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Biomedical subjects

P Midoux

Publications and source records attributed to P Midoux.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The binding of monosaccharides to wheat germ agglutinin: fluorescence and NMR investigations.

The synthesis of N-acetyl- and N-trifluoroacetyl-glucosaminides was reported. The interaction of these compounds with wheat germ agglutinin, a plant lectin specific for N-acetyl-glucosamine and sialic acid, was investigated by two complementary approaches: 1H and 19F NMR, and fluorescence spectroscopy. This last technique relies on the existence of a competitive equilibrium involving the protein, the ligand and O-(methylumbelliferyl)-N-acetyl-glucosaminide, a fluorescent saccharide. The binding constants and the chemical shifts in the complex were determined and were related to the protein structure.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Tumor localization of Lewis lung carcinoma with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies.

Mouse 6D6 IgG2a and 5B5 IgM monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind murine lung carcinoma cells (3LL cells) were injected to healthy and tumor-bearing mice. In vivo localization was analyzed by counting the tissue radioactivity and by external gamma ray scintigraphy at various times after IV injection of 125I- or 131I-labeled antibodies. The clearance of the two monoclonal antibodies was not modified by the presence of the tumor, and the 6D6 IgG2a was cleared at a rate slower than the 5B5 IgM. Both antibodies gave a high specific uptake at the tumor level; the tumor-to-healthy tissue ratios were higher with the 6D6 IgG2a than the 5B5 IgM; unspecific mouse immunoglobulins (IgG2) did not localize in the tumor. The amount of 6D6 IgG2a antibody still associated with the tumor after 2 days following IV injection was 10 times higher than that of 5B5 IgM, and was still high enough to localize the tumor after 5 days. Imaging experiments confirmed the ability of 6D6 IgG2a to detect the presence of tumor cells. The targeting kinetics determined by computer analysis of camera images indicated a rapid targeting of antibodies in tumor with a maximal concentration after 4-6 h; after 48 h the background was quite low and the 6D6 IgG2a appeared to be specifically localized in the tumor.

Animals↗

Selective macrophage activation by muramyldipeptide bound to monoclonal antibodies specific for mouse tumor cells.

IgM monoclonal antibodies directed against tumor cells which do not mediate antibody-dependent macrophage cytotoxicity (ADMC) even when they are cytotoxic in the presence of complement, have been shown to render macrophages tumoricidal when they carry an immunomodulating agent, i.e., muramyldipeptide (MDP). This statement is based on experiments using two IgM monoclonal antibodies selected for their ability to bind L1210 leukemia cells (F2-10-23-IgM) and 3LL Lewis lung carcinoma cells (6B6-IgM) specifically, as shown by flow cytofluorometry analysis. The MDP-IgM conjugates, containing 45 MDP molecules per IgM molecule, were prepared by allowing MDP-hydroxy-succinimide ester to react with IgM monoclonal antibodies. The MDP-IgM conjugates are shown to bind to relevant tumor cells and to induce the activation of thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal mouse macrophages leading to 80% growth inhibition of target cells at optimum concentrations of bound MDP. These concentrations of bound MDP were 10 times lower than the concentration of free MDP, giving a maximum activation that is limited to 20% growth inhibition. No macrophage activation was evidenced when tumor cells were incubated in the presence of irrelevant MDP-IgM conjugates and macrophages or when macrophages were preincubated in the presence of MDP-IgM conjugates and then incubated in the presence of relevant or irrelevant tumor cells but in the absence of the MDP-IgM conjugates. The reported results are discussed with reference to the mechanism of activation of macrophage by muramyldipeptide and to the usefulness of such MDP-IgM conjugates as potential antitumor agents in cancer therapy.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Monoclonal antibodies (IgM) against a murine carcinoma, Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL): production, purification and in vitro selectivity.

C57BL/6 mice were immunized against a syngeneic murine carcinoma, Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL). Monoclonal antibodies were prepared by fusing spleen cells of immunized mice with SP2-O-Ag mouse myeloma cells. Hybridoma clones producing anti-3LL antibodies were selected on the basis of a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Two clones were selected and subcloned to give the 5B5 and the 6B6 hybrid lines which were found to secrete IgM monoclonal antibodies. Large quantities of monoclonal antibodies were purified from ascitic fluids by gel filtration chromatography. Specificities of these antibodies were tested on 3LL tumor cells, 3LL metastases, lymphoid cells and leukemic L1210 cells. The 5B5 IgM monoclonal antibody was found to be selectively directed against primary tumor cells and metastatic cells.

