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Dekempeneer Y, Massa S, Santens F, Navarro L, Berdal M, Lucero MM, Pombo Antunes AR, Lahoutte T, Van Ginderachter JA, Devoogdt N, D'Huyvetter M. Preclinical Evaluation of a Radiotheranostic Single-Domain Antibody Against Fibroblast Activation Protein α. J Nucl Med 2023; 64:1941-1948. [PMID: 38040444 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.266381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein α (FAP) is highly expressed on cancer-associated fibroblasts of epithelial-derived cancers. Breast, colon, and pancreatic tumors often show strong desmoplastic reactions, which result in a dominant presence of stromal cells. FAP has gained interest as a target for molecular imaging and targeted therapies. Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) are the smallest antibody-derived fragments with beneficial pharmacokinetic properties for molecular imaging and targeted therapy. Methods: We describe the generation, selection, and characterization of a sdAb against FAP. In mice, we assessed its imaging and therapeutic potential after radiolabeling with tracer-dose 131I and 68Ga for SPECT and PET imaging, respectively, and with 131I and 225Ac for targeted radionuclide therapy. Results: The lead sdAb, 4AH29, exhibiting picomolar affinity for a distinct FAP epitope, recognized both purified and membrane-bound FAP protein. Radiolabeled versions, including [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-4AH29, [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-4AH29, and [131I]I-guanidinomethyl iodobenzoate (GMIB)-4AH29, displayed radiochemical purities exceeding 95% and effectively bound to recombinant human FAP protein and FAP-positive GM05389 human fibroblasts. These radiolabeled compounds exhibited rapid and specific accumulation in human FAP-positive U87-MG glioblastoma tumors, with low but specific uptake in lymph nodes, uterus, bone, and skin (∼2-3 percentage injected activity per gram of tissue [%IA/g]). Kidney clearance of unbound [131I]I-GMIB-4AH29 was fast (<1 %IA/g after 24 h), whereas [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-4AH29 exhibited slower clearance (8.07 ± 1.39 %IA/g after 24 h and 2.47 ± 0.18 %IA/g after 96 h). Mice treated with [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-4AH29 and [131I]I-GMIB-4AH29 demonstrated prolonged survival compared with those receiving vehicle solution. Conclusion: [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-4AH29 and [131I]I-GMIB-4AH29 enable precise FAP-positive tumor detection in mice. Therapeutic [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-4AH29 and [131I]I-GMIB-4AH29 exhibit strong and sustained tumor targeting, resulting in dose-dependent therapeutic effects in FAP-positive tumor-bearing mice, albeit with kidney toxicity observed later for [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-4AH29. This study confirms the potential of radiolabeled sdAb 4AH29 as a radiotheranostic agent for FAP-positive cancers, warranting clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tony Lahoutte
- Precirix NV/SA, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medical Imaging, In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Precirix NV/SA, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medical Imaging, In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'Huyvetter
- Precirix NV/SA, Brussels, Belgium;
- Department of Medical Imaging, In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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2
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Chidambaram S, Hong S, Simpson M, Osazuwa-Peters N, Ward G, Massa S. Temporal Trends in Oropharyngeal Cancer Incidence, Survival, and Cancer-Directed Surgery Among Elderly Americans. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.12.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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3
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Mazul A, Chidambaram S, Massa S. Head and Neck Cancer Incidence and Trends Differ by Site, Race, and Sex. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.12.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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4
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Sadeghnezhad G, Romão E, Bernedo-Navarro R, Massa S, Khajeh K, Muyldermans S, Hassania S. Identification of New DR5 Agonistic Nanobodies and Generation of Multivalent Nanobody Constructs for Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4818. [PMID: 31569768 PMCID: PMC6801735 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Current cancer therapeutics suffer from a lack of specificity in targeting tumor cells and cause severe side effects. Therefore, the design of highly specialized drugs comprising antibody derivatives inducing apoptosis in targeted cancer cells is considered to be a promising strategy. Drugs acting on death receptor 5 (DR5) such as DR5 agonist antibodies replacing "TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand" (TRAIL) offer feasible opportunities in this direction. Although such agonists provided good antitumor activity in preclinical studies, they were less effective in clinical studies, possibly due to a disturbed Fc interaction with Fc-γ receptors. Thus, multimerized antigen binding fragments without Fc have been proposed to increase their efficacy. We generated nanobodies (Nbs), recombinant variable domains of heavy chain-only antibodies of camelids, against the DR5 ectodomain. Nb24 and Nb28 had an affinity in the nM and sub-nM range, but only Nb28 competes with TRAIL for binding to DR5. Bivalent, trivalent, and tetravalent constructs were generated, as well as an innovative pentameric Nb complex, to provoke avidity effects. In our cellular assays, these trimeric, tetrameric, and pentameric Nbs have a higher apoptotic capacity than monomeric Nbs and seem to mimic the activity of the natural TRAIL ligand on various cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golnaz Sadeghnezhad
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Teheran 14115-331, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium.
| | - Ema Romão
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium.
| | - Robert Bernedo-Navarro
- Laboratory of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica 5000, Slovenia.
| | - Sam Massa
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium.
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Teheran 14115-331, Iran.
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium.
| | - Sadegh Hassania
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Teheran 14115-331, Iran.
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Abstract
Single-domain antibody fragments, also called nanobodies (Nbs), are increasingly being used as targeting molecular tools for imaging and/or targeted radionuclide therapy. To translate these tools to the clinic, it is preferred to obtain a homogeneous, well-defined, and well-characterized product. It has been shown that Sortase A, a transpeptidase found in Staphylococcus aureus, catalyzes the site-specific conjugation between a recognition oligopeptide (LPXTG, known as sortag) and an oligoglycine functionalized probe. This versatile technique manages to couple various molecular reagents, such as biotin, fluorophores, bifunctional chelators, etc., to the target protein containing the sortag. This chapter focuses on the site-specific coupling of a bifunctional chelator (e.g., CHX-A"-DTPA) to a Nb equipped with a C-terminal sortag. The chelator conjugated to the Nb can be radiolabeled with 111In or 177Lu for SPECT imaging or targeted radionuclide therapy, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxine Crauwels
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium.,In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sam Massa
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium.,In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Martin
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cecilia Betti
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catarina Xavier
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium.
