Protease activity in a hapten-induced model of ulcerative colitis in rats.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a painful and debilitating condition affecting the mucosal lining of the colon and other areas of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD generally falls into two major categories: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease. We have utilized dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) to induce experimental UC in rats. Histopathologic analysis indicates that DNBS induces a condition in animals similar to human UC. Biochemical results revealed 6- to 10-fold elevated levels of serine protease activity in colon tissue from animals with UC as compared with matched controls. We also observed elevated levels of protease activity in tissue samples obtained from human patients with UC. Hence, our results demonstrate that protease activity is increased in rodent and human UC. These proteases may play a significant role in destruction of colonic tissue in IBD. Protease inhibitors that target serine proteases may be useful pharmacological agents to limit tissue destruction in IBD.

Chimeric 7E3 prevents carotid artery thrombosis in cynomolgus monkeys.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We compared the current antithrombotic strategy of antiplatelet therapy with aspirin, and anticoagulant therapy with heparin, with a specific genetically engineered chimeric antibody (c7E3 Fab) directed against the human glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor in an animal model of arterial thrombosis. METHODS: Anesthetized cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were instrumented for monitoring of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and carotid artery flow velocity. Animals were treated with saline (n = 6), aspirin (25 mg PO daily for 3 days; n = 6), heparin (100 U/kg i.v. plus infusion adjusted to maintain activated partial thromboplastin time at 2 to 3 times baseline; n = 6), aspirin plus heparin (as administered separately, n = 6), or c7E3 Fab (0.10 mg/kg i.v., n = 7; 0.15 mg/kg i.v., n = 6; 0.20 mg/kg i.v., n = 6; 0.25 mg/kg i.v., n = 6). Thrombus formation via anodal electrolytic stimulation (100 microA) to the intimal surface of the right carotid artery was initiated 15 minutes after drug administration and continued for 180 minutes. Electrolytic injury to the left carotid artery began 210 minutes after drug administration and continued for 180 minutes. Whole blood cell counts, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade, ex vivo platelet aggregation, template bleeding time, and activated partial thromboplastin time were assessed at various time points throughout the experimental protocol. RESULTS: Hemodynamic and hematologic parameters were comparable among groups at baseline. Treatment with c7E3 Fab inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation, increased bleeding time, decreased thrombus weight, and increased time to occlusion in a dose-dependent manner in both vessels. Treatment with aspirin, heparin, or the combination of aspirin plus heparin was ineffective for the prevention of carotid artery thrombosis in this model. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor with c7E3 Fab was found to be safe and effective for the prevention of primary thrombus formation, whereas treatment with either aspirin or heparin or the combination of the two agents failed to protect against occlusive thrombus formation in cynomolgus monkeys.

Prevention of rethrombosis after coronary thrombolysis in a chronic canine model. I. Adjunctive therapy with monoclonal antibody 7E3 F(ab')2 fragment.

We examined the efficacy of the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 7E3 F(ab')2 fragment, an inhibitor of the platelet glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa receptor, to prevent coronary artery rethrombosis after successful thrombolysis with rt-PA. The circumflex coronary artery of anesthetized dogs was instrumented with a flow probe, an electrode, and a stenosis. After recovery from the surgical procedure, the animals were reanesthetized on post-operative day 9, and vessel wall injury was induced with current applied to the intimal surface of the circumflex coronary artery. The resulting occlusive thrombus was aged for 30 min, and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was administered. The animals were allocated to receive either placebo or a single dose of 7E3 [0.8 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) bolus] as the sole adjunctive agent. Ex vivo platelet function and coronary artery blood flow velocity were recorded on each of 5 consecutive days. Reocclusion and mortality were reduced significantly in animals treated with 7E3 as compared with the placebo-treated group. Significant inhibition of ex vivo platelet aggregation persisted for 48 h after a single injection of 7E3. The MoAb 7E3 F(ab')2 fragment is effective as the sole adjunctive agent with rt-PA for prevention of rethrombosis. The present study is unique in that it examined the efficacy of GPIIb/IIIa inhibition in an experimental model for an extended time, demonstrating the duration of antiplatelet therapy required to prevent rethrombosis after thrombolysis.

