Delivery of Targeted Nanoparticles Across the Blood-Brain Barrier Using a Detachable Targeting Ligand

Chronic diseases of the central nervous system are poorly treated due to the inability of most therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is an anatomical and physiological barrier that severely restricts solute influx, including most drugs, from the blood to the brain. One promising method to overcome this obstacle is to use endogenous solute influx systems at the blood-brain barrier to transport drugs. Therapeutics designed to enter the brain through transcytosis by binding the transferrin receptor, however, are restricted within endothelial cells. The focus of this work was to develop a method to increase uptake of transferrin-containing nanoparticles into the brain by overcoming these restrictive processes.

To accomplish this goal, nanoparticles were prepared with surface transferrin molecules bound through various liable chemical bonds. These nanoparticles were designed to shed the targeting molecule during transcytosis to allow increased accumulation of nanoparticles within the brain.

Transferrin was added to the surface of nanoparticles through either redox or pH sensitive chemistry. First, nanoparticles with transferrin bound through disulfide bonds were prepared. These nanoparticles showed decreased avidity for the transferrin receptor after exposure to reducing agents and increased ability to enter the brain in vivo compared to those lacking the disulfide link.

Next, transferrin was attached through a chemical bond that cleaves at mildly acidic pH. Nanoparticles containing a cleavable link between transferrin and gold nanoparticle cores were found to both cross an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier and accumulate within the brain in significantly higher numbers than similar nanoparticles lacking the cleavable bond. Also, this increased accumulation was not seen when using this same strategy with an antibody to transferrin receptor, indicating that behavior of nanoparticles at the blood-brain barrier varies depending on what type of targeting ligand is used.

Finally, polymeric nanoparticles loaded with dopamine and utilizing a superior acid-cleavable targeting chemistry were investigated as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease. These nanoparticles were capable of increasing dopamine quantities in the brains of healthy mice, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this design. Overall, this work describes a novel method to increase targeted nanoparticle accumulation in the brain.

LC-MS based methods for phytosterols determination in oenological matrices. Targeted metabolomic study of Rioja grape varieties

221 p.+ anexos

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico Party Boat Industry: Activity Centers, Species Targeted, and Fisheries Management Opinions

In addition to providing an overview of the party boat fishery in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, a management-oriented methodology is presented that can be used elsewhere to assess regulatory impacts. Party boat operators were interviewed to determine species targeted, percent time committed to targeting each species, and opinions on current catch restrictions. Over two-thirds of the fieet was located on the west coast of Florida. Overall, most boats targeted <5 species. Four species accounted for 90 percent of the estimated effort by party boats in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Snapper; Lutjanus sp.; grouper, Epinephelus sp. and Mycteroperca sp.; amberjack, Seriola dumerili; and king mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla. Party boat effort in Texas was devoted primarily to snapper, whereas in Florida most effort was devoted to snapper and grouper collectively. Party boat operators were diverse in their opinions of management regulations in force when interviewed. Results revealed why major opposition would he expected from Texas party boat operators for red snapper bag limits and other restrictions proposed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico Charter Boat Industry: Activity Centers, Species Targeted, and Fisheries Management Opinions

The charter boat industry in U. S. Gulf of Mexico provides access to offshore fishing opportunities for about 570,000 passengers per year on 971 boats. A 25% random sample of charter boat operators was interviewed during 1987-88 to determine species targeted, percent time committed to targeting each species, and reactions to existing catch restrictions. Three-fourths of the charter boat fleet was in Florida, 13% in Texas, 5% in Louisiana, 4% in Alabama, and 2% in Mississippi. Responses were diverse regarding species focus within the region. Species of dominant importance included groupers, Epinephelus sp. and Mycteroperca sp. (Fla.); snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (Ala., Fla., Miss., and La.); king mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla (Miss., Tex., Ala. and Fla.); spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus (Tex. and La.); and red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Tex. and La). Catch restrictions were generally supported with higher levels of opposition to restricted high effort fish and/or one fish or closed fishery limits.

Coping with the Lionfish Invasion: can targeted removals yield beneficial effects?

