TLR2 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells promotes control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Although a role for TLR2 on T cells has been indicated in prior studies, in vivo stimulation of TLR2 on T cells by Mtb and its impact on Mtb infection has not been tested. Furthermore, it is not known if the enhanced susceptibility to Mtb of Tlr2 gene knockout mice is due to its role in macrophages, T cells, or both. To address TLR2 on T cells, we generated Tlr2fl/flxCd4cre/cre mice, which lack expression of TLR2 on both CD4 and CD8 T cells, to study the in vivo role of TLR2 on T cells after aerosol infection with virulent Mtb. Deletion of TLR2 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells reduces their ability to be co-stimulated by TLR2 ligands for cytokine production. These include both pro- (IFN-γ, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). Deletion of TLR2 in T cells affected control of Mtb in the lungs and spleens of infected mice. This suggests that T-cell co-stimulation by mycobacterial TLR2 ligands in vivo contributes to the control of Mtb infection in the lung and spleen.

Recent advances in breast cancer cell line research.

Breast cancer, a formidable global health challenge, needs continuous translational research to understand the complexity of mechanisms and improve therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Breast cancer cell lines are of paramount importance as they significantly contribute to the initial stage of research to understand cancer biology. This review provides insights into targeted therapies and immunotherapies that have emerged using in vitro models and microbiome analysis. It focuses on therapeutic development using cell lines and the limitations of tumor heterogeneity and microenvironment. We explore the evolving landscape of breast cancer cell lines from two-dimensional (2-D) cultures to patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models advancing both fundamental and translational research. Patient-derived xenografts, cell line-derived xenografts (CDX), three-dimensional (3-D) cultures, organoids, and circulating tumor cells (CTC) models provide promising alternatives that capture the intricacies of the tumor microenvironment. This review bridges the gap between traditional cell lines and newer developments exploring the therapeutic and diagnostic advancements and needs for cell lines to expedite the progress in breast cancer research and treatment.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Lipoprotein and Lipoglycan Binding to Toll-Like Receptor 2 Correlates with Agonist Activity and Functional Outcomes.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes persistent infection due to its ability to evade host immune responses. M. tuberculosis induces Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling, which influences immune responses to M. tuberculosis TLR2 agonists expressed by M. tuberculosis include lipoproteins (e.g., LprG), the glycolipid phosphatidylinositol mannoside 6 (PIM6), and the lipoglycan lipomannan (LM). Another M. tuberculosis lipoglycan, mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM), lacks TLR2 agonist activity. In contrast, PILAM, from Mycobacterum smegmatis, does have TLR2 agonist activity. Our understanding of how M. tuberculosis lipoproteins and lipoglycans interact with TLR2 is limited, and binding of these molecules to TLR2 has not been measured directly. Here, we directly measured M. tuberculosis lipoprotein and lipoglycan binding to TLR2 and its partner receptor, TLR1. LprG, LAM, and LM were all found to bind to TLR2 in the absence of TLR1, but not to TLR1 in the absence of TLR2. Trimolecular interactions were revealed by binding of TLR2-LprG or TLR2-PIM6 complexes to TLR1, whereas binding of TLR2 to TLR1 was not detected in the absence of the lipoprotein or glycolipid. ManLAM exhibited low affinity for TLR2 in comparison to PILAM, LM, and LprG, which correlated with reduced ability of ManLAM to induce TLR2-mediated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion in macrophages. We provide the first direct affinity measurement and kinetic analysis of M. tuberculosis lipoprotein and lipoglycan binding to TLR2. Our results demonstrate that binding affinity correlates with the functional ability of agonists to induce TLR2 signaling.

Quantitative Differentiation of Pneumonia from Normal Lungs: Diagnostic Assessment Using Photoacoustic Spectral Response.

