Covalent Organic Framework-Derived Carbonous Nanoprobes for Cancer Cell Imaging

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as promising materials for biomedical applications, but their functions remain to be explored and the potential toxicity concerns should be resolved. Herein, it is presented that carbonization significantly enhances the fluorescence quenching efficiency and aqueous stability of nanoscale COFs. The probes prepared by physisorbing dye-labeled nucleic acid recognition sequences onto the carbonized COF nanoparticles (termed C-COF) were employed for cell imaging, which could effectively light up biomarkers (survivin and TK1 mRNA) in living cells. The C-COF has enhanced photothermal conversion capacity, indicating that the probes are also promising candidates for photothermal therapy. The potential toxicity concern from the aromatic rigid building units of COFs was detoured by carbonization. Overall, carbonization is a promising strategy for developing biocompatible and multifunctional COF-derived nanoprobes for biomedical applications. This work may inspire more versatile COF-derived nanoprobes for bioanalysis and nanomedicine.

Improved Treatment Options for Glaucoma with Brimonidine-Loaded Lipid DNA Nanoparticles

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Among others, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the hallmarks of the disease. Antiglaucoma drugs such as brimonidine can lower the IOP but their adherence to the ocular surface is low, leading to a low drug uptake. This results in a frequent dropping regime causing low compliance by the patients. Lipid DNA nanoparticles (NPs) have the intrinsic ability to bind to the ocular surface and can be loaded with different drugs. Here, we report DNA NPs functionalized for loading of brimonidine through specific aptamers and via hydrophobic interactions with double stranded micelles. Both NP systems exhibited improved affinity toward the cornea and retained release of the drug as compared to controls both in vitro and in vivo. Both NP types were able to lower the IOP in living animals significantly more than pristine brimonidine. Importantly, the brimonidine-loaded NPs showed no toxicity and improved efficacy and hence should improve compliance. In conclusion, this drug-delivery system offers high chances of an improved treatment for glaucoma and thus preserving vision in the aging population.

DNA Nanostructures for Targeted Antimicrobial Delivery

We report the use of DNA origami nanostructures, functionalized with aptamers, as a vehicle for delivering the antibacterial enzyme lysozyme in a specific and efficient manner. We test the system against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) targets. We use direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize the DNA origami nanostructures and structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to assess the binding of the origami to the bacteria. We show that treatment with lysozyme-functionalized origami slows bacterial growth more effectively than treatment with free lysozyme. Our study introduces DNA origami as a tool in the fight against antibiotic resistance, and our results demonstrate the specificity and efficiency of the nanostructure as a drug delivery vehicle.

Poly(l-glutamic acid)-Based Zwitterionic Polymer in a Charge Conversional Shielding System for Gene Therapy of Malignant Tumors

Recently, pH-sensitive polymers have received extensive attention in tumor therapy. However, the rapid response to pH changes is the key to achieving efficient treatment. Here, a novel shielding system with a rapidly pH-responsive polymer (PAMT) is synthesized by click reaction between poly(γ-allyl-l-glutamate) and thioglycolic acid or 2-(Boc-amino)ethanethiol. The zwitterionic biodegradable polymer PAMT, which is negatively charged at physiological pH, can be used to shield positively charged nanoparticles. PAMT is electrostatically attached to the surface of the positively charged PEI/pDNA complex to form a ternary complex. The zwitterionic PAMT-shielded complex exhibits rapid charge conversion when the pH decreases from 7.4 to 6.8. For the in vivo tumor inhibition experiment, PAMT/PEI/shVEGF injected intravenously shows a more significant inhibitory effect on tumor growth. The excellent results are mainly attributed to introduction of the zwitterionic copolymer PAMT, which can shield the positively charged PEI/shVEGF complex in physiological conditions, while the surface potential of the shielded complexes changes to a positive charge in the acidic tumor environment.

Multivalent Self-Assembled DNA Polymer for Tumor-Targeted Delivery and Live Cell Imaging of Telomerase Activity

The efficient detection and in situ monitoring of telomerase activity is of great importance for cancer diagnosis and biomedical research. Here we report for the first time that the development of a novel multivalent self-assembled DNA polymer, constructed through telomerase primer sequence (ITS) triggered hybridization chain assembly using two functional hairpin probes (tumor-trageting aptamer modified H1 and signal probe modified H2), for sensitive detection and imaging of telomerase activity in living cells. After internalizing into the tumor cells by multivalent aptamer targeting, the ITS on DNA polymers can be elongated by intracellular telomerase to generate telomere repeat sequences that are complementary with the signal probe, which can proceed along the DNA polymers, and gradually light up the whole DNA polymers, leading to an enhanced fluorescence signal directly correlated with the activity of telomerase. Our results demonstrated that the developed DNA polymer show excellent performance for specifically detecting telomerase activity in cancer cells, dynamically monitoring the activity change of telomerase in response to telomerase-based drugs, and efficiently distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells. The proposed strategy may afford a valuable tool for the monitoring of telomerase activity in living cells and have great implications for biological and diagnostic applications.

Effect of Eudragit on In Vitro Transfection Efficiency of PEI-DNA Complexes

AIM

Eudragit® E 100 (EE100) was used to improve the transfection efficiency of polyethylenimine (PEI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mobility of PEI-DNA complexes with and without EE100 were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis and their transfection efficiencies were investigated in KB human oral carcinoma cells by flow cytometry. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the viability of transfected cells.

RESULTS

Gel electrophoresis illustrated formation of complete complexes at N/P ratios above 5. PEI had the highest transfection efficiency at an N/P ratio of 15, whereas in combination with EE100, the transfection efficiency was highest at an N/P ratio of 7.5. High concentrations of EE100 in combination with PEI were found to reduce cell viability.

CONCLUSION

The results show a synergistic action of EE100 in transfection of DNA at low N/P ratios compared to PEI alone.

