereira SDS. Camelid Single-Domain Antibodies for the Development of Potent Diagnosis Platforms. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 25:439-456. [PMID: 34146333 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-021-00533-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The distinct biophysical and pharmaceutical properties of camelid single-domain antibodies, referred to as VHHs or nanobodies, are associated with their nanometric dimensions, elevated stability, and antigen recognition capacity. These biomolecules can circumvent a number of diagnostic system limitations, especially those related to the size and stability of conventional immunoglobulins currently used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and point-of-care, electrochemical, and imaging assays. In these formats, VHHs are directionally conjugated to different molecules, such as metallic nanoparticles, small peptides, and radioisotopes, which demonstrates their comprehensive versatility. Thus, the application of VHHs in diagnostic systems range from the identification of cancer cells to the detection of degenerative disease biomarkers, viral antigens, bacterial toxins, and insecticides. The improvements of sensitivity and specificity are among the central benefits resulting from the use of VHHs, which are indispensable parameters for high-quality diagnostics. Therefore, this review highlights the main biotechnological advances related to camelid single-domain antibodies and their use in in vitro and in vivo diagnostic approaches for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nairo Brilhante-da-Silva
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, 76812-245, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria de Oliveira Sousa
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, 76812-245, Brazil
| | - Andrelisse Arruda
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, 76812-245, Brazil
| | - Eliza Lima Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, 76812-245, Brazil
| | - Anna Carolina Machado Marinho
- Plataforma de Desenvolvimento de Anticorpos e Nanocorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Ceará, Eusebio, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Guerino Stabeli
- Plataforma Bi-institucional de Medicina Translacional.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Freire Celedonio Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Plataforma de Desenvolvimento de Anticorpos e Nanocorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Ceará, Eusebio, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Soraya Dos Santos Pereira
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, 76812-245, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, Brazil.
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Jin Y, Vadukul DM, Gialama D, Ge Y, Thrush R, White JT, Aprile FA. The Diagnostic Potential of Amyloidogenic Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4128. [PMID: 33923609 PMCID: PMC8074075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are a highly prevalent class of diseases, whose pathological mechanisms start before the appearance of any clear symptoms. This fact has prompted scientists to search for biomarkers that could aid early treatment. These currently incurable pathologies share the presence of aberrant aggregates called amyloids in the nervous system, which are composed of specific proteins. In this review, we discuss how these proteins, their conformations and modifications could be exploited as biomarkers for diagnostic purposes. We focus on proteins that are associated with the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and frontotemporal dementia. We also describe current challenges in detection, the most recent techniques with diagnostic potentials and possible future developments in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Antonio Aprile
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK; (Y.J.); (D.M.V.); (D.G.); (Y.G.); (R.T.); (J.T.W.)
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Gettemans J, De Dobbelaer B. Transforming nanobodies into high-precision tools for protein function analysis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2020; 320:C195-C215. [PMID: 33264078 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00435.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Single-domain antibodies, derived from camelid heavy antibodies (nanobodies) or shark variable new antigen receptors, have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their extremely versatile nature and the opportunities they offer for downstream modification. Discovered more than three decades ago, these 120-amino acid (∼15-kDa) antibody fragments are known to bind their target with high specificity and affinity. Key features of nanobodies that make them very attractive include their single-domain nature, small size, and affordable high-level expression in prokaryotes, and their cDNAs are routinely obtained in the process of their isolation. This facilitates and stimulates new experimental approaches. Hence, it allows researchers to formulate new answers to complex biomedical questions. Through elementary PCR-based technologies and chemical modification strategies, their primary structure can be altered almost at leisure while retaining their specificity and biological activity, transforming them into highly tailored tools that meet the increasing demands of current-day biomedical research. In this review, various aspects of camelid nanobodies are expounded, including intracellular delivery in recombinant format for manipulation of, i.e., cytoplasmic targets, their derivatization to improve nanobody orientation as a capturing device, approaches to reversibly bind their target, their potential as protein-silencing devices in cells, the development of strategies to transfer nanobodies through the blood-brain barrier and their application in CAR-T experimentation. We also discuss some of their disadvantages and conclude with future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Brian De Dobbelaer