Animals↗

Uptake of neoglycoproteins via membrane lectin(s) of L1210 cells evidenced by quantitative flow cytofluorometry and drug targeting.

The presence and the sugar specificity of membrane lectins on the cell surface of mouse L1210 leukemia cells were demonstrated by using various neoglycoproteins (glycosylated serum albumin) substituted with fluorescein or methotrexate. Neoglycoproteins were prepared by reaction of glycosidophenylisothiocyanates with bovine serum albumin. The binding of neoglycoproteins to L1210 cells depends on the nature of the carried sugar and on the number of bound sugar residues per neoglycoprotein molecule. The best results were obtained with fucosylated serum albumin containing 25 +/- 5 residues of fucose. The amount of cell-associated fluorescein-labeled neoglycoproteins was several fold higher at 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C suggesting a specific endocytotic process. The membrane lectin-mediated endocytosis was further demonstrated by showing that the cell-associated fluorescence upon cell incubation in the presence of fluorescein-labeled neoglycoproteins at 37 degrees C increased several fold after addition of monensin, a proton/sodium ionophore known to raise the pH of endosomes and lysosomes. The analysis of fluorescein-labeled neoglycoproteins association to the L1210 cells were achieved by quantitative flow cytofluorometry after standardization with calibrated polystyrene sulfonate beads carrying various amounts of 1-(fluoresceinylthioureido)-4,8-diazalicosane. In addition, the cytotoxicity of neoglycoprotein-bound methotrexate was shown to be related to the presence and to the nature of the carried sugar: fucosylated serum albumin was shown to be the most efficient neoglycoprotein carrier, and to have a cytotoxicity close to that of anti L1210 cell IgM monoclonal antibody carrying methotrexate.

Animals↗

Protein-sugar interactions: environmental effect on the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glycosides.

We have investigated the effect of 12 solvents and several amino acids on the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glycosides. We showed that: i) the fluorescence quenching is not related to the dielectric constant of the solvents: the fluorescence intensity was maximal in water (d = 80) and in acetic acid (d = 6.2) and was at least ten times lower in acetone (d = 21) and in dioxane (d = 2.2); ii) the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminide is not quenched in the presence of various amino acids including arginine, asparagine, aspartate, histidine, leucine, phenylalanine and proline; iii) the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glycoside is quenched by sulfur, phenol and indole amino acids or derivatives containing sulfur, phenol or indole groups. The changes in fluorescence intensities of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glycosides upon binding to concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin and lysozyme are discussed with regard to the amino acid content of their binding sites.

Amino Acids↗

Sugar-specific endocytosis of glycoproteins by Lewis lung carcinoma cells.

Lewis lung carcinoma cells from tumors, metastasis nodules, or from culture bind fluorescent derivatives of neoglycoproteins containing alpha-D-glucose residues: This binding is competitively inhibited by neoglycoproteins containing alpha-D-glucose, by mannan, and by several other neoglycoproteins. Cell binding and uptake of the fluorescent derivatives of the neoglycoproteins was quantified by lysing the cells with an alkylpolyol (MAC 19 or MAC 18) and measuring the fluorescence intensity of the supernatant. The amount of cell-associated neoglycoprotein was higher at 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C with LLC from tumor. The binding and uptake were inhibited by glycoconjugates containing alpha-D-glucose. These results suggest the presence of sugar specific receptors in Lewis lung carcinoma cells which are involved in a sugar-specific binding and endocytosis phenomenon. The implication of the existence of a carbohydrate-binding protein on the surface of Lewis lung carcinoma cells are discussed with regard to the in vivo behaviour of these cells, especially in relation to their metastatic properties and to the possibility of using neoglycoproteins as specific carriers of cytotoxic drugs. Hybrid molecules of gelonin and neoglycoprotein containing alpha-D-glucose were used as targetted toxin: The targetted toxin was found to bind to and to enter the intact cells and was 100 times more toxic than free drug.

Animals↗

Glycofection in the presence of anionic fusogenic peptides: a study of the parameters affecting the peptide-mediated enhancement of the transfection efficiency.