Structural mediation on polycation nanoparticles by sulfadiazine to enhance DNA transfection efficiency and reduce toxicity

Reducing the toxicity while maintaining high transfection efficiency is an important issue for cationic polymers as gene carriers in clinical application. In this paper, a new zwitterionic copolymer, polycaprolactone-g-poly(dimethylaminoethyl methyacrylate-co-sulfadiazine methacrylate) (PC-SDZ) with unique pH-sensitivity, was designed and prepared. The incorporation of sulfadiazine into poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) chains successfully mediates the surface properties including compacter shell structure, lower density of positive charges, stronger proton buffer capability, and enhanced hydrophobicity, which lead to reduction in toxicity and enhancements in stability, cellular uptake, endosome escape, and transfection efficiency for the PC-SDZ2 nanoparticles (NPs)/DNA complexes. Excellent transfection efficiency at the optimal N/P ratio of 10 was observed for PC-SDZ2 NPs/DNA complexes, which was higher than that of the commercial reagent-branched polyethylenimine (PEI). The cytotoxicity was evaluated by CCK8 measurement, and the results showed significant reduction in cytotoxicity even at high concentration of complexes after sulfadiazine modification. Therefore, this work may demonstrate a new way of structural mediation of cationic polymer carriers for gene delivery with high efficiency and low toxicity.

[Preparation and in vitro evaluation of pDNA-CaPi-PLGA nanoparticles with a core-shell structure]

To develop a core-shell structure pDNA-CaPi-PLGA nanoparticles (CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs), calcium phosphate-pDNA nano complexes (CaPi-pDNA) were encapsulated inside of PLGA shells. The characteristics of the nanoparticles, including morphology, average particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, loading efficiency, stability in medium, pDNA protection ability from nuclease degradation, in vitro release, cytotoxicity and cell transfection were investigated and compared with the embedded structured CaPi modified PLGA nanoparticles (embedded-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs). The results showed that the obtained CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs were spherical in shape with an average particle size of (155 +/- 4.5) nm, zeta potentials of (-0.38 +/- 0.1) mV, entrapment efficiency of (80.56 +/- 2.5)% and loading efficiency of (1.16 +/- 0.04)%. The CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs were stable in the release media and could protect pDNA against nuclease degradation. And they also exhibited sustained release of pDNA in vitro. The highest gene transfection efficiency of the CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs in vitro reached (24.66 +/- 0.46)% (after 72 h transfection), which was significantly higher than that of free pDNA [(0.33 +/- 0.04)%, P < 0.01] and the pDNA-PLGA-NPs [(1.5 +/- 0.07)%, P < 0.01]. Besides, the transfection lasted for longer time than that of embedded-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs and the cytotoxicity of it was significantly lower than that of PEI (P < 0.01). These results indicate that CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs are a promising non-viral gene vector. Key words: gene delivery system; polylactic-co-glycolic acid; calcium phosphate; nanoparticle

Reduced in vitro and in vivo toxicity of siRNA-lipoplexes with addition of polyglutamate

We previously designed a new siRNA vector that efficiently silences genes in vitro and in vivo. The vector originality is based on the fact that, in addition to the siRNA molecule, it contains two components: 1) a cationic liposome that auto-associates with the siRNA to form particles called "lipoplexes" and, 2) an anionic polymer which enhances the lipoplex's efficiency. This anionic polymer can be a nucleic acid, a polypeptide or a polysaccharide. We show here how the nature of the added anionic polymer into our siRNA delivery system impacts the toxic effects induced by siRNA lipoplexes. We first observed that: (i) siRNA lipoplexes-induced toxicity was cell line dependent, tumoral cell lines being the more sensitive; and (ii) plasmid DNA-containing siRNA lipoplexes were more toxic than polyglutamate-containing ones or cationic liposomes. We next determined that the toxicity induced by plasmid-containing lipoplexes is a long-lasting effect that decreased cell survival capacity for several generations. We also found that treated cells underwent death following apoptosis pathway. Systemic injection to mice of siRNA lipoplexes, rather than of cationic liposome, triggered a production of several cytokines in mice and replacement of plasmid by polyglutamate reduced the elevation of all assayed cytokines. In order to enhance siRNA lipoplexes efficiency, the addition of polyglutamate as anionic polymer should be preferred to plasmid DNA as far as in vitro as well as in vivo toxicity is concerned.

Self-assembled multivalent DNA nanostructures for noninvasive intracellular delivery of immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides

Designed oligonucleotides can self-assemble into DNA nanostructures with well-defined structures and uniform sizes, which provide unprecedented opportunities for biosensing, molecular imaging, and drug delivery. In this work, we have developed functional, multivalent DNA nanostructures by appending unmethylated CpG motifs to three-dimensional DNA tetrahedra. These small-sized functional nanostructures are compact, mechanically stable, and noncytotoxic. We have demonstrated that DNA nanostructures are resistant to nuclease degradation and remain substantially intact in fetal bovine serum and in cells for at least several hours. Significantly, these functional nanostructures can noninvasively and efficiently enter macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells without the aid of transfection agents. After they are uptaken by cells, CpG motifs are recognized by the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) that activates downstream pathways to induce immunostimulatory effects, producing high-level secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12. We also show that multivalent CpG motifs greatly enhance the immunostimulatory effect of the nanostructures. Given the high efficacy of these functional nanostructures and their noncytotoxic nature, we expect that DNA nanostructures will become a promising tool for targeted drug delivery.

In vitro cytotoxic evaluation of metallic and magnetic DNA-templated nanostructures

We evaluate the potential in vitro cytotoxicity that may arise from metallic and magnetic DNA-templated nanostructures. By using a fluorescence-based assay, the viability of cells was examined after treatment with DNA-templated nanostructures. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify the amount of nanoparticles internalized by the cells. Cell uptake of DNA-templated nanostructures was enhanced after encapsulating the nanostructure with layers of polyelectrolytes (PSS and PAH) and targeting ligands. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images provided evidence that the nanostructures were localized in vesicles in the cytoplasm of the cells. The results from this study suggest that gold, iron oxide, and cobalt iron oxide DNA-templated nanostructures do not induce in vitro toxicity.

[DNA complexes with polycations used for delivery of DNA into cells]

The formation and physicochemical properties of high-molecular thymus and plasmid DNA complexes with synthetic polymers based on (dimethyl-amino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEM), (diethyl-amino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAEM), and polyvinyl amine (PVA) were investigated in solutions of different ionic strength by low-gradient viscometry, electrophoresis, circular dichroism, spectrophotometry, and dynamic light scattering. The toxicity of complexes in T98G cells was studied. It was shown that, when the ratio of polycations to DNA charged groups concentration (N+/P) reaches values > 1, DNA condensation occurs. It is accompanied by increasing optical density of solutions. Changes in DNA size after condensation were estimated. Phase diagrams of systems DNA/polycation in the presence of NaCl were obtained. It was shown by MTT-analysis that DNA complexes with polycations in the range of concentrations used have low toxicity.