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6
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De Vlaeminck Y, Lecocq Q, Giron P, Heirman C, Geeraerts X, Bolli E, Movahedi K, Massa S, Schoonooghe S, Thielemans K, Goyvaerts C, Van Ginderachter JA, Breckpot K. Single-domain antibody fusion proteins can target and shuttle functional proteins into macrophage mannose receptor expressing macrophages. J Control Release 2019; 299:107-120. [PMID: 30797866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment of numerous prevalent cancer types is abundantly infiltrated with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Macrophage mannose receptor (MMR or CD206) expressing TAMs have been shown to be key promoters of tumor progression and major opponents of successful cancer therapy. Therefore, depleting MMR+ TAMs is an interesting approach to synergize with current antitumor therapies. We studied the potential of single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) specific for MMR to target proteins to MMR+ TAMs. Anti-MMR sdAbs were genetically coupled to a reporter protein, mWasabi (wasabi green, WG), generating sdAb "drug" fusion proteins (SFPs), referred to as WG-SFPs. The resulting WG-SFPs were highly efficient in targeting MMR+ macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. As we showed that second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) mimetics modulate MMR+ macrophages, we further coupled the anti-MMR sdAb to an active form of SMAC, referred to as tSMAC. The resulting tSMAC-SFPs were able to bind and upregulate caspase3/7 activity in MMR+ macrophages in vitro. In conclusion, we report the proof-of-concept of an elegant approach to conjugate anti-MMR sdAbs to proteins, which opens new avenues for targeted manipulation of MMR+ tumor-promoting TAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Giron
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Oncologic Research Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xenia Geeraerts
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Evangelia Bolli
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kiavash Movahedi
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sam Massa
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steve Schoonooghe
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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7
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Necchi A, Briganti A, Raggi D, Luciano R, Colecchia M, Massa S, Giannatempo P, Colombo R, Gallina A, Salvioni R, Mortarini R, Montorsi F, Madison R, Ali S, Ross J, Chung J, Anichini A. Comprehensive biomarker analyses and updated results of PURE-01 study: Neoadjuvant pembrolizumab (pembro) in muscle-invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma (MIBC). Ann Oncol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy283.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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8
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Nuhn L, Bolli E, Massa S, Vandenberghe I, Movahedi K, Devreese B, Van Ginderachter JA, De Geest BG. Targeting Protumoral Tumor-Associated Macrophages with Nanobody-Functionalized Nanogels through Strain Promoted Azide Alkyne Cycloaddition Ligation. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:2394-2405. [PMID: 29889515 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) with high expression levels of the Macrophage Mannose Receptor (MMR, CD206) exhibit a strong angiogenic and immune suppressive activity. Thus, they are a highly attractive target in cancer immunotherapy, with the aim to modulate their protumoral behavior. Here, we introduce polymer nanogels as potential drug nanocarriers which were site-specifically decorated with a Nanobody (Nb) specific for the MMR. Using azide-functionalized RAFT chain transfer agents, they provide access to amphiphilic reactive ester block copolymers that self-assemble into micelles and are afterwards core-cross-linked toward fully hydrophilic nanogels with terminal azide groups on their surface. MMR-targeting Nb can site-selectively be functionalized with one single cyclooctyne moiety by maleimide-cysteine chemistry under mildly reducing conditions which enables successful chemoorthogonal conjugation to the nanogels. The resulting Nb-functionalized nanogels were highly efficient in targeting MMR-expressing cells and TAMs both in vitro and in vivo. We believe that these findings pave the road for targeted eradication or modulation of pro-tumoral MMRhigh TAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Nuhn
- Department of Pharmaceutics , Ghent University , Ottergemsesteenweg 460 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG) , Ghent University , Ottergemsesteenweg 460 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium.,Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10 , 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Evangelia Bolli
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab , VIB Center for Inflammation Research , Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels , Belgium.,Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels , Belgium
| | - Sam Massa
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab , VIB Center for Inflammation Research , Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels , Belgium.,Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels , Belgium
| | - Isabel Vandenberghe
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , Ghent University , K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium
| | - Kiavash Movahedi
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab , VIB Center for Inflammation Research , Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels , Belgium.,Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels , Belgium
| | - Bart Devreese
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , Ghent University , K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab , VIB Center for Inflammation Research , Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels , Belgium.,Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels , Belgium
| | - Bruno G De Geest
- Department of Pharmaceutics , Ghent University , Ottergemsesteenweg 460 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG) , Ghent University , Ottergemsesteenweg 460 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium
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9
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Rodwell R, Elwood N, Youngson J, Montague A, Johnson P, Villacres M, Massa S, Ramsay J, Klamer G, Deeming A, Morgan C, Lindeman R, Tiedemann K. Development and implementation of a multi-centre validation master plan for a new cord blood manufacturing process for the Australian AusCord public cord blood banks using a quality by design life-cycle approach. Cytotherapy 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2018.02.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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10
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Franconi R, Massa S, Illiano E, Muller A, Cirilli A, Accardd L, Bonito PDI, Giorgi C, Venuti A. Exploiting the Plant Secretory Pathway to Improve the Anticancer Activity of a Plant-Derived HPV16 E7 Vaccine. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/205873920601900119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) E7 oncoprotein can be considered a ‘tumor-specific antigen’ and, therefore, it represents a promising target for a therapeutic vaccine against HPV-associated tumors. Efficient production of E7 protein with a plant-based transient expression system has been already described and it was demonstrated that E7-containing crude plant extracts confer partial protection against tumor challenge in a mouse model system. Before adopting the plant-based system as a cost-effective method for the production of an E7-based anti-cancer vaccine, some aspects, such as the oncoprotein yield, need further investigation. In the present study, we report the transient expression, mediated by a potato virus X (PVX)-derived vector, of the E7 protein targeted to the secretory system of Nicotiana benthamiana plants by using a plant-derived signal sequence. Targeting the antigen to the secretory pathway enhanced the E7 protein expression levels about five-fold. Mice immunized by s.c. administration with crude foliar extracts containing E7 showed strong stimulation of cell-mediated immune response after five boosters, as detected by ELISPOT. After challenging with the E7-expressing C3 tumor cells, tumor growth was completely inhibited in 80% of the vaccinated animals and a drastic reduction of tumor burden was observed in the remaining tumor-affected mice. These data demonstrate that, by enhancing E7 yield, it is possible to improve the anti-cancer activity of the plant-based experimental vaccine and open the way for a large-scale production of the E7 protein which could be purified or used as ‘in planta’ formulation, also suitable for oral therapeutic vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Franconi
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and the Environment, BIOTEC, Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Genomics, C.R. Casaccia, P.O. Box 2400 I-00100 Roma, Italy
| | - S. Massa
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and the Environment, BIOTEC, Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Genomics, C.R. Casaccia, P.O. Box 2400 I-00100 Roma, Italy
| | - E. Illiano
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and the Environment, BIOTEC, Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Genomics, C.R. Casaccia, P.O. Box 2400 I-00100 Roma, Italy
| | - A. Muller
- Laboratory of Virology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Via delle Messi d'Oro 156, Roma, Italy
| | - A. Cirilli
- Laboratory of Virology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Via delle Messi d'Oro 156, Roma, Italy
| | - L. Accardd
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - P. DI Bonito
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - C. Giorgi
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - A. Venuti
- Laboratory of Virology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Via delle Messi d'Oro 156, Roma, Italy
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11
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Massa S, Rhode R, Mckinstry C, Osazuwa-Peters N, Ward G, Walker R. Patient Perspectives of Head and Neck Survivorship Care. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2017.12.215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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12
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13
