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Axonal outgrowth of hippocampal neurons on micro-scale networks of polylysine-conjugated laminin.

Microcontact printing was used to define an interconnected lattice network of polylysine-conjugated laminin, a protein-polypeptide ligate that is an effective promoter of neuron outgrowth on material surfaces. In the presence of serum proteins, rat hippocampal neurons selectively adhered to features of polylysine-conjugated laminin as narrow as 2.6 microm in width. Adhering neurons extended long axonal processes, which precisely followed and did not deviate from the prescribed patterns, demonstrating that neurons respond to this protein with high selectivity and that these techniques effectively provide long-range guidance of axonal outgrowth. Further examination of neuron response under serum-free cell culture conditions demonstrated that the outgrowth-promoting activity of polylysine-conjugated laminin was attributed to biologically active laminin. Together, these results demonstrate that polylysine-conjugated laminin provides for high-precision guidance of neuron attachment and axon outgrowth on material surfaces in a serum-independent manner. This ability to guide hippocampal neuron response in low-density, serum-free culture with high precision is valuable for the development of advanced, neuron-based devices.

Animals↗

Binding of polylysine to GroEL. Inhibition of the refolding of mMDH.

Luminescence techniques have been used to investigate the interaction of GroEL with polylysine tagged with a fluorescent probe. The fluorescence emitted by anthraniloyl-polylysine, upon excitation at 320 nm, is enhanced by the addition of stoichiometric amounts of GroEL. The equilibrium dissociation constant of the complex (Kd=50 nM) was determined by fluorometric titrations. The rate and extent of recovery of the catalytic activity of denatured mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase, assisted by GroEL, is influenced by either polylysine or anthraniloyl-polylysine. It is suggested that interaction of the positively charged poly-amino acid with the apical domain of GroEL prevents binding of the unfolded protein substrate.

Chaperonin 60↗

Influenza virus hemagglutinin HA-2 N-terminal fusogenic peptides augment gene transfer by transferrin-polylysine-DNA complexes: toward a synthetic virus-like gene-transfer vehicle.

Complexes containing plasmid DNA, transferrin-polylysine conjugates, and polylysine-conjugated peptides derived from the N-terminal sequence of the influenza virus hemagglutinin subunit HA-2 have been used for the transfer of luciferase or beta-galactosidase marker genes to K562 cells, HeLa cells, and BNL CL.2 hepatocytes. These DNA complexes mimic the entry of viruses into cells, as they contain functions for (i) the packaging of the nucleic acid with polylysine, (ii) the attachment to the cell and receptor-mediated endocytosis with transferrin as a ligand, and (iii) the release from endosomes by using membrane-disrupting influenza peptides. The presence of these influenza peptide conjugates in the DNA complexes renders the complexes active in membrane disruption in a liposome leakage assay and results in a substantial augmentation of the transferrin-polylysine-mediated gene transfer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A conformational change in the junctional foot protein is involved in the regulation of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Studies on polylysine-induced Ca2+ release.

We investigated both conformational changes in the junctional foot protein (JFP) and Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in parallel after stimulation of triadic vesicles by the JFP-specific ligand, polylysine. To monitor protein conformational change, the JFP was labeled in a site-directed fashion with the fluorescent conformational probe methylcoumarin acetate (MCA) (Kang, J. J., Tarcsafalvi, A., Carlos, A. D., Fujimoto, E., Shahrokh, Z., Thevenin, B. J.-M., Shohet, S. B., and Ikemoto, N. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 3288-3293). The induction of SR Ca2+ release by polylysine produced a rapid increase in the fluorescence intensity of the JFP-bound MCA. The polylysine concentration dependence of the fluorescence change was essentially the same as that of Ca2+ release, suggesting that the two events are tightly coupled. However, the rate constant of MCA fluorescence change was much larger than that of Ca2+ release; i.e. the conformational change preceded Ca2+ release. Prevention of protein conformational change by lysine (0.2 M) inhibited Ca2+ release from SR. Inhibition of Ca2+ release by Mg2+ (5 mM), however, had little effect on the conformational change. These results suggest that binding of polylysine to the JFP produces conformational changes in the protein, which in turn activates the Ca2+ channel, leading to Ca2+ release from the SR.

Animals↗

Prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions: effects of lysozyme, polylysine and polyglutamate versus hyaluronic acid.

