Multi-omics analysis of innate and adaptive responses to BCG vaccination reveals epigenetic cell states that predict trained immunity.

Immune responses are tightly regulated yet highly variable between individuals. To investigate human population variation of trained immunity, we immunized healthy individuals with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). This live-attenuated vaccine induces not only an adaptive immune response against tuberculosis but also triggers innate immune activation and memory that are indicative of trained immunity. We established personal immune profiles and chromatin accessibility maps over a 90-day time course of BCG vaccination in 323 individuals. Our analysis uncovered genetic and epigenetic predictors of baseline immunity and immune response. BCG vaccination enhanced the innate immune response specifically in individuals with a dormant immune state at baseline, rather than providing a general boost of innate immunity. This study advances our understanding of BCG's heterologous immune-stimulatory effects and trained immunity in humans. Furthermore, it highlights the value of epigenetic cell states for connecting immune function with genotype and the environment.

Elucidating the Impact of Material Properties on Tablet Manufacturability for Binary Paracetamol Blends.

PURPOSE: Although the mechanical properties of paracetamol and MCC are extensively described in literature, there still is a need for a better understanding of the material properties impacting them. Thus, this study systematically analyzed material properties of paracetamol-MCC blends to elucidate their influence on the mechanical tablet properties in roller compaction and direct compression with special focus on surface properties. METHODS: Multiple material characteristics of binary mixtures of paracetamol and MCC with varying drug loads were analyzed, with particular emphasis on specific surface area and surface energy. Subsequently, mechanical tablet properties of the materials in direct compression and after roller compaction were examined. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the impact of the initial material properties on mechanical tablet properties prevailed over the impact of processing route for paracetamol-MCC blends, underlining the importance of material characterization for tabletability of oral solid dosage forms. By applying bivariate as well as multivariate analysis, key material properties influencing the tabletability of paracetamol, MCC and its mixtures such as surface area, surface energy, effective angle of internal friction and density descriptors were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the importance of comprehensive assessment of different material characteristics leading to a deeper understanding of underlying factors impacting mechanical tablet properties in direct compression and after roller compaction by the example of paracetamol-MCC mixtures with varying drug loads. Furthermore, it was shown that multivariate analysis could be a valuable extension to common bivariate analysis to reveal underlying correlations of material properties.

Reactivity of [Cp*Fe(η5 -As5 )] towards Carbenes, Silylenes and Germylenes.

The reaction behavior of [Cp*Fe(η5 -As5 )] (I) (Cp*=C5 Me5 ) towards carbenes and their heavier analogs was investigated. The reaction of I with NHCs (NHCs=N-heterocyclic carbenes) results in the first substitution products of polyarsenic ligand complexes by NHCs [Cp*Fe(η4 -As5 NHC)] (1 a: NHC=IMe=1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene, 1 b: NHC=IMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene). In contrast, the reaction of I with Et CAAC (Et CAAC=2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,4-diethyl-2,2-dimethyl-pyrrolidin-5-ylidene) leads to a fragmentation and the formation of an unprecedented As6 -sawhorse-type compound [As2 (AsEt CAAC)4 ] (2). The reaction of (LE)2 (L=PhC(Nt Bu)2 ; E=Si, Ge) with I resulted in a rearrangement and an insertion of LE fragments, forming unique silicon- (4: [Cp*Fe(η4 -As4 SiL)], 5 a: [Cp*Fe(η4 -As6 SiL)) and germanium-containing (5 b: [Cp*Fe(η4 -As6 GeL)) cyclic polyarsenic ligand complexes.

Development of In Vitro Dry Eye Models to Study Proliferative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Allogeneic Serum Eye Drops.

This study aimed to develop valid in vitro models for preclinical evaluation of proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of human allogeneic serum eye drops for dry eye disease (DED) treatment. A DED wound healing model was developed by analyzing the influence of coating and serum concentrations on human corneal epithelial (HCE-T) wound closure. Further, intralaboratory variance, freeze-thaw cycle effects, donor variability and stability assays were conducted. Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were used to induce the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß) and IL-1ß. MMP9 induction was optimized using a design-of-experiments (DoE) approach and applied to examine serum under static and dynamic conditions. MMP9 protein expression was analyzed by ELISA. The DED wound healing model detected proliferative effects of serum down to 1% with a small intralaboratory variance. Serum stability was shown over six months, donor variance could be detected, and freeze-thaw cycle effects did not affect wound closure. Serum decreased MMP9 expression on the gene and protein levels. The induction method was successfully optimized using DoE modeling and transferred to a dynamic setting mimicking tear film fluidics. The DED wound healing and inflammatory DED model present useful in vitro models for the preclinical evaluation of allogeneic serum eye drops without the use of animal experiments.