Pneumonia is an acute lung infection that takes life of many young children in developing countries. Early stage (red hepatization) detection of pneumonia would be pragmatic to control mortality rate. Detection of this disease at early stages demands the knowledge of pathology, making it difficult to screen noninvasively. We propose photoacoustic spectral response (PASR), a noninvasive elasticity-dependent technique for early stage pneumonia detection. We report the quantitative red hepatization detection of pneumonia through median frequency, spectral energy, and variance. Significant contrast in spectral parameters due to change in sample elasticity is found. The tissue-mimicking phantom study illustrates a 39% increase in median frequency for 1.5 times the change in density. On applying to formalin-fixed pneumonia-affected goat lungs, it provides a distinct change in spectral parameters between pneumonia affected areas and normal lungs. The obtained PASR results were found to be highly correlating to standard histopathology. The proposed technique therefore has potential to be a regular diagnostic tool for early pneumonia detection.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Membrane Vesicles Inhibit T Cell Activation.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis utilizes multiple mechanisms to evade host immune responses, and inhibition of effector CD4+ T cell responses by M. tuberculosis may contribute to immune evasion. TCR signaling is inhibited by M. tuberculosis cell envelope lipoglycans, such as lipoarabinomannan and lipomannan, but a mechanism for lipoglycans to traffic from M. tuberculosis within infected macrophages to reach T cells is unknown. In these studies, we found that membrane vesicles produced by M. tuberculosis and released from infected macrophages inhibited the activation of CD4+ T cells, as indicated by reduced production of IL-2 and reduced T cell proliferation. Flow cytometry and Western blot demonstrated that lipoglycans from M. tuberculosis-derived bacterial vesicles (BVs) are transferred to T cells, where they inhibit T cell responses. Stimulation of CD4+ T cells in the presence of BVs induced expression of GRAIL, a marker of T cell anergy; upon restimulation, these T cells showed reduced ability to proliferate, confirming a state of T cell anergy. Furthermore, lipoarabinomannan was associated with T cells after their incubation with infected macrophages in vitro and when T cells were isolated from lungs of M. tuberculosis-infected mice, confirming the occurrence of lipoarabinomannan trafficking to T cells in vivo. These studies demonstrate a novel mechanism for the direct regulation of CD4+ T cells by M. tuberculosis lipoglycans conveyed by BVs that are produced by M. tuberculosis and released from infected macrophages. These lipoglycans are transferred to T cells to inhibit T cell responses, providing a mechanism that may promote immune evasion.

Responsiveness to IL-7 but not to IFN-α is diminished in CD4+ T cells from treated HIV infected patients who experience poor CD4+ T-cell recovery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess CD4 T-cell responsiveness to IL-7 and IFN-α in HIV-infected patients who experience poor recovery of CD4 T-cell counts during therapy (immune failure patients). DESIGN: Responses to IL-7 and IFN-α were compared between HIV-infected immune failure (CD4 cell counts <379 cells/µl) patients and immune success (CD4 cell counts >500 cells/µl) as well as healthy control patients. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to assess peripheral blood mononuclear cells for IL-7-induced proliferation, CD25 expression, and signaling (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 phosphorylation and Akt phosphorylation) in CD4 T cells. Freshly isolated cells were characterized by expression of IL-7Rα (CD127) among CD4 T-cell maturation subsets by flow cytometry and sorted CD3 T cells were assessed for expression of IFN-α and interferon stimulated genes (2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase-1 and myxovirus resistance A protein) by quantitative real-time PCR. Responses to IFN-α were assessed by induction of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 phosphorylation and inhibition of IL-7-induced CD4 T-cell proliferation. RESULTS: IL-7-induced proliferation and CD25 expression were decreased in CD4 T cells from immune failure patients. CD127 expressing CD4 T cells were decreased, whereas expression of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase-1, myxovirus resistance A protein, and IFN-α mRNA were increased in total CD3 T cells from immune failure patients. CD127 expression correlated with CD25 induction but not proliferation, whereas T-cell IFN-α mRNA was associated with reduced proliferation in CD4 T cells from immune failure patients. IFN-α-mediated induction of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 phosphorylation and inhibition of proliferation were not diminished in CD4 T cells from immune failure patients. CONCLUSION: IL-7 responsiveness is impaired in immune failure patients and may be related to expression of CD127 and IFN-α.

ERK Signaling Is Essential for Macrophage Development.

