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Biomedical subjects

I Pastan

Publications and source records attributed to I Pastan.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Evaluation of a new DTPA-derivative chelator: comparative biodistribution and imaging studies of 111In-labeled B3 monoclonal antibody in athymic mice bearing human epidermoid carcinoma xenografts.

Biodistribution and imaging characteristics of monoclonal antibody (MAb) B3 conjugated to either the 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-cyclohexyl-DTPA (CHX-B) or 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-6-methyl-DTPA (1B4M) and labeled with 111In, were evaluated in nude mice bearing A431 human epidermoid carcinoma xenografts. MAb B3, is a murine IgG1k reacting with a carbohydrate antigen abundantly expressed by most carcinomas. Both 111In-(CHX-B)-B3 and 111In-(1B4M)-B3 showed good tumor targeting with peak values observed at 72 h with 27.6 +/- 7.6 and 25.4 +/- 1.7% ID/g, respectively (P > 0.05). High tumor-to-organ ratios were also observed and, confirmed by the imaging results. In particular, tumor-to-liver ratios increased from 5.0 +/- 0.9 at 24 h to 9.2 +/- 2.0 at 168 h for 111In-(CHX-B)-B3 and from 4.5 +/- 0.6 to 8.9 +/- 3.5 for 111In-(1B4M)-B3. This was mainly the result of low liver accumulation of both 111In-(CHX-B)-B3 and 111In-(1B4M)-B3, with only 2.48 +/- 0.46 and 2.5 +/- 0.9% ID/g at 168 h, respectively (P > 0.05). Our findings indicate that either CHX-B or 1B4M can be successfully used for 111In-labeling of MAbs and that 111In-B3 may represent a promising radioimmunoimaging agent.

Animals↗

Immunotoxins and recombinant toxins in the treatment of solid carcinomas.

Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in our society, and advanced disease is often refractory to surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiologic interventions. One novel approach to cancer treatment involves targeting a cytotoxic agent to a cancer cell. Immunotoxins have been developed that contain a potent toxin (either Pseudomonas exotoxin, ricin toxin, or diphtheria toxin) coupled to a targeting moiety that directs the molecule to cells expressing a certain antigen. Chemically coupled immunotoxins have been developed over the past 12 years. These bind to and kill cells expressing many tumor-associated antigens. Initial clinical results were disappointing, but recent results have been more promising. Furthermore, newer immunotoxins have been developed that will soon be in clinical trials. Some of these are recombinant toxins that have been developed using techniques of genetic engineering. Transforming growth factor-alpha, acidic fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, the binding portions of monoclonal antibodies, and CD4 have been used to direct toxins to cancer cells or cells infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Efforts are under way to circumvent problems such as immunogenicity that may limit the clinical usefulness of immunotoxins.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Pseudomonas exotoxin conjugated to monoclonal antibody MRK16 specifically kills multidrug resistant cells in cultured renal carcinomas and in MDR-transgenic mice.

Using renal carcinoma and prostate carcinoma cell lines, we investigated the concept of targeting and killing multidrug resistant cells in urogenital cancers. Renal carcinoma lines HTB44, 45, 46, and 47 expressed a relatively low, but detectable level of multidrug resistance (MDR)1 mRNA as indicated by Northern blot analysis, whereas prostate lines LNCaP and DU145 were found to be MDR1-negative. Anti-P-glycoprotein monoclonal antibody MRK16 was conjugated to Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) by a stable thioether bond. Treatment with MRK16-PE resulted in a dose-dependent killing of multidrug resistant renal carcinoma cells, while non-MDR expressing prostate carcinoma cells were not affected. Addition of excess MRK16 blocked the effect of MRK16-PE. Furthermore, MOPC-PE, a non-MDR associated monoclonal antibody control conjugate, did not target and kill multidrug resistant renal carcinoma cells. Having established that MRK16-PE was active against and specific for multidrug resistant cells in culture, we also tested bioactivity in MDR-transgenic mice, whose bone marrow cells express the human MDR1 gene at a level approximately equal to that found in many human cancers. Again, MRK16-PE killed multidrug resistant bone marrow cells with high efficiency in an intact animal, and killing was blocked by unconjugated MRK16.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