Nucleophilic Attack at Pentaarsaferrocene [Cp*Fe(η5 -As5 )]-The Way to Larger Polyarsenide Ligands.

By the reaction of [Cp*Fe(η5 -As5 )] (I) (Cp*=C5 Me5 ) with main group nucleophiles, unique functionalized products with η4 -coordinated polyarsenide (Asn ) units (n=5, 6, 20) are obtained. With carbon-based nucleophiles such as MeLi or KBn (Bn=CH2 Ph), the anionic organo-substituted polyarsenide complexes, [Li(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp*Fe(η4 -As5 Me)] (1 a) and [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp*Fe{η4 -As5 (CH2 Ph)}] (1 b), are accessible. The use of KAsPh2 leads to a selective and controlled extension of the As5 unit and the formation of the monoanionic compound [K(2.2.2-cryptand][Cp*Fe(η4 -As6 Ph2 )] (2). When I is reacted with [M]As(SiMe3 )2 (M=Li ⋅ THF; K), the formation of the largest known anionic polyarsenide unit in [M'(2.2.2-cryptand)]2 [(Cp*Fe)4 {µ5 -η4 :η4 :η3 :η3 :η1 :η1 -As20 }] (3) occurred (M'=Li (3 a), K (3 b)).

Dexamethasone-loaded keratin films for ocular surface reconstruction.

Amniotic membrane (AM) is often applied as a substitute material during ocular surface reconstruction. However, since AM has several disadvantages, alternative materials must be considered for this application. Keratin films made from human hair (KFs) have previously been presented as a promising option; they exhibited suitable characteristics and satisfactory biocompatibility in an in vivo rabbit model. Nevertheless, dexamethasone (DEX) eye drops are necessary after surgery to suppress inflammation. Since eye drops must be administered frequently, this might result in poor patient compliance, and the release of DEX at the transplant site would be clinically beneficial. Therefore, we aimed to incorporate DEX into KFs without hindering the positive film characteristics. Drug-loaded KFs were generated either by suspension technique or by the addition of solubilizing agents. The resulting specimens were analyzed regarding appearance, loading capacity, transparency, mechanical characteristics, swelling behavior and in vitro release. Furthermore, biocompatibility was assessed in vitro by determining the cell viability, seeding efficiency and growth behavior of corneal epithelial cells. The amount of incorporated DEX influenced the transparency and biomechanical properties of the films, but even highly loaded films showed properties similar to those of AM. The suspension technique was identified as the best incorporation approach regarding chemical stability and prolonged DEX release. Moreover, suspended DEX in the films did not negatively impact cell seeding efficiencies, and the cell-growth behaviors on the specimens with moderate DEX loads were satisfactory. This suggest that these films could comprise a suitable alternative material with additional anti-inflammatory activity for ocular surface reconstruction. Graphical abstract.

Stable Two-Legged Parent Piano-Stool and Mixed Diborabenzene-E4 (E=P, As) Sandwich Complexes of Group 8.

A cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene-stabilized 1,4-diborabenzene (DBB) ligand enables the isolation of 18-electron two-legged parent piano-stool Fe0 and Ru0 complexes, [(η6 -DBB)M(CO)2 ], the ruthenium complex being the first of its kind to be structurally characterized. [(η6 -DBB)Fe(CO)2 ] reacts with E4 (E=P, As) to yield mixed DBB-cyclo-E4 sandwich complexes with planar E4 2- ligands. Computational analyses confirm the strong electron-donating capacity of the DBB ligand and show that the E4 ligand is bound by four equivalent Fe-P σ bonds.

Redox Chemistry of Heterobimetallic Polypnictogen Triple-Decker Complexes - Rearrangement, Fragmentation and Transfer.