Macrophages depend on colony stimulating factor 1 (also known as M-CSF) for their growth and differentiation, but the requirements for intracellular signals that lead to macrophage differentiation and function remain unclear. M-CSF is known to activate ERK1 and ERK2, but the importance of this signaling pathway in macrophage development is unknown. In these studies, we characterized a novel model of Erk1(-/-) Erk2(flox/flox) Lyz2(Cre/Cre) mice in which the ERK2 isoform is deleted from macrophages in the background of global ERK1 deficiency. Cultures of M-CSF-stimulated bone marrow precursors from these mice yielded reduced numbers of macrophages. Whereas macrophages developing from M-CSF-stimulated bone marrow of Erk2(flox/flox) Lyz2(Cre/Cre) mice showed essentially complete loss of ERK2 expression, the reduced number of macrophages that develop from Erk1(-/-) Erk2(flox/flox) Lyz2(Cre/Cre) bone marrow show retention of ERK2 expression, indicating selective outgrowth of a small proportion of precursors in which Cre-mediated deletion failed to occur. The bone marrow of Erk1(-/-) Erk2(flox/flox) Lyz2(Cre/Cre) mice was enriched for CD11b+ myeloid cells, CD11b(hi) Gr-1(hi) neutrophils, Lin- c-Kit+ Sca-1+ hematopoietic stem cells, and Lin- c-Kit+ CD34+ CD16/32+ granulocyte-macrophage progenitors. Culture of bone marrow Lin- cells under myeloid-stimulating conditions yielded reduced numbers of monocytes. Collectively, these data indicate that the defect in production of macrophages is not due to a reduced number of progenitors, but rather due to reduced ability of progenitors to proliferate and produce macrophages in response to M-CSF-triggered ERK signaling. Macrophages from Erk1(-/-) Erk2(flox/flox) Lyz2(Cre/Cre) bone marrow showed reduced induction of M-CSF-regulated genes that depend on the ERK pathway for their expression. These data demonstrate that ERK1/ERK2 play a critical role in driving M-CSF-dependent proliferation of bone marrow progenitors for production of macrophages.

Toll-like receptor 2-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macrophages drives anti-inflammatory responses and inhibits Th1 polarization of responding T cells.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis survives within macrophages and employs immune evasion mechanisms to persist in the host. Protective T helper type 1 (Th1) responses are induced, and the immune response in most individuals is sufficient to restrict M. tuberculosis to latent infection, but most infections are not completely resolved. As T cells and macrophages respond, a balance is established between protective Th1-associated and other proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10. The mechanisms by which M. tuberculosis modulates host responses to promote its survival remain unclear. In these studies, we demonstrate that M. tuberculosis induction of IL-10, suppression of IL-12, and inhibition of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II) molecules in infected macrophages are all driven by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). Elimination of ERK signaling downstream of TLR2 by pharmacologic inhibition with U0126 or genetic deletion of Tpl2 blocks IL-10 secretion and enhances IL-12 p70 secretion. We demonstrate that M. tuberculosis regulation of these pathways in macrophages affects T cell responses to infected macrophages. Thus, genetic blockade of the ERK pathway in Tpl2(-/-) macrophages enhances Th1 polarization and IFN-γ production by antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells responding to M. tuberculosis infection. These data indicate that M. tuberculosis and its potent TLR2 ligands activate ERK signaling in macrophages to promote anti-inflammatory macrophage responses and blunt Th1 responses against the pathogen.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoprotein LprG binds lipoarabinomannan and determines its cell envelope localization to control phagolysosomal fusion.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) virulence is decreased by genetic deletion of the lipoprotein LprG, but the function of LprG remains unclear. We report that LprG expressed in Mtb binds to lipoglycans, such as lipoarabinomannan (LAM), that mediate Mtb immune evasion. Lipoglycan binding to LprG was dependent on both insertion of lipoglycan acyl chains into a hydrophobic pocket on LprG and a novel contribution of lipoglycan polysaccharide components outside of this pocket. An lprG null mutant (Mtb ΔlprG) had lower levels of surface-exposed LAM, revealing a novel role for LprG in determining the distribution of components in the Mtb cell envelope. Furthermore, this mutant failed to inhibit phagosome-lysosome fusion, an immune evasion strategy mediated by LAM. We propose that LprG binding to LAM facilitates its transfer from the plasma membrane into the cell envelope, increasing surface-exposed LAM, enhancing cell envelope integrity, allowing inhibition of phagosome-lysosome fusion and enhancing Mtb survival in macrophages.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoprotein LprG (Rv1411c) binds triacylated glycolipid agonists of Toll-like receptor 2.

