Targeting of drugs to cell surface receptors

Use of New Aminosugar Derivatives as Comonomers for the Synthesis of Glycosylated Poly(Amido-Amines)

New sugar functionalized poly(amido-amines) (PAA) polymers were synthesized. The PAA made by the addition polymerization of 2-methylpiperazine-2,2-bisacrylamidoacetic acid (ISA) was chosen for its potential applications in the biomedical field and the sugar monomers were obtained by chemical and enzymatic synthetic strategies. Specifically, the 2-aminoethyl fi-D-galactopyranosyl monomer was directly obtained by enzymatic catalysis, while the 2-aminoethyl amide and the 3-aminopropyl amide of lactobionic acid were obtained by ning-opening reactions of the corresponding lactone. The presence of sugar moieties in the polymer chains was confirmed by FT-IR, 'H NMR, 13C NMR analysis and calorimetric assay. The sugar content of polymer derivatives is sufficient for targeting purpose, making these compounds potential soluble drug carriers.

HPMA based macromolecular therapeutics: Internalization, intracellular pathway and cell death depend on the character of covalent bond between the drug and the peptidic spacer and also on spacer composition

Polymeric conjugates based on N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) have been tested as potential carrier for anticancer drug - doxorubicin (Dox). Two types of conjugates were synthesized: (a) conjugates containing Dox bound through an amidic bond to an oligopeptidic side-chain (usually GFLG) and (b) hydrolytically cleavable conjugates wherein Dox is bound to the polymeric carrier through a pH sensitive bond. The mechanism of action of both conjugates is different and reflects the diverse way and intensity of their intracellular accumulation. All conjugates containing doxorubicin bound via an amidic bond directly penetrate the plasma membrane and are detectable in all associated cellular membranes, i.e. membranes of the endocytic compartment, a nuclear membrane as well as membranes of Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum. We have never been able to detect released doxorubicin inside the nuclei of the treated cells. The cytotoxicity of these conjugates seems to be primarily caused by the damage of cellular membranes. Necrosis is the main mechanism of the cell death. Conjugates containing hydrolytically bound doxorubicin are internalized by endocytosis and fluid phase pinocytosis and doxorubicin is cleaved from the polymeric carrier at low pH in late endosomes and lysosomes. An apoptosis is the main mechanism of the cell death. The spacer influences the rate of the intracellular release of the drug rather than the rate of internalization.

Specific targeting to murine myeloma cells of Cyt1Aa toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis

Multiple myeloma is currently an incurable cancer of plasma B cells often characterized by overproduction of abnormally high quantities of a patient-specific, clonotypic immunoglobulin "M-protein." The M-protein is expressed on the cell membrane and secreted into the blood. We previously showed that ligand-toxin conjugates (LTC) incorporating the ribosome-inactivating Ricin-A toxin were very effective in specific cytolysis of the anti-ligand antibody-bearing target cells used as models for multiple myeloma. Here, we report on the incorporation of the membrane-disruptive Cyt1Aa toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis into LTCs targeted to murine myeloma cells. Proteolytically activated Cyt1Aa was conjugated chemically or genetically through either its amino or carboxyl termini to the major peptidic epitope VHFFKNIVTPRTP (p87-99) of the myelin basic protein. The recombinant fusion-encoding genes were cloned and expressed in acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis through the shuttle vector pHT315. Both chemically conjugated and genetically fused LTCs were toxic to anti-myelin basic protein-expressing murine hybridoma cells, but the recombinant conjugates were more active. LTCs comprising the Cyt1Aa toxin might be useful anticancer agents. As a membrane-acting toxin, Cyt1Aa is not likely to induce development of resistant cell lines.

Targeted polymers for gene delivery

Over the past decade, significant research has been done in the area of polymer-mediated gene delivery. Synthesis of new polymers and modifications to existing polymers has resulted in polyplexes with improved in vitro and in vivo transfection efficiencies. Targeting has been an important aspect of this research, and various strategies for obtaining selective and enhanced gene delivery to the target site have been evaluated. This review covers the different aspects involved in polyplex targeting. Development of targeted polyplexes involves a careful consideration of the target site, the targeting ligand and the physicochemical properties of the polyplex itself. The need to redirect the polyplexes by using the 'shield and target' approach by reducing nonspecific interactions with negatively charged components, while conferring specificity by incorporating targeting ligands, is discussed. Basic chemistry involved in modifying polymers is covered and examples of targeting strategies used for tissue-specific gene delivery are discussed. Targeting is also discussed in the broader context of developing safe and effective polymeric vectors for in vivo gene delivery. Maximum benefit of targeting can be obtained when it is used as part of a multi-functional complex containing elements designed to improve gene delivery and reduce overall toxicity of the polyplex.

Macrophage-targeted photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light activatable molecules that after illumination produce reactive oxygen species and unwanted tissue destruction. PDT has dual selectivity due to control of light delivery and to some extent selective photosensitizer (PS) accumulation in tumors or other diseased tissue, additional targeted selectivity of PS for disease is necessary. The delivery of drugs to selected lesions can be enhanced by the preparation of targeted macromolecular conjugates that employ cell type specific targeting by ligand-receptor recognition. Macrophages and monocytes express a scavenger-receptor that is a high-capacity route for delivering molecules into endocytic compartments in a cell-type specific manner. We have shown that by attaching PS to scavenger-receptor ligands it is possible to get three logs of selective cell killing in macrophages while leaving non-macrophage cells unharmed. The capability to selectively kill macrophages has applications in treating cancer and in the detection and therapy of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and possibly for autoimmune disease and some infections.

Glycopeptide synthesis and the effects of glycosylation on protein structure and activity

Despite the omnipresence of protein glycosylation in nature, little is known about how the attachment of carbohydrates affects peptide and protein activity. One reason is the lack of a straightforward method to access biologically relevant glycopeptides and glycoproteins. The isolation of homogeneous glycopeptides from natural sources is complicated by the heterogeneity of naturally occuring glycoproteins. It is chemical and chemoenzymatic synthesis that is meeting the challenge to solve this availability problem, thus playing a key role for the advancement of glycobiology. The current art of glycopeptide synthesis, albeit far from being routine, has reached a level of maturity that allows for the access to homogeneous and pure material for biological and medicinal research. Even the ambitious goal of the total synthesis of an entire glycoprotein is within reach. It is demonstrated that with the help of synthetic glycopeptides the effects of glycosylation on protein structure and function can be studied in molecular detail. For example, in immunology, synthetic (tumour-specific) glycopeptides can be used as immunogens to elicit a tumour-cell-specific immune response. Again, synthetic glycopeptides are an invaluable tool to determine the fine specificity of the immune response that can be mediated by both carbohydrate-specific B and T cells. Furthermore, selected examples for the use of synthetic glycopeptides as ligands of carbohydrate-binding proteins and as enzyme substrates or inhibitors are presented.