The redox chemistry of the heterobimetallic triple-decker complexes [(Cp*Fe)(Cp'''Co)(µ,η5 :η4 -E5 )] (E=P (1), As (2), Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl, Cp'''=1,2,4-tri-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl) and [(Cp'''Co)(Cp'''Ni)(µ,η3 :η3 -E3 )] (E=P (10), As (11)) was investigated. Compound 1 and 2 could be oxidized to the monocations 3 and 4 and further to the dications 5 and 6, while the initially folded cyclo-E5 ligand planarizes upon oxidation. The reduction leads to an opposite change in the geometry of the middle deck, which is now folded stronger into the direction of the other metal fragment (formation of monoanions 7 and 8). For the arsenic compound 8, a different behavior is found since a fragmentation into an As6 (9) and As3 ligand complex occurs. The Co and Ni triple-decker complexes 10 and 11 can be oxidized initially to the heterometallic monocations 12 and 13, which are not stable in solution and convert selectively into the homometallic nickel complexes 14 and 15 and the cobalt complexes 16 and 17. This behavior was further proven by the oxidation of [(Cp'''Co)(Cp''Ni)(µ,η3 :η2 -P3 )] (19, Cp''=1,3-di-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl) comprising two different Cp ligands. The transfer of {CpR M} fragments can be suppressed when a {W(CO)5 } unit is coordinated to the P3 ligand (20) prior to the oxidation and the mixed cobalt and nickel cation 21 can be isolated. The reduction of 10 and 11 yields the heterometallic monoanions 22 and 23, where no transfer of the {CpR M} fragments is observed.

d/f-Polypnictides Derived by Non-Classical Ln2+ Compounds: Synthesis, Small Molecule Activation and Optical Properties.

Reduction chemistry induced by divalent lanthanides has been primarily focused on samarium so far. In light of the rich physical properties of the lanthanides, this limitation to one element is a drawback. Since molecular divalent compounds of almost all lanthanides have been available for some time, we used one known and two new non-classical reducing agents of the early lanthanides to establish a sophisticated reduction chemistry. As a result, six new d/f-polyphosphides or d/f-polyarsenides, [K(18-crown-6)] [Cp''2 Ln(E5 )FeCp*] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd; E=P, As) were obtained. Their reactivity was studied by activation of P4 , resulting in a selective expansion of the P5 rings. The obtained compounds [K(18-crown-6)] [Cp''2 Ln(P7 )FeCp*] (Ln=La, Nd) are the first examples of an activation of P4 by a f-element-polypnictide complex. Additionally, the first systematic femtosecond (fs)-spectroscopy investigations of d/f-polypnictides are presented to showcase the advantages of having access to a broader series of lanthanide compounds.

Versatile Coordination of AgI and CuI Ions towards cyclo-As5 Ligands.

The reactions of the cyclo-As5 complex [Cp*Fe(η5 -As5 )] (B) with the AgI and CuI salts of the weakly coordinating anion (WCA) [FAl{OC6 F10 (C6 F5 )}3 ]- ([FAl]- ) are studied. These reactions allow the synthesis of the mononuclear complexes [M(η5 : η2 -B)2 ][FAl] (M=Ag (1), Cu (2)) when a ratio of B/M(FAl) 2 : 1 is used. Compound 1 shows an unusual disorder of the central AgI cation between two π-coordinating cyclo-As5 ligands, which is absent in 2 pointing to a weak interaction of the Ag center towards the cyclo-As5 ligands in B. When the ratio of B/Ag(FAl) is changed to 3 : 1 or 1 : 1, the respective coordination compounds [Ag(η2 -B)3 ][FAl] (3) and [Ag2 (η2 : η2 -B)2 ][FAl]2 (4) are accessible. The coordination modes of the cyclo-As5 units in 1, 3 and 4 are all different, reflecting the adaptive coordination behavior of B towards AgI ions. The optimized geometries in the gas phase of 1-4 are determined by DFT calculations to support the bonding situation observed in their solid-state structures.

Synthesis and Multiple Subsequent Reactivity of Anionic cyclo-E3 Ligand Complexes (E=P, As).