Knockout of lprG results in decreased virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in mice. MTB lipoprotein LprG has TLR2 agonist activity, which is thought to be dependent on its N-terminal triacylation. Unexpectedly, here we find that nonacylated LprG retains TLR2 activity. Moreover, we show LprG association with triacylated glycolipid TLR2 agonists lipoarabinomannan, lipomannan and phosphatidylinositol mannosides (which share core structures). Binding of triacylated species was specific to LprG (not LprA) and increased LprG TLR2 agonist activity; conversely, association of glycolipids with LprG enhanced their recognition by TLR2. The crystal structure of LprG in complex with phosphatidylinositol mannoside revealed a hydrophobic pocket that accommodates the three alkyl chains of the ligand. In conclusion, we demonstrate a glycolipid binding function of LprG that enhances recognition of triacylated MTB glycolipids by TLR2 and may affect glycolipid assembly or transport for bacterial cell wall biogenesis.

Tra2beta as a novel mediator of vascular smooth muscle diversification.

Transformer splicing regulatory proteins determine the sexually dimorphic traits of Drosophila. The role of the vertebrate homologs of Tra-2 in phenotypic specification is undefined. We are using the alternative splicing of the MYPT1 E23 exon as a model for the study of smooth muscle diversification into fast and slow contractile phenotypes. Tra2beta mRNA and protein is expressed at up to 10-fold higher levels in fast smooth muscle tissues such as the rat portal vein and small mesenteric artery, in which E23 is spliced, as compared to the slow smooth muscle tissues of the large arteries and veins, in which E23 is skipped. Tra2beta is upregulated up to 10-fold concordant with the initiation of E23 splicing as the rat portal vein and avian gizzard implement the fast program of gene expression in the perinatal period. In disease models such as portal hypertension and mesenteric artery high/low flow, the portal vein and first order mesenteric artery dynamically downregulate Tra2beta concordant with a shift to E23 skipping and the slow program of gene expression. Tra2beta binds to a highly conserved sequence within E23 and transactivates its splicing in vitro and in vivo; this is abolished with mutation or deletion of this sequence. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of Tra2beta markedly reduces E23 splicing. We propose that Tra2beta has been conserved through evolution and redeployed for the specification of the fast smooth muscle phenotype and may serve as a novel nodal point for the investigation of this process in developmental and disease models.

Competition of PTB with TIA proteins for binding to a U-rich cis-element determines tissue-specific splicing of the myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1.

A considerable amount of smooth muscle phenotypic diversity is generated by tissue-specific and developmentally regulated splicing of alternative exons. The control mechanisms are unknown. We are using a myosin phosphatase targeting subunit-1 (MYPT1) alternative exon as a model to investigate this question. In the present study, we show that the RNA binding proteins TIA and PTB function as antagonistic enhancers and suppressors of splicing of the alternative exon, respectively. Each functions through a single U-rich element, containing two UCUU motifs, just downstream of the alternative exon 5' splice site. Tissue-specific down-regulation of TIA protein in the perinatal period allows PTB to bind to the U-rich element and suppress splicing of the alternative exon as the visceral smooth muscle acquires the fast-phasic smooth muscle contractile phenotype. This provides a novel role for PTB in the tissue-specific regulation of splicing of alternative exons during the generation of smooth muscle phenotypic diversity.

TIA proteins are necessary but not sufficient for the tissue-specific splicing of the myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1.