A recombinant form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A containing transforming growth factor alpha near its carboxyl terminus for the treatment of bladder cancer.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed on the superficial layers of malignant urothelium and is suspected of playing a role in tumor progression. TP40 is a chimeric protein composed of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) fused to a modified form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) that is selectively cytotoxic to EGFR-bearing cells and is currently undergoing clinical study for the intravesical therapy of bladder cancer. We constructed a recombinant toxin PE35/TGF alpha-KDEL as an improved agent for the local therapy of EGFR-bearing bladder cancer. PE35/TGF alpha-KDEL does not require intracellular proteolysis to generate a carboxyl-terminal fragment capable of reaching the target cell cytosol and contains a modified carboxyl-terminal sequence KDEL, that increases toxin activity. These features make PE35/TGF alpha-KDEL from 10- to 700-fold more potent than TP40 on four human bladder cancer cell lines. PE35/TGF alpha-KDEL may be a useful agent for treatment of EGFR-bearing cancers.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Function and regulation of the human multidrug resistance gene.

The discovery of an energy-dependent pump system for natural product anticancer drugs has important implications for the biology of related energy-dependent transport systems as well as for the treatment of human cancer. To fully realize the therapeutic potential associated with manipulation of the multidrug transporter, it will be necessary to understand the mechanisms of action of the transporter and its mode of regulation. This review has summarized recent developments in these areas which suggest that both the activity of the pump and its genetic regulation are potential targets for new anticancer therapies.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Cytotoxic effects of vascular smooth muscle cells of the chimeric toxin, heparin binding TGF alpha-Pseudomonas exotoxin.

OBJECTIVE: Smooth muscle cell proliferation appears to be very important in restenosis after angioplasty. A chimeric toxin created by genetically fusing the gene encoding TGF alpha (targets the EGF receptor) to the gene encoding Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) preferentially kills rapidly proliferating smooth muscle cells. Recently, a heparin binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has been identified. The HB domain enhances the mitogenic activity for smooth muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to design a new chimeric toxin, having both heparin binding and EGF receptor binding function, and to determine whether it is more cytotoxic to smooth muscle cells. METHODS: By recombinant DNA techniques, a new chimeric toxin, HB-TGF alpha-PE4EKDEL, was synthesised. Cytotoxic assays were performed by assessing the capacity to inhibit protein synthesis of rat vascular smooth muscle cells. RESULTS: The toxin preferentially killed rapidly proliferating smooth muscle cells (p < 0.025). The HB domain increased the cytotoxicity of the molecule when compared to the other chimeric toxins tested against smooth muscle cells. The cytotoxic effect of the new molecule was significantly decreased by exogenously added heparin (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a heparin binding domain increases the smooth muscle cell cytotoxicity of the TGF alpha fusion toxin, perhaps because HB-TGF alpha-PE4EKDEL functions as a molecule with two ligands. It will be important to determine whether the greater smooth muscle cell cytotoxicity that exists in vitro will facilitate the specific targeting and killing of rapidly proliferating cells in vivo.

Animals↗

Laboratory and clinical evaluation of conjugate vaccines composed of Staphylococcus aureus type 5 and type 8 capsular polysaccharides bound to Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant exoprotein A.

The synthesis, standardization, and immunogenicity in young outbred mice and clinical evaluation in adult volunteers of investigational vaccines designed to induce serum antibodies to the type 5 and type 8 capsular polysaccharides (CPs) of Staphylococcus aureus are described. Conjugates composed of the type 5 CP and a sonicated preparation of a high-molecular-weight type 8 CP bound to a nontoxic recombinant protein derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (rEPA) were synthesized. The conjugates were nontoxic and elicited serum CP antibodies after two subcutaneous injections into young outbred mice; a third injection elicited a booster response. The lower-molecular-weight type 8 CP was not immunogenic in the mice, and the high-molecular-weight type 8 CP elicited low levels of antibodies without a booster effect. In the volunteers, neither the conjugates nor the type 8 CP alone caused significant local reactions or fever. The conjugates elicited type-specific antibodies of both the immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG classes after the first injection; a second injection 6 weeks later did not stimulate a booster effect. The high-molecular-weight type 8 CP alone, injected once only, elicited levels of IgG and IgM type-specific antibodies similar to those of the conjugate. The vaccine-induced CP antibodies were mostly of the IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses and had opsonophagocytic activity. The conjugates elicited IgG antibodies to the native exotoxin A with neutralizing activity. In summary, the type 5 and type 8 conjugates were safe and elicited biologically active antibodies to both the CP and rEPA components.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of growth factor-toxin fusion proteins on human glioblastoma multiforme cells.

The prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme remains poor despite advances in treatment by surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy. Many malignant gliomas overexpress growth factor receptors. The possibility of targeting these receptors with selective cytotoxic molecules constructed by fusing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-encoding mutant forms of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) with complementary DNA-encoding growth factors was investigated. Several recombinant toxins have been produced, including those in which transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) were fused to mutant forms of PE lacking the native cell-binding domain. These recombinant proteins are cytotoxic to cells that express specific cell-surface receptors. The cytotoxic activity of TGF-alpha, IGF-I, and acidic FGF chimeric toxins was tested in vitro against human glioblastoma cell lines. Each recombinant toxin exhibited potent and specific killing of cells. The TGF-alpha-PE40 construct was cytotoxic to seven of the eight cell lines and was active at concentrations as low as 0.5 ng/ml (1.1 x 10(-11) M). The acidic FGF-PE40 toxin was also active on seven of the eight cell lines but was 50-fold less active than the TGF-alpha-PE40. The IGF-I-PE40 construct was active on only two cell lines. To determine the possible therapeutic effect in animals, TGF-alpha-PE40 was administered to nude mice bearing subcutaneous human glioblastoma xenografts. The animals were treated for 7 days via a continuous infusion pump placed in the peritoneal cavity. A constant serum level of TGF-alpha-PE40 was achieved that was nontoxic to the mice yet caused a reduction in tumor volume and retarded growth beyond the treatment period. The overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor in glioblastomas multiforme and the potency and specificity of the TGF-alpha-PE40 construct designed to target this receptor suggests that TGF-alpha-PE40 has the potential to be an effective antitumor agent for the adjuvant therapy of these carcinomas.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

[Gene cloning, expression of fusion protein TGF alpha-PE 40 and its inhibition activity on cancer cell growth].

Recombinant plasmid pYX382 and pYX3825 were constructed by fusing the cDNA encoding transforming growth factor type alpha (TGF alpha) to Pseudomonas exotoxin gene (PE) in which the cell recognition domain was deleted. The chimeric proteins produced by host E. Coli cells BL21 transformed by plasmid pYX382 and pYX3825 are termed TGF alpha-PE 40 which reacts with antibody against TGF alpha or antibody against PE in immunoblotting to show a 46 kd protein band reflecting the fusion of 56 kD TGF alpha peptide and 40 kD truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin molecule. An additional signal sequence OmpA was inserted into upstream region of TGF alpha cDNA in plasmid pYX3825 resulting in the partly secreting of expression product into medium and periplasm of the cells. TGF alpha-PE 40 was purified from medium by MONO Q ion exchange column and TSK 250 gel filtration column attached to Pharmacia EPLC system. The TGF alpha-PE 40 molecules showed a very strong activities inhibiting the protein synthesis and killing the cancer cells overexpressing EGF receptor on the cell surface.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Cytotoxic activities of recombinant immunotoxins composed of Pseudomonas toxin or diphtheria toxin toward lymphocytes from patients with adult T-cell leukemia.

We have previously shown that the recombinant single-chain immunotoxin anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40, composed of the variable domains of the anti-Tac monoclonal antibody in a single-chain form joined to a derivative of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE), is cytotoxic toward malignant cells from adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) patients. Using this assay, we have now compared the activity of anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40 with that of an improved version, anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40KDEL which contains an altered carboxyl terminus, and also with two chimeric toxins made with diphtheria toxin (DT). One of these is a fusion of amino acids 1-388 of DT with anti-Tac(Fv) and is termed DT388-anti-Tac(Fv). The other, DT388-IL2, contains interleukin 2 (IL2) at the carboxyl terminus of the same DT derivative. We incubated these toxins with malignant ATL peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for 1-3 days and then measured [3H]leucine incorporation. We found that anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40KDEL was the most cytotoxic agent and was followed in decreasing order of activity by anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40, DT388-anti-Tac(Fv), and finally DT388-IL2. Trypan blue staining showed that inhibition of protein synthesis correlated with cell death. Time course studies showed that the recombinant toxins containing anti-Tac(Fv) were cytotoxic even if exposed to the cells for only one hour. After intravenous injection into mice, the half-life of anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40 or anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40KDEL was 30 minutes. Normal PBMCs were resistant to all four toxins. Recombinant immunotoxins made with anti-Tac merit further study as potential reagents in the treatment of ATL.

Adult↗

GC factor represses transcription of several growth factor/receptor genes and causes growth inhibition of human gastric carcinoma cell lines.