A synthetic pathway for the synthesis of novel anionic sandwich complexes with a cyclo-E3 (E=P, As) ligand as an end deck was developed giving [Cp'''Co(η3 -E3 )]- (Cp'''=1,2,4-tri-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl, E=P ([5]), As ([6])) in good yields suitable for further reactivity studies. In the reaction with the chlorophosphanes R2 PCl (R=Ph, Cy, t Bu), neutral complexes with a disubstituted cyclo-E3 P (E=P, As) ligand in [Cp'''Co(η3 -E3 PR2 )] (E=P (7 a-c), As (9 a-c)) were obtained. These compounds can be partially or completely converted into complexes with a cyclo-E3 (E=P, As) ligand with an exocyclic {PR2 } unit in [Cp'''Co(η2 :η1 -E3 PR2 )] (E=P (8 a-c), As (10 a-c)). Additionally, the insertion of the chlorosilylene [LSiCl] (L=(t BuN)2 CPh) into the cyclo-E3 ligand of [5] and [6] was achieved and the novel heteroatomic complexes [Cp'''Co(η3 -E3 SiL)] (E=P (11), As (12)) could be isolated. The reaction pathway was elucidated by DFT calculations.

Highly Selective Substitution and Insertion Reactions of Silylenes in a Metal-Coordinated Polyphosphide.

Selective substitution and insertion reactions of silylenes into the cyclo-P5 ring of [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)] are reported. The selective substitution of one P atom by an isoelectronic [LSi] fragment (L = PhC(NtBu)2) leads to [(η4-P4SiL)FeCp*] and [LSi(Cl)═P-SiL(Cl)2]. To elucidate the reaction mechanism, [{LSi(N(SiMe3)2)}{(η4-P5)FeCp*}], in which the silicon atom binds to the cyclo-P5 ring, was synthesized as a model compound for the reaction intermediate. The insertion of [LSi-SiL] into the cyclo-P5 ring of [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)] resulted in [{η4-P5(SiL)2}FeCp*] featuring a cyclo-P5(SiL)2 ring, which corresponds to the largest silicon-polyphosphorus ring known in a complex.

A General Pathway to Heterobimetallic Triple-Decker Complexes.

A systematic study on the reactivity of the triple-decker complex [(Cp'''Co)2 (µ,η4 :η4 -C7 H8 )] (A) (Cp'''=1,2,4-tritertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl) towards sandwich complexes containing cyclo-P3 , cyclo-P4 , and cyclo-P5 ligands under mild conditions is presented. The heterobimetallic triple-decker sandwich complexes [(Cp*Fe)(Cp'''Co)(µ,η5 :η4 -P5 )] (1) and [(Cp'''Co)(Cp'''Ni)(µ,η3 :η3 -P3 )] (3) (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) were synthesized and fully characterized. In solution, these complexes exhibit a unique fluxional behavior, which was investigated by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. The dynamic processes can be blocked by coordination to {W(CO)5 } fragments, leading to the complexes [(Cp*Fe)(Cp'''Co)(µ3 ,η5 :η4 :η1 -P5 ){W(CO)5 }] (2 a), [(Cp*Fe)(Cp'''Co)(µ4 ,η5 :η4 :η1 :η1 -P5 ){(W(CO)5 )2 }] (2 b), and [(Cp'''Co)(Cp'''Ni)(µ3 ,η3 :η2 :η1 -P3 ){W(CO)5 }] (4), respectively. The thermolysis of 3 leads to the tetrahedrane complex [(Cp'''Ni)2 (µ,η2 :η2 -P2 )] (5). All compounds were fully characterized using single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis.

The genomic organization and expression pattern of the low-affinity Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) in the Göttingen minipig.

Safety and efficacy of therapeutic antibodies are often dependent on their interaction with Fc receptors for IgG (FcγRs). The Göttingen minipig represents a valuable species for biomedical research but its use in preclinical studies with therapeutic antibodies is hampered by the lack of knowledge about the porcine FcγRs. Genome analysis and sequencing now enabled the localization of the previously described FcγRIIIa in the orthologous location to human FCGR3A. In addition, we identified nearby the gene coding for the hitherto undescribed putative porcine FcγRIIa. The 1'241 bp long FCGR2A cDNA translates to a 274aa transmembrane protein containing an extracellular region with high similarity to human and cattle FcγRIIa. Like in cattle, the intracellular part does not contain an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) as in human FcγRIIa. Flow cytometry of the whole blood and single-cell RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Göttingen minipigs revealed the expression profile of all porcine FcγRs which is compared to human and mouse. The new FcγRIIa is mainly expressed on platelets making the minipig a good model to study IgG-mediated platelet activation and aggregation. In contrast to humans, minipig blood monocytes were found to express inhibitory FcγRIIb that could lead to the underestimation of FcγR-mediated effects of monocytes observed in minipig studies with therapeutic antibodies.

