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Biomedical subjects

D Ma

Publications and source records attributed to D Ma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Synthesis and evaluation of novel bifunctional chelating agents based on 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N"'-tetraacetic acid for radiolabeling proteins.

Detailed synthesis of the bifunctional chelating agents 2-methyl-6-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (1B4M-DOTA) and 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-5, 6-cyclohexano-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetate (CHX-DOTA) are reported. These chelating agents were compared to 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid (C-DOTA) and 1, 4, 7, 10-Tetraaza-N-(1-carboxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propyl)-N', N", N"'-tris(acetic acid) cyclododecane (PA-DOTA) as their (177)Lu radiolabeled conjugates with Herceptin. In vitro stability of the immunoconjugates radiolabeled with (177)Lu was assessed by serum stability studies. The in vivo stability of the radiolabeled immunoconjugates and their targeting characteristics were determined by biodistribution studies in LS-174T xenograft tumor-bearing mice. Relative radiolabeling rates and efficiencies were determined for all four immunoconjugates. Insertion of the 1B4M moiety into the DOTA backbone increases radiometal chelation rate and provides complex stability comparable to C-DOTA and PA-DOTA while the CHX-DOTA appears to not form as stable a (177)Lu complex while exhibiting a substantial increase in formation rate. The 1B4M-DOTAmay have potential for radioimmunotherapy applications.

Animals↗

Radioimmunotherapy for model B cell malignancies using 90Y-labeled anti-CD19 and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies.

In recent years, radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with beta(-) particle emitting radionuclides targeting the CD20 antigen on B cells in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has provided the most compelling human clinical data for the success of RIT. CD19, like CD20, is an antigen expressed on the surface of cells of the B lineage, and CD19 may provide an alternative target for radioimmunotherapy of B cell neoplasms. CD19 has been largely overlooked as a target for conventional 131I RIT, because the antigen rapidly internalizes upon binding of antibody, resulting in catabolism and significant release of 131I. Such modulation may be an advantage to RIT with radiometals such as 90Y, 177Lu, 213Bi and 225Ac. Herein, we have compared beta(-) particle RIT with antibodies targeting either CD19 or CD20. The anti-CD19 and anti-CD20 antibodies, B4 or C2B8, respectively, were appended with the SCN-CHX-A''-DTPA bifunctional chelating agent and labeled with 90Y. In the tumor model used, there were three times as many CD20 target sites on lymphoma cells as compared to CD19 sites (62000 vs 20000 binding sites, respectively). We compared the efficacy of the 90Y-labeled antibodies to reduce lymphoma in a nude mouse xenograft solid tumor model, after measurable lymphoma appeared. Reduction in tumor size began at day 3 in all three 90Y-treated groups, but tumor began to recur in many animals 9 days after the treatments. There was one cure in each specific treatment group. In contrast, the tumor in the two control groups showed no regression. There was a significant prolongation of median survival time from xenograft (P < 0.0001) in all the 90Y-labeled antibody construct-treated groups (32 days for 0.15 mCi 90Y-B4; 26 days for 0.20 mCi 90Y-C2B8, and 23 days for 0.15 mCi 90Y-C2B8) in comparison to the two control groups (11 days for 0.02 mg of C2B8 and 9 days for untreated growth controls). Specificity of the radioimmunotherapy was also shown. In conclusion, 90Y-labeled anti-CD19 antibody has efficacy comparable to 90Y-labeled anti-CD20 antibody in the treatment of mice bearing human lymphoma xenografts. These data suggest that CD19-targeted RIT merits further study.

Animals↗

Neuroprotective and neurotoxic properties of the 'inert' gas, xenon.

