Circulating calprotectin levels four months after severe and non-severe COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Calprotectin is an inflammatory marker mainly released by activated neutrophils that is increased in acute severe COVID-19. After initial recovery, some patients have persistent respiratory impairment with reduced diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) months after infection. Underlying causes of this persistent impairment are unclear. We aimed to investigate the correlation between circulating calprotectin, persistent lung functional impairment and intensive care unit (ICU) stay after COVID-19 in two university hospital centres in Switzerland. METHODS: Calprotectin levels were measured in serum from 124 patients (50% male) from the Bern cohort (post-ICU and non-ICU patients) and 68 (76% male) from the Lausanne cohort (only post-ICU patients) four months after COVID-19. Calprotectin was correlated with clinical parameters. Multivariate linear regression (MLR) was performed to evaluate the independent association of calprotectin in different models. RESULTS: Overall, we found that post-ICU patients, compared to non-ICU, were significantly older (age 59.4 ± 13.6 (Bern), 60.5 ± 12.0 (Lausanne) vs. 48.8 ± 13.4 years) and more obese (BMI 28.6 ± 4.5 and 29.1 ± 5.3 vs. 25.2 ± 6.0 kg/m2, respectively). 48% of patients from Lausanne and 44% of the post-ICU Bern cohort had arterial hypertension as a pre-existing comorbidity vs. only 10% in non-ICU patients. Four months after COVID-19 infection, DLCO was lower in post-ICU patients (75.96 ± 19.05% predicted Bern, 71.11 ± 18.50% Lausanne) compared to non-ICU (97.79 ± 21.70% predicted, p < 0.01). The post-ICU cohort in Lausanne had similar calprotectin levels when compared to the cohort in Bern (Bern 2.74 ± 1.15 µg/ml, Lausanne 2.49 ± 1.13 µg/ml vs. non-ICU 1.86 ± 1.02 µg/ml; p-value < 0.01). Calprotectin correlated negatively with DLCO (r= -0.290, p < 0.001) and the forced vital capacity (FVC) (r= -0.311, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum calprotectin is elevated in post-ICU patients in two independent cohorts and higher compared to non-ICU patients four months after COVID-19. In addition, there is a negative correlation between calprotectin levels and DLCO or FVC. The relationship between inflammation and lung functional impairment needs further investigations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04581135.

[German Guideline for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis]. / S2K-Leitlinie zur Diagnostik der idiopathischen Lungenfibrose.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe and often fatal disease. Diagnosis of IPF requires considerable expertise and experience. Since publication of the international IPF guideline in the year 2011 and Update 2018 several studies and technical advances occurred, which made a new assessment of the diagnostic process mandatory. In view of the antifibrotic drugs which have been approved for the treatment of IPF patients, the goal of this guideline is to foster early, confident and effective diagnosis of IPF. The guideline focusses on the typical clinical setting of an IPF patient and provides tools to exclude known causes of interstitial lung disease including standardised questionnaires, serologic testing and cellular analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage. High resolution computed tomography remains crucial in the diagnostic work-up. If it is necessary to obtain specimen for histology transbronchial lung cryobiopsy is the primary approach, while surgical lung biopsy is reserved for patients who are fit for it and in whom bronchoscopic diagnosis did not provide the information needed. Despite considerable progress, IPF remains a diagnosis of exclusion and multidisciplinary discussion remains the golden standard of diagnosis.

[Fast track strategies in hip arthroplasty]. / Fast-Track-Strategien in der Hüftendoprothetik.

BACKGROUND: Fast track arthroplasty is becoming increasingly accepted in German-speaking countries. By optimizing treatment processes fast track programs promise faster recovery, increased patient satisfaction, quality improvement and reduction in the length of hospital stay. OBJECTIVES: The philosophy and treatment principles of fast track hip arthroplasty during the pre, intra and postoperative phase are described in the light of the current body of evidence. The challenges concerning fast track arthroplasty within the German health system are discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Besides presenting our own data concerning a patient seminar and an opiate saving pain treatment, the most relevant literature related to fast track hip arthroplasty from a pubmed search is discussed. RESULTS: Fast track concepts can only be successfully implemented through close interdisciplinary team work. Preoperatively, a patient seminar can help to prepare patients better for surgery. Postoperatively, early mobilisation and pain treatment play a central role, whereat a clear reduction in opiate application can be achieved. CONCLUSION: Fast track hip arthroplasty makes rethinking with respect to traditional treatment principles necessary and demands a high degree of interdisciplinary team work. Particularly, as result of the specifics of the health system (DRG system and stationary rehabilitation), a nationwide establishment in Germany has not taken place so far.