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Gao Y, Zhu J, Lu H. Single domain antibody-based vectors in the delivery of biologics across the blood-brain barrier: a review. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2020; 11:1818-1828. [PMID: 33155179 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00873-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Biologics are a promising and effective method for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a natural barrier for the delivery of biologics into the brain, which decreases the effective concentration of drugs in the CNS. A range of strategies has been explored to transport biologics across the BBB endothelium, typically via receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT), which involving molecules for endogenous BBB receptors to be fused with biologics. This review emphasized a category of novel alternative RMT-targeting vectors: single domain antibodies (sdAb). SdAbs are a unique category of antibodies derived from naturally occurring heavy-chain-only antibodies. Herein, we describe their properties, mechanisms, modifications, and translational perspectives for their ability to transmigrate across the BBB in vitro and in vivo in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Huili Lu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Wouters Y, Jaspers T, De Strooper B, Dewilde M. Identification and in vivo characterization of a brain-penetrating nanobody. Fluids Barriers CNS 2020; 17:62. [PMID: 33054787 PMCID: PMC7556960 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-020-00226-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preclinical models to determine blood to brain transport ability of therapeutics are often ambiguous. In this study a method is developed that relies on CNS target-engagement and is able to rank brain-penetrating capacities. This method led to the discovery of an anti-transferrin receptor nanobody that is able to deliver a biologically active peptide to the brain via receptor-mediated transcytosis. Methods Various nanobodies against the mouse transferrin receptor were fused to neurotensin and injected peripherally in mice. Neurotensin is a neuropeptide that causes hypothermia when present in the brain but is unable to reach the brain from the periphery. Continuous body temperature measurements were used as a readout for brain penetration of nanobody-neurotensin fusions after its peripheral administration. Full temperature curves were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with Dunnett multiple comparisons tests. Results One anti-transferrin receptor nanobody coupled to neurotensin elicited a drop in body temperature following intravenous injection. Epitope binning indicated that this nanobody bound a distinct transferrin receptor epitope compared to the non-crossing nanobodies. This brain-penetrating nanobody was used to characterize the in vivo hypothermia model. The hypothermic effect caused by neurotensin is dose-dependent and could be used to directly compare peripheral administration routes and various nanobodies in terms of brain exposure. Conclusion This method led to the discovery of an anti-transferrin receptor nanobody that can reach the brain via receptor-mediated transcytosis after peripheral administration. This method could be used to assess novel proteins for brain-penetrating capabilities using a target-engaging readout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wouters
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - T Jaspers
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - B De Strooper
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.
| | - M Dewilde
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,VIB Discovery Sciences, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Pothin E, Lesuisse D, Lafaye P. Brain Delivery of Single-Domain Antibodies: A Focus on VHH and VNAR. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E937. [PMID: 33007904 PMCID: PMC7601373 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Passive immunotherapy, i.e., treatment with therapeutic antibodies, has been increasingly used over the last decade in several diseases such as cancers or inflammation. However, these proteins have some limitations that single-domain antibodies could potentially solve. One of the main issues of conventional antibodies is their limited brain penetration because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this review, we aim at exploring the different options single-domain antibodies (sDAbs) such as variable domain of heavy-chain antibodies (VHHs) and variable new antigen receptors (VNARs) have already taken to reach the brain allowing them to be used as therapeutic, diagnosis or transporter tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Pothin
- Antibody Engineering Platform, Structural Biology and Chemistry Department, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France;
- Tissue Barriers, Rare and Neurological Diseases TA Department, Sanofi, 91161 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Dominique Lesuisse
- Tissue Barriers, Rare and Neurological Diseases TA Department, Sanofi, 91161 Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Pierre Lafaye
- Antibody Engineering Platform, Structural Biology and Chemistry Department, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France;
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Abstract
Antibodies and antibody fragments have found wide application for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Single-domain antibody fragments, also known as ‘heavy-chain variable domains’ or ‘nanobodies’, are a recent addition to the toolbox. Discovered some 30 years ago, nanobodies are the smallest antibody-derived fragments that retain antigen-binding properties. Their small size, stability, specificity, affinity and ease of manufacture make them appealing for use as imaging agents in the laboratory and the clinic. With the recent surge in immunotherapeutics and the success of cancer immunotherapy, it is important to be able to image immune responses and cancer biomarkers non-invasively to allocate resources and guide the best possible treatment of patients with cancer. This article reviews recent advances in the application of nanobodies as cancer imaging agents. While much work has been done in preclinical models, first-in-human applications are beginning to show the value of nanobodies as imaging agents. Imaging is essential to make the right clinical decisions for many diseases, including cancer. Nanobodies have desirable properties as imaging agents, such as high specificity, affinity and a short blood half-life. Several nanobodies have found application in preclinical and clinical studies as imaging agents.
