Peptide-based CE-SELEX enables convenient isolation of aptamers specifically recognizing CD20-expressing cells.

The CD20 antigen is a key target for several diseases including lymphoma and autoimmune diseases. For over 20 years, several monoclonal antibodies were developed to treat CD20-related disorders. As many therapeutic proteins, their clinical use is however limited due to their nature with a costly biotechnological procedure and side effects such as the production of anti-drug neutralizing antibodies. Nucleic acid aptamers have some advantages over mAbs and are currently investigated for clinical use. We herein report the selection of DNA aptamer by using a peptide-based CE-SELEX (Capillary Electrophoresis-Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) method. It was demonstrated that these aptamers bind specifically a CD20-expressing human cell line, with Kd estimated from isothermal titration calorimetry experiments in the micromolar range. This study demonstrates that the CE-SELEX is suitable as alternative method to the conventional Cell-SELEX to discover new cell-targeting compounds.

Efficient cytosolic delivery of luminescent lanthanide bioprobes in live cells for two-photon microscopy.

Lanthanide(iii) (Ln3+) complexes have desirable photophysical properties for optical bioimaging. However, despite their advantages over organic dyes, their use for microscopy imaging is limited by the high-energy UV excitation they require and their poor ability to cross the cell membrane and reach the cytosol. Here we describe a novel family of lanthanide-based luminescent probes, termed dTAT[Ln·L], based on (i) a DOTA-like chelator with a picolinate moiety, (ii) a two-photon absorbing antenna to shift the excitation to the near infrared and (ii) a dimeric TAT cell-penetrating peptide for cytosolic delivery. Several Tb3+ and Eu3+ probes were prepared and characterized. Two-photon microscopy of live cells was attempted using a commercial microscope with the three probes showing the highest quantum yields (>0.15). A diffuse Ln3+ emission was detected in most cells, which is characteristic of cytosolic delivery of the Ln3+ complex. The cytotoxicity of these three probes was evaluated and the IC50 ranged from 7 µM to >50 µM. The addition of a single positive or negative charge to the antenna of the most cytotoxic compound was sufficient to lower significantly or suppress its toxicity under the conditions used for two-photon microscopy. Therefore, the design reported here provides excellent lanthanide-based probes for two-photon microscopy of living cells.

Luminescent Peptide/Lanthanide(III) Complex Conjugates with Push-Pull Antennas: Application to One- and Two-Photon Microscopy Imaging.

Lanthanide(III) (Ln3+) complexes feature desirable luminescence properties for cell microscopy imaging, but cytosolic delivery of Ln3+ complexes and their use for 2P imaging of live cells are challenging. In this article, we describe the synthesis and spectroscopic characterizations of a series of Ln3+ complexes based on two ligands, L1 and L2, featuring extended picolinate push-pull antennas for longer wavelength absorption and 2P absorption properties as well as a free carboxylate function for conjugation to peptides. Several cell penetrating peptide/Ln3+ complex conjugates were then prepared with the most interesting luminescent complexes, Tb(L1) and Eu(L2), and with two cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), ZF5.3 and TP2. A spectroscopic analysis demonstrates that the luminescence properties of the complexes are not affected by conjugation to the peptide. The conjugates were evaluated for one-photon (1P) time-gated microscopy imaging, which suppresses biological background fluorescence, and 2P confocal microscopy. Whereas TP2-based conjugates were unable to enter cells, successful 1P and 2P imaging was performed with ZF5.3[Tb(L1)]. 2P confocal imaging suggests proper internalization and cytosolic delivery as expected for this CPP. Noteworthy, 2P confocal microscopy also allowed characterization of the luminescence properties of the complex (spectrum, lifetime) within the cell, opening the way to functional luminescent probes for 2P confocal imaging of live cells.

Lanthanide Complexes (GdIII and EuIII ) Based on a DOTA-TEMPO Platform for Redox Monitoring via Relaxivity.

Three lanthanide complexes (Ln=Gd, Eu) based on a DO3 A ([Ln(L1 )]) or DO2 A ([Ln(L2-3 )]+ ) platform appended by a redox active TEMPO-based arm were prepared. Complex [Ln(L2 )]+ shows an alkyne arm, offering the possibility of postfunctionalization by click reaction to yield [Ln(L3 )]+ . The complexes demonstrate a redox response whereby the hydroxylamine, nitroxide and oxoammonium forms of the arm can be obtained in turn. Luminescence measurements on the europium complexes support an octadentate (L1 , L3 ) or heptadentate (L2 ) chelation by the ligand, with one water molecule in the inner coordination sphere. The relaxivity was determined from 20 kHz to 30 MHz by fast-field cycling NMR. The three GdIII complexes under their hydroxylamine form [Gd(L1 )] and [Gd(L2-3 )]+ show r1 values of 7.0, 5.1 and 5.0 mM-1 s-1 (30 KHz), which increase to 8.8, 5.5 and 6.1 mM-1 s-1 in the nitroxide form. The radical complexes are not toxic against M21 cell lines, at least up to 40 µM. By using EPR spectroscopy we establish that they do not penetrate the cells with the exception of [Eu(L2 )]+ .