[Sciatic nerve block "out-of-plane" distal to the bifurcation: effective and safe]. / Ischiadikusblockade "out-of-plane" distal der Bifurkation: effektiv und sicher.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound guided distal sciatic nerve block (DSB) at bifurcation level shows fast onset and provides excellent success rates. However, its safe performance might be difficult for the unexperienced physician. Just slightly distal to the bifurcation, the tibial nerve (TN) and common fibular nerve (CFN) can be shown clearly separated from each other. Therefore, we investigated if a block done here would provide similar quality results compared to the DSB proximally to the division, with a potentially lower risk of nerve damage. METHODS: In this randomized, prospective trial, 56 patients per group received either a DSB distal to the bifurcation "out-of-plane" (dist.) or proximally "in-plane" (prox.) with 30 ml of Mepivacaine 1% each. Success was tested by a blinded examiner after 15 and 30 min respectively (sensory and motor block of TN and CFN: 0 = none, 2 = complete, change of skin temperature). Videos of the blocks were inspected by an independent expert retrospectively with regard to the spread of the local anesthetic (LA) and accidental intraneural injection. RESULTS: Cumulative single nerve measurements and temperature changes revealed significant shorter onset and better efficacy (dist/prox: 15 min: 3.13 ± 1.86/1.82 ± 1.62; 30 min: 5.73 ± 1.92/3.21 ± 1.88; T15 min: 30.3 ± 3.48/28.0 ± 3.67, T30 min. 33.0 ± 2.46/30.6 ± 3.86; MV/SD; ANOVA; p < 0.01) combined with a higher rate of subparaneural spread in the dist. group (41/51 vs.12/53; χ2; p < 0,01). Procedure times were similar. There were no complications in either group. DISCUSSION: The subparaneural spread of the LA turned out to be crucial for better results in the distal group. The steep angle using the out-of-plane approach favors needle penetration through the paraneural sheath. The distance between the branches allows the safe application of the LA, so an effective block can be done with just one injection. CONCLUSION: DSB slightly distal to the bifurcation, in an out-of-plane technique between the TN and CFN, can be done fast, effectively and safe.

Diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the Swiss guidelines. Official guidelines of the Swiss Respiratory Society.

The new Swiss Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Guidelines are based on a previous version, which was published 10 years ago. The Swiss Respiratory Society felt the need to update the previous document due to new knowledge and novel therapeutic developments about this prevalent and important disease. The recommendations and statements are based on the available literature, on other national guidelines and, in particular, on the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) report. Our aim is to advise pulmonary physicians, general practitioners and other health care workers on the early detection and diagnosis, prevention, best symptomatic control, and avoidance of COPD as well as its complications and deterioration.

Lack of an exaggerated inflammatory response on virus infection in cystic fibrosis.

Respiratory virus infections play an important role in cystic fibrosis (CF) exacerbations, but underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. We aimed to assess whether an exaggerated inflammatory response of the airway epithelium on virus infection could explain the increased susceptibility of CF patients towards respiratory viruses. We used primary bronchial and nasal epithelial cells obtained from 24 healthy control subjects and 18 CF patients. IL-6, IL-8/CXCL8, IP-10/CXCL10, MCP-1/CCL2, RANTES/CCL5 and GRO-α/CXCL1 levels in supernatants and mRNA expression in cell lysates were measured before and after infection with rhinoviruses (RV-16 and RV-1B) and RSV. Cytotoxicity was assessed by lactate dehydrogenate assay and flow cytometry. All viruses induced strong cytokine release in both control and CF cells. The inflammatory response on virus infection was heterogeneous and depended on cell type and virus used, but was not increased in CF compared with control cells. On the contrary, there was a marked trend towards lower cytokine production associated with increased cell death in CF cells. An exaggerated inflammatory response to virus infection in bronchial epithelial cells does not explain the increased respiratory morbidity after virus infection in CF patients.

[Epidemiology of lung tumors]. / Epidemiologie von Lungentumoren.