[Investigation on cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of plasmid DNA-chitosan nanoparticles]

Two kinds of chitosan of different molecular weight (50 kDa and 400 kDa) were employed to form nanoparticles with 32P-labeled plasmid DNA at different N/P ratios by complex coacervation method. The characteristics of chitosan gene nanoparticles (CGN) were measured. The cellular uptake of DNA nanoparticles was evaluated by A10 and K562 cells. The in vitro cytotoxicity of DNA nanoparticles was determined by the MTT assays. Cellular uptake of the DNA nanoparticles increased with increasing chitosan molecular weight and N/P ratio. It also correlated with the zeta potential of the DNA nanoparticles. Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles were much less cytotoxic when compared with Lipofectamine 2000-DNA nanoparticles.

Effect of ethanol extract of alga Laurencia supplementation on DNA oxidation and alkylation damage in mice

Laurencia terpenoid extract (LET) had been extracted from the red alga Laurencia tristicha. The study is to investigate the effects of LET supplementation on DNA oxidation and alkylation damages in mice. Forty healthy Kunming mice weighing between 18g and 25g were randomly assigned into 4 groups, each consisting of ten animals. The mice were orally intubated respectively for 60 days with the designed concentrations of LET (25, 50,100mg/ kg b.w.) for three exposed groups and salad oil (0.2 ml) for the blank group. Food and water were free for the animals. Mice in the blank and exposed groups were sacrificed after the last treatment and the blood of each animal was quickly taken for further experiments. The spontaneous and oxidized DNA damages of peripheral lymphocytes induced by H2O2 were analysed by SCGE. O6-Methy-guanine (O6-MeG) was measured by high performance capillary zone electrophoresis. There was no significantly difference in DNA spontaneous damage on peripheral lymphocytes of all the mice. The oxidative DNA damage in the 50 mg/Kg body weight supplement group are 286AU with the oxidation of 10 micromol/L H2O2, significantly lower than the blank group 332AU (p<0.05). The contents of O6-MeG in plasma in the 50 mg/kg b.w. and 100mg/kg b.w. supplement group were 1.50 micromol/L and 1.88 micromol/L, significantly lower than that of the blank group, which was 2.89 micromol/L(p<0.05). The results from the present study indicated that the LET were rich in terpenoids and safety to be taken orally and it could improve antioxidative and decrease DNA damage effectively.

Lipoplexes prepared from cationic liposomes and mammalian DNA induce CpG-independent, direct cytotoxic effects in cell cultures and in mice

BACKGROUND

Recent studies demonstrated the cytotoxic activity of bacterial DNA (pDNA) complexed with cationic lipids. This cytotoxicity is related to the ability of pDNA to induce potently the immune system, which is associated with release of inflammatory cytokines. Both activities seem to be related to the nonmethylated CpG sequences present in the pDNA. Here we study the cytotoxic activity of nonbacterial DNA complexed with cationic lipids against various tumor cell lines.

METHODS

Various nucleic acids complexed with cationic liposomes were prepared and their cytotoxic activity was studied in cell cultures and in tumor-bearing mice. Cell uptake of lipoplexes was evaluated, and mechanism of DNA cytotoxic activity was studied.

RESULTS

We found that nonbacterial (vertebrate) genomic DNA when complexed with cationic lipids is highly cytotoxic against C-26 and M-109 tumor cells. Cationic lipids alone were not toxic to these cells. The cytotoxic activity does not result from nonspecific acidification of the intracellular milieu, as substitution of DNA by poly-L-glutamate did not result in cytotoxicity, although the level of uptake of anionic charges per cell was similar to that of the nucleic acids, suggesting that this cytotoxic effect is specific to nucleic acids. By studying the nucleic acid fate using confocal microscopy, we found that cytotoxicity correlated with the release of DNA into the cytoplasm following uptake of lipoplexes. Injection of calf thymus DNA-based lipoplexes to mice with peritoneal C-26 metastases resulted in doubling of median survival time and long-term survival in 20% of the tumor-bearing mice. Judging by low levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the treated mice, this effect cannot be ascribed to Th-1 inflammation, but rather to a direct cytotoxic effect on the tumor cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The above data provide a new insight into the mechanisms of lipoplex-mediated antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo and new perspectives in cancer therapy.

Biological activity of residual cell-substrate DNA

Vaccines and other biological products manufactured in cells contain contaminating residual DNA derived from that production cell substrate, with the amount and form of this DNA depending mainly on the type of vaccine. The potential risk of this cellular DNA has been debated for over 40 years without resolution. Opinions on residual DNA have varied from it being considered an inert contaminant, and thus its presence should not be deemed to be a risk to vaccine recipients, to it being considered an important risk factor, particularly for vaccines manufactured in certain cell substrates, such as cells derived from tumours or cells that are tumorigenic. We are not of the opinion that DNA can be considered biologically inert, but whether or what risk residual cell-substrate DNA poses remains to be determined. In this paper, we discuss our approaches to address this issue and describe some preliminary work.

A synthetic solution to gene delivery

A self-assembling polymer-DNA nanoparticle serves as a vehicle for highly efficient gene delivery to cells.

Interstrand cross-links: a new type of gamma-ray damage in bromodeoxyuridine-substituted DNA

Interstrand cross-links (ICL) represent one of the most toxic types of DNA damage for dividing cells. They are induced both by natural products (e.g., psoralens + UVA) and by several chemical agents, some of which are used in chemotherapy (e.g., carboplatin and mitomycin C). Although repair mechanisms exist for interstrand cross-links, these lesions can induce mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, and cell death. Here, we report, for the first time, the formation of ICL by gamma-rays in brominated DNA. It is well established that the radiosensitization properties of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) result primarily from the electrophilic nature of the bromine, making it a good leaving group and leading to the irreversible formation of a uridinyl radical (dUrd(*)) or uridinyl anion (dUrd-) upon addition of an electron. We observe that the radiolytic loss of the bromine atom is greatly suppressed in double-stranded compared to single-stranded DNA. We have used a model DNA containing a bulge, formed by five mismatched bases, and have observed a linear dose-response for the formation of strand breaks on the single-stranded regions of both the brominated strand and the opposite nonbrominated strand. Surprisingly, we have observed the formation of interstrand cross-links exclusively in the mismatched region. Thus, we propose that the radiosensitization effects of bromodeoxyuridine in vivo will almost certainly be limited to single strand regions such as found in transcription bubbles, replication forks, mismatched DNA, and possibly the loop region of telomeres. Our results suggest that interstrand cross-links may contribute to the radiosensitization effects of BrdUrd. These findings may have profound implications for the clinical use of bromodeoxyuridine as a radiosensitizer, as well as for the development of targeted radiosensitizers.