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Massa S, Mehrotra S, Cass L, Ward G, Walker R. Understanding Patient's Refusal of Laryngectomies and the Survival Implications. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2017.12.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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D'Huyvetter M, De Vos J, Xavier C, Pruszynski M, Sterckx YGJ, Massa S, Raes G, Caveliers V, Zalutsky MR, Lahoutte T, Devoogdt N. 131I-labeled Anti-HER2 Camelid sdAb as a Theranostic Tool in Cancer Treatment. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:6616-6628. [PMID: 28751451 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Camelid single-domain antibody-fragments (sdAb) have beneficial pharmacokinetic properties, and those targeted to HER2 can be used for imaging of HER2-overexpressing cancer. Labeled with a therapeutic radionuclide, they may be used for HER2-targeted therapy. Here, we describe the generation of a 131I-labeled sdAb as a theranostic drug to treat HER2-overexpressing cancer.Experimental Design: Anti-HER2 sdAb 2Rs15d was labeled with 131I using [131I]SGMIB and evaluated in vitro Biodistribution was evaluated in two HER2+ murine xenograft models by micro-SPECT/CT imaging and at necropsy, and under challenge with trastuzumab and pertuzumab. The therapeutic potential of [131I]SGMIB-2Rs15d was investigated in two HER2+ tumor mouse models. A single-dose toxicity study was performed in mice using unlabeled [127I]SGMIB-sdAb at 1.4 mg/kg. The structure of the 2Rs15d-HER2 complex was determined by X-ray crystallography.Results: [131I]SGMIB-2Rs15d bound specifically to HER2+ cells (Kd = 4.74 ± 0.39 nmol/L). High and specific tumor uptake was observed in both BT474/M1 and SKOV-3 tumor xenografted mice and surpassed kidney levels by 3 hours. Extremely low uptake values were observed in other normal tissues at all time points. The crystal structure revealed that 2Rs15d recognizes HER2 Domain 1, consistent with the lack of competition with trastuzumab and pertuzumab observed in vivo [131I]SGMIB-2Rs15d alone, or in combination with trastuzumab, extended median survival significantly. No toxicity was observed after injecting [127I]SGMIB-2Rs15d.Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the theranostic potential of [131I]SGMIB-2Rs15d. An initial scan using low radioactive [*I]SGMIB-2Rs15d allows patient selection and dosimetry calculations for subsequent therapeutic [131I]SGMIB-2Rs15d and could thereby impact therapy outcome on HER2+ breast cancer patients. Clin Cancer Res; 23(21); 6616-28. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias D'Huyvetter
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Jens De Vos
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Camel-IDS NV/SA, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catarina Xavier
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Yann G J Sterckx
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sam Massa
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Gent, Belgium
| | - Geert Raes
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Gent, Belgium
| | - Vicky Caveliers
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Nuclear Medicine Department, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael R Zalutsky
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Tony Lahoutte
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Nuclear Medicine Department, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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15
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Rodwell R, Elwood N, Youngson J, Montague A, Johnson P, Villacres M, Massa S, Ramsay J, Klamer G, Deeming A, Morgan C, Lindeman R, Tiedemann K. Alignment of public cord blood banking operations—the AusCord experience. Cytotherapy 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.02.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Debie P, Van Quathem J, Hansen I, Bala G, Massa S, Devoogdt N, Xavier C, Hernot S. Effect of Dye and Conjugation Chemistry on the Biodistribution Profile of Near-Infrared-Labeled Nanobodies as Tracers for Image-Guided Surgery. Mol Pharm 2017; 14:1145-1153. [PMID: 28245129 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b01053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Advances in optical imaging technologies have stimulated the development of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescently labeled targeted probes for use in image-guided surgery. As nanobodies have already proven to be excellent candidates for molecular imaging, we aimed in this project to design NIR-conjugated nanobodies targeting the tumor biomarker HER2 for future applications in this field and to evaluate the effect of dye and dye conjugation chemistry on their pharmacokinetics during development. IRDye800CW or IRdye680RD were conjugated either randomly (via lysines) or site-specifically (via C-terminal cysteine) to the anti-HER2 nanobody 2Rs15d. After verification of purity and functionality, the biodistribution and tumor targeting of the NIR-nanobodies were assessed in HER2-positive and -negative xenografted mice. Site-specifically IRDye800CW- and IRdye680RD-labeled 2Rs15d as well as randomly labeled 2Rs15d-IRDye680RD showed rapid tumor accumulation and low nonspecific uptake, resulting in high tumor-to-muscle ratios at early time points (respectively 6.6 ± 1.0, 3.4 ± 1.6, and 3.5 ± 0.9 for HER2-postive tumors at 3 h p.i., while <1.0 for HER2-negative tumors at 3 h p.i., p < 0.05). Contrarily, using the randomly labeled 2Rs15d-IRDye800CW, HER2-positive and -negative tumors could only be distinguished after 24 h due to high nonspecific signals. Moreover, both randomly labeled 2Rs15d nanobodies were not only cleared via the kidneys but also partially via the hepatobiliary route. In conclusion, near-infrared fluorescent labeling of nanobodies allows rapid, specific, and high contrast in vivo tumor imaging. Nevertheless, the fluorescent dye as well as the chosen conjugation strategy can affect the nanobodies' properties and consequently have a major impact on their pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieterjan Debie
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jannah Van Quathem
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Hansen
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gezim Bala
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sam Massa
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Imunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catarina Xavier
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Hernot
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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D'Hollander A, Jans H, Velde GV, Verstraete C, Massa S, Devoogdt N, Stakenborg T, Muyldermans S, Lagae L, Himmelreich U. Limiting the protein corona: A successful strategy for in vivo active targeting of anti-HER2 nanobody-functionalized nanostars. Biomaterials 2017; 123:15-23. [PMID: 28152380 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles hold great promise as anti-cancer theranostic agents against cancer by actively targeting the tumor cells. As this potential has been supported numerously during in vitro experiments, the effective application is hampered by our limited understanding and control of the interactions within complex in vivo biological systems. When these nanoparticles are exposed to a biological environment, their surfaces become covered with proteins and biomolecules, referred to as the protein corona, reducing the active targeting capabilities. We demonstrate a chemical strategy to overcome this issue by reducing the protein corona's thickness by blocking the active groups of the self-assembled monolayer on gold nanostars. An optimal blocking agent, 2-mercapto ethanol, has been selected based on charge and length of the carbon chain. By using a nanobody as a biological ligand of the human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor (HER2), the active targeting is demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in an experimental tumor model by using darkfield microscopy and photoacoustic imaging. In this study, we have established gold nanostars as a conceivable theranostic agent with a specificity for HER2-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine D'Hollander
- Department of Life Science Technology, Imec, Kapeldreef 75, 3001, Leuven, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI Unit, KU Leuven, O&N 1, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, O&N 1, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Hilde Jans
- Department of Life Science Technology, Imec, Kapeldreef 75, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI Unit, KU Leuven, O&N 1, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, O&N 1, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Verstraete
- Department of Life Science Technology, Imec, Kapeldreef 75, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Massa
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103 Building K, 1090, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2 Building E, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103 Building K, 1090, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2 Building E, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tim Stakenborg
- Department of Life Science Technology, Imec, Kapeldreef 75, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2 Building E, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Lagae
- Department of Life Science Technology, Imec, Kapeldreef 75, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI Unit, KU Leuven, O&N 1, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, O&N 1, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Artico M, Massa S, Mai A, Marongiu ME, Piras G, Tramontano E, la Colla P. 3,4-Dihydro-2-Alkoxy-6-Benzyl-4-Oxopyrimidines (DABOs): A New Class of Specific Inhibitors of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/095632029300400608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel 3,4-dihydro-6-benzyl-4-oxopyrimidines substituted at both the C-5 and the C-2 positions were synthesized as potential anti-HIV agents. Preparation of the title compounds was achieved by condensation of O-methylisourea with methyl 2-alkyl-4-phenylacetylacetate and subsequent displacement of the methoxy group by reaction with a series of linear, ramified and cyclic alkoxy groups containing from three to six carbon units. Methyl 2-alkyl-4-phenylacetylacetates were prepared by alkylation of methyl 4-phenylacetylacetate, which was obtained starting from Meldrum's acid and phenacetyl chloride. Acid hydrolysis of 3,4-dihydro-6-benzyl-2-methoxy-4-oxopyrimidines furnished the corresponding 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-benzyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidines. In acutely infected MT-4 cells, compounds 3e, 3o, 3q and 3r showed an anti-HIV-1 activity as potent and/or selective as HEPT and ddl. Unlike HEPT, the replacement of a methyl for an hydrogen atom at position C-5 of 3,4-dihydro-2-alkoxy-6-benzyl-4-oxopyrimidines (DABOs) did not abolish the antiviral activity, as well as the substitution of the C-5 methyl for an ethyl group did not increase the potency. However, similarly to HEPT and its derivatives, DABOs targeted the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and neither inhibited the multiplication of HIV-2 in acutely infected MT-4 cells, nor that of HIV-1 in chronically infected H9/IIIB cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Artico
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - S. Massa
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - A. Mai
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - M. E. Marongiu
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, Viale Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - G. Piras
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, Viale Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - E. Tramontano
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, Viale Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - P. la Colla
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, Viale Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