OBJECTIVE: Intraperitoneal adhesions are an important cause of postoperative intestinal obstruction, abdominal discomfort and infertility. In the present study we hypothesized that a combination of polypeptides with different surface properties, resulting in fine disperse low-soluble complexes, could be of benefit in the prevention of abdominal adhesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Various polypeptides including lysozyme, polyglutamate, polylysine and combinations of all three were evaluated as compared to hyaluronic acid. A standard wound on the parietal peritoneum in mice was used and the evaluated agents were administered immediately postoperatively. The extent of peritoneal adhesions to the injured area was measured and expressed as a percentage of the wound length as evaluated after 7 days. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the effect on peritoneal macrophage survival and phagocytic function and the Pick test was used to determine peroxide production in order to estimate toxicity and potential impairment of macrophage function caused by the chemicals. RESULTS: Significant differences were seen among the treatment groups (p<0.001). Both polyglutamate and lysozyme, and polyglutamate together with polylysine significantly decreased adhesion formation as compared to hyaluronic acid. The polylysine-polyglutamate combination was still visible macroscopically on the peritoneal surface after 1 week, though not after 1 month. The polyglutamate-lysozyme mixture was less effective than these individual components alone. The chemicals did not show any toxic effects or altered function in macrophage cell culture. CONCLUSIONS: Lysozyme, polyglutamate and, most effectively, a polyglutamate-polylysine combination significantly decreased experimental abdominal adhesion formation. A strong mechanical connection to the wound and prolonged attendance in the surface were noted. Peritoneal phagocyte function did not seem to be influenced by the chemicals.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Conjugation in Tetrahymena pyriformis. The effect of polylysine, concanavalin A, and bivalent metals on the conjugation process.

The polycation polylysine, at different degrees of polymerization, was found to cause a marked inhibition of the conjugation process. Inhibition of conjugation by polylysine was highly dependent on the molecular weight of the polymer. When polylysine of a mol wt of 1,250 (degree of polymerization=6) was used, a concentration of 1.6 X 10(-5) M was required for a complete inhibition of conjugation, while only 2 X 10(-7) M of polylysine of a mol wt of 71,000 (degree of polymerization=340) was needed for the same effect. Polyaspartic acid prevented the inhibition of conjugation by polylysein. Chelators of bivalent metals such as O-phenanthroline (10(-3) M), EDTA (10(-3) M), and EGTA (5 X 10(-3) M) strongly inhibit the conjugation process in Tetrahymena pyriformis. The inhibition was partially prevented when bivalent metals such as Zn++, Fe++, and Ca++ were added together with the chelators. The lectin concanavalin A (25 mug/ml) completely prevented the conjugation process, while other lectins, such as phytohemagglutinin (500 mug/ml), soybean agglutinin (75 mug/ml) and wheat germ agglutinin (250 mug/ml) had no effect. Inhibition of conjugation by concanavalin A is completely reversible by 40 mM of alpha-methyl-D-mannoside.

Animals↗

Efficient transfection of primary cells in a canine hemophilia B model using adenovirus-polylysine-DNA complexes.

We have used molecular conjugates containing combinations of DNA, adenovirus, polylysine, and transferrin to transfect primary cells derived from canines with hemophilia B (factor IX deficiency), as well as a canine epithelial cell line. Transfection of canine hemophilia B fibroblasts with molecular conjugates resulted in efficient transfection and expression of luciferase DNA-adenovirus-polylysine (AdpL) conjugates or luciferase DNA-adenovirus-polylysine-transferrin (hTfpL/AdpL) conjugates. No expression in canine hemophilia B fibroblasts was evident after exposure to DNA alone, or DNA conjugated with polylysine and transferrin. Transfection efficiencies of 50% or more could be demonstrated in cells transfected with a beta-galactosidase reporter gene as part of an hTfpL/AdpL molecular conjugate. Transfection with canine factor IX AdpL conjugates or canine factor IX hTfpL/AdpL conjugates resulted in factor IX expression for more than 2 weeks in vitro in hemophilia B canine fibroblasts. Maximum levels of expression of over 700 ng of canine factor IX/10(6) cells/24 hr were demonstrated in fibroblasts after transfection with canine factor IX hTfpL/AdpL conjugates. Similar conjugates were used to transfect hemophilia B canine bone marrow stromal cells and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells that also expressed canine factor IX. The use of molecular conjugates to transfect primary cells may be feasible as a means of in vitro or in vivo gene therapy for hemophilia B, and can be tested in the canine hemophilia B model.

Adenoviridae↗

Gene transfer by DNA/glycosylated polylysine complexes into human blood monocyte-derived macrophages.