Gene delivery mediated by polyplexes such as DNA complexed with polylysine conjugates is limited by the low efficiency of escape of DNA from the endosomes. One of the strategies which favors the transmembrane passage of polyplexes consists of adding anionic amphipathic peptides capable of destabilizing membranes in an acidic medium. Although less efficient than replication-defective adenoviruses, fusogenic peptides increase the expression of the reporter gene by a factor between 100 and 1000 depending on the cell line. However, the activity of a given peptide depends on the composition of the lipid bilayer. We were interested in developing a polyplex (glycoplex) formulation comprising a glycosylated polylysine, a fusogenic peptide and a plasmid which would be useful for efficient transfection (glycofection) of a large panel of cells, even in the presence of serum. We synthesized several peptides and tested their efficiency in combination with different glycoplex formulations. We found that glycofection with a quaternary complex (called one pot formulation) made of lactosylated-polylysine, polylysine, DNA, and the dimeric peptide (E5-WYGG)2-KA was less cell-type dependent than other peptide-based formulations. In addition, its efficiency was not affected by the presence of serum (up to 20%).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Histidylated polylysine as a synthetic vector for gene transfer into immortalized cystic fibrosis airway surface and airway gland serous cells.

BACKGROUND: We recently designed a cationic polymer called histidylated polylysine made of polylysine partially substituted with histidyl residues which become protonated at slightly acidic pH. This polymer is thought to induce the leakage of acidic vesicles containing plasmid/histidylated polylysine complexes. METHODS: and results Here, we have analyzed the ability of histidylated polylysine to transfer reporter or CFTR genes into immortalized cystic fibrosis airway surface epithelial cells (sigmaCFTE29o- cells) and airway gland serous cells (CF-KM4 cells) which are both important targets for cystic fibrosis gene therapy. The luciferase reporter gene expression measured after gene transfer with histidylated polylysine into both cell lines was quite high and similar to that obtained with commercially available vectors. In addition, the level of expression was not dependent on the presence of a membrane disrupting agent such as chloroquine. Histidylated complexes were present in slightly acidic non-lysosomal cellular compartments as shown by a cytological approach using biotinylated plasmid, lysosome-specific antibodies and confocal microscopy. Histidylated complexes appeared to be of small size when prepared at low ionic strength and formed aggregates upon increasing the ionic strength. However, aggregate formation was prevented by the addition of 10% fetal bovine serum. Gene transfer efficiency varied with the size of the complexes and decreased when small particles were used. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that histidylated polylysine may be an efficient non-viral vector for gene transfer into cystic fibrosis airway surface epithelial cells and airway gland serous cells.

Animals↗

Endocytosis mediated by monocyte and macrophage membrane lectins--application to antiviral drug targeting.

Sugar receptors, or membrane lectins, have been evidenced at the surface of various normal and tumour cells using fluoresceinylated neoglycoproteins (glycosylated bovine serum albumin (BSA]. By flow cytometry we have shown that macrophages bind and internalize mannosylated and 6-phosphomannosylated ligands in acidic compartments. Freshly isolated monocytes and U937, a promonocytic cell line, lack a mannose-specific receptor, but express mannose-6-phosphate (Man-6P) membrane lectin. Neoglycoproteins are potent drug carriers: muramyl dipeptide (MDP), an immunoactivator, when bound to Man-BSA or Man-6P-BSA, is 100 times more efficient than free MDP in activating macrophages; in vivo, it enables eradication of lung metastases in mice. Recently, neutral glycosylated biodegradable and nonimmunogenic polymers, were synthesized and found to be as efficient as neoglycoproteins. Antiviral drug conjugates were more active than the free drug, inhibiting the multiplication of virus (herpes) in human macrophages in vitro.

Animals↗

Cellular vaccines.

This project is devoted to the development of novel cellular vaccines designed to treat cancer patients. These cellular vaccines present and enhance immunogens, which will elicit a potent immune response. The goal is to achieve safe and effective immune reaction against the patient's own tumour. (1) Autologous cellular vaccines are prepared by processing circulating blood mononuclear cells outside of the patient's body (ex vivo) to differentiate them into antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Monocyte-derived APCs (MD-APCs) are then grown in the presence of exogenous target antigens (tumour cell debris, or apoptotic bodies) to become fully mature APCs. (2) Functionality for antigen presentation to T cells of ex vivo MD-APCs is evaluated in vivo. (3) Cellular vaccines are tested in selected rodent animal models. Efficiency and immune response are monitored in pertinent experimental systems for cancer. Pharmacological data are generated for clinical investigation. Tolerance and biologic effects are documented in primates. (4) The first clinical trials on cancer patients are taking place in 1998 on melanoma and prostate cancer to validate the concept. Specialized cell processors with dedicated software and standardized controls are being developed and used for the preparation of cellular vaccines. (5) The evaluation of new non-viral vectors and the validation of new non-viral transfection methods of mononuclear cells with marker genes is in progress and will lead to the ex vivo transfection of genes coding for immunostimulating cytokines or for tumour antigens in MD-APCs. Efficiency will be validated in vitro and in animal models. The ex vivo and animal model studies validate the clinical relevance of this new cellular immunotechnology. Clinical validation of individual autologous cellular vaccines in specific indications for which no treatment is presently available will allow the development of cellular and gene immunotherapy for other types of cancers.

