Endogenous ether-lipids differentially promote tumour aggressiveness by regulating the SK3 channel

SK3 channels are potassium channels found to promote tumour aggressiveness. We have previously demonstrated that SK3 is regulated by synthetic ether-lipids, but the role of endogenous ether lipids is unknown. Here, we have studied the role of endogenous alkyl- and alkenyl-ether-lipids on SK3 channels and on the biology of cancer cells. Experiments revealed that the suppression of AGPS or PEDS1, which are key enzymes for alkyl- and alkenyl-ether-lipid synthesis, respectively, decreased SK3 expression by increasing miR-499 and miR-208 expression, leading to a decrease in SK3-dependent calcium entry, cell migration, and MMP9-dependent cell adhesion and invasion. We identified several ether-lipids that promoted SK3 expression and found a differential role of alkyl- and alkenyl-ether-lipids on SK3 activity. The expressions of AGPS, SK3, and miR were associated in clinical samples emphasising the clinical consistency of our observations. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that ether-lipids differentially control tumour aggressiveness by regulating an ion channel. This insight provides new possibilities for therapeutic interventions, offering clinicians an opportunity to manipulate ion channel dysfunction by adjusting the composition of ether-lipids.

BSV163/DOPE-mediated TRAIL gene transfection acts synergistically with chemotherapy against cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Most patients experience recurrence and succumb eventually to resistant disease, underscoring the need for an alternative treatment option. In the presented manuscript, we investigated the effect of the TRAIL-gene, transfected by an innovative bioinspired lipid vector BSV163/DOPE in the presence or absence of cisplatin, to fight against sensitive and resistant ovarian cancer. We showed that BSV163/DOPE can transfect ovarian cancer cell lines (Caov3, OVCAR3, and our new cisplatin-resistant, CR-Caov3) safely and efficiently. In addition, TRAIL-gene transfection in association with cisplatin inhibited cellular growth more efficiently (nearly 50% in Caov3 cells after the combined treatment, and 15% or 25% by each treatment alone, respectively) owing to an increase in apoptosis rate, caspases activity and TRAIL's death receptors expression. Most importantly, such synergistic effect was also observed in CR-Caov3 cells demonstrated by an apoptosis rate of 35% following the combined treatment in comparison with 17% after TRAIL-gene transfection or 6% after cisplatin exposition. These results suggest this combination may have potential application for sensitive as well as refractory ovarian cancer patients.

A new series of magnetic and luminescent layered hybrid materials obtained from thianthrene phosphonic acid: M(H2O)PO3-S2C12H7 (M = Cu, Zn) and M(H2O)2(PO2OH-S2C12H7)2 (M = Mn, Co)

Four new metallophosphonates with the chemical formulae M(H2O)PO3-S2C12H7 (M = Cu, Zn) and M(H2O)2(PO2OH-S2C12H7)2 (M = Mn, Co) were synthesized using a hydrothermal route from the original bent rigid thianthrene-2-ylphosphonic acid (TPA). This organic precursor crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric space group P212121 and presents a unique bent geometry due to the presence of two sulfur atoms in its rigid platform architecture. Obtained as single crystal and polycrystalline powders, the structures of the four hybrid materials were solved using X-ray diffraction on single crystals in a monoclinic P21/c space group. These compounds adopt a lamellar structure consisting of one inorganic subnetwork alternating with a 'sawtooth' double organic -S2C12H7 subnetwork. The inorganic layers of these compounds are made of (PO3C) or partially deprotonated (PO2OHC) tetrahedra connected by the apices to isolated ZnO3(H2O) tetrahedra, Cu2O6(H2O)2 copper dimers and cobalt and manganese MO4(H2O)2 octahedra, where the latter two exhibit an isotype structure. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed to confirm the amount of water molecules present in the formula, to track the dehydration process of the structures, and to evaluate their thermal stability. The magnetic properties of the copper, cobalt, and manganese-based materials were investigated from 2 K to 300 K by using a SQUID magnetometer revealing dominant antiferromagnetic interactions with Weiss temperatures of -8.0, -10, and -1 K, respectively. These magnetic behaviors were further corroborated by first-principles simulations based on Density Functional Theory (DFT). Finally, the absorption and photoluminescence properties of both the ligand and hybrid materials were investigated, revealing diverse excitation and recombination mechanisms. The organic moiety based on thianthrene significantly influenced the absorption and emission, with additional peaks attributed to transition metals. Singlet and triplet states recombination were observed, accompanied by an unidentified quenching mechanism affecting the triplet state lifetime.