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Preclinical Targeted α- and β --Radionuclide Therapy in HER2-Positive Brain Metastasis Using Camelid Single-Domain Antibodies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12041017. [PMID: 32326199 PMCID: PMC7226418 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12041017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HER2-targeted therapies have drastically improved the outcome for breast cancer patients. However, when metastasis to the brain is involved, current strategies fail to hold up to the same promise. Camelid single-domain antibody-fragments (sdAbs) have been demonstrated to possess favorable properties for detecting and treating cancerous lesions in vivo using different radiolabeling methods. Here we evaluate the anti-HER2 sdAb 2Rs15d, coupled to diagnostic γ- and therapeutic α- and β−-emitting radionuclides for the detection and treatment of HER2pos brain lesions in a preclinical setting. 2Rs15d was radiolabeled with 111In, 225Ac and 131I using DTPA- and DOTA-based bifunctional chelators and Sn-precursor of SGMIB respectively and evaluated in orthotopic tumor-bearing athymic nude mice. Therapeutic efficacy as well as systemic toxicity were determined for 131I- and 225Ac-labeled sdAbs and compared to anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) trastuzumab in two different HER2pos tumor models. Radiolabeled 2Rs15d showed high and specific tumor uptake in both HER2pos SK-OV-3-Luc-IP1 and HER2pos MDA-MB-231Br brain lesions, whereas radiolabeled trastuzumab was unable to accumulate in intracranial SK-OV-3-Luc-IP1 tumors. Administration of [131I]-2Rs15d and [225Ac]-2Rs15d alone and in combination with trastuzumab showed a significant increase in median survival in 2 tumor models that remained largely unresponsive to trastuzumab treatment alone. Histopathological analysis revealed no significant early toxicity. Radiolabeled sdAbs prove to be promising vehicles for molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy of metastatic lesions in the brain. These data demonstrate the potential of radiolabeled sdAbs as a valuable add-on treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat HER2pos metastatic cancer.
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14
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Melarkode Vattekatte A, Shinada NK, Narwani TJ, Noël F, Bertrand O, Meyniel JP, Malpertuy A, Gelly JC, Cadet F, de Brevern AG. Discrete analysis of camelid variable domains: sequences, structures, and in-silico structure prediction. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8408. [PMID: 32185102 PMCID: PMC7061911 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen binding by antibodies requires precise orientation of the complementarity- determining region (CDR) loops in the variable domain to establish the correct contact surface. Members of the family Camelidae have a modified form of immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) with only heavy chains, called Heavy Chain only Antibodies (HCAb). Antigen binding in HCAbs is mediated by only three CDR loops from the single variable domain (VHH) at the N-terminus of each heavy chain. This feature of the VHH, along with their other important features, e.g., easy expression, small size, thermo-stability and hydrophilicity, made them promising candidates for therapeutics and diagnostics. Thus, to design better VHH domains, it is important to thoroughly understand their sequence and structure characteristics and relationship. In this study, sequence characteristics of VHH domains have been analysed in depth, along with their structural features using innovative approaches, namely a structural alphabet. An elaborate summary of various studies proposing structural models of VHH domains showed diversity in the algorithms used. Finally, a case study to elucidate the differences in structural models from single and multiple templates is presented. In this case study, along with the above-mentioned aspects of VHH, an exciting view of various factors in structure prediction of VHH, like template framework selection, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhila Melarkode Vattekatte
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR_S1134, Inserm, Univ. Paris, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. des Antilles, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France.,Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS), Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Ken Shinada
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR_S1134, Inserm, Univ. Paris, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. des Antilles, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS), Paris, France.,Discngine SAS, Paris, France
| | - Tarun J Narwani
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR_S1134, Inserm, Univ. Paris, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. des Antilles, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS), Paris, France
| | - Floriane Noël
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR_S1134, Inserm, Univ. Paris, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. des Antilles, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS), Paris, France.,PSL Research University, INSERM, UMR 932, Institut Curie, Paris, France.,Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Olivier Bertrand
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR_S1134, Inserm, Univ. Paris, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. des Antilles, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS), Paris, France
| | | | | | - Jean-Christophe Gelly
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR_S1134, Inserm, Univ. Paris, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. des Antilles, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS), Paris, France.,IBL, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Cadet
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR_S1134, Inserm, Univ. Paris, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. des Antilles, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France.,Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France.,Peaccel, Protein Engineering Accelerator, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre G de Brevern
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR_S1134, Inserm, Univ. Paris, Univ. de la Réunion, Univ. des Antilles, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France.,Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS), Paris, France.,IBL, Paris, France
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15