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Mai A, Artico M, Massa S, Ragno R, De Montis A, Comas S, Spiga M, La Colla P. Methyl-2-Thienylketopolymethyleneoxyphenyl Derivatives of Alkyl-Substituted 4,5-Dihydro-Oxazoles with Anti-Human Picornavirus Activity. Antivir Chem Chemother 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/095632029600700407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of 5-methyl-2-thienylketopolymethylene oxyphenyl 4,5-dihydro-2-(alkyl)oxazoles was accomplished by the assembly of two synthones, namely 1-(5-methyl-2-thienyl)-7-hydroxy-1-heptanone (or 1-(5-methyl-2-thienyl)-5-chloro-1-pentanone) and 4-[4,5-dihydro(alkyl)oxazol-2-yl]phenol, in the presence of diethyl azodicarboxylate(DEAD)-triphenyl phosphine (or sodium iodide and anhydrous potassium carbonate). Eighteen new disoxaril analogues were synthesized by the above procedure and tested in vitro against several rhino and enteroviruses. With a few exceptions, all test derivatives were more potent than WIN 51711 when assayed against HRV-14, and as potent as WIN 51711 against HRV-2, but none of them inhibited the other HRV serotypes. Among the various derivatives, two compounds showed the same wide spectrum activity of WIN 51711 against several rhino, and enteroviruses, but were at least 10-fold less toxic.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Mai
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - M. Artico
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - S. Massa
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimlco Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Banchi di Sotto 55, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - R. Ragno
- Dipartimento di Studi di Chimica e Tecnologia delle Sostanze Biologicamente Attive, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - A. De Montis
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università di Cagliari, V.le Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - S. Comas
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università di Cagliari, V.le Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - M.G. Spiga
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università di Cagliari, V.le Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - P. La Colla
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università di Cagliari, V.le Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
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Massa S, Mai A, Artico M, Sbardella G, Tramontano E, Loi AG, Scano P, La Colla P. Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of New 3,4-Dihydro-2-Alkoxy-6-Benzyl-4-Oxopyrimidines (DABOs), Specific Inhibitors of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/095632029500600101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
3,4-Dihydro-2-alkoxy-6-benzyl-4-oxopyrimidines (DABOs) have emerged as non-nucleoside inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 [Artico et al. (1993), Antiviral Chem Chemother 4: 361-368]. With a view to increasing their potency, a new series of DABO derivatives, differently substituted at positions C-2 and/or C-5 of the pyrimidine ring and 3′ or 3′,5′ of the benzyl moiety, have been synthesized. DABOs were prepared by reacting O-methylisourea with the appropriate methyl 2-alkyl-4-phenylacetylacetate, with formation of 3,4-dihydro-2-methoxy-6-arylmethyl-4-oxopyrimidines. Subsequent displacement of the methoxy group linked at the 2-position of the pyrimidine ring by treatment with alkoxy and cycloalkoxy potassium salts led to the required derivatives. In vitro, the most potent compounds were 12e and 12p, which had an EC50 of 0.8 μM and a selective index of 400.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Massa
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - A. Mai
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - M. Artico
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - G. Sbardella
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Università di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - E. Tramontano
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, V. le Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - A. G. Loi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, V. le Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - P. Scano
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, V. le Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - P. La Colla
- Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, V. le Regina Margherita 45, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
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Massa S, Xavier C, Muyldermans S, Devoogdt N. Emerging site-specific bioconjugation strategies for radioimmunotracer development. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2016; 13:1149-63. [DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2016.1178235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Massa
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catarina Xavier
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Massa S, Vikani N, Betti C, Ballet S, Vanderhaegen S, Steyaert J, Descamps B, Vanhove C, Bunschoten A, van Leeuwen FWB, Hernot S, Caveliers V, Lahoutte T, Muyldermans S, Xavier C, Devoogdt N. Sortase A-mediated site-specific labeling of camelid single-domain antibody-fragments: a versatile strategy for multiple molecular imaging modalities. Contrast Media Mol Imaging 2016; 11:328-339. [PMID: 27147480 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A generic site-specific conjugation method that generates a homogeneous product is of utmost importance in tracer development for molecular imaging and therapy. We explored the protein-ligation capacity of the enzyme Sortase A to label camelid single-domain antibody-fragments, also known as nanobodies. The versatility of the approach was demonstrated by conjugating independently three different imaging probes: the chelating agents CHX-A"-DTPA and NOTA for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with indium-111 and positron emission tomography (PET) with gallium-68, respectively, and the fluorescent dye Cy5 for fluorescence reflectance imaging (FRI). After a straightforward purification process, homogeneous single-conjugated tracer populations were obtained in high yield (30-50%). The enzymatic conjugation did not affect the affinity of the tracers, nor the radiolabeling efficiency or spectral characteristics. In vivo, the tracers enabled the visualization of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expressing BT474M1-tumors with high contrast and specificity as soon as 1 h post injection in all three imaging modalities. These data demonstrate Sortase A-mediated conjugation as a valuable strategy for the development of site-specifically labeled camelid single-domain antibody-fragments for use in multiple molecular imaging modalities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Massa
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Niravkumar Vikani
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cecilia Betti
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steven Ballet
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Saskia Vanderhaegen
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jan Steyaert
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benedicte Descamps
- Infinity-MEDISIP-iMinds Medical IT, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Vanhove
- Infinity-MEDISIP-iMinds Medical IT, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anton Bunschoten
- Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fijs W B van Leeuwen
- Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie Hernot
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vicky Caveliers
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,Nuclear Medicine Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tony Lahoutte
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,Nuclear Medicine Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catarina Xavier
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090, Brussels, Belgium. .,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
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Massa S, Osazuwa-Peters N, Christopher K, Walker R, Varvares M. Comparison of Head and Neck Cancer Populations by Cause of Death. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.12.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Massa S, Osazuwa-Peters N, Christopher K, Walker R, Varvares M. Cancer-Independent Loss of Life Expectancy in the Head and Neck Cancer Population. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.12.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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De Vos J, Mathijs I, Xavier C, Massa S, Wernery U, Bouwens L, Lahoutte T, Muyldermans S, Devoogdt N. Specific targeting of atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE(-/-) mice using a new Camelid sdAb binding the vulnerable plaque marker LOX-1. Mol Imaging Biol 2015; 16:690-8. [PMID: 24687730 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-014-0731-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Molecular imaging has the potential to provide quantitative information about specific biological aspects of developing atherosclerotic lesions. This requires the generation of reliable, highly specific plaque tracers. This study reports a new camelid single-domain antibody fragment (sdAb) targeting the Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1), a biomarker for the detection and molecular phenotyping of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. PROCEDURES A camelid sdAb was generated and selected for high affinity binding to LOX-1. Ex vivo biodistribution and in vivo single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) imaging studies were performed in wild-type mice and in fat-fed atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice with (99m)Tc-labeled sdAbs. Gamma-counting and autoradiography analyses were performed on dissected aorta segments with different degrees of plaque burden. The specificity of the LOX-1-targeting sdAb was evaluated by blocking with unlabeled sdAb or by comparison with a nontargeting (99m)Tc-labeled control sdAb. RESULTS We generated a sdAb binding LOX-1 with a KD of 280 pM ± 62 pM affinity. After (99m)Tc-labeling, the tracer had radiochemical purity higher then 99 % and retained specificity in in vitro binding studies. Tracer blood clearance was fast with concomitant high kidney retention. At 3 h after injection, uptake in tissues other than plaques was low and not different than background, suggesting a restricted expression pattern of LOX-1. Conversely, uptake in aortic segments increased with plaque content and was due to specific LOX-1 binding. In vivo SPECT/CT imaging 160 min after injection in atherosclerotic mice confirmed specific targeting of LOX-1-expressing aortic plaques. CONCLUSIONS The LOX-sdAb specifically targets LOX-1-expressing atherosclerotic plaques within hours after injection. The possibility to image LOX-1 rapidly after administration combined with the favourable biodistribution of a sdAb are beneficial for molecular phenotyping of atherosclerotic plaques and the generation of a future prognostic tracer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens De Vos
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (CMIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, Brussels, 1050, Belgium,