Prevention of rethrombosis after coronary thrombolysis in a chronic canine model. II. Adjunctive therapy with r-hirudin.

We examined the effectiveness of the direct-acting thrombin inhibitor, recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin), for prevention of coronary rethrombosis after thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in a canine model of coronary artery thrombosis. The reocclusion rate of 15-30% associated with thrombolytic therapy emphasizes the need for adjunctive therapy to prevent rethrombosis. We studied r-hirudin for its potential to prevent reocclusion in a model of coronary artery thrombosis/thrombolysis. The circumflex coronary arteries of anesthetized dogs were instrumented with a flow probe, an intraluminal electrode, and a ligature stenosis. The dogs were reanesthetized on the ninth postoperative day, and intimal injury was induced with an anodal current. After occlusive thrombus formation, tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was administered. The animals were allocated to receive either placebo, r-hirudin [5 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.) bolus, 2 mg/kg/h i.v., for 3.5 h] or r-hirudin (5 mg/kg i.v., bolus, 1 mg/kg/h i.v., for 12 h). Neither aspirin nor heparin was used. Ex vivo platelet function and coronary artery blood flow velocity were recorded on each of 5 consecutive days. Infarct size and residual thrombus weight were determined at the end of the protocol. r-Hirudin infusion (3.5 and 12 h) provided little benefit over rt-PA alone. Ex vivo platelet aggregation was not affected by r-hirudin. Little improvement in the incidence of reocclusion and mortality in a model of coronary artery thrombosis/thrombolysis resulted from adjunctive treatment with r-hirudin.

A chimeric murine/human antibody Fab fragment directed against the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor enhances and sustains arterial thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in baboons.

Inhibition of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor with the murine monoclonal antibody 7E3 abolishes ex vivo platelet aggregation, reduces thrombogenicity, and sustains arterial recanalization with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). A chimeric murine/human Fab fragment of 7E3 (c7E3-Fab) has a markedly reduced immunogenicity, but its potency as an adjunct for thrombolysis with rt-PA has not been evaluated. The effects of a single intravenous bolus injection of aspirin (17 mg/kg) or c7E3-Fab (0.45 mg/kg) on thrombolysis and reocclusion induced with rt-PA were studied in groups of six baboons with femoral arterial thrombosis and superimposed high-grade stenosis. This dose of c7E3-Fab blocked 96 +/- 1% of the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptors and abolished ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Bolus intravenous injections of rt-PA (0.25 mg/kg) were repeated at 15-minute intervals until reperfusion occurred (maximum of four injections). In the aspirin group, reperfusion was obtained within 51 +/- 16 minutes (mean +/- SD) but was rapidly followed by reocclusion within 6 +/- 9 minutes and by cyclic reflow and reocclusion. In the c7E3-Fab group, reperfusion was obtained within 25 +/- 8 minutes (P < .01 versus aspirin group) and was associated with a delayed reocclusion of 63 +/- 63 minutes (P < .05 versus aspirin group). Template bleeding times remained unchanged in the aspirin/rt-PA group but were markedly prolonged (to > 30 minutes) in the c7E3-Fab/rt-PA group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rapid infarct imaging with a technetium-99m-labeled antimyosin recombinant single-chain Fv: evaluation in a canine model of acute myocardial infarction.

