Optimizing Early Clinical Investigations in Cancer Immunotherapy: The Translational Journey of RG6292, a Novel, Selective Treg-Depleting Antibody.

The multifaceted IL-2/IL-2R biology and its modulation by promising therapeutic agents are highly relevant topics in the cancer immunotherapy field. A novel CD25-Treg-depleting antibody (Vopikitug, RG6292) has been engineered to preserve IL-2 signaling on effector T cells to enhance effector activation and antitumor immunity, and is currently being evaluated in the clinic. The Entry into Human-enabling framework described here investigated the characteristics of RG6292, from in vitro quantification of CD25 and RG6292 pharmacology using human tissues to in vivo assessment of PK/PD/safety relationships in cynomolgus monkeys as non-human primate species (NHP). Fundamental knowledge on CD25 and Treg biology in healthy and diseased tissues across NHP and human highlighted the commonalities between these species in regard to the target biology and demonstrated the conservation of RG6292 properties between NHP and human. The integration of in vitro and in vivo PK/PD/safety data from these species enabled the identification of human relevant safety risks, the selection of the most appropriate safe starting dose and the projection of the pharmacologically-relevant dose range. The first clinical data obtained for RG6292 in patients verified the appropriateness of the described approaches as well as validated the full clinical relevance of the projected safety, PK, and PD profiles from animal to man. This work shows how the integration of mechanistic non-clinical data increases the predictive value for human, allowing efficient transition of drug candidates and optimizations of early clinical investigations.

Selective oxytocin receptor activation prevents prefrontal circuit dysfunction and social behavioral alterations in response to chronic prefrontal cortex activation in male rats.

Introduction: Social behavioral changes are a hallmark of several neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions, nevertheless the underlying neural substrates of such dysfunction remain poorly understood. Building evidence points to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as one of the key brain regions that orchestrates social behavior. We used this concept with the aim to develop a translational rat model of social-circuit dysfunction, the chronic PFC activation model (CPA). Methods: Chemogenetic designer receptor hM3Dq was used to induce chronic activation of the PFC over 10 days, and the behavioral and electrophysiological signatures of prolonged PFC hyperactivity were evaluated. To test the sensitivity of this model to pharmacological interventions on longer timescales, and validate its translational potential, the rats were treated with our novel highly selective oxytocin receptor (OXTR) agonist RO6958375, which is not activating the related vasopressin V1a receptor. Results: CPA rats showed reduced sociability in the three-chamber sociability test, and a concomitant decrease in neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission within the PFC as measured by electrophysiological recordings in acute slice preparation. Sub-chronic treatment with a low dose of the novel OXTR agonist following CPA interferes with the emergence of PFC circuit dysfunction, abnormal social behavior and specific transcriptomic changes. Discussion: These results demonstrate that sustained PFC hyperactivity modifies circuit characteristics and social behaviors in ways that can be modulated by selective OXTR activation and that this model may be used to understand the circuit recruitment of prosocial therapies in drug discovery.

Evaluation of Tetrazine Tracers for Pretargeted Imaging within the Central Nervous System.

The pretargeting approach separates the biological half-life of an antibody from the physical half-life of the radioisotope label, providing a strategy for reducing the radiation burden. A widely explored pretargeting approach makes use of the bioorthogonal click reaction between tetrazines (Tzs) and trans-cyclooctenes (TCOs), combining the targeting specificity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the rapid clearance and precise reaction of Tzs and TCOs. Such a strategy can allow for the targeting and imaging (e.g., by positron emission tomography (PET)) of molecular markers, which cannot be addressed by solely relying on small molecules. Tz derivatives that undergo inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reactions with an antibody bearing TCO moieties have been investigated. This study describes the synthesis and characterization of 11 cold Tz imaging agent candidates. These molecules have the potential to be radiolabeled with 18F or 3H, and with the former label, they could be of use as imaging tracers for positron emission tomography studies. Selection was made using a multiparameter optimization score for the central nervous system (CNS) PET tracers. Novel tetrazines were tested for their pH-dependent chemical stability. Those which turned out to be stable in a pH range of 6.5-8 were further characterized in in vitro assays with regard to their passive permeability, microsomal stability, and P-glycoprotein transport. Furthermore, selected Tzs were examined for their systemic clearance and CNS penetration in a single-dose pharmacokinetic study in rats. Two tetrazines were successfully labeled with 18F, one of which showed brain penetration in a biodistribution study in mice. Another Tz was successfully tritium-labeled and used to demonstrate a bioorthogonal click reaction on a TCO-modified antibody. As a result, we identified one Tz as a potential fluorine-18-labeled CNS-PET agent and a second as a 3H-radioligand for an IEDDA-based reaction with a modified brain-penetrating antibody.