Macrophages are putative target cells for expressing an exogenous gene with therapeutical effects. Knowing that macrophages express membrane lectins mediating endocytosis of their ligands, DNA/glycosylated polylysine complexes were used to transfect human blood monocyte-derived macrophages. Monocytes from human peripheral blood were matured in culture for 7 days to differentiate into macrophage-like cells in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Adherent cells, which displayed characteristic macrophage markers, CD 14, CD 11b, HLA-DR, and HLA-ABC antigens and mannose receptor, were transfected by DNA/glycosylated polylysine complexes in the presence of chloroquine. The luciferase reporter gene expression was maximal 24 hr after transfection with a DNA/mannosylated polylysine complex and by using plasmids in which the promoters (either the long terminal repeat of the human immunodeficiency virus or the human cytomegalovirus) drove the luciferase gene expression. Luciferase gene expression was lower when the promoter was the early region of the large T antigen of SV40 virus. Transfection mediated by DNA/mannosylated polylysine complexes was much more efficient than with DEAE-dextran or lipofectin. The possibility of transferring and expressing an exogenous gene into macrophage-like cells by using a nonimmunogenic synthetic vector as a DNA carrier opens new ways to develop nonviral gene therapy strategies.

Cell Count↗

Regulation of serum glycosaminoglycan sulfotransferase activities: inhibition by sulfated glycosaminoglycans and activation by polyamines and basic peptides including a polylysine-containing segment of the c-Ki-ras 2 protein.

The regulatory mechanisms for the glycosaminoglycan sulfotransferases in fetal calf serum were investigated. The enzymes examined were those which transfer sulfate from 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate to 1) position 6 of the internal N-acetylgalactosamine units of chondroitin, 2) position 6 of galactose units of keratan sulfate, and 3) position 2 (an amino group) of glucosamine units of heparan sulfate. The former two enzymes were activated by spermidine, spermine, protamine, and poly L-lysine. All the enzymes were strongly inhibited by heparin and dextran sulfate, whereas only the chondroitin 6-O-sulfotransferase was inhibited by sulfated galactosaminoglycans. The inhibition of this enzyme by the sulfated glycosaminoglycans was abolished by polylysine, indicating that the activation by polylysine is partly due to the neutralization of endogenous acidic inhibitors, including sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Affinity chromatographic studies demonstrated that heparin specifically binds to the three enzymes, which have anionic isoelectric points, and that chondroitin 6-sulfate, spermine, and polylysine bind to the former two enzymes under physiological conditions. Thus, the activation by spermine and polylysine as well as the inhibition by sulfated glycosaminoglycans also appears to occur through their binding to the enzymes. Studies with synthetic lysine oligomers and an affinity-purified (approximately 700-fold) fraction containing the former two enzymes indicated that the pentamer is the minimum unit required for the activation. A synthetic peptide, containing six consecutive lysines at the carboxy terminus of the human c-Ki-ras 2 protein, also regulated the two enzyme activities at micromolar concentrations. The possible physiological implications of the observed effects of these regulatory substances on the glycosaminoglycan sulfotransferases are discussed in relation to glycosaminoglycan synthesis during the proliferation, differentiation, and transformation of cells. The possibility of sulfated glycosaminoglycans being enzyme regulators is also discussed.

Animals↗

Magnetic resonance imaging detection of an experimental pulmonary perfusion deficit using a macromolecular contrast agent. Polylysine-gadolinium-DTPA40.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the potential of a blood-pool magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent, polylysine-gadolinium-DTPA40 (polylysine-Gd-DTPA40) for detecting pulmonary perfusion defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulmonary emboli were induced in 10 rats by venous injection of 0.2 mL of air. Axial spin-echo images were acquired (TR = 800 mseconds; TE = 6 mseconds) before and after air injection and serially after the administration of polylysine-Gd-DTPA40. The embolism model was confirmed by scintigraphy using 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin. RESULTS: Signal intensity differences between normal and embolized lungs before and after the air injection were less than 25%. After polylysine-Gd-DTPA40 administration, signal intensity of the perfused lung increased more than 200%, whereas the embolized lung increased by only 25%. Signal intensities of the perfused lung remained stable for 1 hour, whereas signal intensities of the embolized lung gradually increased for 20 minutes as the air embolus dissolved. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhanced with a macromolecular blood-pool contrast agent can be used to detect acute pulmonary embolism in a confirmed animal model.