We are using the tissue-specific splicing of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT1) as a model to investigate smooth muscle phenotypic diversity. We previously identified a U-rich intronic enhancer flanking the 5' splice site (IE1), and a bipartite exonic enhancer/suppressor, that regulate splicing of the MYPT1 central alternative exon. Here we show that T-cell inhibitor of apoptosis (TIA-1) and T-cell inhibitor of apoptosis-related (TIAR) proteins bind to the IE1. Co-transfection of TIA expression vectors with a MYPT1 mini-gene construct increase splicing of the central alternative exon. TIA proteins do not enhance splicing when the palindromic exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) is mutated, indicating that TIAs are necessary but not sufficient for splicing. The ESE specifically binds SRp55 and SRp20 proteins, supporting a model in which both SR and TIA proteins binding to their cis-elements are required for the recruitment of the splicing complex to a weak 5' splice site. Inactivation of TIA proteins in the DT40 cell line (TIA-1(-/-)TIAR(+/-)) reduced the splicing of the central alternative exon of the endogenous MYPT1 as well as stably transfected MYPT1 minigene constructs. Splicing of the MYPT1 3' alternative exon and the MLC(17) alternative exon were unaffected, suggesting that TIA proteins regulate a subset of smooth muscle/nonmuscle alternative splicing reactions. Finally, reduced RNA binding and reduced expression of the TIA and SR proteins in phasic (gizzard) smooth muscle around hatching coincided with the switch from exon inclusion to exon skipping, suggesting that loss of TIA and SR enhancer activity may play a role in the developmental switch in MYPT1 splicing.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of folate receptor-targeted boronated PAMAM dendrimers as potential agents for neutron capture therapy.

Successful treatment of cancer by boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) requires the selective delivery of (10)B to constituent cells within a tumor. The expression of the folate receptor is amplified in a variety of human tumors and potentially might serve as a molecular target for BNCT. In the present study we have investigated the possibility of targeting the folate receptor on cancer cells using folic acid conjugates of boronated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) containing 3rd generation polyamidoamine dendrimers to obtain (10)B concentrations necessary for BNCT by reducing the uptake of these conjugates by the reticuloendothelial system. First we covalently attached 12-15 decaborate clusters to 3rd generation polyamidoamine dendrimers. Varying quantities of PEG units with varying chain lengths were then linked to these boronated dendrimers to reduce hepatic uptake. Among all prepared combinations, boronated dendrimers with 1-1.5 PEG(2000) units exhibited the lowest hepatic uptake in C57BL/6 mice (7.2-7.7% injected dose (ID)/g liver). Thus, two folate receptor-targeted boronated 3rd generation polyamidoamine dendrimers were prepared, one containing approximately 15 decaborate clusters and approximately 1 PEG(2000) unit with folic acid attached to the distal end, the other containing approximately 13 decaborate clusters, approximately 1 PEG(2000) unit, and approximately 1 PEG(800) unit with folic acid attached to the distal end. In vitro studies using folate receptor (+) KB cells demonstrated receptor-dependent uptake of the latter conjugate. Biodistribution studies with this conjugate in C57BL/6 mice bearing folate receptor (+) murine 24JK-FBP sarcomas resulted in selective tumor uptake (6.0% ID/g tumor), but also high hepatic (38.8% ID/g) and renal (62.8% ID/g) uptake, indicating that attachment of a second PEG unit and/or folic acid may adversely affect the pharmacodynamics of this conjugate.