Understanding the Half-Life Extension of Intravitreally Administered Antibodies Binding to Ocular Albumin.

The burden associated with frequent injections of current intravitreal (IVT) therapeutics may be reduced by long-acting delivery strategies. Binding to serum albumin has been shown to extend the ocular half-life in rabbits, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms and translational relevance remain unclear. The aim of this work was to characterize the in vitro and in vivo formation of complexes between human serum albumin (HSA) and an antigen-binding fragment of a rabbit antibody linked to an anti-HSA nanobody (FabA). The ocular and systemic pharmacokinetics of 3H-labeled FabA (0.05 mg/eye IVT) co-formulated with HSA (1 and 15 nmol/eye) were assessed in Dutch belted rabbits. Next, FabA was incubated in vitreous samples from cynomolgus monkeys and human donors (healthy and diseased) supplemented with species-specific serum albumin. Finally, the FabA-albumin complexes formed in vitro and in vivo were analyzed by radio-size exclusion chromatography. A 3-fold increase in FabA vitreal exposure and half-life was observed in rabbits co-administered with 15 nmol HSA compared to 1 nmol and a control arm. The different pharmacokinetic behavior was explained with the formation of higher molecular weight FabA-albumin complexes. The analysis of vitreous samples revealed the existence of predominantly 1:1 complexes at endogenous or low concentrations of supplemented albumin. A shift towards 1:2 complexes was observed with increasing albumin concentrations. Overall, these results suggest that endogenous vitreal albumin concentrations are insufficient for half-life extension and warrant supplementation in the dosing formulation.

CD25-Treg-depleting antibodies preserving IL-2 signaling on effector T cells enhance effector activation and antitumor immunity.

Intratumoral regulatory T cell (Treg) abundance associates with diminished anti-tumor immunity and poor prognosis in human cancers. Recent work demonstrates that CD25, the high affinity receptor subunit for IL-2, is a selective target for Treg depletion in mouse and human malignancies; however, anti-human CD25 antibodies have failed to deliver clinical responses against solid tumors due to bystander IL-2 receptor signaling blockade on effector T cells, which limits their anti-tumor activity. Here we demonstrate potent single-agent activity of anti-CD25 antibodies optimized to deplete Tregs whilst preserving IL-2-STAT5 signaling on effector T cells, and demonstrate synergy with immune checkpoint blockade in vivo. Pre-clinical evaluation of an anti-human CD25 (RG6292) antibody with equivalent features demonstrates, in both non-human primates and humanized mouse models, efficient Treg depletion with no overt immune-related toxicities. Our data supports the clinical development of RG6292 and evaluation of novel combination therapies incorporating non-IL-2 blocking anti-CD25 antibodies in clinical studies.

Ocular Half-Life of Intravitreal Biologics in Humans and Other Species: Meta-Analysis and Model-Based Prediction.

