Biomedical subjects

J M Scherrmann

Publications and source records attributed to J M Scherrmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Applications of a blood-brain barrier technology platform to predict CNS penetration of various chemotherapeutic agents. 1. Anti-infective drugs.

Except for a few well-documented CNS therapeutics, quantitative data on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation is incomplete, unreliable or nonexistent and this is a major impediment in BBB modeling. Furthermore, only the passive diffusion component is generally taken into account. Three techniques of modeling (in vivo, in vitro and in silico) were set up and compared. The in silico predicted permeation of 287 anti-infective drugs has been faced to clinical observations. Good correlations were observed between in vitro permeability coefficients, influx transfer coefficients from in vivo studies and Pe scores from the computational model. High Pe score values are associated with an increase of reported CNS side effects.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Pharmacokinetic studies on Wilfactin, a von Willebrand factor concentrate with a low factor VIII content treated with three virus-inactivation/removal methods.

OBJECTIVE: In order to correct the primary von Willebrand factor (VWF) defect and avoid supra-physiologic plasma levels of factor VIII, a pure VWF concentrate almost devoid of FVIII was developed and used in France since 1989. METHODS: The pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of the most recent version of this concentrate (Wilfactin; LFB, Les Ulis, France), treated with three virus-inactivation/removal methods (solvent/detergent, 35 nm filtration, dry heat treatment), was investigated in 25 patients. Seventeen patients with various types of clinically severe von Willebrand disease (VWD) were included in a crossover, randomized trial carried out in five European centers and comparing Wilfactin with concentrates containing both FVIII and VWF (FVIII/VWF). Eight type 3 VWD patients were included in another trial carried out in six French centers comparing Wilfactin with its previous version (Facteur Willebrand-LFB; LFB) that adopted one virus-inactivation method only. RESULTS: For both the measurements evaluated in this study (VWF antigen, VWF:Ag; and VWF ristocetin co-factor activity, VWF:RCo), Wilfactin had a PK profile similar to that of the FVIII/VWF concentrates and of Facteur Willebrand-LFB. VWF:RCo and VWF:Ag recoveries were 2.1 +/- 0.3 and 1.8 +/- 0.3 per IU kg(-1), respectively, and the half-lives were 12.4 +/- 1.8 and 15.9 +/- 1.5 h. The FVIII synthesis rate was 5.8 +/- 1.0 IU dL(-1) h(-1), with a half-life of 15.8 +/- 2.4 h. CONCLUSION: The PK of VWF and FVIII have not been altered by the three virus-inactivation/removal steps during the manufacturing of Wilfactin.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Multidrug resistance-associated protein MRP1 expression in human gliomas: chemosensitization to vincristine and etoposide by indomethacin in human glioma cell lines overexpressing MRP1.

The 190 kDa multidrug resistance protein MRP1 is likely to be involved in the multidrug resistance phenotype of human gliomas. MRP1 expression was evaluated in surgical tumor samples from 17 patients with gliomas. In addition, the impact of the MRP's inhibitor, indomethacin, on the chemosensitivity to etoposide (VP16) and vincristine (VCR) of two glioblastoma cell lines expressing MRP1 (GL15 and 8MG) was investigated. When evaluated in tumor samples, MRP1 expression was observed in all of them with more than 90% of stained tumor cells in 14/15 high-grade gliomas. MRP1 was also strongly expressed at the membrane of the vascular endothelial cells in the same 14 tumor samples, suggesting that the permeability to anticancer drugs could be also limited across brain tumor vessels. At concentrations comprised between 5 and 50 microM, indomethacin significantly increased the cytotoxic effect of etoposide in both cell lines but it was more efficient in increasing the cytotoxicity of VCR on GL15 cells, as compared with 8MG cells. These results suggest that the association of indomethacin to VCR or etoposide could be of interest in the clinical management of gliomas.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2003

Study of uranium transfer across the blood-brain barrier.

Uranium is a heavy metal which, following accidental exposure, may potentially be deposited in human tissues and target organs, the kidneys and bones. A few published studies have described the distribution of this element after chronic exposure and one of them has demonstrated an accumulation in the brain. In the present study, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the quantification of uranium, uranium transfer across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been assessed using the in situ brain perfusion technique in the rat. For this purpose, a physiological buffered bicarbonate saline at pH 7.4 containing natural uranium at a given concentration was perfused. After checking the integrity of the BBB during the perfusion, the background measurement of uranium in control rats without uranium in the perfusate was determined. The quantity of uranium in the exposed rat hemisphere, which appeared to be significantly higher than that in the control rats, was measured. Finally, the possible transfer of the perfused uranium not only in the vascular space but also in the brain parenchyma is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Drug delivery to brain via the blood-brain barrier.