Approximately one out of 500 chest radiographs shows the incidental finding of a solitary pulmonary nodule and almost one half of these pulmonary lesions are caused by a tumor. Unfortunately, only 2% to 5% of all lung tumors are of benign origin, e. g. lipoma, fibroma, hamartoma, and chondroma, and the majority are malignant neoplasms, most commonly primary lung cancer followed by metastases of extrapulmonary primary carcinomas. Thus, a careful diagnostic work up of solitary pulmonary nodules, including histological diagnosis, is mandatory for an adequate management and treatment of patients with pulmonary lesions. Despite all recent improvements of treatment modalities, lung cancer continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality among malignant diseases worldwide. The prognosis of affected patients is still very poor and a 5-years survival rate of only 14% makes lung cancer the number one cause of death due to cancer in Switzerland. Active and passive tobacco smoking are by far the best known risk factor for the development of lung cancer, but there are severe other probably less known factors that may increase the individual risk for malignant neoplasms of the lung. These risk factors include e. g. exposure to natural ionic radiation, consisting of terrestrial radiation and indoor radiation caused by radon gas, exposure to respirable dust and Diesel engine emissions, asbestos, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In the majority of cases, the latency between exposure and development of cancer is years to decades and the person concerned was occupationally exposed. Therefore, a detailed evaluation of a patient's medical and occupational history is needed. Due to its poor prognosis, prevention and early diagnosis of lung cancer is crucial to improve our patients' outcome. Good knowledge of epidemiology and aetiology of pulmonary tumors is the key to preventive measures and identification of individuals at increased risk for lung cancer. An overview will be provided on the epidemiology of lung tumors and predominantly preventable risk factors for lung cancer.

[Perivascular brachial plexus block. Ultrasound versus nerve stimulator]. / Perivaskuläre axilläre Plexusanästhesie. Ultraschall versus Nervenstimulator.

BACKGROUND: Optimizing the needle position using ultrasound (US) instead of electrical nerve stimulation (NSt) is increasingly common for perivascular brachial plexus block. These two methods were compared in a prospective, randomized, single-blinded controlled trial regarding effectiveness and time of onset of peripheral nerve blockade. METHODS: After puncture (penetration of neurovascular sheath and complete insertion of needle) 56 patients were randomly assigned to either the US group (finding the needle tip in transpectoral section, short axis, correction of needle position if local anesthetic spread was insufficient) or the NSt group (target impulse reaction in median, ulnar or radial nerve of 0.3 mA/0.1 ms, if necessary correction of position before injection of local anesthetic) to verify the needle position. All patients received 500 mg 1% mepivacaine. Sensory and motor blocks were tested by single nerve measurements (SNM) 5, 10 and 20 min after finishing the injection, where 0 represents minimal and 2 maximal success of the block. RESULTS: Single nerve measurements were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. The mean results of cumulative SNMs were significantly higher in the US group at all measurement times. Sensitivity US/NSt: 5 min: 3.36±2.32/2.63±1.87; 10 min: 5.45±2.41/4.21±2.45; 20 min: 7.30±2.02/6.43±2.43, p=0.015, motor function US/NSt: 5 min: 3.91±1.81/3.02±1.67; 10 min: 5.27±1.66/4.05±1.70; 20 min: 6.64±1.37/5.50±1.90, p<0.001. At the beginning of surgery complete nerve blockade was achieved in 89% in the US group and 68% in the NSt group (p=0.006), 3 (US) versus 7 (NSt) patients needed supplementation and 3 (US) versus 11 (NSt) patients needed general anesthesia (p=0.022). To achieve the nerve block took approximately 1 min more in the US group (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The use of ultrasound in perivascular brachial plexus blocks leads to significantly higher success rates and shorter times of onset.

Monocyte chemotactic protein 3 is a most effective basophil- and eosinophil-activating chemokine.