Therapeutic antibodies administered intravitreally are the current standard of care to treat retinal diseases. The ocular half-life (t1/2) is a key determinant of the duration of target suppression. To support the development of novel, longer-acting drugs, a reliable determination of t1/2 is needed together with an improved understanding of the factors that influence it. A model-based meta-analysis was conducted in humans and nonclinical species (rat, rabbit, monkey, and pig) to determine consensus values for the ocular t1/2 of IgG antibodies and Fab fragments. Results from multiple literature and in-house pharmacokinetic studies are presented within a mechanistic framework that assumes diffusion-controlled drug elimination from the vitreous. Our analysis shows, both theoretically and experimentally, that the ocular t1/2 increases in direct proportion to the product of the hydrodynamic radius of the macromolecule (3.0 nm for Fab and 5.0 nm for IgG) and the square of the radius of the vitreous globe, which varies approximately 24-fold from the rat to the human. Interspecies differences in the proportionality factors are observed and discussed in mechanistic terms. In addition, mathematical formulae are presented that allow prediction of the ocular t1/2 for molecules of interest. The utility of these formulae is successfully demonstrated in case studies of aflibercept, brolucizumab, and PEGylated Fabs, where the predicted ocular t1/2 values are found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental data available for these molecules.

A minimally-invasive serial cerebrospinal fluid sampling model in conscious Göttingen minipigs.

Drug concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are typically used as a as a surrogate measure of their availability in the CNS, and CSF penetration in animal studies are used for assessment of CNS drug delivery in early preclinical drug development. The minipig is a valid alternative to dogs and non-human primates as non-rodent species in preclinical research, but this species presents anatomical peculiarities that make the serial collection of CSF technically challenging. A minimally-invasive serial cerebrospinal fluid collection model via catheterization of the subarachnoid space in conscious minipigs was developed allowing assessment of longitudinal drug pharmacokinetics in the central nervous system in preclinical research. Shortly, the subarachnoid space was accessed in the anesthetized minipig by puncture with a Tuohy needle; when CSF was flowing through the needle a catheter was advanced and thereafter tunneled and fixed on the back. The PK of peptide A administered subcutaneously was performed and CSF could be sampled in the conscious animals for up to 48 h. When compared to the plasma kinetic data, there was a clear difference in the elimination phase of Pept. A from CSF, with an apparent longer average terminal half-life in CSF. The 3Rs are addressed by reducing the number of animals needed for a pharmacokinetic profile in central nervous system and by improving the validity of the model avoiding biases due to anesthesia, blood contamination, and inter-individual variability.

Identification of Three Novel Radiotracers for Imaging Aggregated Tau in Alzheimer's Disease with Positron Emission Tomography.

Aggregates of tau and beta amyloid (Aß) plaques constitute the histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and are prominent targets for novel therapeutics as well as for biomarkers for diagnostic in vivo imaging. In recent years much attention has been devoted to the discovery and development of new PET tracers to image tau aggregates in the living human brain. Access to a selective PET tracer to image and quantify tau aggregates represents a unique tool to support the development of any novel therapeutic agent targeting pathological forms of tau. The objective of the study described herein was to identify such a novel radiotracer. As a result of this work, we discovered three novel PET tracers (2-(4-[11C]methoxyphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-7-amine 7 ([11C]RO6924963), N-[11C]methyl-2-(3-methylphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-7-amine 8 ([11C]RO6931643), and [18F]2-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)pyrrolo[2,3-b:4,5-c']dipyridine 9 ([18F]RO6958948)) with high affinity for tau neurofibrillary tangles, excellent selectivity against Aß plaques, and appropriate pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties in mice and non-human primates.

Toward in vitro-to-in vivo translation of monoclonal antibody pharmacokinetics: Application of a neonatal Fc receptor-mediated transcytosis assay to understand the interplaying clearance mechanisms.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a rapidly growing drug class for which great efforts have been made to optimize certain molecular features to achieve the desired pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. One approach is to engineer the interactions of the mAb with the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) by introducing specific amino acid sequence mutations, and to assess their effect on the PK profile with in vivo studies. Indeed, FcRn protects mAbs from intracellular degradation, thereby prolongs antibody circulation time in plasma and modulates its systemic clearance. To allow more efficient and focused mAb optimization, in vitro input that helps to identify and quantitatively predict the contribution of different processes driving non-target mediated mAb clearance in vivo and supporting translational PK modeling activities is essential. With this aim, we evaluated the applicability and in vivo-relevance of an in vitro cellular FcRn-mediated transcytosis assay to explain the PK behavior of 25 mAbs in rat or monkey. The assay was able to capture species-specific differences in IgG-FcRn interactions and overall correctly ranked Fc mutants according to their in vivo clearance. However, it could not explain the PK behavior of all tested IgGs, indicating that mAb disposition in vivo is a complex interplay of additional processes besides the FcRn interaction. Overall, the transcytosis assay was considered suitable to rank mAb candidates for their FcRn-mediated clearance component before extensive in vivo testing, and represents a first step toward a multi-factorial in vivo clearance prediction approach based on in vitro data.

