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Aqueous dispersed conjugated polymer dots (Pdots) have shown promising application in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. To efficiently extract photogenerated charges from type-II heterojunction Pdots for hydrogen evolution, the mechanistic study of photophysical processes is essential for Pdot optimization. Within this work, we use a PFODTBT donor (D) polymer and an ITIC small molecule acceptor (A) as a donor/acceptor (D/A) model system to study their excited states and charge/energy transfer dynamics via steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, respectively. Charge-carrier generation and the recombination dynamics of binary Pdots with different D/A ratios were followed using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. A significant spectral relaxation of photoluminescence was observed for individual D Pdots, implying an energetic disorder by nature. However, this was not seen for charge carriers in binary Pdots, probably due to the ultrafast charge generation process at an early time (

A semiartificial photosynthesis approach that utilizes enzymes for solar fuel production relies on efficient photosensitizers that should match the enzyme activity and enable long-term stability. Polymer dots (Pdots) are biocompatible photosensitizers that are stable at pH 7 and have a readily modifiable surface morphology. Therefore, Pdots can be considered potential photosensitizers to drive such enzyme-based systems for solar fuel formation. This work introduces and unveils in detail the interaction within the biohybrid assembly composed of binary Pdots and the HydA1 [FeFe]-hydrogenase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The direct attachment of hydrogenase on the surface of toroid-shaped Pdots was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), and cryogenic electron tomography (Cryo-ET). Ultrafast transient spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize photoinduced excitation and dissociation into charges within Pdots. The study reveals that implementation of a donor-acceptor architecture for heterojunction Pdots leads to efficient subpicosecond charge separation and thus enhances hydrogen evolution (88 460 mu mol(H2).g(H2ase)(-1).h(-1)). Adsorption of [FeFe]-hydrogenase onto Pdots resulted in a stable biohybrid assembly, where hydrogen production persisted for days, reaching a TON of 37 500 +/- 1290 in the presence of a redox mediator. This work represents an example of a homogeneous biohybrid system combining polymer nanoparticles and an enzyme. Detailed spectroscopic studies provide a mechanistic understanding of light harvesting, charge separation, and transport studied, which is essential for building semiartificial photosynthetic systems with efficiencies beyond natural and artificial systems.

The in vivo efficacy and tolerance of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-decorated drug nanocarriers, such as liposomes, is compromised by their tendency to induce the generation of PEG-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Recently, a number of independent studies have reported on an attenuated anti-PEG immune response upon incorporation of gangliosides in the membrane of PEGylated liposomes. In the present study we investigate the effect of gangliosides on the self-assembled structures found in lipid dispersions based on hydrogenated egg phosphatidylcholine (HEPC), cholesterol and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethyleneglycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG(2000)). Results from cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) investigations show that gangliosides promote structural transitions from liposomes to bilayer disks. In case of samples comprising 5 mol% PEG-conjugated lipids (PEG-lipid), inclusion of 2.5 mol% ganglioside (porcine ganglioside extract) results in the presence of a small but significant amount of disks. With increasing ganglioside content the population of disks grows at the expense of the liposomes. Comparative investigations using isolated ganglioside components reveal that disialoganglioside GD1a is more potent than monosialoganglioside GM1 in promoting disk formation. Experiments involving liposome encapsulated carboxyfluorescein confirm that the ganglioside-induced structural transformations have a detrimental effect on the total entrapped aqueous volume of the samples. The reported coexistence of liposomes and bilayer disks may if overlooked have important implications for the therapeutic efficacy and immunogenicity of ganglioside-supplemented liposomal formulations.

Amphiphilic gradient copolymers represent a promising alternative to extensively used block copolymers due to their facile one-step synthesis by statistical copolymerization of monomers of different reactivity. Herein, an in-depth analysis is provided of micelles based on amphiphilic gradient poly(2-oxazoline)s with different chain lengths to evaluate their potential for micellar drug delivery systems and compare them to the analogous diblock copolymer micelles. Size, morphology, and stability of self-assembled nanoparticles, loading of hydrophobic drug curcumin, as well as cytotoxicities of the prepared nanoformulations are examined using copoly(2-oxazoline)s with varying chain lengths and comonomer ratios. In addition to several interesting differences between the two copolymer architecture classes, such as more compact self-assembled structures with faster exchange dynamics for the gradient copolymers, it is concluded that gradient copolymers provide stable curcumin nanoformulations with comparable drug loadings to block copolymer systems and benefit from more straightforward copolymer synthesis. The study demonstrates the potential of amphiphilic gradient copolymers as a versatile platform for the synthesis of new polymer therapeutics. acceptedVersion

The self-assembly in mixtures of the anionic bile salt surfactant sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) and the zwitterionic phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) in physiological saline solution has been investigated using light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy. Rather small tri-axial ellipsoidal NaDC-DMPC mixed micelles form at a high content of bile salt in the mixture, which increase in size as an increasing amount of DMPC is incorporated into the micelles. Eventually, the micelles begin to grow substantially in length to form long wormlike micelles. At higher mole fractions of DMPC, the samples become turbid and cryo-TEM measurements reveal the existence of large perforated vesicles (stomatosomes), coexisting with geometrically open disks. To our knowledge, stomatosomes have not been observed before for any bile salt-phospholipid system. Mixed micelles are found to be the sole aggregate structure in a very wide regime of bile salt-phospholipid compositions, i.e. up to about 77 mol% phospholipid in the micelles. This is much higher than the corresponding value of 25 mol% observed for the conventional surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) mixed with DMPC in the same solvent. The enhanced ability of bile salt surfactants to solubilize phospholipid bilayers and form mixed micelles is rationalized using bending elasticity theory. From our theoretical analysis, we are able to conclude that amphiphilic molecules rank in the following order of increasing spontaneous curvature: phospholipids < conventional surfactants < bile salts. The bending rigidity of the different amphiphilic molecules increases according to the following sequence: bile salts < conventional surfactants < phospholipids. This journal is