Folate receptor-mediated liposomal delivery of a lipophilic boron agent to tumor cells in vitro for neutron capture therapy.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at the in vitro evaluations of folate receptor (FR)-targeted liposomes as carriers for a lipophilic boron agent, K[nido-7-CH3(CH2)15-7,8-C2B9H11, in FR-overexpressing tumor cells for neutron capture therapy. METHODS: Large unilamellar vesicles (-200 nm in diameter) were prepared with the composition of egg PC/chol/K[nido-7-CH3(CH2)15-7,8-C2B9H11] (2:2:1, mol/mol), with an additional 0.5 mol % of folate-PEG-DSPE or PEG-DSPE added for the FR-targeted or nontargeted liposomal formulations, respectively. RESULTS: Boron-containing, FR-targeted liposomes readily bound to KB cells, an FR-overexpressing cell line, and were internalized via FR-mediated endocytosis. The boron uptake in cells treated with these liposomes was approximately 10 times greater compared with those treated with control liposomes. In contrast, FR-targeted and nontargeted liposomes showed no difference in boron delivery efficiency in F98 cells, which do not express the FR. The subcellular distribution of the boron compound in KB cells treated with the FR-targeted liposomes was investigated by cellular fractionation experiments, which showed that most of the boron compound was found in either the cytosol/endosomal or cell membrane fractions, indicating efficient internalization of the liposomal boron. CONCLUSION: FR-targeted liposomes incorporating the lipophilic boron agent, K[nido-7-CH3(CH2)15-7,8-C2B9H11], into its bilayer were capable of specific receptor binding and receptor-mediated endocytosis in cultured KB cells. Such liposomes warrant further investigations for use in neutron capture therapy.

Convection-enhanced delivery of boronated epidermal growth factor for molecular targeting of EGF receptor-positive gliomas.

Convection enhanced delivery (CED) is potentially a powerful method to improvethe targeting of macromolecules to the central nervous system by applying a pressure gradient to establish bulk flow through the brain interstitium during infusion. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate CED as a means to improve the intracerebral and intratumoral (i.t.) uptake of a heavily boronated macromolecule (dendrimer; BD) linked to epidermal growth factor (EGF) for neutron capture therapy in rats bearing a syngeneic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) + glioma. Boronated EGF was radiolabeled with 125I and administered by CED at a rate of 0.33 micro l/min for 15, 30, and 60 min [infusion volumes (V(I)) of 5, 10, and 20 micro l, respectively], using a syringe pump connected to an indwelling cannula implanted into the right caudate nucleus of normal rats or i.t. in rats bearing either F98(EGFR) or F98 wild-type (F98(WT)) gliomas. After infusion, rats were euthanized, and their brains were removed and serially sectioned. The uptake and biodistribution of (125)I-boronated EGF in tumor or brain was studied by quantitative autoradiography and gamma-scintillation counting. The volume of distribution (V(d)) in brain was assessed using a computer interfaced image analysis system. After CED, the V(d) increased from 34.4 to 123.5 micro l with corresponding V(i) ranging from 5 to 20 micro l. The V(d) of BD-EGF in the brain was 64.8 +/- 13.4 micro l with CED (V(i) 10 micro ), and the V(d):V(i) ratio was 6.5 compared with a V(d) of 9.4 +/- 1.6 micro l and a V(d):V(i) ratio of 0.9 after direct intracerebral injection. As determined by quantitative autoradiography and gamma-scintillation counting at 24 h after CED, 47.4% of the injected dose per gram tissue (%ID/g) was localized in F98(EGFR) gliomas compared with 33.2%ID/g after direct i.t. injection and 12.3%ID/g in F98(WT) gliomas. On the basis of these observations, we have concluded that CED is more effective than i.t. injection as a way to deliver boronated EGF to EGFR (+) gliomas for boron neutron capture therapy.