The Triple-Decker Complex [Cp*Fe(µ,η5:η5-P5)Mo(CO)3] as a Building Block in Coordination Chemistry.

Although the triple-decker complex [Cp*Fe(µ,η5:η5-P5)Mo(CO)3] (2) was first reported 26 years ago, its reactivity has not yet been explored. Herein, we report a new high-yielding synthesis of 2 and the isolation of its new polymorph (2'). In addition, we study its reactivity towards AgI and CuI ions. The reaction of 2 with Ag[BF4] selectively produces the coordination compound [Ag{Cp*Fe(µ,η5:η5-P5)Mo(CO)3}2][BF4] (3). Its reaction with Ag[TEF] and Cu[TEF] ([TEF]- = [Al{OC(CF3)3}4]-) leads to the selective formation of the complexes [Ag{Cp*Fe(µ,η5:η5-P5)Mo(CO)3}2][TEF] (4) and [Cu{Cp*Fe(µ,η5:η5-P5)Mo(CO)3}2][TEF] (5), respectively. The X-ray structures of compounds 3⁻5 each show an MI ion (MI = AgI, CuI) bridged by two P atoms from two triple-decker complexes (2). Additionally, four short MI···CO distances (two to each triple-decker complex 2) participate in stabilizing the coordination sphere of the MI ion. Evidently, the X-ray structure for compound 3 shows a weak interaction of the AgI ion with one fluorine atom of the counterion [BF4]-. Such an Ag···F interaction does not exist for compound 4. These findings demonstrate the possibility of using triple-decker complex 2 as a ligand in coordination chemistry and opening a new perspective in the field of supramolecular chemistry of transition metal compounds with phosphorus-rich complexes.

Ring Contraction by NHC-Induced Pnictogen Abstraction.

The reaction of [Cp'''Co(η4 -P4 )] (1) (Cp'''=1,2,4-tBu3 C5 H2 ) with Me NHC (Me NHC=1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) leads through NHC-induced phosphorus cation abstraction to the ring contraction product [(Me NHC)2 P][Cp'''Co(η3 -P3 )] (2), which represents the first example of an anionic CoP3 complex. Such NHC-induced ring contraction reactions are also applicable for triple-decker sandwich complexes. The complexes [(Cp*Mo)2 (µ,η6:6 -E6 )] (3 a, 3 b) (Cp*=C5 Me5 ; E=P, As) can be transformed to the complexes [(Me NHC)2 E][(Cp*M)2 (µ,η3:3 -E3 )(µ,η2:2 -E2 )] (4 a, 4 b), with 4 b representing the first structurally characterized example of an NHC-substituted AsI cation. Further, the reaction of the vanadium complex [(Cp*V)2 (µ,η6:6 -P6 )] (5) with Me NHC results in the formation of the unprecedented complexes [(Me NHC)2 P][(Cp*V)2 (µ,η6:6 -P6 )] (6), [(Me NHC)2 P][(Cp*V)2 (µ,η5:5 -P5 )] (7) and [(Cp*V)2 (µ,η3:3 -P3 )(µ,η1:1 -P{Me NHC})] (8).

New Classes of Polycationic Compounds as Preservatives for Ophthalmic Formulations.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research work was to develop new polycationic compounds based on pyridine and piperidine structures with high antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, the compounds should offer a lower toxicity than the commonly used preservatives for ophthalmic formulations, such as benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and polyquaternium-1 (PQ1). METHODS: Two polymers and three dimeric compounds were developed. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus brasiliensis. The compounds were characterized regarding their impact on cell viability, cytotoxicity, epithelial integrity and surface tension. MTT and CytoTox-Glo™ assays, permeation studies with mannitol and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements were performed on human corneal epithelial or MDCK I cells. BAC and PQ1 were used as references. RESULTS: Three polycationic compounds exhibited high antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms comparable to that of BAC. Four compounds were tolerated as well as or better than PQ1. In addition, the TEER, permeability and surface tension were only affected by compounds with amphiphilic properties. CONCLUSION: The pyridine- and piperidine-based polycationic compounds are promising candidates as new preservatives for ophthalmic formulations. Their high antimicrobial efficacy and good tolerability indicate a different mechanism of action compared to BAC.