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Massa S, Xavier C, De Vos J, Caveliers V, Lahoutte T, Muyldermans S, Devoogdt N. Site-specific labeling of cysteine-tagged camelid single-domain antibody-fragments for use in molecular imaging. Bioconjug Chem 2014; 25:979-88. [PMID: 24815083 DOI: 10.1021/bc500111t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Site-specific labeling of molecular imaging probes allows the development of a homogeneous tracer population. The resulting batch-to-batch reproducible pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties are of great importance for clinical translation. Camelid single-domain antibody-fragments (sdAbs)-the recombinantly produced antigen-binding domains of heavy-chain antibodies, also called Nanobodies-are proficient probes for molecular imaging. To safeguard their intrinsically high binding specificity and affinity and to ensure the tracer's homogeneity, we developed a generic strategy for the site-specific labeling of sdAbs via a thio-ether bond. The unpaired cysteine was introduced at the carboxyl-terminal end of the sdAb to eliminate the risk of antigen binding interference. The spontaneous dimerization and capping of the unpaired cysteine required a reduction step prior to conjugation. This was optimized with the mild reducing agent 2-mercaptoethylamine in order to preserve the domain's stability. As a proof-of-concept the reduced probe was subsequently conjugated to maleimide-DTPA, for labeling with indium-111. A single conjugated tracer was obtained and confirmed via mass spectrometry. The specificity and affinity of the new sdAb-based imaging probe was validated in a mouse xenograft tumor model using a modified clinical lead compound targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) cancer biomarker. These data provide a versatile and standardized strategy for the site-specific labeling of sdAbs. The conjugation to the unpaired cysteine results in the production of a homogeneous group of tracers and is a multimodal alternative to the technetium-99m labeling of sdAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Massa
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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Renteria F, Massa S, Bettiol M, Gatti B, D'Alessandro V, Prates S, Segal E, Diez G. WS18.6 Outbreak of Burkholderia contaminans infection in children with cystic fibrosis: short term lung function and nutritional outcome. J Cyst Fibros 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(12)60134-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Devoogdt N, Xavier C, Hernot S, Vaneycken I, D'Huyvetter M, De Vos J, Massa S, De Baetselier P, Caveliers V, Lahoutte T. Molecular imaging using Nanobodies: a case study. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 911:559-67. [PMID: 22886276 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-968-6_35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Molecular imaging is a noninvasive method to measure specific biological processes in animal models and patients using imaging. In recent years there has been a tremendous evolution in hardware and software for imaging purposes. This progress has created an urgent need for new labeled targeted molecular probes. The unique physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of Nanobodies match the requirements of the ideal molecular imaging tracer. Preclinical studies show strong and specific targeting in vivo with rapid clearance of unbound probe resulting in high contrasted images at early time points after intravenous administration. These data suggest that the Nanobody platform might become a generic method for the development of next generation molecular imaging probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI) Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Xavier C, Devoogdt N, Hernot S, Vaneycken I, D'Huyvetter M, De Vos J, Massa S, Lahoutte T, Caveliers V. Site-specific labeling of his-tagged Nanobodies with ⁹⁹mTc: a practical guide. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 911:485-90. [PMID: 22886271 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-968-6_30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
99mTc-tricarbonyl chemistry provides an elegant technology to site-specifically radiolabel histidine-tagged biomolecules. Considering their unique biochemical properties, this straightforward technology is particularly suited for Nanobodies. This chapter gives a detailed guide to generate highly specific Nanobody-derived radiotracers for both in vitro binding studies and in vivo molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Xavier
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI) Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Beneduce L, Vernile A, Spano G, Massa S, Lamacchia F, Oliver JD. Occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus in mussel farms from the Varano lagoon environment. Lett Appl Microbiol 2010; 51:443-9. [PMID: 20807335 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2010.02917.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Monitoring the occurrence of the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in a mussel farm located in the lagoon of Varano (Italy). METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 72 samples of mussel, water and sediment, collected from two locations of Varano lagoon in the Gargano peninsula, during a 7-month survey, were analysed. Isolation and PCR characterization of six V. vulnificus environmental genotype strains revealed that this pathogen was isolated when with T was above 22 °C and salinity ranged between 22.7 and 26.4‰. No significant correlation of the occurrence of V. vulnificus with water pH or salinity was observed. Moreover, 8% of mussel samples were found to be contaminated by V. vulnificus. All of that positive mussel samples originated from the same sampling station. CONCLUSION It is suggested that warmer season are risky to eat raw or undercooked bivalve molluscs in the local area. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY To increase knowledge about environmental conditions that may affect the occurrence of waterborne pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in seafood.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Beneduce
- Department of Food Science, Foggia University, Foggia, Italy.
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Magno L, Sivero L, Napolitano V, Ruggiero S, Fontanarosa G, Massa S. [The role of endoscopy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors]. G Chir 2010; 31:341-343. [PMID: 20646389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Versione italiana Riassunto: Il ruolo dell'endoscopia nei tumori neuroendocrini gastroenteropancreatici. L. Magno, L. Sivero, V. Napolitano, S. Ruggiero, G. Fontanarosa, S. Massa I tumori neuroendocrini (NET) gastro-entero-pancreatici (GEP) sono neoplasie rare che originano dalle cellule neuroendocrine del tubo digerente e del pancreas. L'endoscopia digestiva e l'ecoendoscopia rivestono un ruolo importante nella diagnosi, stadiazione e sorveglianza dei pazienti con NET. Inoltre, in casi selezionati, le tecniche endoscopiche operative consentono il trattamento di queste neoplasie in fase precoce. English version Summary: The role of endoscopy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. L. Magno, L. Sivero, V. Napolitano, S. Ruggiero, G. Fontanarosa, S. Massa Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare neoplasia arisen from neuroendocrine cells present in the gut mucosa and pancreas. Digestive endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography play a relevant role in NET diagnosis, stadiation and surveillance. Moreover, in selected patients, surgical endoscopy allows the tratment of these cancers at an early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Magno
- Dipartmento di Chirurgia Generale, Geriatrica ed Endoscopia Diagnostica ed Geriatrica, Universitá degli Studi, Federico II di Napoli
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Di Bonito P, Grasso F, Mangino G, Massa S, Illiano E, Franconi R, Fanales-Belasio E, Falchi M, Affabris E, Giorgi C. Immunomodulatory activity of a plant extract containing human papillomavirus 16-E7 protein in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2009; 22:967-78. [PMID: 20074460 DOI: 10.1177/039463200902200412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reports the immunomodulatory activity on human monocyte derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) of a vaccine preparation shown to be effective against an HPV16-related tumour in an animal model. The vaccine is composed of extract from Nicotiana benthamiana leaves containing HPV16 E7 protein expressed by a potato virus X-derived vector (NbPVX-E7). The effect of the extract was evaluated on MDDC differentiation and maturation by monitoring the phenotypic expression of specific markers. The results show that NbPVX-E7 does not induce monocyte differentiation to dendritic cells, but does induce MDDC maturation. Plant extract does not influence MDDC-uptake of E7-FITC while it significantly improves the Ovalbumin-FITC uptake, considered as a model antigen. Importantly, NbPVX-E7-pulsed MDDCs/PBMCs are able to prime human blood-derived lymphocytes from healthy individuals to induce HPV16 E7-specific cytotoxic activity. This is a propaedeutic study for a possible use of E7-containing plant extract in human immunotherapy of HPV-related lesions.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/isolation & purification
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology
- Antigen Presentation
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Survival
- Coculture Techniques
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Dendritic Cells/drug effects
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Genetic Vectors
- Humans
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Lymphocytes/drug effects
- Lymphocytes/immunology
- Male
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/biosynthesis
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/immunology
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/isolation & purification
- Ovalbumin/immunology
- Ovalbumin/metabolism
- Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
- Papillomavirus Vaccines/biosynthesis
- Papillomavirus Vaccines/genetics
- Papillomavirus Vaccines/immunology
- Papillomavirus Vaccines/isolation & purification
- Plant Extracts/immunology
- Plant Extracts/isolation & purification
- Plant Leaves
- Plants, Genetically Modified
- Potexvirus/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Time Factors
- Nicotiana/genetics
- Nicotiana/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- P Di Bonito
- Department of Infectious Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Superior Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
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Vernile A, Nabi AQ, Bonadonna L, Briancesco R, Massa S. Occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Italian water supplies. Environ Monit Assess 2009; 152:203-207. [PMID: 18528772 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-008-0308-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2007] [Accepted: 04/09/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A total of 21 samples: raw water (RW) samples; water samples after coagulation with aluminium sulfate (clarified water: CW); and water after chlorination (treated water: TW) from a water purification plant that treats river surface water from the neighbourhood of Foggia (Italy), were analysed for the presence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts. Bacteriological indicator of faecal contamination (total and faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci,), total bacterial count at 22 and 36 degrees C and physicochemical parameters (turbidity, temperature, pH) were evaluated. Cryptosporidium oocysts were not found in any samples examined, while Giardia cysts were found only in RW samples, with the maximal concentration of 8 cysts/100 l. A positive correlation was found between the Giardia densities and quality parameters such as TC, FC and TBC at 22 degrees C. Giardia levels in raw water samples correlated (p < 0.05) with TC, FC and with temperature. No other water quality parameters was consistently correlated with cysts level.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vernile
- Department of Food Science, Agricultural Faculty of Foggia, University of Foggia, via Napoli 25, 71100, Foggia, Italy.