Implications of pharmacokinetic behavior of lipoplex for its inflammatory toxicity

Inflammatory toxicity represents a typical toxicity associated with systemic administration of cationic liposome/DNA complex (lipoplex). Collected information indicates that the lipoplex gene delivery system mediates an uptake of plasmid DNA by the liver, mainly by Kupffer cells, in which a large amount of cytokine is produced. Therefore, many efforts have been made to overcome this problem. Previous reports by our laboratory demonstrated that sequential injection of cationic liposome and DNA could dramatically decrease the toxicity. In comparison with lipoplex injection, this method significantly suppresses the uptake of DNA by the liver. Opsonization effect in the stimulation of Kupffer cell uptake is proposed as an explanation for the differences in the pharmacokinetic properties of plasmid DNA after lipoplex injection and sequential injection. In this review, we cover the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying inflammatory toxicity and the several attempts to overcome this toxicity. The mechanism related to the pharmacokinetic properties of the lipoplex is focused on here for discussion.

Impact of site-specific nucleobase deletions on the arthritogenicity of DNA

Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG ODN) potently stimulate the innate and acquired immune system. We have compared the in vivo and in vitro inflammatogenic properties of CpG ODNs containing a specific nucleobase deletion either 5'-upstream (ODN-2) or 3'-downstream (ODN-3) of the CpG motif, comparing with a prototype CpG ODN (ODN-1). The frequency of arthritis was similar after intra-articular (i.a.) injections of ODN-1 or ODN-3, but was significantly lower (p < 0.02) after i.a. injections of ODN-2. In vitro production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha was higher in mouse spleen cell cultures exposed to ODN-2 in comparison to ODN-1. In addition, the level of IL-10 induced by ODN-2 was higher than that induced by ODN-1. On the other hand, TNF-alpha, IL-10, and MCP-1 levels, as well as splenocyte proliferative responses were all significantly lower for ODN-3 than for ODN-1. These results suggest that a 5'-upstream nucleobase deletion reduces arthritogenicity, while maintaining or increasing the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors. In contrast, a 3'-downstream nucleobase deletion has no effect on arthritogenicity, despite significantly lower levels of proliferation and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, compared with ODN-1. This study indicates that specific structural elements within the ODN sequence but outside the CpG motif, modulate the immunostimulatory properties of CpG ODNs.

Intracellular uptake and inhibition of gene expression by PNAs and PNA-peptide conjugates

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) offer a distinct option for silencing gene expression in mammalian cells. However, the full value of PNAs has not been realized, and the rules governing the recognition of cellular targets by PNAs remain obscure. Here we examine the uptake of PNAs and PNA-peptide conjugates by immortal and primary human cells and compare peptide-mediated and DNA/lipid-mediated delivery strategies. We find that both peptide-mediated and lipid-mediated delivery strategies promote entry of PNA and PNA-peptide conjugates into cells. Confocal microscopy reveals a punctate distribution of PNA and PNA-peptide conjugates regardless of the delivery strategy used. Peptide D(AAKK)(4) and a peptide containing a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) promote the spontaneous delivery of antisense PNAs into cultured cells. The PNA-D(AAKK)(4) conjugate inhibits expression of human caveolin 1 (hCav-1) in both HeLa and primary endothelial cells. DNA/lipid-mediated delivery requires less PNA, while peptide-mediated delivery is simpler and is less toxic to primary cells. The ability of PNA-peptide conjugates to enter primary and immortal human cells and inhibit gene expression supports the use of PNAs as antisense agents for investigating the roles of proteins in cells. Both DNA/lipid-mediated and peptide-mediated delivery strategies are efficient, but the compartmentalized localization of PNAs suggests that improving the cellular distribution may lead to increased efficacy.

Toxicity of cationic lipid-DNA complexes

As with any conventional drug, the body's response to cationic lipid-DNA complexes is highly dependent on both the dose administered and the route of delivery. At relatively low doses there is little to no effect on organ function or tissue architecture, but at higher doses, acute inflammation and tissue damage can occur that is sometimes quite profound. Of the two most common routes of delivery, intravenous (i.v.) or intrapulmonary, i.v. administration tends to cause more severe adverse effects and can be lethal at higher doses of complex. Both routes activate an innate immune response that includes the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and immune cell activation, a major portion of which has been attributed to the presence of immunostimulatory CpG motifs within the plasmid DNA vector. Removing CpGs from the plasmid vector reduces several, but not all of the acute inflammatory responses to cationic lipid-DNA complexes. Therefore, other strategies are required to improve the therapeutic potential of these vectors, such as transient immune suppression, aerosolization of the complex, and novel formulations that have increased efficiency of transduction and decreased interaction with immune cells.

Minimal toxicity of stabilized compacted DNA nanoparticles in the murine lung

Nanoparticles containing DNA compacted with poly-l-lysine modified on an N-terminal cysteine with polyethylene glycol can effectively transfect cells of the airway epithelium when applied by the luminal route. To evaluate the toxicity of these nanoparticles, we administered 10 and 100 microg DNA compacted into nanoparticles suspended in normal saline by the intranasal route to mice and determined the pulmonary and systemic responses to this challenge, compared to administration of saline alone, and in some experiments, compared to administration of naked DNA, Escherichia coli genomic DNA, or lipofectin-complexed naked DNA. There was no systemic response to either dose of nanoparticles in serum chemistries, hematologic parameters, serum complement, IL-6, or MIP-2 levels or in the activity, growth, and grooming of the mice. Nanoparticles containing 10 microg DNA induced responses comparable to saline in all measures, including BAL cell counts and differentials and cytokine levels and histology. However, mice dosed with 100 microg DNA in nanoparticles had modest increases in BAL neutrophils 48 and 72 h after dosing, modest increases in BAL IL-6 and KC beginning 24 and 48 h, respectively, after dosing, and, on histology of the lung, a trace to 1+ mononuclear cell infiltrates about the pulmonary veins at 48 h, which were markedly reduced by 10 days and gone by 28 days after dosing. BAL neutrophil and cytokine responses were no greater than those entrained by naked DNA for up to 24 h. However, compared to administration of only 10 microg E. coli genomic DNA, the response to compacted DNA was much less. A low dose of lipofectin-complexed DNA (5 microg DNA) induced the same response as 20-fold higher doses of DNA nanoparticles. These data indicate that DNA nanoparticles have no measurable toxic effect at a dose of 10 microg and a very modest effect, which is not limiting, at a dose of 100 microg, which gives maximal gene expression. This favorable toxicity profile encourages development of stabilized compacted DNA for airway administration.