Panchromatic ternary polymer dots (Pdots) consisting of two conjugated polymers (PFBT and PFODTBT) based on fluorene and benzothiadiazole groups, and one small molecular acceptor (ITIC) have been prepared and assessed for photocatalytic hydrogen production with the assistance of a Pt cocatalyst. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic studies of the ternary Pdots have revealed both energy and charge transfer processes that occur on the time scale of sub-picosecond between the different components. They result in photogenerated electrons being located mainly at ITIC, which acts as both electron and energy acceptor. Results from cryo-transmission electron microscopy suggest that ITIC forms crystalline phases in the ternary Pdots, facilitating electron transfer from ITIC to the Pt cocatalyst and promoting the final photocatalytic reaction yield. Enhanced light absorption, efficient charge separation, and the ideal morphology of the ternary Pdots have rendered an external quantum efficiency up to 7% at 600 nm. Moreover, the system has shown a high stability over 120 h without obvious degradation of the photocatalysts.

The geldanamycin derivative 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) is known to induce internalisation and degradation of the otherwise internalisation-resistant human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor. In the present study, 17-AAG was used to increase internalisation of the HER2-specific Affibody molecule ABY-025. The cellular redistribution of halogen-labelled 211At-ABY-025 and radiometal-labelled 111In-ABY-025 following treatment with 17-AAG was studied. 17-AAG treatment of SKOV-3 human ovarian carcinoma and SKBR-3 human breast carcinoma cells to some extent shifted the localisation of 111In-ABY-025 from the cell surface to intracellular compartments in the two cell lines. ABY-025 labelled with the high-linear energy transfer α emitter 211At was also internalised to a higher degree; however, due to its physiological properties, this nuclide was excreted faster. The results indicate that 17-AAG may be used to facilitate cell-specific intracellular localisation of a suitable cytotoxic or radioactive agent coupled to ABY-025 in HER2-overexpressing cells.

Bacteria need to be able to adapt to sudden changes in their environment, including drastic changes in the surrounding osmolarity. As part of this adaptation, the cells adjust the composition of their cytoplasmic membrane. Recent studies have shown that ubiquinones, lipid soluble molecules involved in cell respiration, are overproduced by bacteria grown in hyperosmotic conditions and it is thus believed that these molecules can provide with osmoprotection. Hereby we explore the mechanisms behind these observations. Liposomes with a lipid headgroup composition mimicking that of the cytoplasmic membrane of E. coli are used as suitable models. The effect of ubiquinone-10 (Q10) on water transport across the membranes is characterized using a custom developed fluorescence-based experimental approach to simultaneously determine the membrane permeability coefficient and estimate the elastic resistance of the membrane towards deformation. It is shown that both parameters are affected by the presence of ubiquinone-10. Solanesol, a molecule similar to Q10 but lacking the quinone headgroup, also provides with osmoprotection although it only improves the resistance of the membrane against deformation. The fluorescence experiments are complemented by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy studies showing that the E. coli membrane mimics tend to flatten into spheroid oblate structures when osmotically stressed, suggesting the possibility of lipid segregation. In agreement with its proposed osmoprotective role, the flattening process is hindered by the presence of Q10.

The effects of pre-incubation of hyaluronan hydrogels, for different lengths of time after the initiation of chemical crosslinking and prior to injection, were explored both by investigating the in vitro BMP-2 release kinetics from the hydrogel and by studying the ectopic bone formation in rats. From the curing profile, obtained from rheological analysis, appropriate pre-incubation times (1 min, 5 h and 3 days) were selected, to prepare slightly, moderately and fully cured hydrogels. Comparable release profiles were observed for all three test groups in vitro. Furthermore, radiography, pQCT and histology of the explanted grafts showed cancellous bone formation in all groups after 5 weeks in vivo. However, longer pre-incubation times gave rise to an increase in bone volume, but a decrease in bone density. Moreover, the 5 h and the 3 days grafts appeared to be more ordered and resistant to deformation from the surrounding tissue than the 1 min grafts. The observed variations in mechanical and biological properties could potentially be used to adapt the treatment for a specific indication.

Immunohistochemical study (IHC) is a critical tool in the clinical diagnosis of breast cancer. One common assessment is the expression level of the HER2 receptor in breast cancer tissue samples with the aim of stratifying patients for applicability of the therapeutic antibody Herceptin. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether a novel assay, real-time IHC combined with Interaction Map analysis, offers the possibility of objective assessment of HER2 expression. Interaction Map presents real-time interaction data as a collection of peaks on a surface, and it was performed on 20 patient tissue samples previously scored for HER2 expression. The result shows that the relative weight of the peaks in the maps contains novel information that could discriminate between high and low HER2 expression in an operator-independent manner (P