1. Many neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and infections of the brain become more prevalent as populations become older. Despite major advances in neuroscience, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) ensures that many potential therapeutic cannot reach the central nervous system (CNS). The BBB is formed by the complex tight junctions between the endothelial cells of the brain capillaries and their low endocytic activity. This results in the capillary wall that behaves as a continuous lipid bilayer and prevents the passage of polar and lipid-insoluble substances. It is, therefore, the major obstacle to drugs that may combat diseases affecting the CNS. 2. Several strategies for delivering drugs to the CNS have been developed. These enhance the capacity of therapeutic molecules to cross the BBB by modifying the drug itself, or by coupling it to a vector for receptor-mediated or adsorption-mediated transcytosis. 3. The current challenge is to develop drug-delivery systems that ensure that drugs cross the BBB in a safe and effective manner. This review focuses on the strategies developed to enhance drug delivery across the BBB.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Exchanges through the blood-brain barrier].

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the main interface controlling the exchange of nutrients and drugs between the blood and brain. Its specificity is given by some specific properties of the endothelium of the brain capillaries. They include the presence of tight junctions sealing adjacent endothelial cells and the absence of fenestrations preventing paracellular transport pathway across the BBB. The BBB is also a metabolic and pharmacological barrier because of the activity of many cytosolic enzymes and transporters expressed both or either at the luminal or abluminal faces of the brain microvessel endothelial cells. Macromolecules like insulin, leptin and transferrin may cross the BBB via receptor mediated transcytosis. More recently the discovery of P-glycoprotein, an ABC protein, at the luminal membrane of the brain endothelial cells has shown that several lipophilic antimitotic and psychotropic drugs are pumped out of the brain by this transporter. All these properties illustrate how complex the exchanges of nutrients and drugs across the BBB are.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Screening of multidrug-resistance sensitive drugs by in situ brain perfusion in P-glycoprotein-deficient mice.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the influence of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) on brain uptake of multidrug resistance sensitive drugs using an in situ brain perfusion technique in P-gp-deficient (mdr1a[-/-]) and wild-type mice. METHODS: The blood-brain transport of radiolabeled vinblastine, vincristine, doxorubicin, colchicine, and morphine was evaluated in mdr1a(-/-) and wild-type CF-1 mice with the in situ brain perfusion technique. Brain uptake of drugs after intravenous pretreatment with P-gp reversal agents, (PSC 833, GF 120918, or (+/-)-verapamil), or vehicle also was studied in wild-type mice. In all experiments, cerebral vascular volume was determined by co-perfusion of sucrose. RESULTS: Cerebral vascular volume was preserved during perfusion, indicating maintenance of blood-brain barrier integrity in both types of mice within the concentration range of substrates in the perfusate. The apparent brain transport of colchicine. vinblastine, doxorubicin, and morphine was increased 3.0, 2.7, 1.5, and 1.4-fold, respectively, in mdr1a(-/-) mice compared with the wild-type: the brain uptake of vincristine was not affected by P-gp. Preadministration of PSC 833 or GF 120918 in wild-type mice led to a -3-fold increase in the brain transport of colchicine and vinblastine, but no effect was observed for the other compounds. Intravenous verapamil enhanced colchicine brain transport (1.8-fold), but failed to increase the brain uptake of vinblastine and morphine. CONCLUSION: The in situ brain perfusion technique appears to be a sensitive and powerful tool for medium throughput screening of the brain uptake of multidrug resistance sensitive drugs. The effect of P-gp is characterized more efficiently with mdr1a(-/-) mice than by using modulators of P-gp in wild-type mice.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2001

Doxorubicin-peptide conjugates overcome multidrug resistance.

A well-known mechanism leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant tumor cells is the overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is capable of lowering intracellular drug concentrations. To overcome this problem, we tested the capability of two peptide vectors that are able to cross cellular membranes to deliver doxorubicin in P-gp-expressing cells. The antitumor effect of peptide-conjugated doxorubicin was tested in human erythroleukemic (K562/ ADR) resistant cells. The conjugate showed potent dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth against K562/ADR cells as compared with doxorubicin alone. Doxorubicin exhibited IC50 concentrations of 65 microM in the resistant cells, whereas vectorized doxorubicin was more effective with IC50 concentrations of 3 microM. After treatment of the resistant cells with verapamil, the intracellular levels of doxorubicin were markedly increased and consequent cytotoxicity was improved. In contrast, treatment of resistant cells with verapamil did not cause any further enhancement in the cell uptake nor in the cytotoxic effect of the conjugated doxorubicin, indicating that the conjugate bypasses the P-gp. Finally, we show by the in situ brain perfusion method in P-gp-deficient and competent mice that vectorized doxorubicin bypasses the P-gp present at the luminal site of the blood-brain barrier. These results indicate that vectorization of doxorubicin with peptide vectors is effective in overcoming multidrug resistance.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2001

Vector-mediated drug delivery to the brain.