Kinetics of lipid bilayer permeation of a series of ionisable drugs and their correlation with human transporter-independent intestinal permeability.

For low molecular weight drugs, lipid bilayer permeation is considered the major route for in vivo cell barrier passage. We recently introduced a fluorescence assay with liposomes to determine permeation kinetics of ionisable compounds across the lipid bilayer by monitoring drug-induced pH changes inside the liposomes. Here, we determined the permeability coefficients (PFLipP, FLipP for "Fluorescence Liposomal Permeability") across 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayers of 35 ionisable drugs at pH6.0 and compared them to available in vivo human jejunal permeability (Peff) data. PFLipP values were furthermore compared with published Caco-2 cell permeability coefficients (PCaco-2), permeability coefficients determined with the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) and with log D (pH6.0). The log PFLipP, corrected for predicted para-cellular diffusion, and log PCaco-2 correlated best with log Peff, with similar adjusted R2 (0.75 and 0.74, n=12). Our results suggest that transporter-independent intestinal drug absorption is predictable from liposomal permeability.

The molecular basis for the prolonged blood circulation of lipidated incretin peptides: Peptide oligomerization or binding to serum albumin?

Hybrid incretin peptides are a new generation of drugs for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Despite their biological potency, the effectiveness of these peptides as drugs is limited by their short circulation time in blood (typically within minutes). In this work, we show that lipid conjugated forms of a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon hybrid peptides stay in circulation for hours. We studied the oligomerization and albumin-binding of the unconjugated hybrid peptide as well as its lipidated variants. These lipidated peptides differ in the N-terminal mutation, the position of lipidation and the linkage to lipid. We found that these lipidated peptides form stable oligomers at concentrations above 1mg/mL. This concentration range is relevant to formulation and storage of the peptides. We observed no binding between the peptide oligomers and human serum albumin. However, at the expected therapeutic concentration range (~10-100ng/mL), the oligomers dissociate into monomers. The monomers of lipidated peptides bind to albumin. We have determined the dissociation constants of binding between the lipidated peptides and serum albumin. The dissociation constants of albumin-binding of our lipidated peptides are all very close and similar to that of the fatty acid binding of albumin. Our findings suggest that the monomeric lipidated peptides bind to HSA mainly by the fatty acid chain. Therefore, albumin binding is likely to be a universal mechanism of the prolonged circulating duration of lipidated pharmaceutical peptides.

When barriers ignore the "rule-of-five".

Why are a few drugs with properties beyond the rule of 5 (bRo5) absorbed across the intestinal mucosa while most other bRo5 compounds are not? Are such exceptional bRo5 compounds exclusively taken up by carrier-mediated transport or are they able to permeate the lipid bilayer (passive lipoidal diffusion)? Our experimental data with liposomes indicate that tetracycline, which violates one rule of the Ro5, and rifampicin, violating three of the rules, significantly permeate a phospholipid bilayer with kinetics similar to labetalol and metoprolol, respectively. Published data from experimental work and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the formation of intramolecular H-bonds and the possibility to adopt an elongated shape besides the presence of a significant fraction of net neutral species facilitate lipid bilayer permeation. As an alternative to lipid bilayer permeation, carrier proteins can be targeted to improve absorption, with the potential drawbacks of drug-drug interactions and non-linear pharmacokinetics.

Estimation of Drug Binding to Brain Tissue: Methodology and in Vivo Application of a Distribution Assay in Brain Polar Lipids.