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Bélanger K, Iqbal U, Tanha J, MacKenzie R, Moreno M, Stanimirovic D. Single-Domain Antibodies as Therapeutic and Imaging Agents for the Treatment of CNS Diseases. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8020027. [PMID: 31544833 PMCID: PMC6640712 DOI: 10.3390/antib8020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibodies have become one of the most successful therapeutics for a number of oncology and inflammatory diseases. So far, central nervous system (CNS) indications have missed out on the antibody revolution, while they remain 'hidden' behind several hard to breach barriers. Among the various antibody modalities, single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) may hold the 'key' to unlocking the access of antibody therapies to CNS diseases. The unique structural features of sdAbs make them the smallest monomeric antibody fragments suitable for molecular targeting. These features are of particular importance when developing antibodies as modular building blocks for engineering CNS-targeting therapeutics and imaging agents. In this review, we first introduce the characteristic properties of sdAbs compared to traditional antibodies. We then present recent advances in the development of sdAbs as potential therapeutics across brain barriers, including their use for the delivery of biologics across the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barriers, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and molecular imaging of brain targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasandra Bélanger
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Umar Iqbal
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Jamshid Tanha
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Roger MacKenzie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Maria Moreno
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Danica Stanimirovic
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
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16
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Debie P, Devoogdt N, Hernot S. Targeted Nanobody-Based Molecular Tracers for Nuclear Imaging and Image-Guided Surgery. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:E12. [PMID: 31544818 PMCID: PMC6640687 DOI: 10.3390/antib8010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging is paving the way towards noninvasive detection, staging, and treatment follow-up of diseases such as cancer and inflammation-related conditions. Monoclonal antibodies have long been one of the staples of molecular imaging tracer design, although their long blood circulation and high nonspecific background limits their applicability. Nanobodies, unique antibody-binding fragments derived from camelid heavy-chain antibodies, have excellent properties for molecular imaging as they are able to specifically find their target early after injection, with little to no nonspecific background. Nanobody-based tracers using either nuclear or fluorescent labels have been heavily investigated preclinically and are currently making their way into the clinic. In this review, we will discuss different important factors in nanobody-tracer design, as well as the current state of the art regarding their application for nuclear and fluorescent imaging purposes. Furthermore, we will discuss how nanobodies can also be exploited for molecular therapy applications such as targeted radionuclide therapy and photodynamic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieterjan Debie
- Laboratory for in vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, ICMI-BEFY/MIMA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Laboratory for in vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, ICMI-BEFY/MIMA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Sophie Hernot
- Laboratory for in vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging, ICMI-BEFY/MIMA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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17
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Jank L, Pinto-Espinoza C, Duan Y, Koch-Nolte F, Magnus T, Rissiek B. Current Approaches and Future Perspectives for Nanobodies in Stroke Diagnostic and Therapy. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8010005. [PMID: 31544811 PMCID: PMC6640704 DOI: 10.3390/antib8010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-based biologics are the corner stone of modern immunomodulatory therapy. Though highly effective in dampening systemic inflammatory processes, their large size and Fc-fragment mediated effects hamper crossing of the blood brain barrier (BBB). Nanobodies (Nbs) are single domain antibodies derived from llama or shark heavy-chain antibodies and represent a new generation of biologics. Due to their small size, they display excellent tissue penetration capacities and can be easily modified to adjust their vivo half-life for short-term diagnostic or long-term therapeutic purposes or to facilitate crossing of the BBB. Furthermore, owing to their characteristic binding mode, they are capable of antagonizing receptors involved in immune signaling and of neutralizing proinflammatory mediators, such as cytokines. These qualities combined make Nbs well-suited for down-modulating neuroinflammatory processes that occur in the context of brain ischemia. In this review, we summarize recent findings on Nbs in preclinical stroke models and how they can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic reagents. We further provide a perspective on the design of innovative Nb-based treatment protocols to complement and improve stroke therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Jank
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Carolina Pinto-Espinoza
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Yinghui Duan
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Friedrich Koch-Nolte
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Tim Magnus
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Björn Rissiek
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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18
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Vandesquille M, Li T, Po C, Ganneau C, Lenormand P, Dudeffant C, Czech C, Grueninger F, Duyckaerts C, Delatour B, Dhenain M, Lafaye P, Bay S. Chemically-defined camelid antibody bioconjugate for the magnetic resonance imaging of Alzheimer's disease. MAbs 2017; 9:1016-1027. [PMID: 28657418 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2017.1342914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, molecular imaging of neurodegenerative diseases is mainly based on small molecule probes. Alternatively, antibodies are versatile tools that may be developed as new imaging agents. Indeed, they can be readily obtained to specifically target any antigen of interest and their scaffold can be functionalized. One of the critical issues involved in translating antibody-based probes to the clinic is the design and synthesis of perfectly-defined conjugates. Camelid single-domain antibody-fragments (VHHs) are very small and stable antibodies that are able to diffuse in tissues and potentially cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). Here, we selected a VHH (R3VQ) specifically targeting one of the main lesions of Alzheimer's disease (AD), namely the amyloid-beta (Aß) deposits. It was used as a scaffold for the design of imaging probes for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and labeled with the contrastophore gadolinium using either a random or site-specific approach. In contrast to the random strategy, the site-specific conjugation to a single reduced cysteine in the C-terminal part of the R3VQ generates a well-defined bioconjugate in a high yield process. This new imaging probe is able to cross the BBB and label Aß deposits after intravenous injection. Also, it displays improved r1 and r2 relaxivities, up to 30 times higher than a widely used clinical contrast agent, and it allows MRI detection of amyloid deposits in post mortem brain tissue of a mouse model of AD. The ability to produce chemically-defined VHH conjugates that cross the BBB opens the way for future development of tailored imaging probes targeting intracerebral antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Vandesquille