Mechano-Bactericidal Titanium Surfaces for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Despite advances in the development of bone substitutes and strict aseptic procedures, the majority of failures in bone grafting surgery are related to nosocomial infections. Development of biomaterials combining both osteogenic and antibiotic activity is, therefore, a crucial public health issue. Herein, two types of intrinsically bactericidal titanium supports were fabricated by using commercially scalable techniques: plasma etching or hydrothermal treatment, which display two separate mechanisms of mechano-bactericidal action. Hydrothermal etching produces a randomly nanostructured surface with sharp nanosheet protrusions killing bacteria via cutting of the cell membrane, whereas plasma etching of titanium produces a microscale two-tier hierarchical topography that both reduce bacterial attachment and rupture those bacteria that encounter the surface. The adhesion, growth, and proliferation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) on the two mechano-bactericidal topographies were assessed. Both types of supports allowed the growth and proliferation of the hASCs in the same manner and cells retained their stemness and osteogenic potential. Furthermore, these supports induced osteogenic differentiation of hASCs without the need of differentiation factors, demonstrating their osteoinductive properties. This study proves that these innovative mechano-bactericidal titanium surfaces with both regenerative and bactericidal properties are a promising solution to improve the success rate of reconstructive surgery.

Prognostic Value of Soluble Death Receptor Ligands in Patients with Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Bladder.

BACKGROUND: The activation of Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) and DR4-DR5/tumor necrosis factor-related-apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pathways in cancer cells triggers apoptosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of soluble FasL (sFasL) and soluble (sTRAIL) in the serum of patients with bladder cancer. METHODS: The sFasL and sTRAIL levels in the sera of patients with bladder cancer or healthy donors were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Micro-culture tetrazolium viability assay and Western blot were used to analyze cell cytotoxicity and death receptors protein expression respectively. RESULTS: Whether no difference in sTRAIL levels was seen between patients and controls, the level of sFasL was higher in patients than that in healthy donors. According to, sFasL level was the highest in the serum of patients with superficial stage or low- and medium-grade cancer. Moreover, sFasL in patients with superficial noninvasive bladder tumors or low- and medium-grade cancers was higher than that in patients with invasive carcinomas and high-grade cancers. Patients with high levels of sFasL survive longer than those with low levels, probably related to the cytotoxic potential of FasL preserved in its soluble form. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that monitoring the level of sFasL and its cytotoxic activity could be a prognostic marker in the follow-up of patients with bladder cancer.

Copper(II) complexes of N3O tripodal ligands appended with pyrene and polyamine groups: Anti-proliferative and nuclease activities.

A series of tripodal ligands based on the 2-tert-butyl-4-R-6-phenol was synthesized, where R=aldehyde (HL1), R=putrescine-pyrene (HL2) and R=putrescine (HL3). A dinucleating ligand wherein a putrescine group connects two tripodal moieties was also prepared (H2L4). The corresponding copper complexes (1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively) were prepared and characterized. We determined the phenol's pKas in the range 2.47-3.93. The DNA binding constants were determined at 6×106, 5.5×105 and 2.7×106 for 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The complexes display a metal-centered reduction wave at Epc,red=-0.45 to -0.5V vs. saturated calomel electrode, as well as a ligand-centered oxidation wave above 0.57V at pH7. In the presence of ascorbate they promote an efficient cleavage of DNA, with for example a concentration required to cleave 50% of supercoiled DNA of 1.7µM for 2. The nuclease activity is affected by the nature of the R group: putrescine-pyrene≈bis-ligating>putrescine>aldehyde. The species responsible for strand scission is the hydroxyl radical. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was evaluated on bladder cancer cell lines sensitive or resistant to cis-platin. The IC50 of complexes 2 and 4 span over a short range (1.3-2µM) for the two cell lines. They are lower than those of the other complexes (3.1-9.7µM) and cis-platin. The most active compounds block the cell cycle at the G0/1 phase and promote apoptosis.

IPP51, a chalcone acting as a microtubule inhibitor with in vivo antitumor activity against bladder carcinoma.

We previously identified 1-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(1-methylindolyl) propenone (IPP51), a new chalcone derivative that is capable of inducing prometaphase arrest and subsequent apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that IPP51 selectively inhibits proliferation of tumor-derived cells versus normal non-tumor cells. IPP51 interfered with spindle formation and mitotic chromosome alignment. Accumulation of cyclin B1 and mitotic checkpoint proteins Bub1 and BubR1 on chromosomes in IPP51 treated cells indicated the activation of spindle-assembly checkpoint, which is consistent with the mitotic arrest. The antimitotic actions of other chalcones are often associated with microtubule disruption. Indeed, IPP51 inhibited tubulin polymerization in an in vitro assay with purified tubulin. In cells, IPP51 induced an increase in soluble tubulin. Furthermore, IPP51 inhibited in vitro capillary-like tube formation by endothelial cells, indicating that it has anti-angiogenic activity. Molecular docking showed that the indol group of IPP51 can be accommodated in the colchicine binding site of tubulin. This characteristic was confirmed by an in vitro competition assay demonstrating that IPP51 can compete for colchicine binding to soluble tubulin. Finally, in a human bladder xenograft mouse model, IPP51 inhibited tumor growth without signs of toxicity. Altogether, these findings suggest that IPP51 is an attractive new microtubule-targeting agent with potential chemotherapeutic value.