BACKGROUND: Antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors have been shown not only to have neuroprotective effects but also to exhibit neurotoxic properties. In this study, we used c-Fos, a protein product of an immediate early gene, as a marker of neuronal injury to compare the neuroprotective effects of xenon and the neurotoxic properties of xenon, nitrous oxide, and ketamine, three anaesthetics with NMDA receptor antagonist properties. METHODS: We used an in vivo rat model of brain injury in which N-methyl-DL-aspartic acid (NMA) is injected subcutaneously (s.c.) and c-Fos expression in the arcuate nucleus is used as a measure of injury. To examine the neurotoxic potential of each of the three anaesthetics with NMDA receptor antagonist properties, c-Fos expression in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial (PC/RS) cortices was measured. RESULTS: Xenon dose-dependently suppressed NMA-induced c-Fos expression in the arcuate nucleus with an IC(50) of 47 (2)% atm. At the highest concentration tested (75% atm) NMA-induced neuronal injury was decreased by as much as that observed with the prototypical NMDA antagonist MK801 (0.5 mg kg(-1) s.c.). Both nitrous oxide and ketamine dose-dependently increased c-Fos expression in PC/RS cortices; in contrast, xenon produced no significant effect. If the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol was given before either nitrous oxide or ketamine, their neurotoxic effects were eliminated. CONCLUSIONS: Uniquely amongst anaesthetics with known NMDA receptor antagonist action, xenon exhibits neuroprotective properties without co-existing neurotoxicity. The reason why ketamine and nitrous oxide, but not xenon, produce neurotoxicity may involve their actions on dopaminergic pathways.

Animals↗

Nuclear translocation of PDCD5 (TFAR19): an early signal for apoptosis?

The programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) protein is a novel protein related to regulation of cell apoptosis. In this report, we demonstrate that the level of PDCD5 protein expressed in cells undergoing apoptosis is significantly increased compared with normal cells, then the protein translocates rapidly from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of cells. The appearance of PDCD5 in the nuclei of apoptotic cells precedes the externalization of phosphatidylserine and fragmentation of chromosome DNA. This phenomenon is parallel to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, independent of the feature of apoptosis-inducing stimuli and also independent of the cell types and the apoptosis modality. In conclusion, the nuclear translocation of PDCD5 is a universal earlier event of the apoptotic process, and may be a novel early marker for apoptosis.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Two-component method to enantiopure quinolizidinones and Indolizidinones. Total synthesis of (-)-lasubine II.

The reaction of iodides 1 and enantiopure beta-amino esters 2 mediated by potassium carbonate in acetonitrile at 65 degrees C provides quinolizidinones or indolizidinones 3, together with piperidines or pyrrolidines 4. Hydrolysis of 4 to the corresponding carboxylic acids followed by treatment of acetic anhydride/triethylamine gives 3 in high yields. Using 3a as a key intermediate, (-)-lasubine II is synthesized in four steps. [reaction: see text]

Indolizines↗

Tumor therapy with targeted atomic nanogenerators.

A single, high linear energy transfer alpha particle can kill a target cell. We have developed methods to target molecular-sized generators of alpha-emitting isotope cascades to the inside of cancer cells using actinium-225 coupled to internalizing monoclonal antibodies. In vitro, these constructs specifically killed leukemia, lymphoma, breast, ovarian, neuroblastoma, and prostate cancer cells at becquerel (picocurie) levels. Injection of single doses of the constructs at kilobecquerel (nanocurie) levels into mice bearing solid prostate carcinoma or disseminated human lymphoma induced tumor regression and prolonged survival, without toxicity, in a substantial fraction of animals. Nanogenerators targeting a wide variety of cancers may be possible.

Actinium↗

A high coking-resistance catalyst for methane aromatization.

Steaming-dealuminated HZSM-5-supported molybdenum catalysts have been found to be high coking-resistance catalysts for methane aromatization reactions; compared with conventional catalysts, they give a much higher selectivity towards aromatics.

Journal Article↗

Solution NMR determination of the seating(s) of meso-nitro-etioheme-1 in myoglobin: implications for steric constraints to meso position access in heme degradation by coupled oxidation.