Synthesis of ether lipids: natural compounds and analogues

Ether lipids are compounds present in many living organisms including humans that feature an ether bond linkage at the sn-1 position of the glycerol. This class of lipids features singular structural roles and biological functions. Alkyl ether lipids and alkenyl ether lipids (also identified as plasmalogens) correspond to the two sub-classes of naturally occurring ether lipids. In 1979 the discovery of the structure of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) that belongs to the alkyl ether class of lipids increased the interest in these bioactive lipids and further promoted the synthesis of non-natural ether lipids that was initiated in the late 60's with the development of edelfosine (an anticancer drug). More recently, ohmline, a glyco glycero ether lipid that modulates selectively SK3 ion channels and reduces in vivo the occurrence of bone metastases, and other glyco glycero ether also identified as GAEL (glycosylated antitumor ether lipids) that exhibit promising anticancer properties renew the interest in this class of compounds. Indeed, ether lipid represent a new and promising class of compounds featuring the capacity to modulate selectively the activity of some membrane proteins or, for other compounds, feature antiproliferative properties via an original mechanism of action. The increasing interest in studying ether lipids for fundamental and applied researches invited to review the methodologies developed to prepare ether lipids. In this review we focus on the synthetic method used for the preparation of alkyl ether lipids either naturally occurring ether lipids (e.g., PAF) or synthetic derivatives that were developed to study their biological properties. The synthesis of neutral or charged ether lipids are reported with the aim to assemble in this review the most frequently used methodologies to prepare this specific class of compounds.

Evaluation of lipophosphoramidates-based amphiphilic compounds on the formation of biofilms of marine bacteria

The bacteriostatic and/or bactericidal properties of few phosphoramide-based amphiphilic compounds on human pathogenic bacteria were previously reported. In this study, the potential of two cationic (BSV36 and KLN47) and two zwitterionic (3 and 4) amphiphiles as inhibitors of marine bacterial growth and biofilm formation were investigated. Results showed that the four compounds have little impact on the growth of a panel of 18 selected marine bacteria at a concentration of 200 µM, and up to 700 µM for some bacterial strains. Interestingly, cationic lipid BSV36 and zwitterionic lipids 3 and 4 effectively disrupt biofilm formation of Paracoccus sp. 4M6 and Vibrio sp. D02 at 200 µM and to a lesser extent of seven other bacterial strains tested. Moreover, ecotoxicological assays on four species of microalgae highlighted that compounds 3 and 4 have little impact on microalgae growth with EC50 values of 51 µM for the more sensitive species and up to 200 µM for most of the others. Amphiphilic compounds, especially zwitterionic amphiphiles 3 and 4 seem to be promising candidates against biofilm formation by marine bacteria.

Gene transfection using branched cationic amphiphilic compounds for an aerosol administration in cystic fibrosis context

For cystic fibrosis gene therapy, the aerosolization of genetic materials is the most relevant delivery strategy to reach the airway epithelium. However, aerosolized formulations have to resist shear forces while maintaining the integrity of plasmid DNA (pDNA) during its journey from the nebulization to the epithelial cells. Herein, we compared the efficiency of gene delivery by aerosolization of two types of formulations: (i) BSV163, a branched cationic amphiphilic compound, co-formulated with different DOPE ratios (mol/mol) and DMPE-PEG5000 and (ii) 25 KDa branched polyethylenimine (b-PEI)-based formulation used as control. This study also aims to determine whether BSV163-based formulations possess the ability to resist the nebulization mechanisms and protect the nucleic acids (pDNA) cargo. Therefore, two CpG free plasmids (pGM144 or pGM169) encoding either the luciferase reporter gene or hCFTR respectively were used. Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) cell-culture was selected as an in-vitro model for aerosol experiments due to its closer analogy with in vivo morphology. Results highlighted that DOPE ratio influences the capacity of the BSV163 based-formulations to mediate high transfection efficacies. Furthermore, we proved that addition of DMPE-PEG5000 upon the formation of the BSV163/DOPE (1/1) lipid film instead of post-insertion led to a higher transgene expression. The aerosolization of this formulation on ALI cell-culture was more efficient than the use of b-PEI-based formulation.