CC chemokines constitute a novel class of cytokines that attract and activate monocytes and lymphocytes, as well as basophil and eosinophil leukocytes, with distinct target cell profiles, and are believed to be involved in the regulation of different types of inflammation. The action of the recently identified monocyte chemotactic protein 3 (MCP-3) on human basophil and eosinophil function was studied and compared with that of other CC chemokines. In basophils, MCP-3, MCP-1, RANTES, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha all induced cytosolic-free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) changes and, with different efficacies, chemotaxis (RANTES = MCP-3 >> MCP-1 > MIP-1 alpha), histamine release (MCP-1 = MCP-3 >> RANTES > MIP-1 alpha), and leukotriene C4 formation, after IL-3 pretreatment (MCP-1 = MCP-3 >> RANTES > MIP-1 alpha). Thus, MCP-3 was as effective as MCP-1 as an inducer of mediator release, and as effective as RANTES as a stimulus of basophil migration. In contrast to MCP-1, MCP-3 was also a stimulus for eosinophils, and induced [Ca2+]i changes and chemotaxis as effectively as RANTES, which is the most potent chemotactic cytokine for these cells. Desensitization of the transient changes in [Ca2+]i was used to assess receptor usage. In basophils, stimulation with MCP-3 prevented responsiveness to MCP-1 and RANTES, but not to MIP-1 alpha. No single CC chemokine (except for MCP-3 itself) affected the response to MCP-3, however, which was prevented only when the cells were prestimulated with both MCP-1 and RANTES. In eosinophils, by contrast, cross-desensitization between RANTES and MCP-3 was obtained. RANTES and to a lesser extent MCP-3 also desensitized eosinophils toward MIP-1 alpha. The desensitization data suggest the existence of three chemokine receptors: (a) a MCP-1 receptor expressed on basophils but not eosinophils that is activated by MCP-1 and MCP-3; (b) a RANTES receptor in basophils and eosinophils that is activated by RANTES and MCP-3; and (c) a MIP-1 alpha receptor that is activated by MIP-1 alpha, RANTES and, more weakly, by MCP-3. This study shows that MCP-3 combines the properties of RANTES, a powerful chemoattractant, and MCP-1, a highly effective stimulus of mediator release, and thus has a particularly broad range of activities toward both human basophil and eosinophil leukocytes.

Neutrophil activation by monomeric interleukin-8.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory protein, has been shown by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and x-ray techniques to exist as a homodimer. An IL-8 analog was chemically synthesized, with the amide nitrogen of leucine-25 methylated to selectivity block formation of hydrogen bonds between monomers and thereby prevent dimerization. This analog was shown to be a monomer, as assessed by analytical ultracentrifugation and NMR. Nevertheless, it was equivalent to IL-8 in assays of neutrophil activation, which indicates that the monomer is a functional form of IL-8.

Sputum proteomic signature of gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with severe asthma.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) has long been associated with poor asthma control without an established cause-effect relationship. 610 asthmatics (421 severe/88 mild-moderate) and 101 healthy controls were assessed clinically and a subset of 154 severe asthmatics underwent proteomic analysis of induced sputum using untargeted mass spectrometry, LC-IMS-MSE. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses (MLR) were conducted to identify proteins associated with GORD in this cohort. When compared to mild/moderate asthmatics and healthy individuals, respectively, GORD was three- and ten-fold more prevalent in severe asthmatics and was associated with increased asthma symptoms and oral corticosteroid use, poorer quality of life, depression/anxiety, obesity and symptoms of sino-nasal disease. Comparison of sputum proteomes in severe asthmatics with and without active GORD showed five differentially abundant proteins with described roles in anti-microbial defences, systemic inflammation and epithelial integrity. Three of these were associated with active GORD by multiple linear regression analysis: Ig lambda variable 1-47 (p = 0·017) and plasma protease C1 inhibitor (p = 0·043), both in lower concentrations, and lipocalin-1 (p = 0·034) in higher concentrations in active GORD. This study provides evidence which suggests that reflux can cause subtle perturbation of proteins detectable in the airways lining fluid and that severe asthmatics with GORD may represent a distinct phenotype of asthma.

TGF-beta is a critical mediator of acute lung injury.

We have shown that the integrin alphavbeta6 activates latent TGF-beta in the lungs and skin. We show here that mice lacking this integrin are completely protected from pulmonary edema in a model of bleomycin-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Pharmacologic inhibition of TGF-beta also protected wild-type mice from pulmonary edema induced by bleomycin or Escherichia coli endotoxin. TGF-beta directly increased alveolar epithelial permeability in vitro by a mechanism that involved depletion of intracellular glutathione. These data suggest that integrin-mediated local activation of TGF-beta is critical to the development of pulmonary edema in ALI and that blocking TGF-beta or its activation could be effective treatments for this currently untreatable disorder.

Antitumor effect of c-myc antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides on human melanoma cells in vitro and and in mice.