Studies of monoclonal antibody-based imaging agents show that blood clearance is inversely proportional to molecular size, i.e., Fab or Fab' > F(ab')2 > IgG. Indium-111-antimyosin Fab-DTPA is a highly specific and sensitive marker for myocardial necrosis. An improvement on current antibody diagnostic imaging may result from the use of smaller labeled fragments. We report the first in vivo targeting of acute myocardial infarction with a novel recombinant single-chain Fv (sFv) antimyosin protein. The sFv (MW = 27,594) is approximately one-half the size of the Fab and is comprised of the heavy and light chain variable regions from the myosin-specific murine monoclonal antibody R11D10 which were joined by a 15-amino-acid linker and expressed as a fusion protein (sFv) in E. coli. The binding affinity of the sFv for cardiac myosin was similar to the affinity observed for the Fab fragment. Technetium-99m labeling of the sFv was accomplished by the attachment of a cleavable, ester-linked bifunctional chelator (RP-1). Comparative studies in mice showed 99mTc-sFv-RP-1 cleared significantly faster (p < 0.001) than 99mTc-Fab'-RP-1 and 111In-Fab-DTPA antimyosin fragments. Furthermore, measurement of 99mTc-sFv-RP-1 blood clearance in a canine model of acute myocardial infarction gave a mean T1/2 of 0.54 +/- 0.13 hr versus 2.80 +/- 0.57 and 2.58 +/- 0.64 hr for Fab-DTPA and Fab'-RP-1 (p < 0.05), respectively. Despite its comparatively rapid clearance, 99mTc sFv-RP-1 had similar uptake in the infarct compared to the Fab'-RP-1. In addition, infarct visualization was more rapid with the sFv. Thus, these data demonstrate antimyosin sFv possesses characteristics necessary for rapid imaging of myocardial necrosis.

Labeling and stability of radiolabeled antibody fragments by a direct 99mTc-labeling method.

The in vitro labeling and stability of 99mTc-labeled antibody Fab' fragments prepared by a direct labeling technique were evaluated. Eight antibody fragments derived from murine IgG1 (N = 5), IgG2a (N = 2) and IgG3 (N = 1) isotypes were labeled with a preformed 99mTc-D-glucarate complex. No loss of radioactivity incorporation was observed for all the 99mTc-labeled antibody fragments after 24 h incubation at 37 degrees C. The 99mTc-labeled antibody fragments (IgG1, N = 2; IgG2a, N = 2; IgG3, N = 1) were stable upon challenge with DTPA, EDTA or acidic pH. Furthermore, using the affinity chromatography technique, two of the 99mTc-labeled antibody fragments displayed no loss of immunoreactivity after prolonged incubation in phosphate buffer up to 24 h at 37 degrees C. The bonding between 99mTc and antibody fragments was elucidated by challenging with a diamide ditholate (N2S2) compound. The Fab' with IgG2a isotype displayed tighter binding to 99mTc in comparison to the Fab' from IgG1 and IgG3 isotype in N2S2 challenge and incubation with human plasma. The in vivo biodistribution of five 99mTc-labeled fragments were evaluated in normal mice. In conclusion, the direct labeling method allows stable 99mTc labeling of antibody fragments from three of the major murine isotypes.

An instant kit method for labeling antimyosin Fab' with technetium-99m: evaluation in an experimental myocardial infarct model.

An instant kit method for labeling antibody Fab' fragments was developed. The method utilizes a ligand exchange reaction between the intermediate complex 99mTc-D-glucarate and the free sulfhydryl groups on the antibody Fab' fragment. Radiolabeling of the Fab' using generator eluate achieves quantitative 99mTc incorporation in less than 30 min at room temperature. The radiolabel is stable in human plasma for at least 24 hr and stable to incubation with 10 mM diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid (24 hr) and 1 mM diaminodithiol agent (up to 3 hr). Mouse biodistribution of 99mTc-antimyosin shows faster blood clearance and lower uptake in the lungs, liver, and spleen in comparison to 111In-antimyosin. Technetium-99m-antimyosin and 111In-antimyosin showed equivalent ability to detect myocardial infarct in a canine model.

Evaluation of the 323/A3 monoclonal antibody and the use of technetium-99m-labeled 323/A3 Fab' for the detection of pan adenocarcinoma.