Liposome-Mediated Gene Transfer in Differentiated HepaRG™ Cells: Expression of Liver Specific Functions and Application to the Cytochrome P450 2D6 Expression

The goal of this study was to establish a procedure for gene delivery mediated by cationic liposomes in quiescent differentiated HepaRG™ human hepatoma cells. We first identified several cationic lipids promoting efficient gene transfer with low toxicity in actively dividing HepG2, HuH7, BC2 and progenitor HepaRG™ human hepatoma cells. The lipophosphoramidate Syn1-based nanovector, which allowed the highest transfection efficiencies of progenitor HepaRG™ cells, was next used to transfect differentiated HepaRG™ cells. Lipofection of these cells using Syn1-based liposome was poorly efficient most likely because the differentiated HepaRG™ cells are highly quiescent. Thus, we engineered the differentiated HepaRG™ Mitogenic medium supplement (ADD1001) that triggered robust proliferation of differentiated cells. Importantly, we characterized the phenotypical changes occurring during proliferation of differentiated HepaRG™ cells and demonstrated that mitogenic stimulation induced a partial and transient decrease in the expression levels of some liver specific functions followed by a fast recovery of the full differentiation status upon removal of the mitogens. Taking advantage of the proliferation of HepaRG™ cells, we defined lipofection conditions using Syn1-based liposomes allowing transient expression of the cytochrome P450 2D6, a phase I enzyme poorly expressed in HepaRG cells, which opens new means for drug metabolism studies in HepaRG™ cells.

Synthetic alkyl-ether-lipid promotes TRPV2 channel trafficking trough PI3K/Akt-girdin axis in cancer cells and increases mammary tumour volume

The Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 2 (TRPV2) channel is highly selective for Ca2+ and can be activated by lipids, such as LysoPhosphatidylCholine (LPC). LPC analogues, such as the synthetic alkyl-ether-lipid edelfosine or the endogenous alkyl-ether-lipid Platelet Activating Factor (PAF), modulates ion channels in cancer cells. This opens the way to develop alkyl-ether-lipids for the modulation of TRPV2 in cancer. Here, we investigated the role of 2-Acetamido-2-Deoxy-l-O-Hexadecyl-rac-Glycero-3-PhosphatidylCholine (AD-HGPC), a new alkyl-ether-lipid (LPC analogue), on TRPV2 trafficking and its impact on Ca2+ -dependent cell migration. The effect of AD-HGPC on the TRPV2 channel and tumour process was further investigated using calcium imaging and an in vivo mouse model. Using molecular and pharmacological approaches, we dissected the mechanism implicated in alkyl-ether-lipids sensitive TRPV2 trafficking. We found that TRPV2 promotes constitutive Ca2+ entry, leading to migration of highly metastatic breast cancer cell lines through the PI3K/Akt-Girdin axis. AD-HGPC addresses the functional TRPV2 channel in the plasma membrane through Golgi stimulation and PI3K/Akt/Rac-dependent cytoskeletal reorganization, leading to constitutive Ca2+ entry and breast cancer cell migration (without affecting the development of metastasis), in a mouse model. We describe, for the first time, the biological role of a new alkyl-ether-lipid on TRPV2 channel trafficking in breast cancer cells and highlight the potential modulation of TRPV2 by alkyl-ether-lipids as a novel avenue for research in the treatment of metastatic cancer.

Thio-ether functionalized glycolipid amphiphilic compounds reveal a potent activator of SK3 channel with vasorelaxation effect

The modulation of SK3 ion channels can be efficiently and selectively achieved by using the amphiphilic compound Ohmline (a glyco-glycero-ether-lipid). We report herein a series of Ohmline analogues featuring the replacement of one ether function by a thioether function located at the same position or shifted close to its initial position. The variation of the lipid chain length and the preparation of two analogues featuring either one sulfoxide or one sulfone moiety complete this series. Patch clamp measurements indicate that the presence of the thioether function (compounds 7 and 17a) produces strong activators of SK3 channels, whereas the introduction of a sulfoxide or a sulfone function at the same place produces amphiphiles devoid of an effect on SK3 channels. Compounds 7 and 17a are the first amphiphilic compounds featuring strong activation of SK3 channels (close to 200% activation). The cytosolic calcium concentration determined from fluorescence at 3 different times for compound 7b (13 min, 1 h, 24 h) revealed that the effect is different suggesting that the compound could be metabolized over time. This compound could be used as a strong SK3 activator for a short time. The capacity of 7b to activate SK3 was then used to induce vasorelaxation via an endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH) pathway. For the first time, we report that an amphiphilic compound can affect the endothelium dependent vasorelaxation.

Phosphonodithioester-amine coupling in water: a fast reaction to modify the surface of liposomes

The incorporation of lipophilic phosphonodithioesters in phospholipid formulations generates clickable liposomes that react with amines. The kinetics of this metal free phosphonodithioester-amine coupling (PAC) on liposomes in water is reported and can be classified as a fast reaction with a second order rate constant of k ≈ 8 × 102 M-1 s-1. The PAC reaction represents a versatile strategy to functionalize liposomes.