Animals↗

Comparison of gadolinium-DTPA and polylysine-gadolinium-DTPA--enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of hepatocarcinoma in the rat.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA), a low-molecular-weight contrast agent, and polylysine-Gd-DTPA, a macromolecular contrast agent, in two types of hepatocarcinomas (HCC) in the rat. METHODS: T1-weighted spin-echo images were obtained in 13 rats with chemically induced HCC and 26 rats with Novikoff HCC before and 3 minutes to 60 hours after administration of either Gd-DTPA or polylysine-Gd-DTPA. RESULTS: Three minutes after polylysine-Gd-DTPA administration, the tumor-to-liver contrast of the two types of HCC increased significantly (positive contrast for chemically induced HCC and negative contrast for Novikoff HCC). At 30 minutes and 60 hours, the tumor-to-liver contrast remained above baseline values in chemically induced HCC and returned progressively to baseline values in Novikoff HCC. No significant increase in tumor-to-liver contrast was observed after Gd-DTPA administration. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that polylysine-Gd-DTPA provides a higher and more prolonged increase in tumor-to-liver contrast than Gd-DTPA.

Angiography↗

Interaction of polylysine with the cellular receptor for herpes simplex virus type 1.

We earlier reported that neomycin blocked reversibly the binding of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) to the receptor of BHK cells, while the binding of HSV-2 to the receptor was unaffected. We could not determine whether the effect was on the virus particle, the receptor, or both. We have now tested several other cationic substances, and report that polylysine (and polyarginine) block the binding of HSV-1 to the receptor by interfering with the cellular receptor function; higher molecular weight polylysines were more potent than those of lower molecular weight. Polylysine and neomycin showed additive effects. In vitro, polylysine showed the same strong binding to the plasma membrane phosphoinositides as did neomycin. Together these data suggest that the drugs may have a common target in the cell membrane. The HSV-1 and HSV-2 virus particles were unaffected by the drugs, as was the cellular HSV-2 receptor.

Animals↗

Binding of polylysine to chromatin subunits and cleavage by micrococcal nuclease. A comparison of accessible sites.

Native chromatin and chromatin subunits (nucleosomes) were titrated with polylysine and digested with micrococcal nuclease and deoxyribonuclease I at individual lysine/nucleotide ratios. In contrast to earlier reports, which had been obtained using mechanically sheared chromatin, a comparison of the sites accessible for micrococcal nuclease and polylysine reveals that polylysine does not preferentially protect the micrococcal-nuclease-susceptible sites in chromatin. Similar results were obtained in digestion experiments with DNase I. From the experimental data presented we conclude that polylysine does not preferentially bind to the internucleosomal DNA, which is the prime target site for micrococcal nuclease, but rather to the total nucleosomal DNA moiety.

Animals↗

Polylysine-immobilized chitosan beads as adsorbents for bilirubin.

Hyperbilirubinemia generally relates to an elevated bilirubin level in the blood and is usually an indication of a disease of the blood, liver, or biliary tract. Hemoperfusion using synthetic resins as sorbents has been one of the ways to reduce bilirubin. In this study, chitosan, a natural polysaccharide having structural characteristics similar to glycosaminoglycans and which is nontoxic and biocompatible, has been used for bilirubin binding. Several layers of poly-L-lysine have been coated covalently onto chitosan beads, using N2 plasma and carbodiimide treatments. Such surface-modified chitosan beads exhibited high binding affinities for bilirubin (1.13 +/- 0.18 mg/g beads) in aqueous phosphate buffer solutions at 4 degrees C in relation to activated charcoal (0.74 +/- 0.2 mg/g). The polylysine-coated resins have been reported to have an improved binding affinity for bilirubin over cholestyramine. It seems that the surface-immobilized polylysine has an increased bilirubin binding affinity and is highly stable. The binding capacity is proportional to the amount of polylysine bonded to the chitosan beads. The hemolytic potential of all modified beads is compatible with polystyrene control tubes. Studies were also performed against albumin as proof of specificity toward bilirubin binding. The albumin-coated beads have shown the highest blood compatibility and selectivity over the other modified beads. However, it appears that polylysine-modified chitosan may be an excellent sorbent system for hemoperfusion due to its high binding affinity, capacity, and blood compatibility. Further studies are needed to determine its behavior under clinical conditions.

Adsorption↗

Polylysine as a vehicle for extracellular matrix-targeted local drug delivery, providing high accumulation and long-term retention within the vascular wall.