BACKGROUND: Phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides ([S]ODNs) contain a modified internucleoside phosphate backbone. Antisense [S]ODNs targeted to specific oncogenes have been used with some therapeutic success in animal models human leukemia; however, the potential for antisense [S]ODN treatment of solid tumors has only recently been explored. PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of antisense [S]ODNs targeted to the c-myc oncogene on the proliferation of human melanoma cells in vitro and on the growth of human melanoma xenografts in CD-1 nude (nu/nu) mice, METHODS: The effects of 15-mer [S]ODNs containing c-myc sense, c-myc antisense, and two different scrambled sequences on the proliferation and viability of cultures of three established human melanoma cell lines (M14, JR8, and PLF2) were determined by measuring cell numbers and use of the trypan blue exclusion test. The induction of apoptosis in these cells following treatment with [S]ODNs was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. FACS analysis was also used to determine the effects of [S]ODN treatment on the proliferation of primary cultures of a human melanoma explant (NG cells). The expression of c-Myc protein in cultured NG cells after treatment with [S]ODNs was examined by western blot analysis. The antitumor activity and the toxic effects of several [S]ODN treatment regimens were monitored by measuring differences in tumor weight (percent tumor weight inhibition), tumor growth rate (tumor growth inhibition), animal lifespan (percent increase in lifespan), the number of toxic deaths and the median number of long metastases in treated and control mice bearing NG xenografts. c-Myc protein expression in NG tumor cells following [S]ODN treatment was evaluated by FACS analysis, and the extent of apoptosis in these cells was determined by FACS analysis and morphologic examination. RESULTS: Treatment with antisense [S]ODNs, but not the others, inhibited the growth of all tested melanoma cultures in vitro; FACS analysis revealed that growth inhibition was associated with the induction of apoptosis. Antisense [S]ODN treatment also led to reduced celluLar levels of c-Myc protein. In vivo, [S]ODN antitumor activity and toxicity were dose and schedule dependent; however, only antisense [S]ODNs exhibited antitumor activity. Mice bearing NG xenografts treated with antisense [S]ODNs showed a marked inhibition of tumor growth, a reduction in the number of long metastases, and an increase in life span. Reduced levels of c-Myc protein and increased levels of apoptosis were also observed in NG tumor cells following antisense [S]ODN treatment. CONCLUSIONS: treatment of human melanoma cells and solid tumors with antisense [S]ODNs targeted to c-Myc inhibits their growth and is associated with the induction of apoptosis.

In vitro purging with BCR-ABL antisense oligodeoxynucleotides does not prevent haematologic reconstitution after autologous bone marrow transplantation.

We treated a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia in accelerated phase with autologous bone marrow transplantation. Before reinfusion, cells were purged in vitro with a 26-mer phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotide specific for the B2A2 junction. Incubation with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides produced a 24 and 41% reduction of CFU-GM and CD34+ cells, respectively. However, an in vitro test previously performed as a screening for patient inclusion in this procedure, revealed a 38 and 75% reduction of colony formation after 24-h and 168-h incubation, respectively. The patient showed bone marrow engraftment 15 days after reinfusion and haematological reconstitution after 17 and 25 days for platelets and neutrophils, respectively. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization in interphase nuclei, we demonstrated the presence of a proportion of Ph-negative cells in repeated controls after the autograft. The patient is now in unmaintained complete haematological remission 9 months after the autograft.

Effect of bcr-abl oligodeoxynucleotides on the clonogenic growth of chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells.