M(H2O)(PO3C10H6OH)·(H2O)0.5 (M = Co, Mn, Zn, Cu): a new series of layered metallophosphonate compounds obtained from 6-hydroxy-2-naphthylphosphonic acid

Four new metallophosphonates M(H₂O)(PO₃C₁₀H₆OH)·(H₂O)_0.5 (M = Mn, Co, Cu, Zn) were obtained as single crystal and polycrystalline powders by hydrothermal synthesis from the precursors 6-hydroxy-2-naphthylphosphonic acid and the corresponding metal salts. These analogous hybrids crystalized in the space group P12₁/c1 in a lamellar structure. Their layered structures consisted of inorganic [M(H₂O)(PO₃C)] layers stacked with organic bilayers of 6-hydroxy-2-naphthyl moieties "HO-C₁₀H₆" and free water molecules. Their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and Le Bail refinement for the powder sample. The removal of water upon heating at 250 °C was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and temperature-dependent powder X-ray diffraction. Their magnetic properties were studied by SQUID magnetometry and show antiferromagnetic behavior for the Co analogue and the occurrence of a canted antiferromagnetic order at T_N = 12.2 K for the Mn analogue. The Cu compound displayed an unprecedented ferromagnetic behavior. Their absorption and luminescence properties were investigated and revealed that the ligand and the compounds displayed a common behavior below a wavelength of 400 nm. Specific absorption bands were found in the compounds with Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ at 539 nm and 849 nm, respectively. Moreover, particular luminescence bands were found for the compounds with Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ at 598 nm, 551 nm and 530 and 611 nm, respectively.

Lipidic synthetic alkaloids as SK3 channel modulators. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-substituted tetrahydropyridine derivatives with potential anti-metastatic activity

Small Conductance Calcium (Ca2+)-activated potassium (K+) channels (SKCa) are now proved to be involved in many cancer cell behaviors such as proliferation or migration. The SK3 channel isoform was particularly described in breast cancer where it can be associated with the Orai1 Ca2+ channel to form a complex that regulates the Ca2+ homeostasis during tumor development and acts as a potent mediator of bone metastases development in vivo. Until now, very few specific blockers of Orai1 and/or SK3 have been developed as potential anti-metastatic compounds. In this study, we illustrated the synthesis of new families of lipophilic pyridine and tetrahydropyridine derivatives designed as potential modulators of SK3 channel. The toxicity of the newly synthesized compounds and their migration effects were evaluated on the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435s. Two molecules (7a and 10c) demonstrated a significant decrease in the SK3 channel-dependent migration as well as the SK3/Orai1-related Ca2+ entry. Current measurements showed that these compounds are more likely SK3-selective. Taken all together these results suggest that such molecules could be considered as promising anti-metastatic drugs in breast cancer.

Substitution of unsaturated lipid chains by thioether-containing lipid chains in cationic amphiphiles: physicochemical consequences and application for gene delivery

The hydrophobic moiety of cationic amphiphiles plays an important role in the transfection process because its structure has an impact on both the type of the supramolecular assembly and the dynamic properties of these assemblies. The latter have to exhibit a compromise between stability and instability to efficiently compact then deliver DNA into target cells. In the present work, we report the synthesis of new cationic amphiphiles featuring a thioether function at different positions of two 18-atom length lipid chains and we study their physicochemical properties (anisotropy of fluorescence and compression isotherms) with analogues possessing either oleyl (C18:1) or stearyl (C18:0) chains. We show that the fluidity of cationic lipids featuring a thioether function located close to the middle of each lipid chain is intermediate between that of oleyl- and stearyl-containing analogues. These properties are also supported by the compression isotherm assays. When used as carriers to deliver a plasmid DNA, thioether-containing cationic amphiphiles demonstrate a good ability to transfect human-derived cell lines, with those incorporating such a moiety in the middle of the chain being the most efficient. This work supports the use of a thioether function as a possible alternative to unsaturation in aliphatic lipid chains of cationic amphiphiles to modulate physicochemical behaviours and in turn biological activities such as gene delivery ability.

Branched lipid chains to prepare cationic amphiphiles producing hexagonal aggregates: supramolecular behavior and application to gene delivery

Cationic amphiphiles featuring ramified lipid chains self-organized in water as inverted hexagonal aggregates. They demonstrated high gene delivery efficiencies.

Lipid-Based Quaternary Ammonium Sophorolipid Amphiphiles with Antimicrobial and Transfection Activities

Twelve new quaternary ammonium sophorolipids with long alkyl chains on the nitrogen atom were synthesized starting from oleic and petroselinic acid-based sophorolipids. These novel derivatives were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and their transfection efficacies on three different eukaryotic cell lines in vitro as good activities were demonstrated for previously synthesized derivatives. Self-assembly properties were also evaluated. All compounds proved to possess antimicrobial and transfection properties, and trends could be observed based on the length of the nitrogen substituent and the total length of the sophorolipid tail. Moreover, all long-chain quaternary ammonium sophorolipids form micelles, which proved to be a prerequisite to induce antimicrobial activity and transfection capacity. These results are promising for future healthcare applications of long-chained quaternary ammonium sophorolipids.