Boron-containing folate receptor-targeted liposomes as potential delivery agents for neutron capture therapy.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) depends on the selective delivery of a sufficient number of (10)B atoms to tumor cells to sustain a lethal (10)B(n,alpha)(7)Li reaction. Expression of FR frequently is amplified among human tumors. The goal of the present study was to investigate folate receptor (FR)-targeted liposomes as potential carriers for a series of boron-containing agents. Two highly ionized boron compounds, Na(2)[B(12)H(11)SH] and Na(3) (B(20)H(17)NH(3)), were incorporated into liposomes by passive loading with encapsulation efficiencies of 6% and 15%, respectively. In addition, five weakly basic boronated polyamines were investigated. Two were the spermidine derivatives: N(5)-(4-carboranylbutyl)spermidine.3HCl (SPD-5), N(5)-[4-(2-aminoethyl-o-carboranyl)butyl]spermidine.4HCl (ASPD-5). Three were the spermine derivatives: N(5)-(4-carboranylbutyl)spermine.4HCl (SPM-5), N(5)-[4-(2-aminoethyl-o-carboranyl)butyl]spermine.5HCl (ASPM-5), and N(5),N(10)-bis(4-carboranylbutyl)spermine.4 HCl (SPM-5,10). These were incorporated into liposomes by a pH-gradient-driven remote-loading method with varying loading efficiencies, which were influenced by the specific trapping agent and the structure of the boron compound. Greater loading efficiencies were obtained with lower molecular weight boron derivatives, using ammonium sulfate as the trapping agent, compared to those obtained with sodium citrate. The in vitro uptake of folate-derivatized, boronated liposomes was investigated using human KB squamous epithelial cancer cells, which have amplified FR expression. Higher cellular boron uptake (up to 1584 microg per 10(9) cells) was observed with FR-targeted liposomes than with nontargeted control liposomes (up to 154 microg per 10(9) cells), irrespective of the chemical form of the boron and the method used for liposomal preparation. KB cell binding of the FR-targeted liposomes was saturable and could be blocked by 1 mM free folic acid. Our findings suggest that further evaluation of FR-targeted liposomes is warranted to assess their potential as boron carriers for neutron capture therapy.

Molecular targeting of the epidermal growth factor receptor for neutron capture therapy of gliomas.

Success of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is dependent on cellular and molecular targeting of sufficient amounts of boron-10 to sustain a lethal (10)B (n, alpha) (7)Li capture reaction. The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of boronated epidermal growth factor (EGF) either alone or in combination with boronophenylalanine (BPA) as delivery agents for an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) -positive glioma, designated F98(EGFR). A heavily boronated precision macromolecule [boronated starburst dendrimer (BSD)] was chemically linked to EGF by heterobifunctional reagents. Either F98 wild-type (F98(WT)) receptor (-) or EGFR gene-transfected F98(EGFR) cells, which expressed 5 x 10(5) receptor sites/cell, were stereotactically implanted into the brains of Fischer rats, and 2 weeks later biodistribution studies were initiated. For biodistribution studies rats received an intratumoral (i.t.) injection of (125)I-labeled BSD-EGF and were euthanized either 6 or 24 h later. At 6 h, equivalent amounts of BSD-EGF were detected in F98(EGFR) and F98(WT) tumors. Persistence of the bioconjugate in F98(EGFR) tumors was specifically determined by EGFR expression. By 24 h 33.2% of injected dose/g of EGF-BSD was retained by F98(EGFR) gliomas compared with 9.4% % of injected dose/g in F98(WT) gliomas, and the corresponding boron concentrations were 21.1 microg/g and 9.2 microg/g, respectively. Boron concentrations in normal brain, blood, liver, kidneys, and spleen all were at nondetectable levels (<0.5 microg/g). On the basis of these results, BNCT was initiated at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Medical Research Reactor. Two weeks after implantation of 10(3) F98(EGFR) or F98(WT) tumor cells, rats received an i.t. injection of BSD-EGF (approximately 60 microg (10)B/approximately 15 microg EGF) either alone or in combination with i.v. BPA (500 mg/kg). Rats were irradiated at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor 24 h after i.t. injection, which was timed to coincide with 2.5 h after i.v. injection of BPA for those animals that received both capture agents. Untreated control rats had a mean survival time (MST) +/- SE of 27 +/- 1 day, and irradiated controls had a MST of 31 +/- 1 day. Animals bearing F98(EGFR) gliomas, which had received i.t. BSD-EGF and BNCT, had a MST of 45 +/- 5 days compared with 33 +/- 2 days for animals bearing F98(WT) tumors (P = 0.0032), and rats that received i.t. BSD-EGF in combination with i.v. BPA had a MST of 57 +/- 8 days compared with 39 +/- 2 days for i.v. BPA alone (P = 0.016). Our data are the first to show in vivo efficacy of BNCT using a high molecular weight boronated bioconjugate to target amplified EGFR expressed on gliomas, and they provide a platform for the future development of combinations of high and low molecular weight agents for BNCT.