Animals↗

Histidylated polylysine as DNA vector: elevation of the imidazole protonation and reduced cellular uptake without change in the polyfection efficiency of serum stabilized negative polyplexes.

We have reported that polylysine substituted with histidyl residues (His) was suited to make complexes with plasmid DNA (pDNA) and to transfect cells in vitro in the presence of serum. The present study was performed to determine whether the acetylation of the alpha-amino group of histidyl residues (AcHis) had an influence on the size and the charge of polyplexes and on their transfection efficiency. We found that the presence of free alpha-amino groups allowed the formation of smaller polyplexes but did not modify the zeta potential of +17 mV. At a physiological salt concentration, the adsorption of many serum proteins on His- and AcHis-polyplexes reduced their size below 100 nm, inhibited their aggregation, and reversed their zeta potential to -25 mV. The acetylation of the alpha-amino groups reduced slightly the adsorption of serum proteins. The presence of the alpha-amino groups increased the pK of the imidazole protonation of histidine bound to polylysine from pH 5.8 to 6.9; in addition, the protonation was further elevated in the presence of pDNA. Serum stabilized negative histidylated polyplexes were less taken up by cells but their transfection efficiency did not decrease; depending on the cell line, His-polyplexes were more efficient than AcHis-polyplexes. The results indicate that (i) the alpha-amino groups of histidyl residues bound to polylysine favorably influence the size and the transfection efficiency of polyplexes, (ii) the alpha-amino groups also elevate the imidazole protonation of His-polyplexes, which is suited to destabilize the membrane of early endocytic vesicles in order to favor pDNA delivery in the cytosol, and (iii) the absorption of selective serum proteins on His-polyplexes could be a way for in vivo gene targeting.

Gene Transfer Techniques↗

Production of macrophage-derived cytotoxic factor by N-[3-[(carbamoylmethyl)thio]propionylated] neoglycoproteins.

6-Phosphomannosylated bovine serum albumin (Man6P-BSA), a neoglycoprotein endocytosed by macrophages, bearing either 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionyl or 3-[(carbamoylmethyl)thio]propionyl residues coming from alkylation of thiol residues by iodoacetamide were prepared and tested for their immunomodulator properties. The supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages incubated with Man6P-BSA bearing 3-[(carbamoylmethyl)thio]propionyl groups, and by a lesser extent 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionyl groups, were cytotoxic to L929 cells, suggesting the presence of a tumor necrosis factor like compound. This macrophage-activation process is linked to the capacity of Man6P-BSA to be endocytosed via membrane lectins of macrophages, because the supernatants of macrophages incubated with unglycosylated conjugates were not cytotoxic. The cytotoxic activity induced by 3-[(carbamoylmethyl)thio]propionyl groups bound onto Man6P-BSA was similar to that induced by Man6P-BSA bearing muramyl dipeptide, indicating that endocytosed neoglycoproteins bearing 3-[(carbamoylmethyl)thio]propionyl residues are potent macrophage activators.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Activation of mouse macrophages by muramyl dipeptide coupled with an anti-macrophage monoclonal antibody.

A rat IgG2a monoclonal antibody (mAb3A33) directed against the mouse Mac-1 antigen was conjugated with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) by using an intermediate polymer; under such conditions 75 MDP molecules were bound to one antibody molecule. A poly(L-lysine) polymer substituted with muramyl dipeptide and 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionyl residues were prepared, the remaining lysine epsilon-amino groups were acylated with D-gluconolactone, leading to a neutral polymer; then a few polymer conjugates were coupled to mAb3A33 via a disulfide bridge. The binding capacity of the monoclonal antibody was preserved after conjugation with MDP-polymer molecules. Mouse peritoneal macrophages, incubated for 24 h with MDP-mAb3A33 conjugate became cytostatic against P815 mastocytoma cells, whereas unconjugated mAb3A33 and MDP-bound to a nonspecific rat IgG2a were ineffective. An enhancement of the cytostatic activity induced by MDP-mAb3A33 conjugate was obtained in the presence of gamma-IFN. These results show that several tens of MDP molecules can be linked to a macrophage-specific monoclonal antibody by using a neutral intermediate polymer without impairing the binding antibody capacity and that this type of MDP conjugate can efficiently activate macrophages and therefore could be the basis of the development of new antitumor therapy.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Uptake by macrophages of a biotinylated oligo-alpha-deoxythymidylate by using mannosylated streptavidin.