Bis-Thioether-Containing Lipid Chains in Cationic Amphiphiles: Physicochemical Properties and Applications in Gene Delivery

Cationic amphiphiles featuring two thioether functions in each lipid chain of bicatenar cationic amphiphiles are reported here for the first time. The physicochemical properties and transfection abilities of these new amphiphiles were compared with those of already reported analogues featuring either (i) saturated, (ii) unsaturated or (iii) mono-thioether containing lipid chains. The homogeneity of the series of new compounds allowed to clearly underscore the effect of bis-thioether containing lipid chains. This study shows that besides previous strategies based on unsaturation or ramification, the incorporation of two thioether functions per lipid chain constitutes an original complementary alternative to tune the supramolecular properties of amphiphilic compounds. The potential of this strategy was evaluated in the context of gene delivery and report that two cationic amphiphiles (i. e. 4 a and 4 b) can be proposed as new efficient transfection reagents.

Nickel and Palladium Catalysed Reaction of Triethyl Phosphite with Aryl Halides under Microwave Irradiation

Diethyl aryl phosphonates are efficiently and rapidly obtained from halides and triethyl phosphite without solvent. The reaction was catalysed by NiCl2 or PdCl2 (10%) under focussed microwave radiation.

Dendritic Cell Targeting mRNA Lipopolyplexes Combine Strong Antitumor T-Cell Immunity with Improved Inflammatory Safety

In vitro transcribed mRNA constitutes a versatile platform to encode antigens and to evoke CD8 T-cell responses. Systemic delivery of mRNA packaged into cationic liposomes (lipoplexes) has proven particularly powerful in achieving effective antitumor immunity in animal models. Yet, T-cell responses to mRNA lipoplexes critically depend on the induction of type I interferons (IFN), potent pro-inflammatory cytokines, which inflict dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we explored an advanced hybrid lipid polymer shell mRNA nanoparticle (lipopolyplex) endowed with a trimannose sugar tree as an alternative delivery vehicle for systemic mRNA vaccination. Like mRNA lipoplexes, mRNA lipopolyplexes were extremely effective in conferring antitumor T-cell immunity upon systemic administration. Conversely to mRNA lipoplexes, mRNA lipopolyplexes did not rely on type I IFN for effective T-cell immunity. This differential mode of action of mRNA lipopolyplexes enabled the incorporation of N1 methyl pseudouridine nucleoside modified mRNA to reduce inflammatory responses without hampering T-cell immunity. This feature was attributed to mRNA lipopolyplexes, as the incorporation of thus modified mRNA into lipoplexes resulted in strongly weakened T-cell immunity. Taken together, we have identified lipopolyplexes containing N1 methyl pseudouridine nucleoside modified mRNA as potent yet low-inflammatory alternatives to the mRNA lipoplexes currently explored in early phase clinical trials.

Synthesis of Alkyl-Glycerolipids Standards for Gas Chromatography Analysis: Application for Chimera and Shark Liver Oils

Natural O-alkyl-glycerolipids, also known as alkyl-ether-lipids (AEL), feature a long fatty alkyl chain linked to the glycerol unit by an ether bond. AEL are ubiquitously found in different tissues but, are abundant in shark liver oil, breast milk, red blood cells, blood plasma, and bone marrow. Only a few AEL are commercially available, while many others with saturated or mono-unsaturated alkyl chains of variable length are not available. These compounds are, however, necessary as standards for analytical methods. Here, we investigated different reported procedures and we adapted some of them to prepare a series of 1-O-alkyl-glycerols featuring mainly saturated alkyl chains of various lengths (14:0, 16:0, 17:0, 19:0, 20:0, 22:0) and two monounsaturated chains (16:1, 18:1). All of these standards were fully characterized by NMR and GC-MS. Finally, we used these standards to identify the AEL subtypes in shark and chimera liver oils. The distribution of the identified AEL were: 14:0 (20-24%), 16:0 (42-54%) and 18:1 (6-16%) and, to a lesser extent, (0.2-2%) for each of the following: 16:1, 17:0, 18:0, and 20:0. These standards open the possibilities to identify AEL subtypes in tumours and compare their composition to those of non-tumour tissues.