We present the first steps in the elaboration of an approach of extracellular matrix-targeted local drug delivery (ECM-LDD), designed to provide a high concentration, ubiquitous distribution, and long-term retention of a drug within the vessel wall after local intravascular delivery. The approach is based on the concept of a bifunctional drug comprising a "therapeutic effector" and an "affinity vehicle," which should bind to an abundant component of the vessel wall. The aim of the present study was to select molecules suitable for the role of affinity vehicles for ECM-LDD and to study their intravascular delivery and retention ex vivo and in an animal model. By use of fluorescence microscopy, the following molecules were selected on the basis of strong binding to cross sections of human vessels: protamine, polylysine, polyarginine, a glycosaminoglycan-binding peptide from vitronectin, and a synthetic dendrimer. With polylysine as a prototypic affinity vehicle, we showed that after intravascular delivery, polylysine was concentrated throughout a luminal layer of the vascular wall to an extremely high concentration of 20 g/L and was retained therein for at least 72 hours of perfusion without noticeable losses. Low molecular weight (fluorescein) and high molecular weight (hirudin) compounds could be chemically conjugated to polylysine and were retained in the vessel wall after intravascular delivery of the conjugates. In conclusion, by use of the ECM-LDD method, an extremely high concentration and long-term retention of locally delivered drug can be reached. Polycationic molecules can be considered as potential affinity vehicles for ECM-LDD.

Animals↗

In vitro activation of human macrophages by alginate-polylysine microcapsules.

Microencapsulated islets of Langerhans have been proposed as a bioartificial pancreas. However, foreign body reaction with fibrosis has been observed around implanted microcapsules. Since macrophages are present in this reaction and interleukin-1 (IL-1), a cytokine released by activated macrophages, may induce fibrosis, we tested the capacity of alginate-polylysine microcapsules to activate macrophages. Human monocytes were isolated from whole blood of healthy donors by a Ficoll density gradient and adherence to a plastic support. Monocytes were cultured for 24 h with: (1) alginate-polylysine microcapsules; (2) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (positive control group); and (3) alone (negative control group). Monocyte activation was evaluated by measuring the secretion of IL-1 beta and the production of intracellular IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. Macrophages characterization was performed by immunocytological subtyping. IL-1 beta release and intracellular IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha production were significantly higher when macrophages were cultured with alginate-polylysine microcapsules than when macrophages were cultured alone. In conclusion, macrophages are activated in vitro by alginate-polylysine microcapsules. This effect may be involved in the fibrosis observed in vivo around implanted microcapsules. In addition, interleukin-1, released during macrophage activation, may cross the microcapsule membrane and impair islet function.

Alginates↗

Binding of polylysine and ethidium bromide to nucleosomal DNA: comparison of biochemical and electron microscopical results.

Ethidium bromide and polylysine interact with nucleosomal DNA and lead to change of biochemical properties and to morphological changes as to the distance between the two core particles of a nucleosome dimer. With increasing polylysine concentration, the buoyant density of nucleosomes decrease and the accessibility of the nucleosomal DNA to micrococcal nuclease is lowered. Electron microscopy of polylysine treated nucleosome dimers reveals a shortening of the internucleosomal distance as compared with controls. Treatment of nucleosomes with ethidium bromide leads to an enhanced accessibility of the nucleosomal DNA to micrococcal nuclease. Electron microscopy reveals an increase in length of the DNA connecting the two nucleosome cores in the presence of the dye. Both the binding of polylysine and the treatment with ethidium bromide apparently do not affect the histone arrangement within the nucleosome core as suggested by chemical cross-linking of histones and DNA with formaldehyde, and no obvious morphological change of the nucleosome cores can be observed.

Animals↗

[Seringueira's latex membrane (Hevea brasiliensis) with and without polylysine 0.1% and marlex mesh for the reconstruction of iatrogenics abdominal wall defects in rats].

PURPOSE: To compare seringueira latex membrane implant, with and without polylysine at 0.1% and marlex mesh on the repair of iatrogenic abdominal defects in rats. METHODS: A circular segment block of approximate three centimeters of diameter was sectioned out of the ventral abdominal muscle wall of 31 Wistar rats. The skin was preserved. The animals were divided into three experimental groups: only latex, latex and polylysine at 0.1%, and marlex mesh. Some rats underwent euthanasia at five and some at 120 days after surgery. Fragments of abdominal wall were collected and submitted at histopathologic analysis. RESULTS: The main alterations observed in groups treated with the latex membrane with and without polylysine were dehiscence (21 animals) and evisceration (two animals). The elimination of implant occurred at an average of 13.8 days. These animals presented fiber conjunctive tissue formation, similar to that observed in the group which received the marlex mesh. Other alterations noted were viscera-parietal adherences in all evaluated groups. CONCLUSION: The seringueira' s latex membrane, with or without polylysine 0.1%, when used on the reconstruction of abdominal defects in rats is eliminated at 13.8 days after its implantation, leaving a fiber base of reparation, similar to that observed after marlex mesh implantation.

Abdominal Wall↗