A hydroxyethylated cholesterol-based cationic lipid for DNA delivery: effect of conditioning

We have synthesised a novel cholesterol-based cationic lipid to promote DNA transfer in cells. This lipid, dimethyl hydroxyethyl aminopropane carbamoyl cholesterol iodide (DMHAPC-Chol) contains a biodegradable carbamoyl linker and a hydroxyethyl group in the polar amino head moiety and is characterised by NMR. Liposomes prepared from this lipid and dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE) in equimolar proportion showed a weak cytotoxicity as revealed by MTT assays and are efficient to deliver plasmids DNA evaluated by the expression of reporter genes in vitro and in vivo. In this paper, we present an original method to determine the lipid concentration based on the colorimetric detection of the colipid DOPE and the measure of the molar ratio DOPE/cationic lipid in the liposome by FTIR spectroscopy. The liposomes and lipid/DNA complexes structures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by quasi-elastic light scattering (QLS). TEM indicated that the complexes correspond to aggregates containing globular substructures with liposomes size. The method of immuno-gold labelling was used to detect plasmid in the complex and reveals the presence of DNA inside the aggregates. Transfection results showed efficient DNA transfer depending on the charge ratio and liposomes conditioning. Gel retardation results indicated that at a molar charge ratio between X = 1.5 and X = 2.5 (depending on the liposome conditioning), all DNA was taken by liposomes. We showed that conditioning by freeze-drying (lyophilization) facilitates storage and improves transfection efficiency. When the liposomes were lyophilized prior to DNA addition or when the complexes were subjected to freeze-thawing cycles, the obtained complexes showed a transfection with levels enhanced up to four and five-fold respectively for the lyophilized liposomes and freeze-thawed complexes. NMR was used to characterize the modifications under freezing which showed an effect on 31P spectra.

[Anti-arrhythmia activity of derinat in an experiment]

The acute toxicity of the immunostimulant derinat is very low: the LD50 value for intraperitoneal administration exceeds 1000 mg/kg. The drug effectively prevents from acute arrhythmia development upon occlusion in cats and produces antifibrillator effect on a model of reperfusive arrhythmia in a dose of 7.5 mg/kg. Derinat also exhibits the antiarrhythmic activity on the model of adrenalin-induced rhythm violations, but appears ineffective on the calcium chloride model.

Neuronal injury mediated via stimulation of microglial toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9)

Innate immune cells express toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) and respond to unmethylated, CG dinucleotide motif-rich DNA released from bacteria during infection or endogenous cells during autoimmune tissue injury. Oligonucleotides containing CG dinucleotide (CpG-DNA) mimic the effect of unmethylated DNA and stimulate TLR9. CpG-DNA was cytotoxic to neurons in organotypic brain cultures. Neurotoxicity of CpG-DNA was mediated via microglial cells and started primarily from neurites as determined by time-lapse imaging of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-transfected neurons. Cultured brain microglial cells expressed TLR9 and responded to CpG-DNA by production of the inflammatory mediators nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Blockade of NO synthase and TNF-alpha prevented damage of neurites and neurotoxicity of CpG-DNA. The data suggest that stimulation of microglia via TLR9 and subsequent release of NO and TNF-alpha is a major source of neurotoxicity in bacterial and autoimmune brain tissue injury.

Inhibitory effect of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. on oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes induced by H2O2

This study used the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) to investigate the effect of water extracts of roasted cortex and leaves from Du-zhong on DNA damage in lymphocytes induced by H(2)O(2). The results showed that the DNA damage in human lymphocytes increased with an increase in the concentration of H(2)O(2) (0-200 micro;M), but that the water extracts from Du-zhong (0-2 g l(-1)) only slightly affected DNA damage. The inhibitory effect of leaf extract on DNA damage induced by H(2)O(2) in lymphocytes was more significant (P<0.05) than that of roasted cortex. Leaf extract showed a rather significant inhibitory effect in a concentration-dependent manner. At a concentration of 2 g l(-1), the leaf extract inhibited 37.9% DNA oxidative damage in human lymphocytes. In order to elucidate the mechanism of the leaf extract suppression effect on DNA damage induced by H(2)O(2) in lymphocytes, an experiment was divided with six groups (A-F). Group A was used to evaluate the repair ability of the leaf extract for DNA damage; Group B was employed to determine the scavenging ability on H(2)O(2); and Group C was studied to assess the ability of leaf extract to increase the defense capability. Groups D-F were negative controls and blank. The results showed that group B had the best inhibitory effect. Also, leaf extract had significant ability to scavenge H(2)O(2) in an in vitro HRP-phenol red test. Thus, it appears that H(2)O(2) scavenging potency may be the major mechanism whereby leaf extract inhibits oxidative DNA damage induced by H(2)O(2).

DNA sequences in cationic lipid:pDNA-mediated systemic toxicities

Systemic delivery of synthetic gene transfer vectors such as cationic lipid:plasmid DNA (pDNA) complexes elicits a range of acute physiologic responses, which in the context of therapeutic gene delivery represent dose-limiting toxicities. The most prominent responses are transient leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, serum transaminase elevations, and elevations of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The unmethylated CpG sequences present in plasmid DNA have been implicated as a major cause of the robust cytokine response that follows systemic administration of cationic lipid:pDNA complexes. However, the factors causing the additional significant toxicities (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and serum transaminase elevations) recently shown to be associated with vector administration have not been defined. We show here that DNA sequences, such as immune stimulatory CpG sequences, play a significant role in inducing the additional acute toxicities associated with cationic lipid:pDNA complex administration. Importantly, while methylating these CpG sequences results in greatly reduced cytokine levels, this modification does not eliminate their ability to generate the other systemic toxicities. Examples of non-CpG DNA sequences that induce distinct toxicity profiles when administered systemically in the form of cationic lipid:DNA complexes are also identified. Taken together, these results imply that specific DNA sequences are responsible for a significant portion of the systemic toxicities observed after administration of cationic lipid:pDNA complexes.