Cells are complex biological units with advanced signalling systems, a dynamic capacity to adapt to its environment, and the ability to divide and grow. In fact, they are of such high level of complexity that it has deemed extremely difficult or even impossible to completely understand cells as complete units. The search for comprehending the cell has instead been divided into small, relatively isolated research fields, in which simplified models are used to explain cell biology. The result produced through these reductionistic investigations is integral for our current description of biology. However, there comes a time when it is possible to go beyond such simplifications and investigate cell biology at a higher level of complexity. That time is now.This thesis describes the development of mathematical tools to investigate intricate biological systems, with focus on heterogeneous protein interactions. By the use of simulations, real-time measurements and kinetic fits, standard assays for specificity measurements and receptor quantification were scrutinized in order to find optimal experimental settings and reduce labour time as well as reagent cost. A novel analysis platform, called Interaction Map, was characterized and applied on several types of interactions. Interaction Map decomposes a time-resolved binding curve and presents information on the kinetics and magnitude of each interaction that contributed to the curve. This provides a greater understanding of parallel interactions involved in the same biological system, such as a cell. The heterogeneity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) system was investigated with Interaction Map applied on data from the instrument LigandTracer, together with complementing manual assays. By further introducing disturbances to the system, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and variation in temperature, information was obtained about dimerization, internalization and degradation rates.In the long term, analysis of binding kinetics and combinations of parallel interactions can improve the understanding of complex biomolecular mechanisms in cells and may explain some of the differences observed between cell lines, medical treatments and groups of patients.

This study presents a thorough in vitro and in vivo characterization of the delivery of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) from a hyaluronan-based hydrogel system. The in vitro release of BMP-2 f ...

UNLABELLED The therapeutic potential of Auger-electron emitting radionuclides is strongly dependent on their close vicinity to DNA, since the energy deposition is mainly localized within a few cubic nanometers around the site of decay. Thus, apart from specificity, successful tumor therapy relies on a nuclear delivery strategy. We recently presented a two-step targeting strategy to transport Auger-electron-emitting radionuclides into the cell nucleus by means of nuclide-filled liposomes (Nuclisome particles), that is, polyethylene glycol-stabilized, tumor-cell-targeting liposomes loaded with (125)I-labeled anthracyclines. In the present study, the survival of mice intraperitoneally inoculated with human HER2-expressing SKOV-3 tumor cells and treated with HER2-targeting Nuclisome particles was studied. METHODS BALB/c nu/nu mice were inoculated with 10(7) SKOV-3 cells intraperitoneally and thereafter directly injected with Nuclisome particles with increasing specific radioactivity. Groups of 10-12 mice were treated with 0.01 MBq/mouse up to 2 MBq/mouse, and survival was monitored and compared with that in control groups (n = 33). Organs were analyzed for HER2 expression and radiotoxic effects histologically. Absorbed doses were estimated using dose factors from the online Radiation Dose Assessment Resource model. RESULTS The results showed a clear correlation between administered radioactive dose and survival. No such dose-dependent survival was observed for mice treated with Nuclisome particles lacking HER2-targeting ability. With HER2-targeting Nuclisome particles, a significant increase in survival, compared with that of untreated control mice, could already be seen at an administered activity of 0.1 MBq/mouse (P = 0.0301). At the highest activity administered, 2 MBq/mouse (P < 0.0001), 70% of the mice survived the study and most were tumor-free. Neither macroscopic nor microscopic radiotoxic side effects were observed. Dosimetric calculations, assuming nonreceptor targeting, revealed that the radioactive doses to normal tissues were low. CONCLUSION Taken together the results show that with successful targeting to the tumor-cell nucleus it is possible to obtain a therapeutic effect from Auger-electron-emitting radionuclides administered at radioactive doses low enough to spare normal tissue from radiotoxic side effects.

Increasing attention is currently focussed on the issue of finding strategies for the delivery of Auger-electron-emitting radionuclides into tumor cell nuclei.In this study, we investigated tumor-cell uptake and cell-killing ability in vitro as well as in vivo biodistribution of an (125)I-labelled anthracycline derivative administered by means of HER2-targeted liposomes.Anthracycline derivative Comp1 was radiolabelled with Auger-emitting (125)I and encapsulated in liposomes (DSPC:Chol:DSPE-PEG) using pH-gradient loading. Single-chain fragment F5 was anchored to the liposomes as targeting device for HER2. Uptake and specificity of (125)I-Comp1 delivered via targeting and non-targeting liposomes were analysed in cultured HER2-overexpressing cells. Cell-killing efficacy was evaluated in SKOV3 cells and biodistribution for up to 48 h was studied after intraperitoneal injection in tumor-bearing female BALB/c nu/nu mice.(125)I-Comp1 was specifically taken up by the cultured cells when administered by means of HER2-targeted liposomes and a clear dose-effect correlation in survival of cells was seen with increasing specific activity. The biodistribution studies revealed that (125)I-Comp1 accumulated in tumors when distributed using HER2-targeted liposomes and that this effect was absent when using non-targeting liposomes.The HER2-targeted liposomes possess the properties needed to bring about tumor-specific delivery and therapeutic effect of (125)I-Comp1.

We have previously described the oncolytic adenovirus, Ad(CgA-E1A-miR122), herein denoted Ad5(CgA-E1A-miR122) that selectively replicates in and kills neuroendocrine cells, including freshly isolated midgut carcinoid cells from liver metastases. Ad5(CgA-E1A-miR122) is based on human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) and infects target cells by binding to the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) and integrins on the cell surface. Some neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and neuroblastoma cells express low levels of CAR and are therefore poorly transduced by Ad5. However, they often express high levels of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). Therefore, we introduced cyclic peptides, which contain four amino acids (FWKT) and mimic the binding site for SSTRs in the virus fiber knob. We show that FWKT-modified Ad5 binds to SSTR₂ on NET cells and transduces midgut carcinoid cells from liver metastases about 3-4 times better than non-modified Ad5. Moreover, FWKT-modified Ad5 overcomes neutralization in an ex vivo human blood loop model to greater extent than Ad5, indicating that fiber knob modification may prolong the systemic circulation time. We conclude that modification of adenovirus with the FWKT motif may be beneficial for NET therapy.