- a Institut Pasteur, Unité de Chimie des Biomolécules, Département Biologie Structurale et Chimie , Paris , France.,b CNRS UMR 3523, 75724 , France.,d French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission , Institute of Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging Research Center , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Tengfei Li
- c Institut Pasteur, CITECH, Plateforme d'Ingénierie des Anticorps , 75724 , Paris , France.,e Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, and Inserm, U 1127, and CNRS UMR 7225, and ICM, 75013, Paris , France.,f Université Paris Diderot-Paris 7, Paris , France
| | - Chrystelle Po
- a Institut Pasteur, Unité de Chimie des Biomolécules, Département Biologie Structurale et Chimie , Paris , France.,b CNRS UMR 3523, 75724 , France.,d French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission , Institute of Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging Research Center , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Christelle Ganneau
- a Institut Pasteur, Unité de Chimie des Biomolécules, Département Biologie Structurale et Chimie , Paris , France.,b CNRS UMR 3523, 75724 , France
| | - Pascal Lenormand
- c Institut Pasteur, CITECH, Plateforme d'Ingénierie des Anticorps , 75724 , Paris , France
| | - Clémence Dudeffant
- e Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, and Inserm, U 1127, and CNRS UMR 7225, and ICM, 75013, Paris , France
| | - Christian Czech
- g F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, NORD DTA, Roche Innovation Center Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Fiona Grueninger
- g F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, NORD DTA, Roche Innovation Center Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Charles Duyckaerts
- e Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, and Inserm, U 1127, and CNRS UMR 7225, and ICM, 75013, Paris , France
| | - Benoît Delatour
- e Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, and Inserm, U 1127, and CNRS UMR 7225, and ICM, 75013, Paris , France
| | - Marc Dhenain
- d French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission , Institute of Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging Research Center , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Pierre Lafaye
- c Institut Pasteur, CITECH, Plateforme d'Ingénierie des Anticorps , 75724 , Paris , France
| | - Sylvie Bay
- a Institut Pasteur, Unité de Chimie des Biomolécules, Département Biologie Structurale et Chimie , Paris , France.,b CNRS UMR 3523, 75724 , France
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19
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Kumar P, Bulk M, Webb A, van der Weerd L, Oosterkamp TH, Huber M, Bossoni L. A novel approach to quantify different iron forms in ex-vivo human brain tissue. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38916. [PMID: 27941952 PMCID: PMC5150947 DOI: 10.1038/srep38916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose a novel combination of methods to study the physical properties of ferric ions and iron-oxide nanoparticles in post-mortem human brain, based on the combination of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and SQUID magnetometry. By means of EPR, we derive the concentration of the low molecular weight iron pool, as well as the product of its electron spin relaxation times. Additionally, by SQUID magnetometry we identify iron mineralization products ascribable to a magnetite/maghemite phase and a ferrihydrite (ferritin) phase. We further derive the concentration of magnetite/maghemite and of ferritin nanoparticles. To test out the new combined methodology, we studied brain tissue of an Alzheimer’s patient and a healthy control. Finally, we estimate that the size of the magnetite/maghemite nanoparticles, whose magnetic moments are blocked at room temperature, exceeds 40–50 nm, which is not compatible with the ferritin protein, the core of which is typically 6–8 nm. We believe that this methodology could be beneficial in the study of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease which are characterized by abnormal iron accumulation in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravin Kumar
- Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Bulk
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew Webb
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Louise van der Weerd
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tjerk H Oosterkamp
- Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martina Huber
- Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lucia Bossoni
- Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
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20
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Li T, Vandesquille M, Koukouli F, Dudeffant C, Youssef I, Lenormand P, Ganneau C, Maskos U, Czech C, Grueninger F, Duyckaerts C, Dhenain M, Bay S, Delatour B, Lafaye P. Camelid single-domain antibodies: A versatile tool for in vivo imaging of extracellular and intracellular brain targets. J Control Release 2016; 243:1-10. [PMID: 27671875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Detection of intracerebral targets with imaging probes is challenging due to the non-permissive nature of blood-brain barrier (BBB). The present work describes two novel single-domain antibodies (VHHs or nanobodies) that specifically recognize extracellular amyloid deposits and intracellular tau neurofibrillary tangles, the two core lesions of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Following intravenous administration in transgenic mouse models of AD, in vivo real-time two-photon microscopy showed gradual extravasation of the VHHs across the BBB, diffusion in the parenchyma and labeling of amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles. Our results demonstrate that VHHs can be used as specific BBB-permeable probes for both extracellular and intracellular brain targets and suggest new avenues for therapeutic and diagnostic applications in neurology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Li
- Institut Pasteur, CITECH, Plateforme d'Ingénierie des Anticorps, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, F-75013 Paris, France; Inserm U 1127, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 7225, Paris, France; ICM, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris 5, France
| | - Matthias Vandesquille
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Chimie des Biomolécules, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France; CNRS UMR 3523, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale (I2BM), MIRCen, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Fani Koukouli
