The ULK1 kinase, a necessary component of the pro-regenerative and anti-aging machinery in Hydra.

Hydra vulgaris (Hv) has a high regenerative potential and negligible senescence, as its stem cell populations divide continuously. In contrast, the cold-sensitive H. oligactis (Ho_CS) rapidly develop an aging phenotype under stress, with epithelial stem cells deficient for autophagy, unable to maintain their self-renewal. Here we tested in aging, non-aging and regenerating Hydra the activity and regulation of the ULK1 kinase involved in autophagosome formation. In vitro kinase assays show that human ULK1 activity is activated by Hv extracts but repressed by Ho_CS extracts, reflecting the ability or inability of their respective epithelial cells to initiate autophagosome formation. The factors that keep ULK1 inactive in Ho_CS remain uncharacterized. Hv_Basel1 animals exposed to the ULK1 inhibitor SBI-0206965 no longer regenerate their head, indicating that the sustained autophagy flux recorded in regenerating Hv_AEP2 transgenic animals expressing the DsRed-GFP-LC3A autophagy tandem sensor is necessary. The SBI-0206965 treatment also alters the contractility of intact Hv_Basel1 animals, and leads to a progressive reduction of animal size in Hv_AEP2, similarly to what is observed in ULK1(RNAi) animals. We conclude that the evolutionarily-conserved role of ULK1 in autophagy initiation is crucial to maintain a dynamic homeostasis in Hydra, which supports regeneration efficiency and prevents aging.

Ultrasound Molecular Imaging With BR55, a Predictive Tool of Antiangiogenic Treatment Efficacy in a Chemo-Induced Mammary Tumor Model.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the added value of ultrasound molecular imaging of the vascular growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression, using the clinical grade contrast agent BR55, for the early evaluation of antiangiogenic treatment efficacy in a chemo-induced rat mammary tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this preclinical study, chemo-induced rat mammary tumors were obtained after a single injection of N-nitroso-N-methylurea intraperitoneally in 46 prepubescent (age 38 ± 2 days) female rats. All experiments were performed under the authorization of the Direction Générale de la Santé, Geneva, Switzerland. Once tumor reached 0.8 cm in the largest cross-section, animals were enrolled in a sunitinib- or vehicle-treated group. Ultrasound molecular imaging was performed using BR55, a clinical grade targeted contrast agent against VEGFR2, before therapy and up to 72 hours. Anatomical changes of tumor over time, that is, area of the tumor largest cross-section and tumor volume, were measured in B-mode. Signal from microbubbles was detected in a nonlinear contrast mode (power modulation) using the iU22 diagnostic ultrasound system (Phillips, United States) equipped with a L12-5 linear transducer (transmit frequency 5 MHz). Peak enhancement and wash-in area under the curve were extracted from the time intensity curves generated by a dedicated quantification software for contrast ultrasound, so-called VueBox (Bracco Suisse SA, Switzerland). The signal of bound BR55 microbubbles in the tumor was quantified 10 minutes after injection. Altogether, these parameters were used to monitor tumoral response to treatment at the anatomical, functional, and molecular levels. At each time point, a cohort of tumors was harvested for the assessment of CD31 and VEGFR2 expression by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: Under sunitinib therapy, assessment of the expression of VEGFR2 by ultrasound molecular imaging with BR55 reveals a significant difference as early as 12 hours after first dosing (-25%), whereas tumor size significant change occurs only after 24 hours. At the end of the therapeutic protocol, 72 hours after the onset of treatment, molecular changes are more marked with a 80% decrease compared with only ~40% for the anatomic parameters. Ultrasound molecular imaging observations suggesting a decrease in VEGFR2 expression in treated tumors were corroborated by semiquantitative grading of VEGFR2, showing a decrease expression over time. Functional parameters measured in the perfusion phase also show a decrease along treatment, significant for 24 hours and of 48% of peak enhancement at the end of protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical, functional, and molecular evaluations are feasible in a single examination using BR55 ultrasound targeted contrast agent. Ultrasound molecular imaging of VEGFR2 can depict an early response to antiangiogenic treatment in a rat mammary tumor model. This imaging modality has a potential for early assessment of each patient's response, which could be useful to take decisions on therapeutic protocol, providing as such an imaging tool for personalized medicine.

Ultrasound molecular imaging of transient acute myocardial ischemia with a clinically translatable P- and E-selectin targeted contrast agent: correlation with the expression of selectins.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome remains challenging especially in patients without clear symptoms or electrocardiographic and/or biomarker features. A hallmark of ischemia/reperfusion is activation of endothelial cells leading to altered expression of molecular markers, including selectins. In this context, we aimed to validate the value of ultrasound molecular imaging for detecting transient myocardial ischemia by using a clinically translatable dual P- and E-selectin-targeted ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) and microbubble (MB(selectin)). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transient (20 minutes) myocardial ischemia of rat heart was produced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation followed by 2-, 5-, or 24-hour reperfusion. Imaging of the transient ischemic event was achieved by the use of MB(selectin). Performance of this clinically translatable targeted UCA was compared with that of antibody-targeted streptavidin MBs. Finally, immunohistochemistry staining of rat myocardial ischemic tissue was performed to assess expression of selectins accessible to targeted UCA. RESULTS: In rats subjected to myocardial ischemia (20 minutes) followed by reperfusion (2 hours), injection of MB(selectin) produced high late phase (ie, 10-minute postinjection) ultrasound molecular imaging enhancement in the myocardium, which colocalized with the ischemic area. Late phase enhancement persisted 5 and 24 hours after reperfusion. Similarly, the use of MBP and MBE, comprising antibodies specific for P- and E-selectin, respectively, showed high late-phase enhancement within the ischemic area compared with remote myocardial tissue. Two and 5 hours after ischemia has resolved, a persistent expression of these 2 selectins was detected. After 24 hours of reperfusion, only MBE produced late phase enhancement within the ischemic myocardium. Immunohistochemical findings revealed that both P- and E-selectin were expressed and accessible on the surface of the activated endothelium 2 and 5 hours after the acute ischemic event, whereas only E-selectin remained accessible after 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound molecular imaging of transient myocardial ischemia using dual selectin-targeted UCA is able to monitor the time course of expression of selectins after resolution of the ischemic event, paving the way for a large clinical diagnostic window.

In vitro sonothrombolysis of human blood clots with BR38 microbubbles.

Microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis is a promising approach for ischemic stroke treatment. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate a new microbubble (MB) formulation (BR38) for sonothrombolysis and to investigate the involved mechanisms. Human whole-blood clots were exposed to different combinations of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), ultrasound (US) and MB. Ultrasound at 1.6 MHz was used at 150, 300, 600 and 1000 kPa (peak-negative pressure). Thrombolysis efficacy was assessed by measuring clot diameter changes during 60-min US exposure. The rate of clot diameter loss (RDL) in µm/min was determined and clot lysis profiles were analyzed. The most efficient clot lysis (5.9 µm/min) was obtained at acoustic pressures of 600 and 1000 kPa in combination with MB and a low concentration of rtPA (0.3 µg/mL). This is comparable with the rate obtained with rtPA at 3 µg/mL alone (6.6 µm/min, p > 0.05). Clot lysis profiles were shown to be related to US beam profiles and microbubble cavitation.