Surface charge density determines the efficiency of cationic gemini surfactant based lipofection

The efficiencies of the binary liposomes composed of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and cationic gemini surfactant, (2S,3R)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-bis(N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethylammonium)butane dibromide as transfection vectors, were measured using the enhanced green fluorescent protein coding plasmid and COS-1 cells. Strong correlation between the transfection efficiency and lipid stoichiometry was observed. Accordingly, liposomes with X(SR-1) > or = 0.50 conveyed the enhanced green fluorescent protein coding plasmid effectively into cells. The condensation of DNA by liposomes with X(SR-1) > 0.50 was indicated by static light scattering and ethidium bromide intercalation assay, whereas differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene revealed stoichiometry dependent reorganization in the headgroup region of the liposome bilayer, in alignment with our previous Langmuir-balance study. Surface charge density and the organization of positive charges appear to determine the mode of interaction of DNA with (2S,3R)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-bis(N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethylammonium)butane dibromide/1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine liposomes, only resulting in DNA condensation when X(SR-1) > 0.50. Condensation of DNA in turn seems to be required for efficient transfection.

Chemical modification of 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine toxicity in mammalian cells in vitro

PURPOSE

To address the cytotoxic effects of DNA-incorporated (125)I in Chinese hamster V79 lung fibroblasts under various scavenging conditions.

METHODS

The toxic effects of DNA-incorporated 5-[(125)I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine ((125)IdUrd) were assessed by the colony-forming assay with cells incubated in medium containing serum and/or dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Experiments were carried out at 0.3 or -135 degrees C.

RESULTS

When (125)I decays were accumulated at 0.3 degrees C in 10% serum 0, 5 or 10% DMSO, no radioprotection was afforded by 5% DMSO, while the dose modification factor (DMF) for 10% DMSO was 2.0. For cells accumulating decays at 135 degrees C in the presence of 5 or 10% serum, DMSO was radioprotective (DMF= 1.8-1.9). D(0) obtained at each serum concentration correlated strongly (R=0.999) with the scavenging capacity of DMSO. Under these experimental conditions, 10% serum is approximately 3.6 times more protective than 5% serum.

CONCLUSIONS

The contribution of indirect mechanisms to the toxicity of (125)I decaying within mammalian cell nuclear DNA can be demonstrated not only with DMSO, but also with the hydroxy radical scavengers present in serum.

In situ gel formulations for gene delivery: release and myotoxicity studies

The in vitro release of plasmid DNA and salmon sperm DNA from in situ gel formulations was investigated. Two in situ gel systems were studied: (a) an interpolymeric complex (IPC) of water-soluble polymers polymethacrylic acid (PMA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and (b) a hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-carbopol system (H:C). Two-way analysis of variance with replication demonstrated that both gel composition and medium pH influenced significantly the release of plasmid DNA from in situ gel formulations. When the release of both types of DNA was compared, higher release was observed for plasmid DNA compared to genomic salmon sperm DNA. Conformational analysis of the released plasmid DNA showed that DNA was released without degradation, but with remarkable conversion from supercoiled (SC) to open circular (OC). In addition, the tested in situ gel systems demonstrated protection from DNAse I degradation. The myotoxicity of the injectable gelling solutions was assessed by the cumulative release of creatine kinase (CK) over 120 min from the isolated rodent extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. A higher level of cumulative CK was observed for IPC when compared to H:C (2:1). These results demonstrate that the in situ gelling systems can be considered as a valuable injectable controlled-delivery system for pDNA in their role to provide protection from DNAse degradation.

DNA induces apoptosis in electroporated human promonocytic cell line U937

Experimental gene transfer has permitted a wide variety of studies on gene regulation and function. However, possible effects of the introduced DNA on cellular metabolism are not well understood. Here we demonstrated that introduction of DNA into a promonocytic cell line, U937, by electroporation caused extensive cell death. The toxicity of DNA was concentration-dependent. Various DNAs including plasmid and genomic DNAs all caused cell death, indicating that the toxicity is nucleotide sequence-independent. DNA-induced cell death was associated with internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, a decrease in cell size, and a considerable proportion of cells outside cell cycle. From these results, we concluded that cells died by apoptosis. Our findings have experimental implication for an important issue concerning the interpretation of experiments using gene transfer. In addition, we propose that our observed phenomenon may be relevant to an important immune defense mechanism in monocytes/macrophages that facilitates a response to certain viral infections.

Systemic administration of cationic phosphonolipids/DNA complexes and the relationship between formulation and lung transfection efficiency

Performances of cationic lipid formulations for intravenous gene delivery to mouse lungs have been previously reported. We report in this study that cationic phosphonolipids, when appropriately formulated, can be good synthetic vectors for gene delivery to lung after intravenous administration. One of our reagents, GLB43, was capable of mediating a 500-fold higher expression in the lungs of mice than could be obtained with free pDNA alone (P=0.018). We demonstrate that the most important parameters for cationic phosphonolipid transfection activity after systemic administration are the chemical structure of the cationic phosphonolipid, the lipid to DNA charge ratio and the inclusion of co-lipid in the formulation. We report using a luciferase reporter gene that transfection activity in vivo 24 h after cationic phosphonolipid systemic administration could not be predicted from in vitro analysis. In contrast to in vitro studies, cationic phosphonolipids including the oleyl acyl chains (GLB43) were more effective than its analogue with the myristyl acyl chains (GLB73). Using pathological analysis of animal livers, we demonstrate that the toxicity level was correlated with the lipoplex formulation and the lipid to DNA ratio.