We studied the effect of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides ([S]ODNs) complementary to the bcr-abl junction on cells taken at diagnosis from 41 patients with Philadelphia-positive chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). Experiments included the evaluation of the anti-leukaemic effect of 16- and 26-mer antisense [S]ODNs on both mononuclear and CD34+ cells, evaluation of incubation time and correlation of colony growth inhibition with the down-regulation of p210(bcr-abl). At the same time, the uptake of [S]ODNs by mononuclear and purified CD34+ cell populations and the cross-hybridization of 26- and 16-mer [S]ODNs with the complementary sequences were evaluated. After incubation for 120 h with 26-mer antisense [S]ODNs on mononuclear cells, overall mean colony recovery was 41.9% of the untreated control samples; in particular, a significant reduction in colony formation was observed in 22 of the 35 cases tested. The effect of 26-mer ODNs on CD34+ cells was comparable to that observed on mononuclear cells in terms of colony inhibition; however, a higher proportion of cases showed a significant inhibition of colony formation. In comparison with the 26-mer antisense [S]ODNs, the anti-leukaemic effect of the 16-mer antisense [S]ODNs was less evident on mononuclear cells and comparable on CD34+ cells; however, a more specific effect was evident on both target cells. Hybridization experiments confirmed a partial cross-reactivity when the 26-mer ODNs were hybridized with their complementary sequence; this did not occur when 16-mer ODNs were similarly tested. Experiments aimed at evaluating the effect of the incubation time showed a significant increase in anti-leukaemic effect after a 120 h incubation period compared to that measured after a 24 h incubation period; this was parallelled by a progressive increase in the intracellular concentrations of [S]ODNs from day 1 to day 5. The accumulation of [S]ODNs correlated with a marked down-regulation of p210(bcr-abl) levels which was first detectable after 72 h of treatment. The down-regulation of p210(bcr-abl) levels following treatment with [S]ODNs showed a correlation between the effect of antisense [S]ODNs on leukaemic colony formation and protein expression. These studies confirm that, under optimal conditions of target cell culture and ODN size, antisense [S]ODNs complementary to the bcr-abl junction have specific anti-leukaemic effects.

Activation of human neutrophils by C3a and C5A. Comparison of the effects on shape changes, chemotaxis, secretion, and respiratory burst.

The effects of anaphylatoxin C3a on human neutrophils were studied in comparison with C5a. Both peptides induced a transient shape change response and a respiratory burst. In both cases C3a was 50- to 100-times less potent than C5a. A marked chemotactic response with bimodal concentration dependence was obtained with C5a, but no neutrophil chemotaxis was observed with C3a. Repeated stimulation led to homologous desensitization of shape changes and respiratory burst but no cross-desensitization, indicating that the two anaphylatoxins act through separate receptors. The lack of chemotactic activity suggests that C3a is not involved in neutrophil recruitment into infected or inflamed tissues.

Large-scale economic synthesis of antisense phosphorothioate analogues of DNA for preclinical investigations.

The therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides will heavily depend on a balance of two factors: pharmacologic effectiveness and cost of production. Pharmacologic optimization will be achieved to a limited degree in in vitro systems, but substantial progress can only be made in the context of appropriate in vivo models. The quantities of synthetic oligonucleotides required for modest in vivo testing are several thousandfold greater than can be produced by conventional DNA synthesis technology and 10(5)-10(7)-fold greater for preclinical and clinical evaluation. Cost-effective synthesis and purification cannot be achieved by extrapolating current technologies to scales commensurate with these quantities. Recent interest in anti-HIV (anti-rev) phosphorothioate analogues of DNA (approximately 28-mers) has prompted us to develop scale-up methodology for routinely producing gram amounts of such analogues. These results and considerations given to producing clinical and commercial quantities were discussed.

Folic acid-polylysine carrier improves efficacy of c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on human melanoma (M14) cells.

Several polycations such as polylysine polymers are efficient transfection agents due to their capacity to bind DNA at physiological pH. By linking a ligand for a cell surface receptor to the polycation domain, a selective delivery of polyanionic compounds such as oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) without cell membrane-disruption can be achieved. Therefore, we aimed to develop this strategy to improve the uptake of oligomers in cancer cells. In particular, cationic polymers polylysine were covalently linked to a molecule of Folic Acid (FA) to deliver complexed ODNs in human melanoma (M-14) cells which express FA receptors. Since in these cells c-myc oncogene seems to play a crucial role in tumor growth, we used a c-myc antisense ODNs (15mer base antisense c-myc ODNs phosphorothioate) to inhibit its expression. The cellular uptake of the complexed ODNs was improved compared to the cellular uptake of free ODNs with a significant decrease in the intracellular c-myc protein level, resulting in a reduction of the growth rate and colony-forming capacity of the cells. No such effect was observed when ODNs in scrambled sequences were administered under the same experimental conditions. The efficacy of the uptake of the complex is receptor-related since a Transferrin-polylysine carrier produced no significant biological effects (in melanoma cells the Fe uptake is mediated by an oxidoreductase present in the cell membrane and not by Transferrin receptor pathway). Our results demonstrate that: a) By choosing the appropriate ligand for the membrane receptor present on the target cells, selective targeting of ODNs can be achieved. b) The uptake of the ODNs can be improved by receptor-mediated endocytosis. c) In a model system the complexed ODNs are capable of impairing gene product synthesis and function.