We present a novel analysis of membrane-protein expression in tissue sections based on semi-automatic real-time measurement using LigandTracer(®) technology. A commercial antiHER2 antibody developed for immunohistochemistry used in this setup was revealed to have sub-optimal interaction with tissue when analyzed as recommended for immunohistochemistry. We therefore think that real-time measurement of tissue, offering direct and quantitative membrane-protein interaction analysis, can lead to improved reproducibility and eliminate the subjective operator dependences that classical immunohistochemsitry suffers from.

HER2 (human epidermal-growth-factor receptor-2; ErbB2) and EGFR (epidermal-growth-factor receptor) are overexpressed in various forms of cancer, and the co-expression of both HER2 and EGFR has been reported in a number of studies. The simultaneous targeting of HER2 and EGFR has been discussed as a strategy with which to potentially increase efficiency and selectivity in molecular imaging and therapy of certain cancers. In an effort to generate a molecule capable of bispecifically targeting HER2 and EGFR, a gene fragment encoding a bivalent HER2-binding affibody molecule was genetically fused in-frame with a bivalent EGFR-binding affibody molecule via a (G4S)3 [(Gly4-Ser)3]-encoding gene fragment. The encoded 30 kDa affibody construct (ZHER2)2-(G4S)3-(ZEGFR)2, with potential for bs (bispecific) binding to HER2 and EGFR, was expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized in terms of its binding capabilities. The retained ability to bind HER2 and EGFR separately was demonstrated using both biosensor technology and flow-cytometric analysis, the latter using HER2- and EGFR-overexpressing cells. Furthermore, simultaneous binding to HER2 and EGFR was demonstrated in: (i) a sandwich format employing real-time biospecific interaction analysis where the bs affibody molecule bound immobilized EGFR and soluble HER2; (ii) immunofluorescence microscopy, where the bs affibody molecule bound EGFR-overexpressing cells and soluble HER2; and (iii) a cell-cell interaction analysis where the bs affibody molecule bound HER2-overexpressing SKBR-3 cells and EGFR-overexpressing A-431 cells. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported bs affinity protein with potential ability for the simultaneous targeting of HER2 and EGFR. The potential future use of this and similar constructs, capable of bs targeting of receptors to increase the efficacy and selectivity in imaging and therapy, is discussed.

For the treatment of cancer, the therapeutic potential of short-range, low-energy Auger-electron emitters, such as (125)I, is getting progressively wider recognition. The potency of Auger-electron emitters is strongly dependent on their location in close vicinity to DNA. We have developed a new two-step targeting strategy to transport (125)I into cancer-cell nuclei using PEG-stabilized tumour-cell targeting liposomes named "Nuclisome-particles".In the present study, epidermal growth factor (EGF) was used as a tumour-cell-specific agent to target the EGF-receptor (EGFR) and the liposomes were loaded with (125)I-Comp1, a recently synthesized daunorubicin derivative.As analysed with cryo-TEM, the derivative precipitates inside liposomes at a drug-to-lipid molar ratio of 0.05:1. Receptor-specific uptake in cultured U-343MGaCl2:6 tumour cells of EGFR-targeting liposomes increased with time while non-specific and receptor-blocked uptake remained low. Nuclisome-particles were able to target single U-343MGaCl2:6 cells circulating in human blood during 4 h, with low uptake in white blood cells, as demonstrated in an ex vivo system using a Chandler loop. Autoradiography of targeted cells indicates that the grains from the radiolabelled drug are mainly co-localized with the cell nuclei. The successful targeting of the nucleus is shown to provide high-potency cell killing of cultured U-343MGaCl2:6 cells. At the concentration used, Nuclisome-particles were up to five orders of magnitude more effective in cell killing than EGFR-targeting liposomes loaded with doxorubicin.The results thus provide encouraging evidence that our two-step targeting strategy for tumour cell DNA has the potential to become an effective therapy against metastasizing cancer cells in the bloodstream.

HER2-specific affibody molecules in different formats have previously been shown to be useful tumor targeting agents for radionuclide-based imaging and therapy applications, but their biological effect on tumor cells is not well known. In this study, two dimeric ((Z(HER2:4))(2) and (Z(HER2:342))(2)) and one monomeric (Z(HER2:342)) HER2-specific affibody molecules are investigated with respect to biological activity. Both (Z(HER2:4))(2) and (Z(HER2:342))(2) were found to decrease the growth rate of SKBR-3 cells to the same extent as the antibody trastuzumab. When the substances were removed, the cells treated with the dimeric affibody molecules continued to be growth suppressed while the cells treated with trastuzumab immediately resumed normal proliferation. The effects of Z(HER2:342) were minor on both proliferation and cell signaling. The dimeric (Z(HER2:4))(2) and (Z(HER2:342))(2) both reduced growth of SKBR-3 cells and may prove therapeutically useful either by themselves or as carriers of radionuclides or other cytotoxic agents.

Targeting EGFR and HER2 with 211At-labeled molecules : unexpected and expected dose-effect relations in cultured tumor cells

Penetration properties, studied in multicellular spheroids, of totally 23 radiolabeled or boronated substances are summarized. The spheroids were models for small non-vascularized metastases and th ...