As a consequence of the growing ageing population, many neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and infections of the brain will become more prevalent. Despite major advances in neuroscience, many potential therapeutic agents are denied access to the central nervous system (CNS) because of the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This barrier is formed by the endothelial cells of the brain capillaries and its primary characteristic is the impermeability of the capillary wall due to the presence of complex tight junctions and a low endocytic activity. The BBB behaves as a continuous lipid bilayer and prevents the passage of polar and lipid-insoluble substances. The BBB is, therefore, the major obstacle to drugs that are potentially useful for combating diseases affecting the CNS. Extensive efforts have been made to develop CNS drug delivery strategies in order to enhance delivery of therapeutic molecules across the BBB. The current challenge is to develop drug-delivery strategies that will allow the passage of therapeutic drugs through the BBB in a safe and effective manner. This review focuses specifically on the strategies developed to enhance drug delivery across the BBB with an emphasis on the vector-mediated strategy.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Enhanced delivery of doxorubicin into the brain via a peptide-vector-mediated strategy: saturation kinetics and specificity.

Doxorubicin delivery to the brain is often restricted because of the poor transport of this therapeutic molecule through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To overcome this problem, we have recently developed a technology, Pep:trans, based on short natural-derived peptides that are able to cross efficiently the BBB without compromising its integrity. In this study, we have used the in situ mouse brain perfusion method to evaluate the brain uptake of free and vectorized doxorubicin. Doxorubicin was coupled covalently to small peptide vectors: L-SynB1 (18 amino acids), L-SynB3 (10 amino acids), and its enantio form D-SynB3. We first confirmed the very low brain uptake of free radiolabeled doxorubicin, which is most likely due to the efflux activity of the P-glycoprotein at the level of the BBB. Vectorization with either L-SynB1, L-SynB3, or D-SynB3 significantly increased the brain uptake of doxorubicin (about 30-fold). We also investigated the mechanism of transport of vectorized doxorubicin. We show that vectorized doxorubicin uses a saturable transport mechanism to cross the BBB. The effect of poly(L-lysine) and protamine, endocytosis inhibitors, on the transport across the brain was also investigated. Both inhibitors reduced the brain uptake of vectorized doxorubicin in a dose-dependent manner. These studies indicate that the transport of vectorized doxorubicin appears to occur via an adsorptive-mediated endocytosis.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

[Cationization, a process for the delivery of antibodies to the central nervous system. Problems encountered in its application for immunotherapy strategies such as those for clostridial poisoning].

The central nervous system is separated from the rest of the body by the blood-brain barrier. This barrier prevents many substances, such as the antibodies, to penetrate into the brain making it difficult to use them for the treatment of brain diseases, such as tetanus and botulism. These two diseases are caused by the development of bacilli of the genus Clostridium which release neurotropic toxins. Specific antibodies can neutralize toxin activity when the toxin is in the blood but are ineffective when it is transported into nerve cells. Various invasive strategies have been used to deliver antibodies to the brain. However, they can induce seizures and transient neurologic deficits and may be applicable only for diseases restricted to the brain surface. Physiologically based strategies utilizing transport systems naturally present at the blood-brain barrier appear to be a more promising approach to brain delivery of antibodies. Cationization is a chemical treatment that causes the conversion of superficial carboxyl groups on a protein into extended primary amino groups. This is used to increase interactions of this protein with the negative charges at the luminal plasma membrane of the brain endothelial cells. The cationized protein can then undergo adsorptive mediated transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier. There are many problems yet to be solved in successfully carrying out in vivo applications of cationized antibodies. One of these problems is that cationization can cause damage to an antibody molecule and, thus, can compromise its binding affinity. Depending on the radiolabelling of the cationized antibodies, a serum inhibition phenomenon can possibly alter the pharmacokinetics and the organ distribution of these molecules. The antibodies can be cationized using various, synthetic (hexamethylenediamine) or naturally occuring (e.g., putrescine) polyamines. Hexamethylenediamine-induced and putrescine-induced brain uptakes of various antibodies and proteins have been shown, but the results obtained suggest that cationization with putrescine may be a more efficient approach to blood-brain barrier delivery. The development of animal or cellular models to check for therapeutic efficacy of cationized antibodies is necessary. In spite of the difficulties, the studies described in this paper indicate that cationization can be a realistic delivery strategy for carrying antibodies across the blood-brain barrier. The advances made in antibody technologies help generate more appropriate immunological structures for brain transfer with better effector functions and decreased immunogenicity or toxicity. Taken together, these two aspects can lead to further developments in treatment of intoxications caused by the clostridial neurotoxins.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Functional expression of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp1) in primary cultures of rat astrocytes.