Activity of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins 1-5 (MRP1-5) in the RPMI 2650 Cell Line and Explants of Human Nasal Turbinate.

The profound influence of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters on the disposition of numerous drugs has led to increased interest in characterizing their expression profiles in various epithelial and endothelial barriers. The present work examined the presence and functional activity of five ABC efflux proteins, i.e., MRP 1-5, in freshly isolated human nasal epithelial cells and two in vitro models based on the human RPMI 2650 cell line. To evaluate the expression patterns of MRP1, MRP2, MRP3, MRP4, and MRP5 at the mRNA and protein levels in the ex vivo model and the differently cultured RPMI 2650 cells, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and indirect immunofluorescence staining were used. The functionality of the MRP transporters in the three models was assessed using efflux experiments and accumulation assays with the respective substrates and inhibitors. The mRNA and protein expression of all selected ABC transporters was detected in excised human nasal mucosa as well as in the corresponding cell culture models. Moreover, the functional expression of the MRP transport proteins was demonstrated in the three models for the first time. Therefore, the potential impact of multidrug resistance-associated proteins 1-5 on drug disposition after intranasal administration may be taken into consideration for future developments. The specimens of human nasal turbinate exhibited slightly lower efflux capacities of MRP1, MRP3, and MRP5 in relation to the submerged and ALI-cultured RPMI 2650 cells, but showed a promising comparability to both in vitro models concerning the activity of MRP2 and MRP4. In this regard, the different RPMI 2650 cell culture models will be able to provide useful experimental data in the preclinical phase to estimate the interaction of particular efflux transporters with drug candidates for nasal application.

Multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1, 2, 4 and 5) expression in human corneal cell culture models and animal corneal tissue.

Preclinical studies addressing the transcorneal absorption of ophthalmic drugs are mainly performed using ex vivo animal corneas and in vitro corneal cell culture models, leaving open the question of transferability to humans in an in vivo situation. While passive drug absorption through corneal tissue is well understood, little is known about the expression of transporter proteins and active drug transport in human and animal corneas as well as corneal cell culture models. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct an expression analysis of four multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP1, 2, 4 and 5) in various in vitro and ex vivo corneal models, leading to a better understanding of the comparability of different corneal models regarding drug absorption and transferability to humans. Two well-established in vitro human corneal models, the HCE-T epithelial model and the more organotypic Hemicornea construct, both of which are based on the SV40 immortalized human corneal epithelial cell line HCE-T, were analyzed, as were excised rabbit and porcine cornea. Specimens of abraded epithelia from human donor corneas were also tested. MRP mRNA expression was determined via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression was examined using Western blot experiments and immunohistochemistry. The functional activity of the MRP efflux transporter was detected in transport assays using specific marker and inhibitor substances. The functional expression of all of the tested MRP transporters was detected in the HCE-T epithelial model. Hemicornea constructs displayed a similar expression pattern for MRP1, 4 and 5, whereas no MRP2 protein expression or activity was detected. However, excised animal corneas exhibited different expression profiles. In porcine cornea, no functional expression of MRP1, 2, or 5 was observed, and we failed to detect MRP4 expression in rabbit cornea. The results suggest that MRP1, 2, 4, and 5 are expressed in the human corneal epithelium and confirm that the transfer of data obtained from animal experiments to an in vivo situation in humans should be performed with caution.

Analysis of the impact of material properties on tabletability by principal component analysis and partial least squares regression.

Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regression (PLS) were combined in this study to identify key material descriptors determining tabletability in direct compression and roller compaction. An extensive material library including 119 material descriptors and tablet tensile strengths of 44 powders and roller compacted materials with varying drug loads was generated to systematically elucidate the impact of different material descriptors, raw API and filler properties as well as process route on tabletability. A PCA model was created which highlighted correlations between different powder descriptors and respective characterization methods and, thus, can enable reduction of analyses to save resources to a certain extent. Subsequently, PLS models were established to identify key material attributes for tabletability such as density and particle size but also surface energy, work of cohesion and wall friction, which were for the first time demonstrated by PLS as highly relevant for tabletability in roller compaction and direct compression. Further, PLS based on extensive material characterization enabled the prediction of tabletability of materials unknown to the model. Thus, this study highlighted how PCA and PLS are useful tools to elucidate the correlations between powder and tabletability, which will enable more robust prediction of manufacturability in formulation development.