The 323/A3 murine monoclonal antibody, initially described as reactive to breast carcinomas, is found by immunohistological analyses to have broad cross reactivity with adenocarcinomas of diverse histologic origin. The 323/A3 antigen is similar to the tumor-associated 17-1A antigen as revealed by immunoblot and cross-competition cell binding studies. We have investigated the potential use of the 323/A3 monoclonal antibody for tumor imaging as a Fab' molecule labeled with 99mTc. In vitro studies demonstrate that 323/A3 Fab' has high affinity (2-3 x 10(9) M-1) with no significant loss of immunoreactivity compared to the intact IgG. In vivo studies demonstrate that 99mTc 323/A3 Fab' can rapidly detect human breast and colon tumor xenografts growing in athymic nude mice. Distinct breast tumor visualization is observed as early as 1 h post intravenous administration with the 99mTc 323/A3 Fab'. Distinct colon tumor visualization is observed by 3 h (the earliest time point imaged). Tumor-to-blood ratios are higher for 99mTc 323/A3 Fab' than with a 99mTc-labeled nonspecific isotype-matched Fab' antibody. These results suggest that 99mTc 323/A3 Fab' can detect 17-1A antigen and may have potential clinical utility for the rapid diagnostic imaging of adenocarcinomas.

Enhanced kidney clearance with an ester-linked 99mTc-radiolabeled antibody Fab'-chelator conjugate.

Bifunctional chelators for labeling antibodies with 99mTc based on the N3S core of (mercaptoacetyl)-triglycine having ester or amide linking moieties were synthesized and site-specifically attached to the sulfhydryl groups of the Fab' fragment of antimyosin. Protein labeling was quantitative after 15 min; postlabeling purification was not necessary. The radiolabeled conjugates exhibited no loss of immunoreactivity. Under basic conditions, the ester-linked conjugate lost 95% of the radiolabel in the form of the 99mTc complex of (mercaptoacetyl)triglycine as determined by RP-HPLC, while the radioactivity in the amide-linked conjugate remained completely bound to the protein. In a mouse biodistribution study, the ester-linked conjugate showed a 2-fold enhancement in clearance from the kidney when compared to the amide-linked product.

Gold sodium thiomalate toxicity in cadmium-sensitive and cadmium-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Gold sodium thiomalate was incubated with one cadmium-sensitive cell line and two cadmium-resistant variants. The resistant lines have been reported to synthesize metallothionein (MT) in response to both cadmium and zinc, whereas the sensitive line does not. All cell lines showed a dose-dependent inhibition of growth as a result of gold sodium thiomalate treatment. However, daily comparisons of cell numbers indicate that the cadmium-resistant lines actually increase in number at the highest gold concentrations, whereas numbers of cells in the nonresistant line decrease. MT biosynthesis was measured by monitoring the incorporation of [35S )cysteine into low molecular weight protein. None of the cells synthesized MT in response to gold. When incubated with both zinc and gold, MT was synthesized by both of the cadmium resistant lines; however, the amount of MT synthesized was reduced in the presence of gold which appears to inhibit the uptake of [35S]cysteine by all the cell lines. Although MT is synthesized in the presence of zinc and gold sodium thiomalate, the MT does not have a significant effect on the ability of these cells to withstand high concentrations of gold.

Measurement of both left ventricular function and regional myocardial perfusion with 133Xe in dogs.

A technique to measure left ventricular (LV) function and myocardial perfusion was validated in 12 dogs. 133Xe in saline was injected into the left atrium (LA) or LV and two data sets were obtained using gamma camera imaging: 1) A first pass gated scan for LV function; followed by 2) Sequential images for regional myocardial perfusion. LV ejection fraction and wall motion measurements from the 133Xe blood pool images were compared to ejection fraction (r = 0.88, P less than 0.01) and wall motion (r = 0.83, P less than 0.01) data from 99mTc labeled blood pool scans. The perfusion measurements obtained with the 133Xe method were compared to microsphere data (r = 0.79, P less than 0.01). Measurements after LV 133Xe injection were similar to data following LA injection. Thus, quantitative assessment of global LV function, regional wall motion and myocardial perfusion is possible with LA or LV 133Xe injection and gamma camera imaging.