The highly stereoselective cleavage of hemin in myoglobin by coupled oxidation has been attributed to steric barriers that leave more space near the alpha- than the other meso-positions. The steric barriers near meso positions in myoglobin have been investigated by establishing the thermodynamics and dynamics of possible seatings in the pocket of horse myoglobin of a four-fold symmetric etioheme I modified with a bulky nitro group at a single meso position. The cyanomet complex of this reconstituted myoglobin exhibits three sets of (1)H NMR resonances that are linked dynamically and occur in approximate populations ratios of 0.82:0.10:0.08. Two dimensional (1)H NMR has been used to assign the hemin and heme pocket resonances in the major isomer in solution and to determine that the hemin is oriented with the nitro group at the canonical gamma-meso position of native hemin. The dominance of this isomer is attributed to the solvent exposure of this portion of the hemin which stabilizes the highly polar nitro group. Using a combination of magnetization transfer among methyl groups of the three isomers due to "hopping" of the hemin about its normal, the assigned resonances of an isoelectronic, bis-cyano complex of meso-nitro-etioheme I, and the known essentially constant rhombic perturbation of heme pocket sites on the hyperfine shifts of heme methyl (Kolczak, U.; Hauksson, J. B.; Davis, N. L.; Pande, U.; de Ropp, J. S.; Langry, K. C.; Smith, K. M.; LaMar, G. N. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 835-843); the two minor isomers are shown to place their bulky nitro group at the canonical delta-meso (8%) and alpha-meso positions (10%). The comparable population of the isomers with nitro groups at the hydrophobic alpha- and delta-meso positions dictates that, while the static crystal structure finds more room near the alpha-meso position, the deformation at minimal energetic expense near the alpha- and delta-meso positions is comparable. These results argue that factors other than simple steric influences control the selectivity of the ring cleavage in myoglobin.

Animals↗

CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of beta-amino acids or esters with aryl halides at temperature lower than that employed in the normal Ullmann reaction. Facile synthesis of SB-214857.

[reaction: see text] The CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of aryl halides with beta-amino acids or beta-amino esters is completed at 100 degrees C in 48 h, which indicates that the structure of the beta-amino acid has an accelerating effect for the Ullmann-type aryl amination reaction. This coupling reaction can be used to prepare enantiopure N-aryl beta-amino acids. An efficient synthetic route to SB214857, a potent GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, is developed using this method.

Amino Acids↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1), a novel human cytokine with unique structure and potential chemotactic activity.

Cytokines are small proteins that have an essential role in the immune and inflammatory responses. The repertoire of cytokines is becoming diverse and expanding. Here we report the identification and characterization of a novel cytokine designated as chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1). The full-length cDNA of CKLF1 is 530 bp long and a single open reading frame encoding 99 amino acid residues. CKLF1 bears no significant similarity to any other known cytokine in its amino acid sequence. Expression of CKLF1 can be partly inhibited by interleukin 10 in PHA-stimulated U937 cells. Recombinant CKLF1 is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes; moreover, it can stimulate the proliferation of murine skeletal muscle cells. These results suggest that CKLF1 might have important roles in inflammation and in the regeneration of skeletal muscle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibodies to capsular polysaccharides of group B Streptococcus in pregnant Canadian women: relationship to colonization status and infection in the neonate.

In a cohort study of 1207 pregnant women in Alberta, Canada, the serotype distributions of vaginal-rectal group B Streptococcus (GBS) isolates were compared with all isolates from neonates with invasive GBS disease identified by population-based surveillance. Serum concentrations of Ia, Ib, II, III, and V capsular polysaccharide (CPS)-specific IgG also were determined, according to serotype of the vaginal-rectal colonizing GBS strain. GBS colonization was detected in 19.5% (235 of 1207) of women. Serotype III accounted for 20.6% (48 of 233) of colonizing strains available for typing but for 37% (27 of 73) of invasive isolates from neonates (P<.01). Maternal colonization with type III was least likely to be associated with moderate concentrations of III CPS-specific IgG. Serotype III GBS is more invasive than other serotypes in this population; this may be due, at least in part, to poor maternal type III CPS-specific antibody response.

Adult↗

Real-time detection of gene promoter activity: quantitation of toxin gene transcription.

We have developed a new method for quantification of promoter activity in cell lines transfected with recombinant plasmids containing the reporter gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) by real-time PCR. As the efficiency of transfection has a direct influence on the total mRNA produced, we have used the neomycin-resistance gene present within the same vector DNA to normalize the measurement of mRNA levels. Three promoters from genes encoding toxins (pre-synaptic neurotoxin phospholipase A(2), post-synaptic alpha neurotoxin and cardiotoxin), believed to have evolved from the same ancestor but exhibiting different promoter activities, have been employed in this study to demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of the method in CAT gene reporter analysis.

Animals↗

Conditional ablation of neurones in transgenic mice.