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Spano G, Lonvaud-Funel A, Claisse O, Massa S. In Vivo PCR-DGGE analysis of Lactobacillus plantarum and Oenococcus oeni populations in red wine. Curr Microbiol 2006; 54:9-13. [PMID: 17160362 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-006-0136-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2006] [Accepted: 07/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In order to monitor Lactobacillus plantarum and Oenococcus oeni in red wine produced with Italian grape (variety "Primitivo di Puglia"), a polymerase chain reaction- denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) approach using the rpoB as gene target was established. Wine was treated or not with potassium metabisulphite and supplemented with a commercial bacterial starter of O. oeni to encourage malolactic fermentation. Samples were taken from the vinification tanks at 4, 10, 16, 22, and 28 days after the start of alcoholic fermentation. Genomic DNA was directly isolated from wine and identification of lactic acid bacteria was performed using primers rpoB1, rpoB1O, and rpoB2 able to amplify a region of 336 bp corresponding to the rpoB gene. Amplified fragments were separated in a 30-60% DGGE gradient, and the ability of the PCR-DGGE analysis to distinguish L. plantarum and O. oeni was assessed. The results reported suggest that the PCR-DGGE method, based on the rpoB gene as molecular marker, is a reproducible and suitable tool and may be of great value for wine makers in order to monitor spoilage microorganisms during wine fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Department of Food Science, Foggia University, via Napoli 25, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
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Massa S, Mai A, Artico M. Spiro-[4H-pyrroIo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-4,4′-piperidine] Derivatives as Potential Nootropic Agents: A Simple One-Pot Synthesis. SYNTHETIC COMMUN 2006. [DOI: 10.1080/00397919008051597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Massa
- a Dipartimento di Studi farmaceutici , Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” , P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - A. Mai
- a Dipartimento di Studi farmaceutici , Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” , P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - M. Artico
- a Dipartimento di Studi farmaceutici , Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” , P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
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Mai A, Massa S, Pezzi R, Valente S, Loidl P, Brosch G. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-, 3-, and 4-acylaminocinnamyl-N-hydroxyamides as novel synthetic HDAC inhibitors. Med Chem 2006; 1:245-54. [PMID: 16787320 DOI: 10.2174/1573406053765431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A new series of 2-, 3-, and 4-acylaminocinnamyl-N-hydroxyamides 1-3 have been prepared, and their anti-HDAC (against maize HD2, HD1-B, and HD1-A enzymes) activities have been assessed. Cinnamyl-hydroxyamides bearing acylamino substituents at the C2 position of the benzene ring (compounds 1a-g) showed very low HDAC inhibiting activities, with IC(50) values in the high micromolar range. By shifting the same acylamino groups from C2 to C3 (compounds 2a-g) as well as C4 (compounds 3a-f) position of the benzene ring, a number of highly potent HDAC inhibitors have been obtained. In the anti-HD2 assay 3c (IC(50) = 11 nM) was the most potent compound, being >11600-, 4.5-, and 10-fold more potent than sodium valproate, SAHA, and HC-toxin, respectively, and showing the same activity as trapoxin. HD1-B and HD1-A assays have been performed to screen the inhibitory action of 1-3 against mammalian class I (HD1-B) and class II (HD1-A) HDAC homologous enzymes. From the corresponding IC(50) data, a selectivity ratio has been calculated. In general, compounds 1-3 showed no or little selectivity towards the class II homologue HD1-A, the most selective being 2a with class II selectivity ratio = 4.3. About the inhibitory potency, the 4-(2-naphthoylamino)cinnamyl-N-hydroxyamide 3f showed the highest inhibiting effect against the two enzymes (IC(50-HD1-B) = 36 nM; IC(50-HD1-A) = 42 nM). Selected 2 and 3 compounds will be evaluated to determine their antiproliferative and cyto differentiating activities on HL-60 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mai
- Dipartimento di Studi Farmaceutici, Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy.
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Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) constitute a heterogeneous group of bacteria that are traditionally used to produce fermented foods. The industrialization of food transformations has increased the economical importance of LAB, as they play a crucial role in the development of the organoleptic and hygienic quality of fermented products. However, the strains selected for industrial purposes, should tolerate adverse conditions encountered in industrial processes, either during starter handling and storage (freeze-drying, freezing, or spray-drying) or during food processing in which abiotic stresses such as heat, cold, acidity, and high concentration of NaCl or ethanol are common. Wine LAB have to deal with several stresses including an acidic pH, a high alcoholic content, non optimal growth temperatures, and growth-inhibitory compounds such as fatty acids and tannins, originated from yeast and bacteria metabolism. Wine LAB have developed several mechanisms to escape or to tolerate wine conditions. They carry out a malolactic fermentation in this stressful environment. In addition to the regulation of the expression of specific genes, bacteria have evolved adaptive networks to face the challenges of a changing environment and to survive under conditions of stress. The so called Global Regulatory Systems control the simultaneous expression of a large number of genes in response to a variety of environmental stress factors. CIRCE sequences able to bind the HrcA repressor, sigma(B) dependent promoters and CtsR regulatory elements have been observed in several genes identified from wine LAB. Improved knowledge of regulators and a better understanding of LAB stress responses could constitute a basis of comparison with the well known model microorganisms, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Moreover, it can provide an important insight into improving current industrial starter strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Department of Food Science, Foggia University, via Napoli 25, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
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Spano G, Beneduce L, de Palma L, Quinto M, Vernile A, Massa S. Characterization of wine Lactobacillus plantarum by PCR-DGGE and RAPD-PCR analysis and identification of Lactobacillus plantarum strains able to degrade arginine. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-005-9007-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Franconi R, Massa S, Illiano E, Mullar A, Cirilli A, Accardi L, Di Bonito P, Giorgi C, Venuti A. Exploiting the plant secretory pathway to improve the anticancer activity of a plant-derived HPV16 E7 vaccine. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2006; 19:187-97. [PMID: 16569357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) E7 oncoprotein can be considered a "tumor-specific antigen", and therefore it represents a promising target for a therapeutic vaccine against HPV-associated tumors. Efficient production of E7 protein with a plant-based transient expression system has been already described and it was demonstrated that E7-containing crude plant extracts confer partial protection against tumor challenge in a mouse model system. Before adopting the plant-based system as a cost-effective method for the production of an E7-based anti-cancer vaccine, some aspects, such as the oncoprotein yield, need further investigation. In the present study, we report the transient expression, mediated by a potato virus X (PVX)-derived vector, of the E7 protein targeted to the secretory system of Nicotiana benthamiana plants by using a plant-derived signal sequence. Targeting the antigen to the secretory pathway enhanced the E7 protein expression levels about five-fold. Mice immunized by s.c. administration with crude foliar extracts containing E7 showed strong stimulation of cell-mediated immune response after five boosters, as detected by ELISPOT. After challenging with the E7-expressing C3 tumor cells, tumor growth was completely inhibited in 80% of the vaccinated animals and a drastic reduction of tumor burden was observed in the remaining tumor-affected mice. These data demonstrate that, by enhancing E7 yield, it is possible to improve the anti-cancer activity of the plant-based experimental vaccine and open the way for a large-scale production of the E7 protein which could be purified or used as in planta formulation, also suitable for oral therapeutic vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Franconi
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and the Environment, BIOTEC-GEN, I-00100 Rome, Italy.