Preclinical safety evaluation of human gene therapy products

Human gene therapy products include naked DNA and viral as well as non-viral vectors containing nucleic acids. There is limited experience on the preclinical toxicity studies necessary for the safety evaluation of these products, which have been outlined in several recently released guidelines. Requirements for the preclinical safety evaluation of human gene therapy products are both specific and non-specific. All key preclinical studies should be performed in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices. Non-specific requirements are in fact common to all pharmaceutical products. Critical specific issues to be addressed are: the safety evaluation of the vector and the toxicity of the expressed protein(s), which are the two components of gene therapy products, the quality of the test article, the selection of animal species, and the verification that the administration method successfully transports the gene of interest, with the vector, to the target site(s). The treatment schedule should mimic the intended human therapeutic design. The host's immune response against the gene therapy product has to be evaluated to detect possible adverse effects and immune neutralization by antibodies. The biodistribution of the gene of interest is also essential and can be evaluated by molecular biology techniques, such as PCR. Specific confinement is required for the safe manipulation of viral vectors.

The effect normal and malignant chromosmomal material on newborn rats

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Immunologic responses to gene transfer into mice via the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor

The respiratory epithelium is the primary target tissue for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis, and several methods of gene transfer permit the introduction of the gene encoding the normal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator into cells of the respiratory tract in animals. DNA complexes based on Fab antibodies to secretory component have been used to mediate the delivery and uptake of expression plasmids into the respiratory tract via the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor both in vitro and in vivo. We evaluated the efficacy of gene transfer after several administrations of the DNA complexes, and examined the immunogenicity and toxicity of repetitive administration of anti-secretory component Fab-based complexes. Mice received single or multiple injections of the DNA complexes containing the plasmid pGL2 every 21 days after the initial treatment, and lysates from the lung and liver were assayed for luciferase expression. Luciferase activity was detected in the lungs of mice that received a single injection of the DNA complexes, whereas transgene expression was significantly lower in the mice that received three injections of the DNA complexes (17338 +/- 5469 integrated light units/mg and 3771 +/- 1778 integrated light units/mg, respectively). Serum samples from animals that underwent single or multiple injections were analyzed for a serologic response against the conjugate-DNA complexes by ELISA. No anticomplex antibodies were detected in the mice after a single injection. An escalating antibody response was noted with increasing number of treatments with the conjugate-DNA complexes. This serologic response was directed exclusively against the rabbit-derived, anti-secretory component (anti-SC) Fab antibody, and not against either the plasmid DNA or poly-L-lysine. Single injection of the conjugate-DNA complexes did not result in the consumption of circulating complement. Using direct immunofluorescence, perivascular deposits of immunoglobulin G were found in the liver of animals that received three treatments; no such deposition was detected in the lungs or kidneys. No increase in inflammatory cell infiltrates was observed in tissues after single and repeated injections of the DNA complexes. Thus, we conclude that repeated injections of the anti-SC Fab-based complexes evoked a humoral immune response against the heterologous Fab portion of the complex that was associated with reduced efficiency of gene transfer.

Comparison of the sites of reaction of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the supF gene

The distribution of hydrocarbon-DNA adducts through the supF gene in plasmid pS189 was examined using the polymerase arrest assay. For three hydrocarbon dihydrodiol epoxides, derived from 5-methylchrysene, 7-methylbenz[a]anthracene, and benzo[a]pyrene, that exhibit a preference for reaction with guanine residues in DNA, polymerase arrest spectra were similar but not identical. For each agent, guanines in different sequence contexts exhibited varying reactivities and each specific guanine did not necessarily respond to each agent in the same fashion. Thus, sequence context together with the individual dihydrodiol epoxide's chemical and physical properties all play a role in determining sites and extents of reaction within a specific gene. The polymerase arrest data were not predictive of the known sites of mutation hotspots for these dihydrodiol epoxides in the supF gene indicating that further action upon the adducted DNA by repair systems is probably necessary to determine which specific chemical adducts will ultimately give rise to mutation.

Para-aminobenzoic acid suppression of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) nephrotoxicity

Concurrent administration of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) reduced the toxicity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (DDP) in a dose-related manner in rats. When administered i.p. simultaneously with 7.5 mg/kg DDP, PABA (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) and plasma creatinine levels as well as DDP-induced weight loss. Increasing doses of PABA (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) correlated with progressively better parameters of renal activity and body wt and with lower levels of platinum in plasma and tissues in rats killed 5 days after drug administration. The formation of cisplatin-DNA adducts, the total platinum levels in kidney and testes and the DDP-induced tumor response were investigated in the presence and absence of PABA exposure in mice bearing P388 leukemic cells. Renal and testicular DNA-adducts in mice treated i.p. with 16 mg/kg DDP in normal saline were higher than those observed in mice receiving the same protocol and added PABA. Analysis of tissue platinum content demonstrated significantly lower platinum levels both in kidneys (P < 0.05) and testes (P < 0.01) of mice receiving DDP and PABA in normal saline compared to those receiving only DDP in normal saline. PABA did not affect the in vivo and in vitro antitumor activity of DDP against P388 leukemia, and there was no significant PABA-induced modification in the concentration of platinum both in the tumor cells and in DNA samples isolated from P388 leukemic cells of DDP-treated mice. We conclude that PABA may be a promising compound for reducing DDP-toxic side effects, including nephrotoxicity, without compromising its antitumor activity.

Mutagenicity and genotoxicity of the major DNA adduct of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

The mutagenicity and genotoxicity of cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)-N7(1),-N7(2)]] (G*G*), the major DNA adduct of the antitumor drug cisplatin, has been investigated in Escherichia coli. A duplex bacteriophage M13 genome was constructed to contain the G*G* adduct at a specific site in the (-) strand. The singly platinated duplex genome exhibited a survival of 22% relative to that of the unplatinated control genomes, and this value rose to 38% in cells treated with ultraviolet light to induce the SOS response. Singly platinated single-stranded genomes were also produced. Replication of the single- and double-stranded genomes in vivo yielded SOS-dependent, targeted mutations at frequencies of 1.3% and 0.16%, respectively. The mutagenic specificity of G*G* in both single- and double-stranded DNA was striking in that 80-90% of the mutations occurred at the 5'-platinated G. Approximately 80% of the mutations were G-->T transversions at that site. A model of mutagenesis is presented to explain this mutational specificity with respect to current understanding of platinum-DNA adduct structure.