The unbound drug concentration-effect relationship in brain is a key aspect in CNS drug discovery and development. In this work, we describe an in vitro high-throughput distribution assay between an aqueous buffer and a microemulsion of porcine brain polar lipids (BPL). The derived distribution coefficient LogDBPL was applied to the prediction of unbound drug concentrations in brain (Cu,b) and nonspecific binding to brain tissue. The in vivo relevance of the new assay was assessed for a large set of proprietary drug candidates and CNS drugs by (1) comparing observed compound concentrations in rat CSF with Cu,b calculated using the LogDBPL assay in combination with total drug brain concentrations, (2) comparing Cu,b derived from LogDBPL and total drug brain concentrations to Cu,b estimated using in vitro P-glycoprotein efflux ratio data and unbound drug plasma levels, and (3) comparing tissue nonspecific binding data from human brain autoradiography studies for 17 PET tracer candidates to distribution in BPL. In summary, the LogDBPL assay provides a predicted drug fraction unbound in brain tissue that is nearly identical to brain homogenate equilibrium dialysis with an estimation of in vivo Cu,b that is superior to LogD in octanol. LogDBPL complements the approach for predicting Cu,b based on in vitro P-glycoprotein efflux ratio and in vivo unbound plasma concentration and stands as a fast and cost-effective tool for nonspecific brain binding optimization of PET ligand candidates.

A rationally designed monomeric peptide triagonist corrects obesity and diabetes in rodents.

We report the discovery of a new monomeric peptide that reduces body weight and diabetic complications in rodent models of obesity by acting as an agonist at three key metabolically-related peptide hormone receptors: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon receptors. This triple agonist demonstrates supraphysiological potency and equally aligned constituent activities at each receptor, all without cross-reactivity at other related receptors. Such balanced unimolecular triple agonism proved superior to any existing dual coagonists and best-in-class monoagonists to reduce body weight, enhance glycemic control and reverse hepatic steatosis in relevant rodent models. Various loss-of-function models, including genetic knockout, pharmacological blockade and selective chemical knockout, confirmed contributions of each constituent activity in vivo. We demonstrate that these individual constituent activities harmonize to govern the overall metabolic efficacy, which predominantly results from synergistic glucagon action to increase energy expenditure, GLP-1 action to reduce caloric intake and improve glucose control, and GIP action to potentiate the incretin effect and buffer against the diabetogenic effect of inherent glucagon activity. These preclinical studies suggest that, so far, this unimolecular, polypharmaceutical strategy has potential to be the most effective pharmacological approach to reversing obesity and related metabolic disorders.

A liposomal fluorescence assay to study permeation kinetics of drug-like weak bases across the lipid bilayer.

Lipid bilayer permeation is considered the major route for in vivo barrier passage of drugs. Despite this fact, no technique is currently available to measure the kinetics of permeation across a single lipid bilayer of structurally unrelated drug-like solutes. We developed a liposomal fluorescence assay capable to determine permeation kinetics of basic drug-like solutes across lipid bilayers. The assay is based on the hypothesis that permeation of a weak base along a concentration gradient results in net proton release at the cis-side and net proton capture at the trans-side of the bilayer. The resulting pH changes were monitored with pH-sensitive fluorophores: Test compounds were incubated with liposomes containing a pH-sensitive fluorophore at the bilayer surfaces or in the aqueous lumen and fluorescence changes were monitored with a stopped-flow apparatus in solution or by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with surface-captured liposomes on a microfluidic platform. Incubation with lipophilic basic drugs resulted in the expected fluorescence changes while incubation with compounds without basic functionality or high polarity did not affect fluorescence. Kinetics of fluorescence changes followed bi-exponential functions. Logarithmic permeation coefficients (logPermapp) determined in solution and by microfluidics technology showed a good correlation (r(2)=0.94, n=7) and logPermapp increased with increasing lipophilicity. Neither diffusion in the aqueous phase nor partitioning into the bilayer was rate-limiting. PEGylation of 2% of the liposomal lipids reduced Permapp by a factor ~300. In conclusion, the presented liposomal fluorescence assay is capable to determine permeation kinetics of weak basic drug-like solutes across lipid bilayers. The method is adaptable to microfluidics technology for high-throughput measurements and can potentially be modified to work for weak acid solutes.