- Institut Pasteur, Neurobiologie intégrative des systèmes cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Clémence Dudeffant
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, F-75013 Paris, France; Inserm U 1127, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 7225, Paris, France; ICM, Paris, France; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale (I2BM), MIRCen, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Ihsen Youssef
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, F-75013 Paris, France; Inserm U 1127, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 7225, Paris, France; ICM, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Lenormand
- Institut Pasteur, CITECH, Plateforme d'Ingénierie des Anticorps, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Christelle Ganneau
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Chimie des Biomolécules, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France; CNRS UMR 3523, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Institut Pasteur, Neurobiologie intégrative des systèmes cholinergiques, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Christian Czech
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, NORD DTA, Roche Innovation Center Basel, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Grueninger
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, NORD DTA, Roche Innovation Center Basel, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charles Duyckaerts
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, F-75013 Paris, France; Inserm U 1127, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 7225, Paris, France; ICM, Paris, France
| | - Marc Dhenain
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale (I2BM), MIRCen, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Sylvie Bay
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Chimie des Biomolécules, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France; CNRS UMR 3523, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Benoît Delatour
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06 UMR S 1127, F-75013 Paris, France; Inserm U 1127, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 7225, Paris, France; ICM, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Lafaye
- Institut Pasteur, CITECH, Plateforme d'Ingénierie des Anticorps, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
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21
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Iikuni S, Ono M, Watanabe H, Yoshimura M, Ishibashi-Ueda H, Ihara M, Saji H. Novel Bivalent 99mTc-Complex with N-Methyl-Substituted Hydroxamamide as Probe for Imaging of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163969. [PMID: 27689870 PMCID: PMC5045186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is characterized by the deposition of amyloid aggregates in the walls of the cerebral vasculature. Recently, the development of molecular imaging probes targeting CAA has been attracting much attention. We previously reported the 99mTc-hydroxamamide (99mTc-Ham) complex with a bivalent benzothiazole scaffold as a binding moiety for amyloid aggregates ([99mTc]BT2) and its utility for CAA-specific imaging. However, the simultaneous generation of two radiolabeled complexes derived from the geometric isomers was observed in the 99mTc-labeling reaction. It was recently reported that the complexation reaction of 99Tc with N-methyl-substituted Ham provided a single 99Tc-Ham complex consisting of two N-methylated Ham ligands with marked stability. In this article, we designed and synthesized a novel N-methylated bivalent 99mTc-Ham complex ([99mTc]MBT2) and evaluated its utility for CAA-specific imaging. N-Methyl substitution of [99mTc]BT2 prevented the generation of its isomer in the 99mTc-labeling reaction. Enhanced in vitro stability of [99mTc]MBT2 as compared with [99mTc]BT2 was observed. [99mTc]MBT2 showed very low brain uptake, which is favorable for CAA-specific imaging. An in vitro inhibition assay using β-amyloid aggregates and in vitro autoradiographic examination of brain sections from a Tg2576 mouse and a CAA patient showed a decline in the binding affinity for amyloid aggregates due to N-methylation of the 99mTc-Ham complex. These results suggest that the scaffold of the 99mTc-Ham complex may play important roles in the in vitro stability and the binding affinity for amyloid aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimpei Iikuni
- Department of Patho-Functional Bioanalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ono
- Department of Patho-Functional Bioanalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Hiroyuki Watanabe
- Department of Patho-Functional Bioanalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masashi Yoshimura
- Department of Patho-Functional Bioanalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Masafumi Ihara
- Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideo Saji
- Department of Patho-Functional Bioanalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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22
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Steeland S, Vandenbroucke RE, Libert C. Nanobodies as therapeutics: big opportunities for small antibodies. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1076-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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23
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Imaging of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy with Bivalent (99m)Tc-Hydroxamamide Complexes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25990. [PMID: 27181612 PMCID: PMC4867616 DOI: 10.1038/srep25990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the deposition of amyloid aggregates in the walls of cerebral vasculature, is a major factor in intracerebral hemorrhage and vascular cognitive impairment and is also associated closely with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We previously reported 99mTc-hydroxamamide (99mTc-Ham) complexes with a bivalent amyloid ligand showing high binding affinity for β-amyloid peptide (Aβ(1–42)) aggregates present frequently in the form in AD. In this article, we applied them to CAA-specific imaging probes, and evaluated their utility for CAA-specific imaging. In vitro inhibition assay using Aβ(1–40) aggregates deposited mainly in CAA and a brain uptake study were performed for 99mTc-Ham complexes, and all 99mTc-Ham complexes with an amyloid ligand showed binding affinity for Aβ(1–40) aggregates and very low brain uptake. In vitro autoradiography of human CAA brain sections and ex vivo autoradiography of Tg2576 mice were carried out for bivalent 99mTc-Ham complexes ([99mTc]SB2A and [99mTc]BT2B), and they displayed excellent labeling of Aβ depositions in human CAA brain sections and high affinity and selectivity to CAA in transgenic mice. These results may offer new possibilities for the development of clinically useful CAA-specific imaging probes based on the 99mTc-Ham complex.