Antibacterial effect and DNA delivery using a combination of an arsonium-containing lipophosphoramide with an N-heterocyclic carbene-silver complex - Potential benefits for cystic fibrosis lung gene therapy

Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the most common chronic genetic disorder among the Caucasian population, is a life-threatening disease mainly due to respiratory failures resulting from chronic infections and inflammation. Although research in the pharmacological field has recently made significant progress, gene therapy still remains a promising strategy to cure CF, especially because it should be applicable to any patient whatever the mutation profile. Until now, little attention has been paid to bacterial lung infections with regard to gene delivery to the airways; yet, this could greatly impact on the success of gene therapy. Previously, we have reported arsonium-containing lipophosphoramides as poly-functional nanocarriers capable of simultaneous antibacterial action against Gram-positive bacteria and gene transfer into eukaryotic cells. In the present work, we show that such nanoparticles can also be combined with an N-heterocyclic carbene-silver complex in order to extend the spectrum of antibacterial activity, including towards the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Importantly, this is demonstrated not only using standard in vitro protocols but also a clinically-relevant aerosol delivery method. Furthermore, antibacterial effects are compatible with efficient and safe gene delivery into human bronchial epithelial cells. The poly-functionality of combinations of such chemical compounds may thus show benefits for CF lung gene therapy.

Singular Interaction between an Antimetastatic Agent and the Lipid Bilayer: The Ohmline Case

SK3 channels are abnormaly expressed in metastatic cells, and Ohmline (OHM), an ether lipid, has been shown to reduce the activity of SK3 channels and the migration capacity of cancer cells. OHM incorporation into the plasma membrane is proposed to dissociate the protein complex formed between SK3 and Orai1, a potassium and a calcium channel, respectively, and would lead to a modification in the lipid environment of both the proteins. Here, we report the synthesis of deuterated OHM that affords the determination, through solid-state NMR, of its entire partitioning into membranes mimicking the SK3 environment. Use of deuterated lipids affords the demonstration of an OHM-induced membrane disordering, which is dose-dependent and increases with increasing amounts of cholesterol (CHOL). Molecular dynamics simulations comfort the disordering action and show that OHM interacts with the carbonyl and phosphate groups of stearoylphosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin and to a minor extent with CHOL. OHM is thus proposed to remove the CHOL OH moieties away from their main binding sites, forcing a new rearrangement with other lipid groups. Such an interaction takes its origin at the lipid-water interface, but it propagates toward the entire lipid molecules and leads to a cooperative destabilization of the lipid acyl chains, that is, membrane disordering. The consequences of this reorganization of the lipid phases are discussed in the context of the OHM-induced inhibition of SK3 channels.

Phosphonic acid: preparation and applications

The phosphonic acid functional group, which is characterized by a phosphorus atom bonded to three oxygen atoms (two hydroxy groups and one P=O double bond) and one carbon atom, is employed for many applications due to its structural analogy with the phosphate moiety or to its coordination or supramolecular properties. Phosphonic acids were used for their bioactive properties (drug, pro-drug), for bone targeting, for the design of supramolecular or hybrid materials, for the functionalization of surfaces, for analytical purposes, for medical imaging or as phosphoantigen. These applications are covering a large panel of research fields including chemistry, biology and physics thus making the synthesis of phosphonic acids a determinant question for numerous research projects. This review gives, first, an overview of the different fields of application of phosphonic acids that are illustrated with studies mainly selected over the last 20 years. Further, this review reports the different methods that can be used for the synthesis of phosphonic acids from dialkyl or diaryl phosphonate, from dichlorophosphine or dichlorophosphine oxide, from phosphonodiamide, or by oxidation of phosphinic acid. Direct methods that make use of phosphorous acid (H3PO3) and that produce a phosphonic acid functional group simultaneously to the formation of the P-C bond, are also surveyed. Among all these methods, the dealkylation of dialkyl phosphonates under either acidic conditions (HCl) or using the McKenna procedure (a two-step reaction that makes use of bromotrimethylsilane followed by methanolysis) constitute the best methods to prepare phosphonic acids.

Synthesis of α-amino-lipophosphonates as cationic lipids or co-lipids for DNA transfection in dendritic cells

Cationic lipid/co-lipid combinations have been extensively explored in gene delivery as alternatives to viral vectors.

Important role of phosphoramido linkage in imidazole-based dioleyl helper lipids for liposome stability and primary cell transfection

BACKGROUND

To optimize synthetic gene delivery systems, there is a need to develop more efficient lipid formulations. Most cationic lipid formulations contain 'helper' neutral lipids because of their ability to increase DNA delivery, in particular by improving endosomal escape of DNA molecules via the pH-buffering effect of protonatable groups and/or fusion with the lipid bilayer of endosomes.