PK/PD assessment in CNS drug discovery: Prediction of CSF concentration in rodents for P-glycoprotein substrates and application to in vivo potency estimation.

The unbound drug concentration in brain parenchyma is considered to be the relevant driver for interaction with central nervous system (CNS) biological targets. Drug levels in cerebrospinal fluid (C_CSF) are frequently used surrogates for the unbound concentrations in brain. For drugs actively transported across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), C_CSF differs from unbound plasma concentration (Cu_p) to an extent that is commonly unknown. In this study, the relationship between CSF-to-unbound plasma drug partitioning in rats and the mouse Pgp (Mdr1a) efflux ratio (ER) obtained from in vitro transcellular studies has been investigated for a set of 61 CNS compounds exhibiting substantial diversity in chemical structure and physico-chemical properties. In order to understand the in vitro-in vivo extrapolation of Pgp efflux, a mechanistic model was derived relating in vivo CNS distribution kinetics to in vitro active transport. The model was applied to predict C_CSF from Cu_p and ER data for 19 proprietary Roche CNS drug candidates. The calculated CSF concentrations were correlated with CNS pharmacodynamic responses observed in rodent models. The correlation between in vitro and in vivo potency for different pharmacological endpoints indicated that the predicted C_CSF is a valuable surrogate of the concentration at the target site. Overall, C_CSF proved superior description of PK/PD data than unbound plasma or total brain concentration for Mdr1a substrates. Predicted C_CSF can be used as a default approach to understand the PK/PD relationships in CNS efficacy models and can support the extrapolation of efficacious brain exposure for new drug candidates from rodent to man.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 mediates specific glucagon actions.

Glucagon, an essential regulator of glucose homeostasis, also modulates lipid metabolism and promotes weight loss, as reflected by the wasting observed in glucagonoma patients. Recently, coagonist peptides that include glucagon agonism have emerged as promising therapeutic candidates for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. We developed a novel stable and soluble glucagon receptor (GcgR) agonist, which allowed for in vivo dissection of glucagon action. As expected, chronic GcgR agonism in mice resulted in hyperglycemia and lower body fat and plasma cholesterol. Notably, GcgR activation also raised hepatic expression and circulating levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). This effect was retained in isolated primary hepatocytes from wild-type (WT) mice, but not GcgR knockout mice. We confirmed this link in healthy human volunteers, where injection of natural glucagon increased plasma FGF21 within hours. Functional relevance was evidenced in mice with genetic deletion of FGF21, where GcgR activation failed to induce the body weight loss and lipid metabolism changes observed in WT mice. Taken together, these data reveal for the first time that glucagon controls glucose, energy, and lipid metabolism at least in part via FGF21-dependent pathways.

Role of the intestinal peptide transporter PEPT1 in oseltamivir absorption: in vitro and in vivo studies.

It was reported that oseltamivir (Tamiflu) absorption was mediated by human peptide transporter (hPEPT) 1. Understanding the exact mechanism(s) of absorption is important in the context of drug-drug and diet-drug interactions. Hence, we investigated the mechanism governing the intestinal absorption of oseltamivir and its active metabolite (oseltamivir carboxylate) in wild-type [Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1] and hPEPT1-transfected cells (CHO-PEPT1), in pharmacokinetic studies in juvenile and adult rats, and in healthy volunteers. In vitro cell culture studies showed that the intracellular accumulation of oseltamivir and its carboxylate into CHO-PEPT1 and CHO-K1 was always similar under a variety of experimental conditions, demonstrating that these compounds are not substrates of hPEPT1. Furthermore, neither oseltamivir nor its active metabolite was capable of inhibiting Gly-Sar uptake in CHO-PEPT1 cells. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in juvenile and adult rats showed that the disposition of oseltamivir and oseltamivir carboxylate, after oral administration of oseltamivir, was sensitive to the feed status but insensitive to the presence of milk and Gly-Sar. Moreover, oseltamivir and oseltamivir carboxylate exhibited significantly higher exposure in rats under fasted conditions than under fed conditions. In humans, oral dosing after a high-fat meal resulted in a statistically significant but moderate lower exposure than after an overnight fasting. This change has no clinical implications. Taken together, the results do not implicate either rat Pept1 or hPEPT1 in the oral absorption of oseltamivir.