Invasive species generate significant environmental and economic costs, with maintenance management constituting a major expenditure. Such costs are generated by invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.) that further threaten already stressed coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. This brief review documents rapid range expansion and potential impacts of lionfish. In addition, preliminary experimental data from targeted removals contribute to debates about maintenance management. Removals at sites off Little Cayman Island shifted the size frequency distribution of remaining lionfish toward smaller individuals whose stomachs contained less prey and fewer fish. Fewer lionfish and decreased predation on threatened grouper, herbivores and other economically and ecologically important fishes represent key steps toward protecting reefs. However, complete evaluation of success requires long-term data detailing immigration and recruitment by lionfish, compensatory growth and reproduction of lionfish, reduced direct effects on prey assemblages, and reduced indirect effects mediated by competition for food. Preventing introductions is the best way to avoid impacts from invasive species and early detection linked to rapid response ranks second. Nevertheless, results from this case study suggest that targeted removals represent a viable option for shifting direct impacts of invasive lionfish away from highly vulnerable components of ecosystems.

Final report of the targeted research on Indian mackerel and sharks and national plan of action for conservation and management of shark resources, Thailand

Research included: population structure of Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta); a National Plan of Action for the conservation and management of sharks; levels of heavy metals in shark products; and a database on rays.

RecA-mediated, targeted mutagenesis in zebrafish

We have evaluated the efficacy of RecA, a prokaryotic protein involved with homologous recombination, to direct site-specific mutagenesis in zebrafish embryos. For this we coinjected a vector containing a mutated enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene plus 236-nucleotide corrective single-stranded DNAs coated with RecA into I-cell zebrafish embryos. Twenty-hours after fertilization, about 5% to 20% of injected embryos showed EGFP expression in I or more cells when RecA-coated corrective DNAs were used, but not when RecA was omitted. Mutated EGFP genes with 1-bp insertions or deletions were inefficiently activated, whereas those with 7-bp insertions were activated about 4-fold more efficiently. RecA-coated template strand had a higher efficiency than its complementary strand in activation of EGFP expression. Prior irradiation of the embryos with UV light enhanced RecA-mediated restoration of gene activity, suggesting that the effects we observed were augmented by one or more factors of zebrafish DNA repair systems.

两种抗HER2重组免疫毒素的构建与活性研究

HER2／neu基因在肿瘤中的过度表达使其成为许多肿瘤的标志分子。人肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）和肿瘤坏死因子相关的凋亡诱导配体（Trail）对肿瘤细胞的杀伤作用使其成为前景看好的抗肿瘤药物，对它们的细胞杀伤机制研究日渐深入。但临床研究发现HER2／neu过度表达的肿瘤细胞抵制TNF-α和Trail的肿瘤杀伤作用，因此经常产生耐药现象。为了增加过度表达HER2／neu的肿瘤细胞对TNF-a的敏感性和提高HER2／neu抗体的肿瘤杀伤效应，我们将抗HER2／neu人源化单链抗体scFvC6.5与人翔F-a融合，构建了免疫毒素scFvC6.5-TNF-α，完成了该重组蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达，产率为800μg／L菌液。经过亲和层析和柱复性，融合蛋白的纯度达95％以上。ELISA试验表明scFvC6.5-TNF-a能够特异结合HER2／neu阳性卵巢癌细胞SKO从3和乳腺癌细胞MCF-7，而不结合HERZ／neu阴性的黑色素瘤细胞A-375。MTT试验表明scFvC6.5-TNF-a能够选择性的杀伤SKOV-3和MCF-7细胞，而不影响A-375细胞的生长。同时为了增加过度表达HER2／neu的肿瘤细胞对人可溶性肿瘤坏死因子相关的凋亡诱导配体（sTrail）的敏感性和提高HER2／neu抗体的肿瘤杀伤效应，我们构建了scFvC6．5与人sTrail的融合蛋白scFvC6.5-sTrail。重组子经酶切及测序证明序列正确后，在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）中进行诱导表达。经SDS-PAGE及westem一blot鉴定，获得高水平包含体表达菌株，产率为700雌／L菌液。对表达产物进行变性、复性及纯化，SDS-PAGE结果显示纯度达95％以上。用ELISA法检测纯化后蛋白的结合活性表明融合蛋白scFvC6.5-sTrail能够特异结合HERZ／neu阳性卵巢癌细胞SKO从3、乳腺癌细胞McF-7和Trail敏感菌株MDA-MB-231，而不结合HER2／neu阴性和Trail受体阴性的黑色素瘤细胞A-375。MTT法检测其生物活性显示纯化后的scFvC6.5-sTrail蛋白对SKO从3、MCF-7、MDA-MB-231均具有细胞毒活性，并存在剂量依赖性，但对A-375细胞没有作用。细胞凋亡流式分析表明这两种免疫毒素对SKO从3靶细胞的杀伤作用是通过诱导细胞凋亡所致。提示这两种免疫毒素在抗肿瘤靶向治疗中具有潜在的应用价值。