METHODS

We evaluated the influence of the linker structure between the two oleyl chains in the helper lipid on transfection efficiency in cell lines, as well as in primary cells (hepatocytes/cardiomyocytes). We reported the synthesis of two new pH-buffering imidazole helper lipids characterized by a polar headgroup containing one (compound 6) or two (compound 5) imidazole groups and two oleyl chains linked by an amide group. We studied their association with the aminoglycoside lipidic derivative dioleylsuccinylparomomycin (DOSP), which contains two oleyl chains linked to the aminoglycoside polar headgroup via an amide function. We compared the morphology and transfection properties of such binary liposomes of DOSP/5 and DOSP/6 with those of liposomes combining DOSP with another imidazole-based dioleyl helper lipid (MM27) in which a phosphoramido group acts as a linker between the two oleyl chains and imidazole function.

RESULTS

The phosphoramido linker in the helper lipid induces a major difference in terms of morphology and resistance to decomplexation at physical pH for DOSP/helper lipid complexes.

CONCLUSIONS

This hybrid dioleyl linker composition of DOSP/MM27 led to higher transfection efficiency in cell lines and in primary cells compared to complexes with homogeneous dioleyl linker.

Triggering bilayer to inverted-hexagonal nanostructure formation by thiol-ene click chemistry on cationic lipids: consequences on gene transfection

The ramification of cationic amphiphiles on their unsaturated lipid chains is readily achieved by using the thiol-ene click reaction triggering the formation of an inverted hexagonal phase (HII). The new ramified cationic lipids exhibit different bio-activities (transfection, toxicity) including higher transfection efficacies on 16HBE 14o-cell lines.

Lipophosphoramidate-based bipolar amphiphiles: their syntheses and transfection properties

A series of cationic bipolar amphiphiles were readily prepared by thiol–ene click reaction. These compounds were formulated in liposomal solutions and assessed as vector for gene delivery.

Enhanced Achilles tendon healing by fibromodulin gene transfer

Tendon injury is a major musculoskeletal disorder with a high public health impact. We propose a non-viral based strategy of gene therapy for the treatment of tendon injuries using histidylated vectors. Gene delivery of fibromodulin, a proteoglycan involved in collagen assembly was found to promote rat Achilles tendon repair in vivo and in vitro. In vivo liposome-based transfection of fibromodulin led to a better healing after surgical injury, biomechanical properties were better restored compared to untransfected control. These measures were confirmed by histological observations and scoring. To get better understandings of the mechanisms underlying fibromodulin transfection, an in vitro tendon healing model was developed. In vitro, polymer-based transfection of fibromodulin led to the best wound enclosure speed and a pronounced migration of tenocytes primary cultures was observed. These results suggest that fibromodulin non-viral gene therapy could be proposed as a new therapeutic strategy to accelerate tendon healing.

FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR

Tendon injury is relatively common and healing remains unsatisfactory. In this study, the effects of liposomal-based delivery of fibromodulin gene were investigated in a rat Achilles tendon injury model. The positive results observed would provide a new therapeutic strategy in clinical setting in the future.

La1-xLnxH(O3PCH3)2 (Ln = Tb, Eu; 0 < x ≤ 1): an organic-inorganic hybrid with lanthanide chains and tunable luminescence properties

The organic/inorganic La1-xLnxH(O3PCH3)2 (Ln = Eu, Tb) hybrids have been synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis. The crystal structure of LaH(O3PCH3)2 consists of chains of edge-sharing LaO8 polyhedra linked through PO3C tetrahedra. Photoluminescence of Eu(3+), Tb(3+) and Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) co-doped materials have been investigated. The Eu and Tb hybrids show no concentration quenching versus doping rate suggesting energy migration through a percolation model. The Eu hybrids exhibit a red emission while the Tb ones exhibit, with the Tb rate increasing, a blue to green emission under a 378 nm excitation wavelength and a cyan to green emission under a 262 nm excitation wavelength. The doping rate dependent red shift results from a cross relaxation phenomenon between closed Tb(3+) ions. The blue to cyan shift observed for the slightly doped materials, when excitation wavelength shifts from 378 nm to 262 nm, is due to different relaxation phenomena, from the (5)D3 level for a 378 nm excitation wavelength and from the (5)D4 level via the 4f5d level for a 262 nm excitation wavelength. Under a 378 nm wavelength, the co-doped La0.93Eu0.03Tb0.04H(O3PCH3)2 hybrid exhibits a white/cyan emission with CIE coordinates equal to x = 0.29, y = 0.37.