Expression profiles of metabolic enzymes and drug transporters in the liver and along the intestine of beagle dogs.

Beagle dogs are widely used in preclinical pharmacokinetic, safety, and formulation studies. However, little is known about intestinal and hepatic distribution of major enzymes and transporters involved in oral absorption and presystemic drug metabolism. We characterized mRNA levels of CYP3A12, CYP3A26, CYP2D15, UGT1A6, ABCB1 (MDR1), ABCC1 (MRP1), ABCG2 (BCRP), SLC15A1 (PEPT1), and SLC22A1 (OCT1) in dog liver and along the intestine by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Tissue protein levels of CYP2D15, MDR1, and PEPT1 were obtained by Western blot. Gene distribution and expression variability was statistically described by a generalized additive mixed model smoothing function and correspondence analysis. Results were compared with the expression pattern known for the human orthologs. Hepatic mRNA levels for metabolic enzymes were generally higher than those for membrane transporters, whereas in the intestine the opposite was observed. Hepatic mRNA levels followed the order CYP2D15 > UGT1A6 ≈ CYP3A26 > ABCB1 ≈ SLC15A1 ≈ SLC22A1 > ABCG2 > ABCC1 ≈ CYP3A12. Along the gut, the genes were differentially distributed with greatest expression in duodenum/upper jejunum (ABCG2), middle jejunum (ABCB1 and SLC15A1), or in cecum/colon (ABCC1 and CYP2D15). CYP3A12, CYP3A26, SLC22A1, and UGT1A6 had a rather uniform expression. Intestinal mRNA profiles of CYP2D15, ABCB1, and SLC15A1 correlated with the respective protein levels. Canine CYP3A12/26, CYP2D15, and ABCB1 colonic distributions differed from those of human orthologs, whereas UGT1A6, ABCC1, ABCG2, SLC15A1, and SLC22A1 were comparable to those of humans in both small and large intestine. We aim to apply these data to better interpret pharmacokinetic studies in dogs with respect to their human relevance.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of [18F]-FDEGPECO as a PET tracer for imaging the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5).

(E)-3-(pyridin-2-ylethynyl)cyclohex-2-enone O-2-(2-(18)F-fluoroethoxy)ethyl oxime, ([(18)F]-FDEGPECO), a novel high affinity radioligand for the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) was assessed for its potential as a PET imaging agent. In vitro autoradiography on rat brain slices resulted in a heterogeneous and displaceable binding to mGluR5-rich brain regions. [(18)F]-FDEGPECO showed high stability in rat plasma and brain homogenate as well as in human plasma and microsomes. Good blood-brain barrier passage was predicted from an in vitro transport assay with P-glycoprotein-transfected hMDR1-MDCK cells. In vivo PET imaging on rats revealed specific uptake of radioactivity in the mGluR5-rich brain regions such as hippocampus, striatum and cortex while the cerebellum, a region with low mGluR5-expression, showed negligible uptake. Blockade experiments by co-injection of [(18)F]-FDEGPECO and M-MPEP (6mg/kg), an antagonist for mGluR5, reduced the level of radioactivity in mGluR5-regions to that of the cerebellum, pointing to an effective blockade of specifically bound [(18)F]-FDEGPECO. Postmortem biodistribution studies at 15min p.i. confirmed the distribution pattern observed in PET. HPLC analysis of rat brain extracts indicated that 98.5% and 91% of the total radioactivity were parent compound at 5min and 17min p.i., respectively. Taken together, the high affinity and the high in vivo specificity of [(18)F]-FDEGPECO for mGluR5 in the rat brain as well as the lack of in vivo defluorination make this new [(18)F]-labeled ABP688 derivative a suitable ligand for the preclinical PET imaging of mGluR5. These favorable characteristics warrant further evaluation in humans.