Although it has been well established that the drug efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp) protects the brain against the entry of cytotoxic drugs, its real in situ localization, i.e., at brain capillary endothelial cells or on astrocyte foot processes, is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of P-gp and of multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp1), another drug efflux pump, in cultured neonatal rat brain astrocytes and in cultured brain capillary endothelial cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the mdr1b gene was preferentially expressed in astrocytes, whereas both mdr1a and mdr1b mRNA were detected in endothelial cells. Moreover, the mrp1 gene encoding Mrp1 was expressed in both cell types. Western blotting analysis revealed higher expression of P-gp in endothelial cells as compared with astrocytes, but higher expression of Mrp1 in astrocytes. Moreover, P-gp and Mrp1 expression was not modified in more differentiated astrocytes obtained when cultured with db-cAMP for 48 hr. Our functional analysis of P-gp showed a modest effect of P-gp modulators (CsA, verapamil, PSC 833) on the uptake of colchicine (a substrate of P-gp) by astrocytes, whereas they increased by about 50% the uptake of vincristine (a common substrate of P-gp and MRP) by astrocytes. MRP modulators (genistein, probenecid, and sulfinpyrazone) did not modify the uptake of colchicine but increased that of vincristine with a major effect found for sulfinpyrazone. Moreover, indomethacin, probenecid, and sulfinpyrazone increased the uptake of fluorescein (a substrate of MRP but not of P-gp). Taken together, our results provide the first biochemical and functional evidence supporting the expression of P-gp and Mrp1 in rat cultured astrocytes.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2000

Development of an in situ mouse brain perfusion model and its application to mdr1a P-glycoprotein-deficient mice.

An in situ mouse brain perfusion model predictive of passive and carrier-mediated transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was developed and applied to mdr1a P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-deficient mice [mdr1a(-/-)]. Cerebral flow was estimated from diazepam uptake. Physical integrity of the BBB was assessed with sucrose/inulin spaces; functional integrity was assessed with glucose uptake, which was saturable with a Km of approximately 17 mmol/L and Vmax of 310 mmol x 100 g(-1) x min(-1). Brain uptake of a Pgp substrate (colchicine) was significantly enhanced (two- to fourfold) in mdr1a(-/-) mice. These data suggest that the model is applicable to elucidating the effects of efflux transporters, including Pgp, on brain uptake.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗

PubMed2000

New advances in the transport of doxorubicin through the blood-brain barrier by a peptide vector-mediated strategy.

Many therapeutic drugs are excluded from entering the brain, due to their lack of transport through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To overcome this problem, we have developed a novel method in which short, naturally derived peptides (16-18 amino acids) cross the cellular membranes of the BBB with high efficiency and without compromising its integrity. The antineoplastic agent doxorubicin (dox) was coupled covalently to two peptides, D-penetratin and SynB1. The ability of dox to cross the BBB was studied using an in situ rat brain perfusion technique and also by i.v. injection in mice. In the brain perfusion studies, we first confirmed the very low brain uptake of free radiolabeled dox because of the efflux activity of P-glycoprotein at the BBB. By contrast, we have demonstrated that when dox is coupled to either the D-penetratin or SynB1 vectors, its uptake was increased by a factor of 6, suggesting that the vectorized dox bypasses P-glycoprotein. Moreover, using a capillary depletion method, we have shown that vectorization of dox led to a 20-fold increase in the amount of dox transported into brain parenchyma. Intravenous administration of vectorized dox at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg in mice led to a significant increase in brain dox concentrations during the first 30 min of postadministration, compared with free dox. Additionally, vectorization led to a significant decrease of dox concentrations in the heart. In summary, our results establish that the two peptide vectors used in this study enhance the delivery of dox across the BBB.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Enhanced cellular uptake and transport of polyclonal immunoglobulin G and fab after their cationization.