抗HER2/neu单链抗体增强TNF-α对卵巢癌细胞的抗肿瘤活性

为了探索抗HER2/neu单链抗体与TNF-α联合应用对表面过度表达HER2/neu卵巢癌细胞的生物效应,同时构建了抗HER2/neu单链抗体scFvC6.5的原核表达载体和人TNF-α的原核表达载体,将上述两种重组子分别转化入感受态宿主菌BL21(DE3),得到稳定表达.表达产物主要以包含体形式存在;包含体经过溶解、变性、复性和纯化,得到了分纯的产物.SDS-PAGE和Western-blot检测结果证实,蛋白表达正确.ELISA法验证了scFvC6.5和人TNF-α具有与卵巢癌细胞SKOV-3的结合活性.MTT细胞毒活性试验进一步表明,相对于单独使用TNF-α,联合应用上述两个重组蛋白细胞毒效应明显提高,SKOV-3细胞对TNF-α的敏感性增强.这将为抗HER2/neu抗体的联合抗肿瘤疗法提供一种新的途径,具有潜在的临床应用价值.图5参23

抗HER2-hTNF-α新型免疫毒素的制备及功能研究

HER2/neu基因在肿瘤中的过度表达使其成为许多肿瘤的标志分子.为了增加过度表达HER2/neu的肿瘤细胞对肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)的敏感性和提高HER2/neu抗体的肿瘤杀伤效应,将抗HER2/neu单链抗体C6.5与人肿瘤坏死因子hTNF-α融合,构建了scFvC6.5-hTNF-α融合蛋白,完成了重组蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达,产率为400μg/L菌液.经过亲和层析和柱复性,融合蛋白的纯度达95%以上.ELISA试验表明,scFvC6.5-hTNF-α能够特异结合HER2/neu阳性卵巢癌细胞SKOV-3和乳腺癌细胞MCF-7,而不结合HER2/neu阴性的黑色素瘤细胞A375.MTT试验表明,scFvC6.5-hTNF-α能够选择性地杀伤SKOV-3和MCF-7细胞,而不影响A375细胞的生长.这种肿瘤细胞特异性杀伤作用提示该免疫毒素具有肿瘤靶向治疗的潜在应用价值.

Targeted RNA interference of cyclin A(2) mediated by functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes induces proliferation arrest and apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells

Cyclin A(2) plays critical role in DNA replication, transcription, and cell cycle regulation. Its overexpression has been detected and related to many types of cancers including leukemia, suggesting that suppression of cyclin A(2) would be an attractive strategy to prevent tumor progression. Herein, we apply functionalized single wall carbon nanotubes (f-SWNTs) to carry small interfering RNA (siRNA) into K562 cells and determine whether inhibition of cyclin A(2) would be a potential therapeutic target for chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Cytotoxicity of liver targeted drug-loaded alginate nanoparticles

In this study, novel liver targeted doxorubicin (DOX) loaded alginate (ALG) nanoparticles were prepared by CaCl2 crosslinking method. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA, a liver targeted molecule) modified alginate (GA-ALG) was synthesized in a heterogeneous system, and the structure of GA-ALG and the substitution degree of GA were analyzed by H-1 NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The drug release profile under the simulated physiological condition and cytotoxicity experiments of drug-loaded GA-ALG nanoparticles were carried out in vitro. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed that drug-loaded GA-ALG nanoparticles have spherical shape structure with the mean hydrodynamic diameter around 214 +/- 11 nm.

Expression of the lacZ reporter gene in sporophytes of the seaweed Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyceae) by gametophyte-targeted transformation

The seaweed Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyceae) has a two-generation life cycle consisting of haploid gametophytes and diploid sporophytes. Female and/or male gametophytes were transformed using particle bombardment and the histological LacZ assay was performed on sporophytes generated by either parthenogenesis or inbreeding. Female gametophyte-targeted transformation resulted in similar lower efficiencies in both parthenogenetic and zygotic sporophytes, and only a chimeric expression pattern was observed. Male gametophyte-targeted transformation led to a higher efficiency, with 3.5% of the zygotic sporophytes stained completely blue (all-blue), implying the integration of lacZ at the one-cell stage. Polymerase chain reaction analysis using primers specific for a lacZ-vector juncture fragment and subsequent blotting indicated the presence of the introduced gene in the sporophytes. The method reported here has a potential for seaweed transformation using spore-based bombardment followed by the developmental process.