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Spano G, Rinaldi A, Ugliano M, Moio L, Beneduce L, Massa S. A beta-glucosidase gene isolated from wine Lactobacillus plantarum is regulated by abiotic stresses. J Appl Microbiol 2005; 98:855-61. [PMID: 15752331 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02521.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Little genetic information exists on the ability of wine lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to hydrolyse glycoconjugates during malolactic fermentation. We tried to fill this important gap by characterizing a gene codifying for a putative beta-glucosidase enzyme from wine Lactobacillus plantarum and from a commercial strain of Oenococcus oeni. METHODS AND RESULTS The coding region of the putative beta-glucosidase gene is 1400 nucleotides long and started with an ATG codon. The gene is widespread among LAB and the highest identity was observed between the nucleotide of L. plantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus paraplantarum and O. oenibeta-glucosidase gene. The protein sequence deduced from the isolated genes has a calculated molecular mass of 61.19 kDa. Furthermore, the expression of the beta-glucosidase gene in L. plantarum strain was analysed, under several stress, by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and Northern-blot analysis. The gene was apparently regulated by abiotic stresses such as temperature, ethanol and pH. CONCLUSIONS The beta-glucosidase gene is widespread among LAB and its expression is probably regulated by a wide range of abiotic stresses. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The inhibitory effect of temperature and ethanol on the L. plantarumbeta-glucosidase gene may be useful to explain the differences found in beta-glucosidase activity reported in wines by several authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Department of Food Science, Foggia University, via Napoli 25, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
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Spano G, Beneduce L, Perrotta C, Massa S. Cloning and characterization of the hsp 18.55 gene, a new member of the small heat shock gene family isolated from wine Lactobacillus plantarum. Res Microbiol 2005; 156:219-24. [PMID: 15748987 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2004.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2004] [Revised: 09/08/2004] [Accepted: 09/28/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Using a molecular approach based on PCR, RT-PCR and northern blot analysis, a new member of the small heat shock family of wine, Lactobacillus plantarum, was cloned and characterized. The protein sequence deduced from the isolated gene had a calculated molecular mass of 18.548 kDa and was therefore named HSP 18.55. The gene codes for a protein homologous to the previously characterized HSP 19.3 and HSP 18.5 and is co-transcribed with an upstream gene of unknown function. Analysis of the 5' flanking region of the hsp 18.55 gene revealed the presence of putative cis elements able to bind alternative sigma factor sigma(B). Based on its structure, the gene was classified as belonging to class II of the heat shock genes according to Bacillus subtilis nomenclature for shock-responsive genes. Expression of the newly identified small heat shock gene, analyzed by RT-PCR and northern blot analysis, was induced by a wide range of abiotic stresses including heat, cold and ethanol, suggesting that the small family of heat shock genes is probably involved in the general stress response in wine L. plantarum. Moreover, the expression of hsp 18.5, hsp 18.55 and hsp 19.3 genes, analyzed over a complete culture cycle, revealed that early growing cells contained substantial amounts of hsp 18.5, hsp 18.55 and hsp 19.3 mRNAs, which rapidly declined upon entry into stationary phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Department of Food Science, Foggia University, via Napoli 25, 71100 Foggia, Italy.
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Abstract
AIMS Developing and evaluating a rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle and dairy wastewater samples produced from mozzarella cheese factories, without pre-enrichment step before DNA extraction. METHODS AND RESULTS Wastewater samples were collected from a dairy farm producing mozzarella cheese and located in Puglia (south of Italy). Plate count and other microbial assays were performed 1 h after sampling. Wastewater samples were artificially inoculated with 10(4), 10(7) and 10(8) cells ml(-1) of E. coli O157:H7, strain EDL933. PCR protocols for stx1, stx2 and eae genes were first tested on pure DNA extracted from type strains, in order to optimize the amplification conditions and reagent concentration before real-time PCR experiments. Three specific fragments of ca 106, 150 and 200 bp corresponding to genes eae, stx1 and stx2, respectively, were obtained. Real-time PCR experiments were performed with DNA extracted from dairy and manure wastewater samples inoculated with 10(4), 10(7) and 10(8) colony-forming units (CFU) ml(-1) of E. coli O157:H7 strain EDL 933. The sensitivity limit of the assay was 10(-1) pg microl(-1) for eae, stx2 and 16SrRNA, and 1 pg microl(-1) for stx1 gene respectively. CONCLUSIONS A real-time PCR protocol has been developed and used in order to identify potential pathogens in dairy wastewater, in which previous methods (including standard PCR) failed to work. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Cattle and dairy wastewater samples produced from mozzarella cheese factories may harbour verocytotoxin-producing E. coli. The availability of rapid and sensitive molecular methods may be useful to monitor the persistence of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli in general and to assess the effectiveness of wastewater treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Department of Food Science, Foggia University, Foggia, Italy
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Spano G, Capozzi V, Vernile A, Massa S. Cloning, molecular characterization and expression analysis of two small heat shock genes isolated from wine Lactobacillus plantarum. J Appl Microbiol 2005; 97:774-82. [PMID: 15357727 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02359.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Understanding the molecular response to stress tolerance of wine Lactobacillus plantarum. METHODS AND RESULTS Two genes codifying for heat shock proteins were cloned from wine L. plantarum. The coding regions of the two heat shock genes are 420 and 444 nucleotides long, and started with an ATG codon suggesting that they were translated. The protein sequences deduced from the isolated genes have a molecular mass of 18.483 and 19.282 kDa, respectively, and were therefore named hsp18.5 and hsp19.3. The expression of small heat shock genes was analysed by RT-PCR analysis. Moreover, the 5' and 3' noncoding regions were cloned and sequenced. CONCLUSIONS The expression of the heat shock genes was strongly induced by heat, cold and ethanol stress. Analysis of the 5' and 3' flanking regions of hsp18.5 and hsp19.3 genes, revealed the presence of an inverted repeat sequence (TTAGCACTC-N(9)-GAGTGCTAA) homologue to the CIRCE elements found to the upstream regulatory region of heat shock operons, and an inverted sequence that could form a stem and loop structure that it is likely to function as a transcriptional terminator. Based on their structures, the genes were classified as belonging to Class I of heat shock genes according to the B. subtilis nomenclature of heat response genes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Small heat shock genes isolated from wine L. plantarum might have a role in preventing damage by cold stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Department of Food Science, Foggia University, Foggia, Italy.