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Xia X, Feng H, Li C, Qin C, Song Y, Zhang Y, Lan X. 99mTc-labeled estradiol as an estrogen receptor probe: Preparation and preclinical evaluation. Nucl Med Biol 2015; 43:89-96. [PMID: 26466867 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2015] [Revised: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most breast cancers express estrogen receptors (ERs). Noninvasive imaging of ER expression may be helpful for planning therapy of ER+ tumors. We developed a new ER- binding probe, (99m)Tc-labeled estradiol, with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) as a chelating ligand, and assessed its targeting ability in vitro and in vivo. METHODS 3-Aminoethyl estradiol was synthesized in two steps from estrone, followed by (99m)Tc labeling. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect ER expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Saturation binding and specific binding were performed by incubating MCF-7 cells with increasing concentrations of (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol. Cell uptake, efflux, and blocking assays were also performed. To test (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol in vivo, nude mice bearing either MCF-7- (high ER expression) or MDA-MB-231- derived tumors (low ER expression) were injected with (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol, and underwent single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT). Mice injected with excess unlabeled DTPA-estradiol were used as controls. Ex vivo gamma-counting of tissues from normal and tumor-bearing mice was used to evaluate (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol biodistribution. RESULTS The radiochemical purity of (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol was 98.3%±1.3% with a specific activity of 33.1±1.5 MBq/μmol (n=3). Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining confirmed extensive expression of ERs by the MCF-7 cells, and less extensive expression by MDA-MB-231 cells. There was high binding affinity of (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol to MCF-7 cells with a>45% specific rate of total cell uptake. SPECT images and the biodistribution study results showed significantly higher uptake by MCF-7 tumors (6.06±0.38 %ID/g) than by MDA-MB-231 tumors (1.57±0.28 %ID/g). Pre-injection of MCF-7 tumor-bearing nude mice with excess unlabeled DTPA-estradiol significantly reduced tumor uptake of (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol (2.24±0.28 %ID/g), suggesting that (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol specifically targets ERs in tumors. CONCLUSIONS (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol can be synthesized with satisfactory labeling efficiency and stability. (99m)Tc-DTPA-estradiol specifically targeted ERs in vitro and in vivo with favorable pharmacokinetics, allowing ER receptor expression assessment with SPECT imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Xia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Hongyan Feng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Chongjiao Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Chunxia Qin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yiling Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yongxue Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China.
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Rotman M, Welling MM, van den Boogaard ML, Moursel LG, van der Graaf LM, van Buchem MA, van der Maarel SM, van der Weerd L. Fusion of hIgG1-Fc to 111In-anti-amyloid single domain antibody fragment VHH-pa2H prolongs blood residential time in APP/PS1 mice but does not increase brain uptake. Nucl Med Biol 2015; 42:695-702. [PMID: 25960433 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Jia J, Cui M, Dai J, Liu B. 99mTc(CO)3-Labeled Benzothiazole Derivatives Preferentially Bind Cerebrovascular Amyloid: Potential Use as Imaging Agents for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. Mol Pharm 2015; 12:2937-46. [PMID: 26065726 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a disorder affecting the elderly that is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in blood vessel walls of the brain. A series of 99mTc(CO)3-labeled benzothiazole derivatives as potential SPECT imaging probes for cerebrovascular Aβ deposition is reported. Rhenium surrogate displayed high affinities to Aβ aggregates with Ki values ranging from 106 to 42 nM, and they strongly stained Aβ deposits in transgenic mice (Tg) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In vitro autoradiography on brain sections of Tg and AD patients confirmed that [99mTc]24 possessed sufficient affinity for Aβ plaques, and [99mTc]24 could only label Aβ deposition in blood vessels but not Aβ plaques in the parenchyma of the brain of AD patients. Moreover, [99mTc]24 possessed favorable initial uptake (1.21% ID/g) and fast blood washout (blood2 min/blood60 min=23) in normal mice. These preliminary results suggest that [99mTc]24 may be used as an Aβ imaging probe for the detection of CAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Jia
- †Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Mengchao Cui
- †Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Jiapei Dai
- ‡Wuhan Institute for Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Boli Liu
- †Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
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Rotman M, Welling MM, Bunschoten A, de Backer ME, Rip J, Nabuurs RJ, Gaillard PJ, van Buchem MA, van der Maarel SM, van der Weerd L. Enhanced glutathione PEGylated liposomal brain delivery of an anti-amyloid single domain antibody fragment in a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease. J Control Release 2015; 203:40-50. [PMID: 25668771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Pain C, Dumont J, Dumoulin M. Camelid single-domain antibody fragments: Uses and prospects to investigate protein misfolding and aggregation, and to treat diseases associated with these phenomena. Biochimie 2015; 111:82-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Schut MH, Pepers BA, Klooster R, van der Maarel SM, El Khatabi M, Verrips T, den Dunnen JT, van Ommen GJB, van Roon-Mom WMC. Selection and characterization of llama single domain antibodies against N-terminal huntingtin. Neurol Sci 2014; 36:429-34. [PMID: 25294428 PMCID: PMC4341019 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-014-1971-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Huntington disease is caused by expansion of a CAG repeat in the huntingtin gene that is translated into an elongated polyglutamine stretch within the N-terminal domain of the huntingtin protein. The mutation is thought to introduce a gain-of-toxic function in the mutant huntingtin protein, and blocking this toxicity by antibody binding could alleviate Huntington disease pathology. Llama single domain antibodies (VHH) directed against mutant huntingtin are interesting candidates as therapeutic agents or research tools in Huntington disease because of their small size, high thermostability, low cost of production, possibility of intracellular expression, and potency of blood-brain barrier passage. We have selected VHH from llama phage display libraries that specifically target the N-terminal domain of the huntingtin protein. Our VHH are capable of binding wild-type and mutant human huntingtin under native and denatured conditions and can be used in Huntington disease studies as a novel antibody that is easy to produce and manipulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menno H Schut