Conditional targeted ablation of specific cell populations in living transgenic animals is a very powerful strategy to determine cell functions in vivo. This approach would be of particular value to study the functions of distinct neuronal populations; however, the transgene of choice for conditional cell ablation studies in mice, the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene, cannot be used to ablate neurones as its principal mode of action relies on cell proliferation. Here we report that expression of the E.coli nitroreductase gene (Ntr) and metabolism of the prodrug CB1954 (5-aziridin-1-yl-2-4-dinitrobenzamide) to its cytotoxic derivative can be used to conditionally and acutely ablate specific neuronal populations in vivo. As proof of principal, we have ablated olfactory and vomeronasal receptor neurones by expressing Ntr under the control of the olfactory marker protein (OMP) gene promoter. We demonstrate that following CB1954 administration, olfactory and vomeronasal receptor neurones expressing the transgene were selectively eliminated from the olfactory epithelium (OE), and projections to the olfactory bulb (OB) were lost. The functional efficacy of cell ablation was demonstrated using a highly sensitive behavioural test to show that ablated mice had lost the olfactory ability to discriminate distinct odors and were consequently rendered anosmic. Targeted expression of Ntr to specific neuronal populations using conventional transgenes, as described here, or by "knock-in" gene targeting using embryonic stem cells may be of significant value to address the functions of distinct neuronal populations in vivo.

Animals↗

Response of LNCaP spheroids after treatment with an alpha-particle emitter (213Bi)-labeled anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen antibody (J591).

A theoretical drawback to alpha-particle therapy with 213Bi is the short range of the particle track coupled with the short half-life of the radionuclide, thereby potentially limiting effective cytotoxicity to rapidly accessible, disseminated individual tumor cells (e.g., as in leukemia). In this work, a prostate carcinoma spheroid model was used to evaluate the feasibility of targeting micrometastatic clusters of tumor cells using 213Bi-labeled anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) antibody, J591. In prostate cancer, vascular dissemination of tumor cells or tumor cell clusters to the marrow constitutes an important step in the progression of this disease to widespread skeletal involvement, an incurable state. Such prevascularized clusters are ideal targets for radiolabeled antibodies because the barriers to antibody penetration that are associated with the capillary basal lamina have not yet formed. Beta- and gamma-emitting radionuclides such as 131I, which are widely used in radioimmunotherapy, are not expected to be effective when targeting single cells or small cell clusters. This is because the range of the emissions is one to two orders of magnitude greater than the target size, and the energy deposited per traversal is insufficient to produce any significant radiobiological effect. Spheroids of the prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP-LN3, were used as a model of prevascularized micrometastases; their response to an anti-PSMA antibody, J591, radiolabeled with the alpha-particle emitter 213Bi (T(1/2), 45.6 min.) has been measured. The time course of spheroid volume reductions was found to be sensitive to the initial spheroid volume. J591 labeled with 0.9 MBq/ml 213Bi resulted in a 3-log reduction in spheroid volume on day 33, relative to control, for spheroids with an initial diameter of 130 microm; 1.8 MBq/ml were required to achieve a similar response for spheroids with an initial diameter of 180 microm. Equivalent spheroid responses were observed after 12 Gy of acute external beam photon irradiation. Monte Carlo-based microdosimetric analyses of the 213Bi decay distribution in individual spheroids of 130-microm diameter yielded an average alpha-particle dose of 3.7 Gy to the spheroids, resulting in a relative biological effectiveness factor of 3.2 over photon irradiation. The activity concentrations used in the experiments were clinically relevant, and this work supports the possibility of using 213Bi-labeled antibodies not only for disseminated single tumor cells, as found in patients with leukemia, but also for micrometastatic tumor deposits up to 180 microm in diameter (1200 cells).

Alpha Particles↗

Synthesis of 7,8-disubstituted benzolactam-V8 and its binding to protein kinase C.

7-Methoxy-8-decynyl-benzolactam-V8 4 is synthesized using a catalytic asymmetric alkylation reaction as a key step. This compound shows potent activity to three PKC isozymes tested (Ki =45.6, 91.1, and 121.3 nM to PKCalpha, delta, and epsilon, respectively), indicating that introduction of a suitable substituent at the 7-position of 8-decynyl-benzolactam-V8 only slightly reduces the PKC binding affinity.

Binding, Competitive↗