Antibodies are poorly transported across cell membranes and biological barriers in vivo. Cationization of antibody molecules by the derivatization of surface carboxyl groups generating primary amino groups could represent a strategy for intracellular antibody delivery. Before cationization of polyclonal colchicine-specific IgG and Fab, using hexamethylenediamine the isoelectric point (pl) of native IgG and Fab (nIgG and nFab) was in the range of 5.9 9.0 and 8.7-9.3, respectively. The pI of cationized IgG and Fab (cIgG and cFab) were both higher at 8.7, 10.3 and 9.5 -11, respectively. The affinity and specificity of both IgG and Fab were not modified by cationization. When HL 60 cells were incubated with the native or cationized 125I-BSA. -IgG and -Fab, the maximal cellular uptake of clgG and cFab was 3.2 and 2.4 times higher than that of nIgG and nFab at an extracellular concentration of 500 ng/ml. Results also indicated that the uptake was dose- and temperature-dependent suggesting absorptive-mediated endocytosis of cationized antibodies by HL 60 cells. Confocal microscopy analysis indicated that the cationized antibodies were present in the plasma membranes and cytoplasm of HL 60 cells. Finally, a study with bovine arterial endothelial monolayer cells showed that the transport of cIgG and cFab through the monolayer cells was 3.3- and 4.3-fold higher for 125I-cIgG and 125I-cFab than those of the corresponding native forms.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Biodynamics of the antigen-antibody reaction in vivo].

The success of the toxin neutralization by a specific antibody in a living system depends on multiple factors. First, the type of the actual available antibody structures (immunoglobulin G, Fab2 or Fab fragments) must be selected according to the toxin molecular weight: Fab is adapted to the neutralization of haptens, IgG and Fab2 to macromolecular toxins. Other factors involved in the success of immunotherapy are issued from the pharmacokinetic properties of the toxin: non reversible binding to the receptor, intracellular distribution of a macromolecular toxin are disadvantageous. Finally, the selection of the antibody dose according to its association constant value for the toxin allows to administer the optimal capacity of immunoneutralization. The control of all these factors inserted in the biodynamics of the living system contributes to the success of immunotherapy.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

PubMed1999

Time- and dose-dependent digoxin redistribution by digoxin-specific antigen binding fragments in a rat model.

To study the influence of the interval between digoxin intake and digoxin-specific antigen binding fragment (DSFab) administration, we developed a rat kinetic model. 3H-digoxin (0.77 nmol/kg) was injected by intravenous route and DSFab was injected at different times (12, 30 or 60 min) corresponding to different levels of 3H-digoxin distribution (50, 83 and 100%). The effect of increasing the molar DSFab/3H-digoxin ratio from 1 to 5 was also investigated. To evaluate DSFab effect on the 3H-digoxin pharmacokinetics, we also investigated the pharmacokinetics of the 125I-DSFab and DSFab-3H-digoxin complex. 3H-digoxin and DSFab-3H-digoxin complex pharmacokinetics showed that DSFab altered immunoreactive 3H-digoxin pharmacokinetics. In redistribution studies performed 12, 30 or 60 min after 3H-digoxin injection, DSFab bound immunoreactive 3H-digoxin including native 3H-digoxin and active metabolites of 3H-digoxin. This binding induced a redistribution process of immunoreactive 3H-digoxin in the DSFab distribution compartment and was evaluated by the redistribution fraction (F(R)). F(R) was 23% lower at 60 min than at 12 and 30 min, and by increasing the DSFab/3H-digoxin ratio from 1 to 5, F(R) increased by 60%. In conclusion, the longer the time interval between digoxin intake and DSFab administration, the lower the efficacy of the redistribution process. This effect could be reduced by increasing the DSFab dose.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Rapid determination of valaciclovir and acyclovir in human biological fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography using isocratic elution.

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with isocratic elution is developed for the simultaneous quantification of valaciclovir (VACV) prodrug and its active converted compound, acyclovir (ACV), in biological fluids of treated patients. For serum, the samples are deproteinized with perchloric acid in presence of 1-methylguanosine as the internal standard (IS). For urine and dialysis liquid, the samples are diluted with a mobile phase containing the IS, then filtered. VACV, ACV and the IS are separated on a SymmetryShield RP-8 column with acetonitrile-ammonium phosphate buffer as the mobile phase and detected at 254 nm. The chromatographic time is about 12 min. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of VACV and ACV standards are between 0.5 and 3.5%. Most endogenous nucleosides and their metabolites, psychotropic drugs and drugs of abuse are shown not to interfere with this technique. The method has been applied to study the pharmacokinetics of VACV and ACV in serum, dialysis liquid and urine of renal failure patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) under oral treatment of VACV.

Acyclovir↗