Efficient in vivo transfection and safety profile of a CpG-free and codon optimized luciferase plasmid using a cationic lipophosphoramidate in a multiple intravenous administration procedure

As any drug, the success of gene therapy is largely dependent on the vehicle that has to selectively and efficiently deliver therapeutic nucleic acids into targeted cells with minimal side-effects. In the case of chronic diseases that require a life-long treatment, non-viral gene delivery vehicles are less likely to induce an immune response, thereby allowing for repeated administration. Beyond the gene delivery efficiency of a given vector, the nature of nucleic acid constructs also has a central importance in gene therapy protocols. Herein, we investigated the impact of two firefly luciferase encoding plasmids on the transgene expression profile following systemic delivery of lipoplexes in mice, as well as their potential to be safely and efficiently readministered. Whereas pTG11033 plasmid is driven by a strong ubiquitous cytomegalovirus promoter, pGM144 plasmid, which has been designed to avoid inflammation and provide sustained transgene expression in lungs, is CpG-free and is under control of the human elongation factor-1 alpha promoter. Combined to the efficient cationic lipophosphoramidate BSV4, bioluminescence data showed that both plasmids were mostly expressed in the lungs of mice following a primary injection of lipoplexes. However, mice transfected with pGM144 exhibited a higher and more sustained transgene expression than those treated with pTG11033. Repeated administration studies revealed that several injections of lipoplexes could lead to similar transgene expression profiles if an interval of several weeks between subsequent injections was respected. A transient hepatotoxicity and a partial inflammatory response were caused by lipoplex injection, irrespective of the plasmid used. Altogether, these results indicate that repeated systemic administration of lipophosphoramidate-based lipoplexes in mice conducts to an effective lung transfection without serious side effects, and highlight the need to use long-lasting expressing and well tolerated plasmids in order to efficiently renew transgene expression by the successive doses.

Silver-based hybrid materials from meta- or para-phosphonobenzoic acid: influence of the topology on silver release in water

Three novel silver-based metal-organic frameworks materials, which were synthesized from either 3-phosphono or 4-phosphonobenzoic acid and silver nitrate, are reported. The novel hybrids were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions; the pH of the reaction media was controlled by adding different quantities of urea thereby producing different topologies. Compound 1 (Ag3(4-PO3-C6H4-COO)), synthesized in the presence of urea, exhibits a compact 3D structure in which both phosphonic acid and carboxylic acid functional groups are linked to the silver-based inorganic network. Compound 2 (Ag(4-PO3H-C6H4-COOH)), which was synthesized at lower pH (without urea), has a layered structure in which only the phosphonic acid functional groups from 4-phosphonobenzoic acid moieties are linked to the silver inorganic network; the carboxylic acid groups being engaged in hydrogen bonds. Finally, material 3 (Ag(3-PO3H-C6H4-COOH)) was synthesized from 3-phosphonobenzoic acid and silver nitrate without urea. This material 3 features a layered structure exhibiting carboxylic acid functional groups linked via hydrogen bonds in the interlayer space. After the full characterization of these materials (single X-ray structure, IR, TGA), their ability to release silver salts in aqueous environment was measured. Silver release, determined in aqueous solution by cathodic stripping voltammetry, shows that the silver release capacity of these materials is dependent on the topology of the hybrids. The more compact structure 1 is extremely stable in water with only trace levels of silver ions being detected. On the other hand, compounds 2 and 3, in which only the phosphonic acid functional groups were bonded to the inorganic network, released larger quantities of silver ions into aqueous solution. These results which were compared with the silver release of the previously described compound 4 (Ag6(3-PO3-C6H4-COO)2). The results clearly show that the release capacity of silver-based metal organic framework can be tuned by modifying their topology which, in the present study, is governed by the regio-isomer of the organic precursor and the synthetic conditions under which the hybrids are prepared.

Cationic dialkylarylphosphates: a new family of bio-inspired cationic lipids for gene delivery

The synthesis of mono- and di-cationic lipophosphates is reported. These cationic lipids were formulated as liposomal solutions, and their capacity to transfect cells was evaluated on three cell lines.

Atherton-Todd reaction: mechanism, scope and applications

Initially, the Atherton–Todd (AT) reaction was applied for the synthesis of phosphoramidates by reacting dialkyl phosphite with a primary amine in the presence of carbon tetrachloride. These reaction conditions were subsequently modified with the aim to optimize them and the reaction was extended to different nucleophiles. The mechanism of this reaction led to controversial reports over the past years and is adequately discussed. We also present the scope of the AT reaction. Finally, we investigate the AT reaction by means of exemplary applications, which mainly concern three topics. First, we discuss the activation of a phenol group as a phosphate which allows for subsequent transformations such as cross coupling and reduction. Next, we examine the AT reaction applied to produce fire retardant compounds. In the last section, we investigate the use of the AT reaction for the production of compounds employed for biological applications. The selected examples to illustrate the applications of the Atherton–Todd reaction mainly cover the past 15 years.