Introduction Auger electron emitters, such as 125 I, are getting increasingly wider recognition as alternatives to current anticancer treatments. The effectiveness of Auger electrons is strongly dependent on their proximity to DNA and is therefore considered as harmless outside the nucleus. Methods 125 I or 127 I was conjugated with Comp1, Comp2 or Comp3 — three derivatives of the chemotherapeutic drug daunorubicin. Their capacity factors, DNA-binding constants and exclusion parameters, and the degree of DNA fragmentation after incubating isolated DNA with our 127 I- or 125 I-conjugated daunorubicin derivatives were determined. Human breast adenocarcinoma (SK-BR-3) cells were incubated with the derivatives; fluorescent microscopy and autoradiography images were generated; and cell growth was monitored. Results and Discussion The capacity factor of 127 I-Comp1 was similar to those of daunorubicin and doxorubicin, whereas lower capacity factors of 127 I-Comp2 and 127 I-Comp3 suggested reduced interactions with lipid membranes. DNA exclusion parameters and binding constants of 127 I-Comp1 and 127 I-Comp2, but not of 127 I-Comp3, were similar to those of doxorubicin. Fluorescent microscopy and autoradiography images of SK-BR-3 cells revealed that 127 I-Comp1 and 125 I-Comp1 accumulated in tumor cell nuclei, whereas 127 I-Comp2 and 127 I-Comp3 were present predominantly in other cell compartments. The binding of 125 I-Comp1 to isolated chromosomal DNA led to major fragmentation. Incubation of SK-BR-3 cells with 125 I-Comp1 inhibited cell growth, whereas doxorubicin or 127 I-Comp1 administered at the same concentration had no effect on cell growth. Our results thus suggest that 125 I-Comp1 has the potential to become a new tool for anticancer therapy.

The new antibody pertuzumab (Omnitarg) targets the dimerisation subdomain of HER-2. The purpose of this study was to analyse whether pertuzumab retains HER-2 targeting capacity after labelling with the therapeutically interesting beta emitter (177)Lu and to make initial characterizations in vitro and in vivo.Pertuzumab was conjugated with isothiocyanate-benzyl-CHX-A''-DTPA and chelated to (177)Lu. Immunoreactivity, affinity, cellular retention and internalisation were analysed using SKOV-3 cells. The affinity of non-radioactive pertuzumab was measured using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor. In vivo targeting and specific binding were assessed in Balb/c (nu/nu) mice carrying SKOV-3 xenografts. The biodistribution of (177)Lu was determined 1, 3 and 7 days after [(177)Lu]pertuzumab administration. Gamma camera images were taken after 3 days.The immunoreactivity of [(177)Lu]pertuzumab was 85.8+/-1.3%. The affinity of non-radioactive pertuzumab was 1.8+/-1.1 nM, and that of [(177)Lu]pertuzumab, 4.1+/-0.7 nM. The cellular retention after 5 h pre-incubation was 90+/-2% at 20 h. The targeting was HER-2 specific both in vitro and in vivo, since excess amounts of non-labelled antibody inhibited the uptake of labelled antibody (p0.0001 and p0.01, respectively). The biodistribution and gamma camera images of (177)Lu showed extensive tumour uptake. Normal tissues had a surprisingly low uptake.Pertuzumab was efficiently labelled with (177)Lu and showed good intracellular retention and HER-2 specific binding both in vitro and in vivo. The gamma camera images and the biodistribution study gave excellent tumour targeting results. Thus, [(177)Lu]pertuzumab is of interest for further studies aimed at radionuclide therapy.

Targeting with radionuclide labelled substances that bind specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR, is considered for intracavitary therapy of EGFR-positive glioblastoma multiforme, GBM. Relevant literature is reviewed and examples of EGFR expression in GBM are given. The therapeutical efforts made so far using intracavitary anti-tenascin radionuclide therapy of GBM have given limited effects, probably due to low radiation doses to the migrating glioma cells in the brain. Low radiation doses might be due to limited penetration of the targeting agents or heterogeneity in the expression of the target structure. In this article we focus on the possibilities to target EGFR on the tumour cells instead of an extracellular matrix component. There seems to be a lack of knowledge on the degree of intratumoral variation of EGFR expression in GBM, although the expression seemed rather homogeneous over large areas in most of the examples (n=16) presented from our laboratory. The observed homogeneity was surprising considering the genomic instability and heterogeneity that generally characterises highly malignant tumours. However, overexpression of EGFR is, at least in primary GBMs, one of the steps in the development of malignancy, and tumour cells that lose or downregulate EGFR will probably be outgrown in an expanding tumour cell population. Thus, loss of EGFR expression might not be the critical factor for successful intracavitary radionuclide therapy. Instead, it is likely that the penetration properties of the targeting agents are critical, and detailed studies on this are urgent.

EGF-receptors (EGFR) are overexpressed in gliomas, as well as in tumors of breast, lung, and urinary bladder. For this reason, EGFR may be an attractive target for both visualization and therapy of malignant tumors using radioactive nuclides. Natural ligand of EGFR, epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a small 53-amino-acid protein. Low molecular weight of EGF may enable better intratumoral penetration in comparison to antibodies. [111In]DTPA-EGF was proposed for the targeting of glioblastoma and breast cancer, and its tumor-seeking properties were confirmed in animal studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the substitution of heptadentate DTPA for octadentate benzyl-DTPA (Bz-DTPA) effects the biodistribution of indium-labeled human EGF (hEGF) in normal NMRI mice. [111In]DTPA-hEGF and [111In]Bz-DTPA-hEGF, obtained by the coupling of ITC-benzyl-DTPA to hEGF, were injected into the tail vein. At 0.5, 1, 4, and 24 hours postinjection, the animals were sacrificed, and radioactivity in different organs was measured. The blood clearance of both conjugates was fast. The uptake of both conjugates in the liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas, intestines, and submaxillary gland was most likely receptor-mediated. The uptake in a majority of organs was similar. However, indium uptake in the case of [111In]DTPA-hEGF was significantly higher in the kidneys and bones. In conclusion, [111In]Bz-DTPA-hEGF seems to have more favourable in vivo distribution in comparison to [111In]DTPA-hEGF.