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Abstract
We have investigated the prevalence of spoilage lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in table wines produced in the Apulia region. The occurrence of LAB was evaluated in wines produced with low sulphur dioxide doses and not supplemented with selected malolactic starters such as Oenococcus oeni. About 150 strains were isolated from wine must and a molecular characterization was performed using PCR-based techniques. Most of the strains analysed belonged to Lactobacillus plantarum species. However, some of the strains were identified as Pediococcus damnosus and Leuconostoc sp. The amplified fragments of Pediococcus damnosus were cloned and sequenced. The coding sequence was highly homologous to that of the ropy plasmid confirming that the isolated strain was a ropy(+) Pediococcus damnosus. In all the samples analysed, the final must pH value reached was relatively high (from 3.78 to 3.90). The high pH values had probably negatively influenced (counteracted) the activity of sulphur dioxide added, allowing proliferation of spoilage wine microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Beneduce
- Department of Food Science, University of Foggia, via Napoli, 25, 71100 Foggia, Italy
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Spano G, Chieppa G, Beneduce L, Massa S. Expression analysis of putative arcA, arcB and arcC genes partially cloned from Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from wine. J Appl Microbiol 2004; 96:185-93. [PMID: 14678173 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2003.02132.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this paper was to study if homofermentative strains (Lacobacillus plantarum) capable of malolactic fermentation in wine can degrade arginine via the ADI pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS Homofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from a typical red wine were investigated for their ability to produce citrulline. Citrulline was formed suggesting that the arginine metabolism takes place via the arginine deiminase (ADI) pathway and not via the arginase/urease pathway. Ammonia was also detected with Nessler's reagent, and all the strains examined were able to produce ammonia. Identification of homofermentative LAB was performed using 16S ribosomal sequence analysis. The strains were further classified as belonging to L. plantarum species. Furthermore, the genes encoding for the three pathway enzymes (ADI, ornithine transcarbamylase, carbamate kinase) were partially cloned and gene expression was performed at two different pH values (3.6 and 4.5). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that citrulline production in wine, could be performed by homofermentative LAB. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Homofermentative malolactic bacteria (L. plantarum) may degrade arginine through the ADI pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Department of Food Science, Foggia University, Foggia, Italy.
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Abstract
AIMS The fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated during the manufacture of Mozzarella cheese. METHODS AND RESULTS The Mozzarella cheese was made from unpasteurized milk which was inoculated to contain ca 10(5) cfu ml(-1)E. coli O157:H7. Two different heating temperatures (70 and 80 degrees C), commonly used during curd stretching, were investigated to determine their effects on the viability of E. coli O157:H7 in Mozzarella cheese. Stretching at 80 degrees C for 5 min resulted in the loss of culturability of E. coli O157:H7 strains, whereas stretching at 70 degrees C reduced the number of culturable E. coli O157:H7 by a factor of 10. CONCLUSIONS The results show that stretching curd at 80 degrees C for 5 min is effective in controlling E. coli O157:H7 during the production of Mozzarella cheese. Brining and storage at 4 degrees C for 12 h was less effective than the stretching. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Mozzarella cheese should be free of E. coli O157:H7 only if temperatures higher than or equal to 80 degrees C are used during milk processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Institute of Alimentary Productions and Technologies, Agricultural Faculty, Foggia University, Institute Zooprofilattico of Apulia and Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
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Mai A, Artico M, Esposito M, Ragno R, Sbardella G, Massa S. Synthesis and biological evaluation of enantiomerically pure pyrrolyl-oxazolidinones as a new class of potent and selective monoamine oxidase type A inhibitors. Farmaco 2003; 58:231-41. [PMID: 12620419 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-827x(03)00016-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Due to the key role played by monoamine oxidases (MAOs) in the metabolism of neurotransmitters, MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) represent an useful tool for the treatment of several neurological diseases. Among selective MAOIs, MAO-A inhibitors (e.g. clorgyline) are used as antidepressant and antianxiety drugs and are claimed to protect neuronal cells against apoptosis, and selective MAO-B inhibitors (e.g. L-deprenyl) can be used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease either alone or in combination with L-DOPA. However, they engender covalent bonds with the active site of the enzyme and induce irreversible inhibition; moreover, they tend to lose their initial selectivity at high dosages or with repeated administrations. Phenyloxazolidinones belong to third-generation-MAOIs, characterized by a selective and reversible inhibition of the enzyme. Among these molecules, the most representative are toloxatone and befloxatone, two selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitors used in therapy as antidepressant drugs. Going on our searches on CNS potentially active compounds containing a pyrrole moiety we prepared 3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-2-oxazolidinones (1) and isomeric 3-(1H-pyrrol-2-and -3-yl)-2-oxazolidinones (2 and 3) as anti-MAO agents. Such derivatives resulted selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitors. The most potent compound is (R)-5-methoxymethyl-3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-2-oxazolidinone (1b), endowed with very high potency (K(iMAO-A) = 4.9 nM) and A-selectivity (A-selectivity = 10,200, about 116-fold greater than that of befloxatone).
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mai
- Dipartimento Studi Farmaceutici, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Ple A Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Spano G, Beneduce L, Tarantino D, Zapparoli G, Massa S. Characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum from wine must by PCR species-specific and RAPD-PCR. Lett Appl Microbiol 2003; 35:370-4. [PMID: 12390483 DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2002.01200.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Physiological and molecular analysis such as PCR species-specific and randomly amplified polymorphic PCR (RAPD-PCR) have been used for typing of Lactobacillus plantarum strains from typical wine must. METHODS AND RESULTS Phenotypic tests such as API 50CH and evaluation of D-L-lactate production from glucose were used to perform a preliminary characterization of lactobacilli. Furthermore, 18 strains of lactobacilli were analyzed by PCR species-specific oligonucleotides based on short sequences of the recA gene. CONCLUSIONS Four strains were identified as belonging to the L. plantarum species and were further analysed by RAPD-PCR. The RAPD-PCR profiles were similar in all strains that had positive results for species-specific PCR, suggesting that the four L. plantarum strains were closely related. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Using PCR species-specific as a preliminary screening test and then RAPD-PCR can be as considered the most reliable method of performing a rapid and correct typing of L. plantarum from wine must.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Spano
- Istituto di Produzioni e Preparazioni Alimentari, Facoltà di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Foggia, Foggia, Italy. lab.biomol.tiscali.it
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Abstract
We investigated the distribution of serotypes and patterns of drug resistance of 206 strains of salmonella isolated in southern Italy in the years 1998-2000 from raw food of animal origin, faeces of food animals and animal feed. To improve knowledge of mobile genetic elements carrying the resistance genes, some molecular features were also investigated within isolates resistant to three or more antibiotics. A high proportion of isolates, 52.2% and 37.7%, respectively, belonging to both Typhimurium and other serotypes of animal origin, proved to be multidrug resistant. The DT104 complex specific multidrug pattern of resistance was quite infrequent among isolates other than Typhimurium, but resistances to nalidixic acid and kanamycin were more frequent within these last ones (36.9% vs. 11.4% and 56.5% vs. 2.2%, respectively). Class I integrons were detected in isolates of Typhimurium and seven different serotypes. The relevance of food animal environment as a drug resistance reservoir and animal food as a potential resistance gene vehicle between the farm and human ecological niches is confirmed by our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mammina
- Centre for Enteric Pathogens of Southern Italy (CEPIM), Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo
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