- Department of Human Genetics, Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Klohs J, Rudin M, Shimshek DR, Beckmann N. Imaging of cerebrovascular pathology in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:32. [PMID: 24659966 PMCID: PMC3952109 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular pathology may interact with neurodegeneration and thus aggravate cognitive decline. As the relationship between these two processes is poorly understood, research has been increasingly focused on understanding the link between cerebrovascular alterations and AD. This has at last been spurred by the engineering of transgenic animals, which display pathological features of AD and develop cerebral amyloid angiopathy to various degrees. Transgenic models are versatile for investigating the role of amyloid deposition and vascular dysfunction, and for evaluating novel therapeutic concepts. In addition, research has benefited from the development of novel imaging techniques, which are capable of characterizing vascular pathology in vivo. They provide vascular structural read-outs and have the ability to assess the functional consequences of vascular dysfunction as well as to visualize and monitor the molecular processes underlying these pathological alterations. This article focusses on recent in vivo small animal imaging studies addressing vascular aspects related to AD. With the technical advances of imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance, nuclear and microscopic imaging, molecular, functional and structural information related to vascular pathology can now be visualized in vivo in small rodents. Imaging vascular and parenchymal amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition as well as Aβ transport pathways have been shown to be useful to characterize their dynamics and to elucidate their role in the development of cerebral amyloid angiopathy and AD. Structural and functional imaging read-outs have been employed to describe the deleterious affects of Aβ on vessel morphology, hemodynamics and vascular integrity. More recent imaging studies have also addressed how inflammatory processes partake in the pathogenesis of the disease. Moreover, imaging can be pivotal in the search for novel therapies targeting the vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Zurich, Switzerland ; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rudin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Zurich, Switzerland ; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Zurich, Switzerland ; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Derya R Shimshek
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation/Neuroinflammation Department, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolau Beckmann
- Analytical Sciences and Imaging, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Basel, Switzerland
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De Vos J, Devoogdt N, Lahoutte T, Muyldermans S. Camelid single-domain antibody-fragment engineering for (pre)clinical in vivo molecular imaging applications: adjusting the bullet to its target. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2013; 13:1149-60. [PMID: 23675652 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2013.800478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Molecular imaging is a fast developing field and there is a growing need for specific imaging tracers in the clinic. Camelid single-domain antibody-fragments (sdAbs) recently emerged as a new class of molecular imaging tracers. AREAS COVERED We review the importance of molecular imaging in the clinic and the use of camelid sdAbs as in vivo molecular imaging tracers. Interest in imaging tracers based on antibody fragments or man-made protein scaffolds expanded over the last years. Camelid sdAbs are small, monomeric binding fragments that are derived from unique heavy-chain-only antibodies. In vivo imaging studies with sdAbs targeting various cell membrane receptors in different disease models have been reported and more sdAb imaging tracers are under development. The first clinical trial with a camelid sdAb as a molecular imaging tracer targeting the breast cancer marker Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 is currently ongoing. EXPERT OPINION We expect that the development and use of sdAbs as tracers for both preclinical and clinical molecular imaging applications will become widespread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens De Vos
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (CMIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Building E.8, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Suffredini G, East JE, Levy LM. New applications of nanotechnology for neuroimaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2013; 35:1246-53. [PMID: 23538408 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a3543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY Advances in nanotechnology have the potential to dramatically enhance the detection of neurologic diseases with targeted contrast agents and to facilitate the delivery of focused therapies to the central nervous system. We present the physicochemical rationale for their use, applications in animal models, and ongoing clinical trials using these approaches. We highlight advances in the use of nanoparticles applied to brain tumor imaging, tumor angiogenesis, neurodegeneration, grafted stem cells, and neuroprogenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Suffredini
- From the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (G.S.), Washington, DC
| | - J E East
- Howard University School of Medicine (J.E.E.), Washington, DC
| | - L M Levy
- Department of Radiology (L.M.L.), George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC.
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