Purpose. The aim of this work was to investigate the cellular binding and processing of polyethylene glycol-stabilized epidermal growth factor (EGF) liposomes. The liposomes were actively loaded with water-soluble boronated acridine (WSA), primarily developed for boron neutron capture therapy.

The alpha-emitter astatine-211 (T(1/2) = 7.2 h) has great potential for use in targeted radionuclide therapy. Its potent alpha-radiation makes (211)At unsuitable for dose planning. Its x-rays can be used for gamma-camera monitoring of the radioactivity distribution during therapy but not for accurate estimation of absorbed dose in critical organs. This study was intended to establish whether the absorbed dose delivered by astatinated antibody could be accurately determined by analogue labeling with radiohalogens, better suited for quantitative measurements in vivo. PET facilitates quantitative pharmacokinetics; possible halogen labels are, e.g., (76)Br (T(1/2) = 16.2 h) and (124)I (T(1/2) = 4.18 d). Antibody A33 was labeled with (76)Br, (125)I and (211)At using N-succinimidyl-p-halobenzoates. The conjugates were co-injected into Sprague-Dawley rats. Radioactivity concentrations in different organs and tissues were measured at three time points. Pharmacokinetic data were used to calculate absorbed doses. (125)I and (76)Br reflected the biokinetics of astatine reasonably well. The absorbed doses in bladder, kidney, pancreas, liver, bone and brain were determined with 10% accuracy. The absorbed doses in stomach, spleen and thyroid were underestimated by a factor 2-3. Positron-emitting analogues can be used to predict the astatine-derived dose in critical organs. Correction factors should be used for stomach, spleen and thyroid.

Liposomes are of interest as drug delivery tools for therapy of cancer and infectious diseases. We investigated conjugation of epidermal growth factor, EGF, to liposomes using the micelle-transfer method. EGF was conjugated to the distal end of PEG-DSPE lipid molecules in a micellar solution and the EGF-PEG-DSPE lipids were then transferred to preformed liposomes, either empty or containing the DNA-binding compound, water soluble acridine, WSA. We found that the optimal transfer conditions were a 1-h incubation at 60 degrees C. The final conjugate, (125)I-EGF-liposome-WSA, contained approximately 5 mol % PEG, 10-15 EGF molecules at the liposome surface, and 10(4) to 10(5) encapsulated WSA molecules could be loaded. The conjugate was shown to have EGF-receptor-specific cellular binding in cultured human glioma cells.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is frequently amplified and the receptor overexpressed in different types of human tumors. Furthermore, genomic rearrangements can cause expression of modified receptors, as one frequently occurring truncated form, EGFRvIII. This mutated receptor has previously been described and is formed by a 267-amino acid in-frame deletion and an insertion of a glycine in the fusion junction of the extracellular domain. EGFRvIII is a tumor-specific marker and therefore of interest for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this study we report on a new monoclonal antibody (Ua30:2) directed to the mutation site of EGFRvIII. The antibody was generated by immunization of mice with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the mutated sequence of the receptor. The affinity of Ua30:2 was found to be high [K(d) = 45 nM (Biacore) and 80 nM (saturation analysis)]. Immunohistochemistry in tissue sections from human gliomas demonstrated a similar expression pattern for Ua30:2 as for the recently characterized antibodies L8A4 and DH8.3. The antibody binding was EGFRvIII specific with no measurable cross-reactivity to the wild-type receptor, wtEGFR, as analyzed both with displacement analysis, Western blots and immunohistochemistry. The new antibody is a candidate for radioimmunotargeting aiming at diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Low molecular weight of epidermal growth factor (EGF) enables better intratumoral penetration in comparison with larger targeting proteins, but the cellular retention of EGF-associated radioactivity is poor for directly iodinated EGF. An attempt was made to improve intracellular retention by the use of metal-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid or nonphenolic linker (N-succinimidyl-para-iodobenzoate) as labeling agents. The use of nonphenolic linker did not improve retention of the radioactivity in A431 carcinoma cell line. The use of the radiometal label provided an appreciable prolongation of radioactivity residence inside the cell.

Boron-containing compounds like closo-dodecaborate(2-) are in theory suitable for radioactive labeling with halogens. The boron-halogen bond is stronger than carbon-halogen bond and is not likely to be recognized by deiodinating enzymes in vivo. Peptides and proteins may be conjugated with various closo-dodecaborate(2-)-containing ligands, and thereafter, the conjugate can be iodinated. Since closo-dodecaborate(2-) is more avidly iodinated than tyrosine in moderately acidic media, such conjugates may be directly labeled on the boron part with radioisotopes of iodine using the standard Chloramine-T procedure. Mercapto-undecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-) (BSH) was reacted with the double bond of allyldextran to form a boronated dextran compound of the molecular size of about 70 kDa. This compound, in the text denoted as Dx-BS, and cesium dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-) were labeled using iodine-125. The two compounds were administered to rats in order to study their in vivo stability. The results indicate that iodinated Dx-BS is stable for about 20 h in vivo. The degradation rate, as indicated by thyroid uptake, was found low. [125I]Iodo-closo-dodecaborate(2-), which is a possible degradation product of [125I]Dx-BS-I, was rapidly excreted in urine without significant accumulation in any organ.