[Comparative study of interferon inducers obtained from natural sources]

Interferon-inducing and antiviral effects of natural dsRNA preparations of phage phi 6 and yeast cells were studied in the culture of murine cells L-929 and on random bred albino mice. Both the preparations showed interferon inducing activity in the cell culture. However, for realization of their effect modification of the surface cell membrane by polycation exchange resin (DEAE-dextran) was required. The interferon-inducing activity of both of the natural dsRNA in the mice was high. The maximum interferon titers (1280-5120 units/ml) in blood serum were observed 4-6 hours after the inductor intraperitoneal administration. The interferon-inducing activity of the phage dsRNA was high in the cell culture and yeast dsRNA--in mice, respectively. Both the inductors had antiviral activity and protected 15 to 38.9 per cent of the experimental animals from the effect of 100 LD50 of the murine encephalomyocarditis virus and 10 LD50 of the influenza virus A/Aichi 2/68 (H3N2).

Comparative toxicity of adriamycin and adriamycin-DNA in rats

Adriamycin (ADR) can be linked to DNA without loss of its antitumoral activity while reducing the acute toxicity of free ADR (Deprez--DeCampeneere et al., 1979, 1980). However, the potential chronic toxic effects of both forms of ADR are poorly documented. For such a study, it is necessary to establish the sequence of treatment allowing the administration of a sufficient amount of drugs to induce chronic toxicity and a schedule leading to prolonged survival of animals. In this study, 24 Lewis rats were injected twice a week during four weeks with either free or DNA-linked ADR, and three dose levels were tested: 4, 2 and 1 mg/kg. Our results indicated that the total cumulative dose of ADR should not exceed 8 mg/kg over one month, if prolonged survival is desired. The binding of ADR to DNA seemed also to reduce the acute toxic effects induced by free ADR, in rats. However, such a beneficial effect was not observed when the chronic nephrotoxicity was considered since characteristic renal lesions were observed in all long-term survivors, whatever the dose and the form of ADR received.

Toxic effects of free and DNA-linked daunorubicin on isolated rat cardiac myocytes

Isolated cardiac myocytes from adult rats were used as a model to study the cardiotoxicity of free and DNA-linked daunorubicin. The toxic effects on the myocytes were evaluated by studying morphological changes, trypan blue exclusion and cell membrane permeability to NADH, as determined by LDH-activity. At a concentration of 100 microM daunorubicin caused an increased plasma membrane permeability within 30 min. Using light microscopy, the myocytic injury induced by daunorubicin could be distinguished from that induced by anoxia or elevated pH. In contrast to the effect of the free drug, no toxic effects could be demonstrated after incubation with DNA-linked daunorubicin (100 microM) for 5 hours. The higher toxicity of the free drug was related to a much higher intracellular accumulation of daunorubicin. No fluorescent metabolites of daunorubicin could be detected in the myocardial cells. Daunorubicin did not induce lipid peroxidation, as judged by the absence of malondialdehyde production and evolution of ethane. It is concluded that daunorubicin exerts toxic effects on rat cardiac myocytes by mechanisms that do not involve lipid peroxidation. Isolated cardiac cells from adult rats seem to be a useful model for the further study of such mechanisms.

In vitro and in vivo study of cross resistance between daunorubicin and daunorubicin-DNA complex in Ehrlich ascites tumor

The antitumor effect of daunorubicin and of two preparations of daunorubicin-DNA complexes were compared in equitoxic doses against the Ehrlich ascites tumor and in a subline of this tumor resistant to daunorubicin. The therapeutic efficacy of both complexes was significantly better than that of free daunorubicin in the sensitive tumor. The daunorubicin-resistant tumor was found to be cross resistant to both daunorubicin-DNA complexes. In vitro, the steady-state uptake of daunorubicin was considerably lower when the drug was added as a complex compared with addition as free drug. Experiments in which the uptake of daunorubicin and of DNA was determined simultaneously showed no significant uptake of DNA in either cell line. Together, these data indicate that even if daunorubicin is administered as a complex, the membrane transport in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells takes place solely as free drug.

Comparative study in mice of the toxicity, pharmacology, and therapeutic activity of daunorubicin-DNA and doxorubicin-DNA complexes

We have compared the toxicologic, pharmacologic, and therapeutic properties of the DNA complexes of daunorubicin and doxorubicin, after intravenous (IV) administration into mice. The overall toxicity of doxorubicin is significantly reduced after IV injection as a DNA complex while daunorubicin-DNA is as toxic as free daunorubicin. On hemopoietic stem cells, daunorubicin-DNA was found to be more cytotoxic than daunorubicin, while the opposite was observed with doxorubicin and doxorubicin-DNA. Both complexes are more effective than the corresponding free drugs on the L1210 murine leukemia, when given IV at equitoxic doses. The tissue uptake in mice, after IV administration, is generally lower when the drugs are given bound to DNA. The stability of the two DNA complexes is very different in the bloodstream: daunorubicin-DNA behaves more like a prodrug of daunorubicin, while doxorubicin-DNA, remaining stable in the bloodstream, meets much more the requirements of an ideal drug-macromoleculare carrier entity.

[Study of the toxicity and antiblastoma activity of antibiotics echinomycin and 6270 in complexes with DNA]

Studies with the use of intact inbred albino mice showed that in intravenous administration the acute toxicity of antibiotic No. 6270 and echinomycin in complexes with DNA increased 3--4 times as compared to the toxicity of the same antibiotics used without the complex. Under the experimental conditions with 3-fold intravenous administration at 72-hour intervals in doses equivalent by their acute toxicity, the antitumor activity of the echinomycin complex with DNA against the solid form of lymphosarcoma L10-1 was approximately 4 times lower than the activity of the antibiotic used alone. Like echinomycin, antibiotic No. 6270 in complex with DNA used according to the same administration scheme in doses equivalent by their acute toxicity had a lower inhibitory effect on growth of lymphosarcoma L10-1 and sarcoma 180 as compared to its use alone.

The comparative toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of adriamycin and the adriamycin-DNA complex in the chemotherapy of C3H mice with transplanted mammary adenocarcinoma

Tissue analyses and tumour regression studies using the oncolytic antibiotic, adriamycin (14-hydroxydaunomycin), and its DNA complex at adriamycin dosages of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg were made on C3H mice with transplanted mammary adenocarcinoma. Chemical analysis indicated a significantly lower (P < 0.05) uptake of adriamycin into cardiac tissue for the adriamycin-DNA complex. Tumour regression was comparable for both the complex and free adriamycin. Results suggest an advantageous role for the adriamycin DNA complex in the chemotherapy of metastatic breast carcinoma.