Streptavidin substituted with mannose residues increased by 20-fold the intracellular concentration of a biotinylated dodecakis(alpha-deoxythymidylate) in macrophages by comparison with the uptake of free oligodeoxynucleotide. Streptavidin, the bacterial homologue of the very basic avidin, which does not contain any carbohydrate moieties and is a neutral protein, was substituted with 12 mannose residues in order to be recognized and internalized by mannose-specific lectins on the surface of macrophages. A 3'-biotinylated and 5'-fluoresceinylated dodecakis (alpha-deoxythymidylate) was synthesized and bound onto mannosylated streptavidin. The conjugate was isolated, and by using flow cytometry, it was shown that the uptake of fluoresceinylated oligodeoxynucleotides bound to mannosylated streptavidin by macrophages is 20-fold higher than that of free oligodeoxynucleotides and that the uptake was competively inhibited by mannosylated serum albumin. Glycosylated streptavidin conjugates recognizing specific membrane lectins on different cells provide the possibility to target biotinylated antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and to increase the biological effect of these chemotherapeutic agents.

Animals↗

Glycosylated polylysine/DNA complexes: gene transfer efficiency in relation with the size and the sugar substitution level of glycosylated polylysines and with the plasmid size.

A DNA delivery system based on the use of polylysine substituted with small recognition signals, such as carbohydrate moieties specifically recognized by membrane lectins present in a given cell line, has been developed [Midoux et al. (1993) Nucleic Acids Res. 21, 871-878]. Human hepatoma (HepG2) cells which express a galactose-specific membrane lectin are efficiently transfected in the presence of chloroquine with pSV2Luc plasmid complexed with a lactosylated polylysine. The optimization of the parameters involved in the formation of DNA/glycosylated polylysine complexes leads to the following conclusions: a high gene transfer efficiency is reached when (i) DNA/glycosylated polylysine complexes are completely retarded when subjected to electrophoresis and when (ii) 31 +/- 4% or 40 +/- 8% of the amino groups of a polylysine having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 190 are substituted with lactosyl or beta-D-galactosyl residues, respectively. In addition, carbohydrate residues bound to polylysine decrease the electrostatic strength between plasmid DNA and glycosylated polylysine, suggesting that the strength of the electrostatic interactions between the plasmid and the glycosylated polylysine plays an important role in the efficiency of the gene expression. The optimal lactosylated polylysine conjugate (polylysine DP 190 substituted with 60 lactosyl residues) transfers a 5 kb and a 12 kb plasmid with a similar efficiency.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Novel glycosynthons for glycoconjugate preparation: oligosaccharylpyroglutamylanilide derivatives.

The reducing sugar of an oligosaccharide reacting with the alpha-amino group of an amino acid is converted to an N-oligosaccharylamino acid which can then be stabilized by N-acylation. Oligosaccharides in solution in N,N-dimethylformamide reacted with alpha-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide at 50 degrees C for a few hours, leading to an N-oligosaccharylglutamyl-p-nitroanilide. Then, the gamma-carboxylic group of the glutamyl moiety, activated by adding (benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP), reacted with the substituted alpha-amino group of the glutamyl residue, leading to an N-oligosaccharylpyroglutamyl-p-nitroanilide within 0.5 h. Such a one-pot two-step reaction was shown to be very efficient in the case of a disaccharide such as lactose, or pentasaccharides such as lacto-N-fucopentaoses, Lewis(a) or Lewis(x). The glycosynthons were characterized by chromatography (HPAEC and HPLC); their molecular mass was determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and the glycosylamides were shown to have a beta-anomeric configuration on the basis of their proton NMR. The N-oligosaccharylpyroglutamyl-p-nitroanilides are quite stable at room temperature over a large pH range. They are easily converted to N-oligosaccharylpyroglutamyl-p-isothiocyanatoanilides which can be used to prepare glycoconjugates such as cationic glycosylated polylysines suitable for specifically delivering genes or oligonucleotides in a sugar-dependent manner.

Aminocaproic Acid↗