Conjugates with specific binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR, of interest for radionuclide based imaging and therapy were prepared using mouse epidermal growth factor, mEGF, and dextran. In one type of conjugate, mEGF was coupled to dextran by reductive amination in which the free amino group on the mEGF N-terminal reacted with the aldehyde group on the reductive end of dextran. The end-end coupled conjugate could be further activated by the cyanopyridinium agent CDAP, thereby introducing tyrosines to the dextran part. In the other type of conjugate, the cyanylating procedure using CDAP was applied, first to activate dextran and then allowing for the amino terminus of mEGF to randomly attach to the dextran. In the latter case, radionuclide-labelled tyrosines or glycines could be added in the same conjugation step. All types of mEGF-dextran conjugates had EGFR-specific binding since the binding could be displaced by an excess of non-radioactive mEGF. The conjugates were to a large extent internalized in the test cells and the associated radioactivity was retained intracellularly for different times depending on both the type of cells and conjugate applied. Different intracellular 'traffic routes' for the radionuclides are discussed as well as applications for both imaging and therapy.

Boronated DNA targeting agents are especially attractive candidatesfor BNCT because they may deliver boron-10 tothe nuclei of tumor cells. Numerous boron-containing analogshave been synthesized and some have shown promisingresults in initial biological tests. One of themost challenging tasks in this special field ofresearch remains the finding of suitable targeting strategiesfor the selective delivery of boron rich DNA-intercalator/alkylatorto tumor cells. Synthetic and biological studies ofboron compounds suitable for DNA-binding are reviewed.The amino acid p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) is presently ofconsiderable clinical interest. Other boronated amino acids mightalso be candidates for BNCT either per se,as part of part of tumor-seeking peptides orconjugated to targeting macromolecules. A large number ofboronated L- and D-amino acids with varying liphophicilityand sterical requirements are now available for evaluation.Recent synthetic and biological studies of aromatic boronoaminoacids, carboranylamino acids and carboranyl amines are alsoreviewed.

Coexpression of several ErbB receptors has been found in many cancers and has been linked with increased aggressiveness of tumors and a worse patient prognosis. This makes the simultaneous targeting of two surface receptors by using bispecific constructs an increasingly appreciated strategy. Here, we have generated six such bispecific targeting proteins, each comprising two monomeric affibody molecules with specific binding to either of the two human epidermal growth factor receptors, EGFR and HER2, respectively. The bispecific constructs were designed with (i) alternative positioning (N- or C-terminal) of the different affibody molecules, (ii) two alternative peptide linkers (Gly(4)Ser)(3) or (Ser(4)Gly)(3), and (iii) affibody molecules with different affinity (nanomolar or picomolar) for HER2. Using both Biacore technology and cell binding assays, it was demonstrated that all six constructs could bind simultaneously to both their target proteins. N-terminal positioning of the inherent monomeric affibody molecules was favorable to promote the binding to the respective target. Interestingly, bispecific constructs containing the novel (Ser(4)Gly)(3) linker displayed a higher affinity in cell binding, as compared to constructs containing the more conventional linker, (Gly(4)Ser)(3). It could further be concluded that bispecific constructs (but not the monomeric affibody molecules) induced dimer formation and phosphorylation of EGFR in SKBR3 cells, which express fairly high levels of both receptors. It was also investigated whether the bispecific binding would influence cell growth or sensitize cells for ionizing radiation, but no such effects were observed.

The Nuclisome concept builds on a novel two-step targeting strategy with the aim to deliver short-range Auger-electron-emitting radionuclides to nuclear DNA of tumor cells. The concept is based on the use of Nuclisome-particles, i.e., tumor-targeted PEG-stabilized liposomes loaded with a unique DNA-intercalating compound that enables specific and effective delivery of radionuclides to DNA. The specific and potent two-step targeting leads to eradication of tumor cells while toxicity to normal organs is reduced to a minimum. Results of in vitro and in vivo studies point towards the Nuclisome concept as a promising strategy for the treatment of small tumor masses and, in particular, for the elimination of spread single cells and micrometastases.

Purpose : Gliomas, squamous carcinomas and different adenocarcinomas from breast, colon and prostate might have an increased number of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. The receptors are, in these cases, candidates for binding of receptor specific toxic conjugates that might inactivate cellular proliferation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether it is reasonable to try ligand-dextran based conjugates for therapy. Methods and Materials : EGF or TGFα were conjugated to dextran and binding, internalization, retention and degradation of eight types of such conjugates were analyzed in EGF-receptor amplified glioma cells. The conjugates were labelled with radioactive nuclides to allow detection and two of the conjugates were carrying boron in the form of carboranyl amino acids or aminoalkyl-carboranes. Comparative binding tests, applying 125I-EGF, were made with cultured breast, colon and prostate adenocarcinoma, glioma and squamous carcinoma cells. Some introductory tests to label with 76Br for positron emission tomography and with 131I for radionuclide therapy were also made. Results : The dextran part of the conjugates did not prevent receptor specific binding. The amount of receptor specific binding varied between the different types of conjugates and between the tested celltypes. The dextran part improved intracellular retention and radioactive nuclides were retained for at least 20–24 h. The therapeutical effect improved when 131I was attached to EGF-dextran instead of native EGF. Conclusion : The improved cellular retention of the ligand-dextran conjugates is an important property since it gives extended exposure time when radionuclides are applied and flexibility in the choice of time for application of neutrons in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). It is possible that ligand-dextran mediated BNCT might allow, if the applied neutron fields covers rather wide areas around the primary tumor, locally spread cells that otherwise would escape treatment to be inactivated.