AG11, a novel dichloroflavanone derivative with anti-mitotic activity towards human bladder cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: New chemotherapy drugs should be investigated to improve survival of patients with advanced bladder cancer. Here, we report the synthesis and evaluation of AG11, a new flavanone derivative obtained through cyclization of its chalcone precursor CB11. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of AG11 on cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and apoptotic cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. Finally, the effect of AG11 on tubulin polymerization in vitro and microtubule distribution across the cells was investigated. RESULTS: AG11 was found to have an IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) of 4.6 µM and its inhibitory effect on RT4 cells proliferation is associated with a cell-cycle arrest in G2+M phases followed by apoptosis after a 48 h treatment. AG11 prevented polymerization of purified tubulin in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro and disrupted mitotic spindle formation in cells. CONCLUSION: AG11 appears to be an attractive scaffold for further development of a structurally simpler new anti-microtubule agents.

Nuclease and anti-proliferative activities of copper(II) complexes of N3O tripodal ligands involving a sterically hindered phenolate.

Copper(II) complexes 1(2+)-6 of a series of tripodal ligands involving a N3O donor set, namely 2-[(bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino)-methyl]-4-methoxy-phenol (1L), 2-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-6-[bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino)-methyl]-phenol (2L), 2-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-6-{[(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino]-methyl}-phenol (3L), 2-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-6-{[(6-methyl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino]-methyl}-phenol (4L), 2-tert-butyl-4-fluoro-6-{[(6-methyl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino]-methyl}-phenol (5L) and 2-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-6-{bis[(6-methyl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-amino]-methyl}-phenol (6L), respectively, were synthesized. Complexes 1(2+), 3(+) and 4(+) were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1(2+) is dimeric, with an essentially trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the copper(II) ions and two bridging deprotonated phenolate moieties. The mononuclear complexes 3(+) and 4(+) contain a square pyramidal copper ion, coordinated in axial position by the phenol moiety. In the water-DMF (90 : 10) mixture at pH 7.3 all the copper(II) complexes are mononuclear, mainly under their phenolate neutral form (except 3(+)), with a coordinated solvent molecule. The DNA cleavage activity of the complexes was tested towards the ϕX174 DNA plasmid. In the absence of an exogenous agent 1(2+) does not show any cleavage activity, 2(+) and 3(+) are moderately active, while 4(+), 5(+) and 6(+) exhibit a high nuclease activity. Experiments in the presence of various scavengers reveal that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are not involved in the strand scission mechanism. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was evaluated on bladder cancer cell lines sensitive or resistant to cisplatin. The IC50 values of the complexes 2(+), 4(+), 5(+) and 6(+) are lower than that of cisplatin (range from 6.3 to 3.1 µM against 9.1 µM for cisplatin). Furthermore, complexes 2(+), 4(+), 5(+) and 6(+) are able to circumvent cisplatin cellular resistance.

Structural requirement of arylindolylpropenones as anti-bladder carcinoma cells agents.

Chalcones have been identified as interesting compounds with cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In the present study, we report the synthesis and evaluation of new 1-(N-methylindolyl)-3-phenylpropenones as anti-cancer agents acting on bladder carcinoma cell line. Among the 15 investigated molecules, three of them inhibit the growth of bladder cancer cells with IC(50) values less than 4 µM after 48 h of treatment. To investigate their mode of action, cell cycle analyses were performed. The most active compounds induce high accumulation at the G2+M phase as assessed by flow cytometry. The structure-activity relationship drawn from the present study highlights the importance of the substitution pattern of the phenyl ring and provides valuable information for further development of this class of compounds as novel anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Investigation of a new 1,3-diarylpropenone as a potential antimitotic agent targeting bladder carcinoma.

1-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(1-methylindolyl) propenone, namely IPP51, was identified by screening a library of 3-indolyl-1-phenylpropenones. IPP51 was investigated for its ability to inhibit proliferation and/or to induce apoptosis of human bladder cancer cell lines and to assess its potential use in bladder carcinoma treatment. After treating the cells with IPP51 for 24 h, the title compound induced a predominant and reversible G2+M accumulation at the prometaphase stage of mitosis. However, when used for a longer period, it leads to cell apoptosis. These results suggest that the compound has potential anticancer activities, which could be useful in bladder cancer treatment.