The GC factor (GCF) binds to specific GC-rich sequences in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene promoter and represses its transcription. In this study, by the use of GCF transfection, we examined whether GCF represses the gene expression of several other growth factors and receptors and causes growth inhibition of cancer cells. The transfection of GCF expression vector into gastric carcinoma cell lines (TMK-1 and MKN-28) decreased the mRNA levels of transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha, insulin-like growth factor II, and c-met. The reduction of TGF-alpha expression was confirmed at the protein level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transfection of GCF expression vector interfered with the mRNA accumulation for EGFR and TGF-beta induced by epidermal growth factor in gastric carcinoma cell lines. The carcinoma cells transfected with GCF expression vector did not grow in a serum-free medium, whereas the control cells did grow under serum-free conditions. When the growth of the gastric carcinoma cell lines was studied in nude mice, GCF-transfected carcinoma cells showed a significantly slower growth compared to the control tumor. Transient cotransfection analysis with NIH3T3 cells revealed that GCF repressed the promoter activity of TGF-alpha in addition to EGFR. These findings indicate that GCF negatively regulates gene expression of not only the EGFR but also several other growth factor and receptor genes and can inhibit the growth of gastric carcinomas in immunodeficient mice.

Animals↗

Transfer and expression of the human multidrug resistance gene in mouse erythroleukemia cells.

Gene therapy in humans requires the transplantation of genetically modified cells, and it is important to select only those cells capable of expressing high levels of protein from the transferred gene. Expression of the human multiple drug resistance (MDR) gene confers resistance to a variety of compounds in vitro and in vivo. To determine the feasibility of conferring recipient erythroid cells with the MDR phenotype, we have transduced mouse erythroleukemia cells (MELC) with the MDR gene in a retroviral vector. We show here that MELC clones resistant to exposure to colchicine (an MDR-responsive agent) can be isolated, and demonstrate high levels of MDR RNA and protein expression. Increasing doses of colchicine increase the level of MDR RNA and protein expression significantly. These results indicate that it is possible to transfer and express the human MDR phenotype in mouse erythroid cells by retrovirally mediated gene transfer, and that drug selection can be used to enrich or purify populations of cells containing and expressing this gene.

3T3 Cells↗

Identification of residues in the first cytoplasmic loop of P-glycoprotein involved in the function of chimeric human MDR1-MDR2 transporters.

The human MDR1 gene encodes the multidrug transporter (P-glycoprotein), a multidrug efflux pump. The highly homologous MDR2 gene product does not appear to be a functional multidrug pump. We have constructed a chimeric protein in which the first intracytoplasmic loop and the third and fourth transmembrane domains of the MDR1 protein were replaced by the analogous region of MDR2. Substitution of the MDR2 sequences encompassing amino acid residues 140 to 229 resulted in 17 amino acid changes, 10 in the intracytoplasmic loop (amino acids 141-188) and 7 in the transmembrane regions. This chimeric protein was expressed on the surface of NIH 3T3 cells where it bound [3H]azidopine but did not confer drug resistance. When only 4 residues, 165, 166, 168, and 169, were changed back to MDR1 amino acids, a functional drug transporter was recovered. When residues 165, 166, 168, and 169 from MDR2 were substituted into a functional MDR1 cDNA, the resulting construction was not able to confer drug resistance. These results indicate that the major functional differences between MDR1 and MDR2 in this region of P-glycoprotein reside in a small segment of the first intracytoplasmic loop. We also independently analyzed the effect of replacing Asn183 of MDR1 with Ser which occurs in MDR2. Substitution of Ser at position 183 in combination with Val at position 185 in P-glycoprotein resulted in a relative increase in resistance to actinomycin D, vinblastine, and doxorubicin in transfected NIH 3T3 cells. These results emphasize the importance of the first intracytoplasmic loop in P-glycoprotein in determining function and relative drug specificity of the transporter.

3T3 Cells↗

Cell-mediated cleavage of Pseudomonas exotoxin between Arg279 and Gly280 generates the enzymatically active fragment which translocates to the cytosol.

Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) is a three-domain toxin which is cleaved by a cellular protease within cells and then reduced to generate two prominent fragments (Ogata, M., Chaudhary, V. K., Pastan, I., and FitzGerald, D. J. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 20678-20685). The N-terminal fragment is 28 kDa in size and contains the binding domain. The 37-kDa C-terminal fragment, which translocates to the cytosol, contains the translocation domain and the ADP-ribosylation domain. Cleavage followed by reduction is essential for toxicity since mutant forms of the toxin that cannot be cleaved by cells are nontoxic. Previous results with these mutants suggest that cleavage occurred in an arginine-rich (arginine residues are at positions 274, 276, and 279) disulfide loop near the beginning of the translocation domain, but the exact site of cleavage was not determined. Since very few molecules of the 37-kDa fragment are generated within cells it was not possible to determine the site of cleavage by performing a conventional N-terminal sequence analysis of the 37-kDa fragment. Two experimental approaches were used to overcome this limitation. First, existing amino acids near the cleavage sites were replaced with methionine residues; this was followed by the addition of [35S]methionine-labeled versions of these toxins to cells. The pattern of radioactive toxin fragments recovered from the cells indicated that the toxin was cleaved either just before or just after Arg279. Second, [3H]leucine-labeled toxin was produced and added to the cells. Sequential Edman degradations were performed on the small amount of radioactive 37-kDa fragment that could be recovered from toxin-treated cells. A peak of radioactivity in the fifth fraction indicated that leucine was the 5th amino acid on the C-terminal side of the cleavage site. This result confirmed that cleavage was between Arg279 and Gly280.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Alanine scanning mutagenesis identifies surface amino acids on domain II of Pseudomonas exotoxin required for cytotoxicity, proper folding, and secretion into periplasm.

Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) is a single polypeptide chain that contains 613 amino acids and is arranged into three major structural domains. Domain Ia is responsible for cell recognition, domain II for translocation of PE across the membrane, and domain III for ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor 2. Recombinant PE can be produced in Escherichia coli and is efficiently secreted into the periplasm when an OmpA signal sequence is present. To investigate the role of the amino acids located on the surface of domain II in the action of the toxin against mammalian cells, we substituted alanine for each of the 27 surface amino acids present in domain II. Surprisingly, all 27 mutant proteins had some alteration in cytotoxicity when tested on human A431 or MCF7 cells or mouse L929 cells. Native PE has a compact structure and therefore is relatively protease resistant and very little ADP-ribosylation activity is detected in the absence of the denaturing agents like urea and dithiothreitol. Several of the mutations resulted in altered protease sensitivity of the toxin. Seven of the mutant molecules exhibited ADP-ribosylation activity without urea and dithiothreitol, indicating they are partially unfolded. Out of these seven mutants, six had increased cytotoxic activity on at least one of the target cell lines and the other retained its native cytotoxic potency.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Recombinant toxins containing the variable domains of the anti-Tac monoclonal antibody to the interleukin-2 receptor kill malignant cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We have previously shown that the variable domains of the monoclonal antibody anti-Tac [anti-Tac(Fv)] can be fused to derivatives of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) or diphtheria toxin (DT) to produce recombinant immunotoxins that kill interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor-bearing cells. We now report that two of these single-chain recombinant immunotoxins, anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40KDEL and DT388-anti-Tac(Fv), are cytotoxic toward peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40KDEL, anti-Tac(Fv) is genetically fused to the amino terminus of PE40KDEL, a recombinant form of PE which contains amino acids 253-608 of PE and the -KDEL mutation at the carboxyl terminus. In DT388-anti-Tac(Fv), anti-Tac(Fv) is fused to the carboxyl terminus of the first 388 amino acids of DT. PBMCs from 14 patients were incubated with the recombinant toxins for 60 hours, and [3H]-leucine incorporation was measured. Anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40KDEL was cytotoxic to 7 of the 14 patient samples, with half-maximal inhibition of protein synthesis (IC50) achieved at 1.2 to 9 ng/mL (1.8 to 13 x 10(-11) mol/L). DT388-anti-Tac(Fv) was cytotoxic to 11 of the 14 samples, with IC50s ranging from less than 1 to 250 ng/mL. DT388-IL-2, in which the first 388 amino acids of DT are attached to IL-2, was marginally cytotoxic toward only 4 of 13 CLL samples tested with IC50s ranging from 100 to 550 ng/mL. Trypan blue staining of cells from several patients indicated that inhibition of protein synthesis correlated with cell death. Binding assays using [3H]-anti-Tac indicated that the CLL cells from nine of the patients contained between 400 and 2,500 sites per cell. Cells from another patient, which were resistant to both anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40KDEL and DT388-anti-Tac(Fv), had less than 100 sites per cell. We conclude that anti-Tac(Fv)-PE40KDEL and DT388-anti-Tac(Fv) can kill CLL cells which have low numbers of IL-2 receptors, and should be investigated further for therapy of this disease.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