This study presents a thorough in vitro and in vivo characterization of the delivery of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) from a hyaluronan-based hydrogel system. The in vitro release of BMP-2 from similar hydrogels has previously been studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), by which only a fraction of the loaded protein is detected. In the current study, (125) I radiolabelling was used instead to monitor BMP-2 in vitro and in vivo. To minimize protein loss during handling, (125) I-BMP-2 adsorption to different tubes was studied at different times and temperatures. The data showed that Protein LoBind tubes exhibited the lowest protein affinity. Furthermore, a biphasic release profile of biologically active BMP-2 was observed both in vitro and in vivo, with the initial fast phase during the first week, followed by a slower release during the remaining 3 weeks. The initial fast-release phase corresponded to the early bone formation observed after 8 days in an ectopic model in rats. Bone volume and mineral content increased until day 14, after which a decrease in bone volume was observed, possibly due to resorption in response to decreased amounts of released BMP-2. Overall, the results suggested that cautious protein handling and a reliable quantification technique are essential factors for successful design of a BMP-2 delivery system.

The competition measurement using simultaneous incubation of labeled and unlabeled Ligand is a common method to assess the specificity of a biomolecular interaction. In this paper we show that invalid assumptions about the interactions may lead to improper experimental setups which in turn can result in inaccurate conclusions about the specificity. To improve understanding of competition measurements, simulations in MATLAB as well as real-time interaction analysis using LigandTracer have been performed. We show that use of a concentration of unlabeled Ligand of at least 10 × K(D) is necessary for assay accuracy. Increasing the incubation time to assure equilibrium, adding a pre-incubation phase, and a general understanding of the reversibility of an interaction may also improve the reliability of the measurement and the conclusions drawn about specificity. These findings may lower the risk of false negative results as well as reducing the amount of reagent needed.

Emerging evidence suggests that the catalytically inactive ErbB3 (HER3) protein plays a fundamental role in normal tyrosine kinase receptor signaling as well as in aberrant functioning of these signaling pathways, resulting in several forms of human cancers. ErbB3 has recently also been implicated in resistance to ErbB2-targeting therapies. Here we report the generation of high-affinity ErbB3-specific Affibody molecules intended for future molecular imaging and biotherapeutic applications. Using a high-complexity phage-displayed Affibody library, a number of ErbB3 binders were isolated and specific cell-binding activity was demonstrated in immunofluorescence microscopic studies. Subsequently, a second-generation library was constructed based on sequences of the candidates from the phage display selection. By exploiting the sensitive affinity discrimination capacity of a novel bacterial surface display technology, the affinity of candidate Affibody molecules was further increased down to subnanomolar affinity. In summary, the demonstrated specific targeting of native ErbB3 receptor on human cancer cell lines as well as competition with the heregulin/ErbB3 interaction indicates that these novel biological agents may become useful tools for diagnostic and therapeutic targeting of ErbB3-expressing cancers. Our studies also highlight the powerful approach of combining the advantages of different display technologies for generation of functional high-affinity protein-based binders. Potential future applications, such as radionuclide-based diagnosis and treatment of human cancers are discussed.

Interactions between members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family mediates cellular responses to ligand stimulation. Measurement of these interactions could provide important information and may prove useful as prognostic markers in malignancy. Therefore, to develop methods to study these interactions in genetically unmodified cells, such as clinical samples, in a sensitive and selective way, with good statistical accuracy, is important. The in situ proximity ligation assay (in situ PLA) was used to quantify homo- and heteromeric interactions between EGFR and HER2 in cultured cells, using flow cytometry as the readout method. Cells were monitored for changes in dimerization patterns and phosphorylation status upon stimulation. The different cell lines displayed varying amounts of interactions between EGFR and HER2, but the amount of dimerization was not found to be affected significantly upon stimulation by EGF. Activation of EGFR could be visualized by in situ PLA, but not by immunofluorescence staining. In situ PLA was successfully used to study receptor dimerization and activation of the EGF-receptor family with high selectivity and sensitivity. The combination of in situ PLA and flow cytometry provided a statistically powerful way of analyzing protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications on a single-cell basis.

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) has been demonstrated to protect oncogenic variants of signalling molecules from degradation and may consequently serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of oesophageal cancer for which adequate therapy is often lacking. We studied the expression of Hsp90 in tumour tissues of human oesophageal cancer and the impact of Hsp90 inhibition on oesophageal cancer cell lines using the drug 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG). Quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from patients with oesophageal cancer. In squamous cell carcinoma, a marked upregulation of Hsp90 could be noted in dysplastic epithelium and invasive cancer compared with normal epithelium. In adenocarcinoma, Hsp90 was expressed in neoplastic epithelium and also in normal non-neoplastic glands weakly. The inhibition of Hsp90 using 17-AAG led to a significant decrease in cell proliferation and viability in human oesophageal cancer cell lines. Using a clonogenic cell survival assay, Hsp90 inhibition significantly sensitised the cells for gamma-photon irradiation. Heat shock protein 90 was found to be critical for proper signalling induced by both epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1, in which the inhibition of signalling by 17-AAG correlated with the observed reduction in cell proliferation and viability. These results showed that Hsp90 was selectively expressed in oesophageal cancer tissue compared with the corresponding normal tissue, and the inhibition of Hsp90 resulted in decreased proliferation and viability as well as radiosensitisation of oesophageal cancer cells. Heat shock protein 90 represents a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of patients with oesophageal cancer, alone or in combination with radiotherapy.

Knowledge on the physical and biological aspects of Auger-electron emission is described and the major attempts to use such emitters in cancer therapy are discussed. Focus is on the need for nuclear localization of the Auger-electron emitters, i.e. preferably targeting the nuclear DNA, to have a good therapy effect. Delivery of Auger-electron emitters using nucleoside analogues, DNA-intercalators, minor groove binders, hormone receptor ligands and oligonucleotides are described as well as the need for nuclear localization signals in peptides and proteins.