Homologation of the Alkyl Side Chain of Antimitotic Phenyl 4-(2-Oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonate Prodrugs Selectively Targeting CYP1A1-Expressing Breast Cancers Improves Their Stability in Rodent Liver Microsomes

Phenyl 4-(2-oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PAIB-SOs) are a new family of antimitotic prodrugs bioactivated in breast cancer cells expressing CYP1A1. In this study, we report that the ¹⁴C-labeled prototypical PAIB-SO [¹⁴C]CEU-818 and its antimitotic counterpart [¹⁴C]CEU-602 are distributed in whole mouse body and they show a short half-life in mice. To circumvent this limitation, we evaluated the effect of the homologation of the alkyl side chain of the imidazolidin-2-one moiety of PAIB-SOs. Our studies evidence that PAIB-SOs bearing an n-pentyl side chain exhibit antiproliferative activity in the nanomolar-to-low-micromolar range and a high selectivity toward CYP1A1-positive breast cancer cells. Moreover, the most potent n-pentyl PAIB-SOs were significantly more stable toward rodent liver microsomes. In addition, PAIB-SOs 10 and 14 show significant antitumor activity and low toxicity in chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Our study confirms that homologation is a suitable approach to improve the rodent hepatic stability of PAIB-SOs.

Deletion of S100a8 and S100a9 Enhances Skin Hyperplasia and Promotes the Th17 Response in Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis

High concentrations of the damage-associated molecular patterns S100A8 and S100A9 are found in skin and serum from patients suffering from psoriasis, an IL-17-related disease. Notably, although the expression of these proteins correlates with psoriatic disease severity, the exact function of S100A8 and S100A9 in psoriasis pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of S100A8 and S100A9 in psoriasis-associated skin hyperplasia and immune responses using S100a8-/- and S100a9-/- mice in an imiquimod-induced model of psoriasis. We found that S100a8-/- and S100a9-/- psoriatic mice exhibit worsened clinical symptoms relative to wild-type mice and increased expression of S100A9 and S100A8 proteins in keratinocytes, respectively. In addition, the loss of S100A8 enhances proliferation of keratinocytes and disrupts keratinocyte differentiation. We further detected elevated production of IL-17A and -F from CD4+ T cells in the absence of S100A8 and S100A9, as well as increased infiltration of neutrophils in the skin. In addition, treatment with anti-IL-17A and -F was found to reduce psoriasis symptoms and skin hyperplasia in S100a8-/- and S100a9-/- mice. These data suggest that S100A8 and S100A9 regulate psoriasis by inhibiting production of IL-17A and -F, thereby, to our knowledge, providing new insights into their biological functions.

Intratumoral Injection of Low-Energy Photon-Emitting Gold Nanoparticles: A Microdosimetric Monte Carlo-Based Model

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) distributed in the vicinity of low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy seeds could multiply their efficacy thanks to the secondary emissions induced by the photoelectric effect. Injections of radioactive LDR gold nanoparticles (LDR Au NPs), instead of conventional millimeter-size radioactive seeds surrounded by Au NPs, could further enhance the dose by distributing the radioactivity more precisely and homogeneously in tumors. However, the potential of LDR Au NPs as an emerging strategy to treat cancer is strongly dependent on the macroscopic diffusion of the NPs in tumors, as well as on their microscopic internalization within the cells. Understanding the relationship between interstitial and intracellular distribution of NPs, and the outcomes of dose deposition in the cancer tissue is essential for considering future applications of radioactive Au NPs in oncology. Here, LDR Au NPs (¹⁰³Pd:Pd@Au-PEG NPs) were injected in prostate cancer tumors. The particles were visualized at time-points by computed tomography imaging ( in vivo), transmission electron microscopy ( ex vivo), and optical microscopy ( ex vivo). These data were used in a Monte Carlo-based dosimetric model to reveal the dose deposition produced by LDR Au NPs both at tumoral and cellular scales. ¹⁰³Pd:Pd@Au-PEG NPs injected in tumors produce a strong dose enhancement at the intracellular level. However, energy deposition is mainly confined around vesicles filled with NPs, and not necessarily close to the nuclei. This suggests that indirect damage caused by the production of reactive oxygen species might be the leading therapeutic mechanism of tumor growth control, over direct damage to the DNA.

Activation of Phenyl 4-(2-Oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates Prodrugs by CYP1A1 as New Antimitotics Targeting Breast Cancer Cells

Prodrug-mediated utilization of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 to obtain the selective release of potent anticancer products within cancer tissues is a promising approach in chemotherapy. We herein report the rationale, preparation, biological evaluation, and mechanism of action of phenyl 4-(2-oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PAIB-SOs) that are antimicrotubule prodrugs activated by CYP1A1. Although PAIB-SOs are inert in most cells tested, they are highly cytocidal toward several human breast cancer cells, including hormone-independent and chemoresistant types. PAIB-SOs are N-dealkylated into cytotoxic phenyl 4-(2-oxo-3-imidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PIB-SOs) in CYP1A1-positive cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, PAIB-SOs are novel chemotherapeutic prodrugs with no equivalent among current antineoplastics and whose selective action toward breast cancer is tailored to the characteristic pattern of CYP1A1 expression observed in a large percentage of human breast tumors.

Low-Dose Prostate Cancer Brachytherapy with Radioactive Palladium-Gold Nanoparticles

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of death among men. Low-dose brachytherapy is an increasingly used treatment for PCa, which requires the implantation of tens of radioactive seeds. This treatment causes discomfort; these implants cannot be removed, and they generate image artifacts. In this study, the authors report on intratumoral injections of radioactive gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as an alternative to seeds. The particles (¹⁰³ Pd:Pd@Au-PEG and ¹⁰³ Pd:Pd@¹⁹⁸ Au:Au-PEG; 10-14 nm Pd@Au core, 36-48 nm hydrodynamic diameter) are synthesized by a one-pot process and characterized by electron microscopy. Administrated as low volume (2-4 µL) single doses (1.6-1.7 mCi), the particles are strongly retained in PCa xenograft tumors, impacting on their growth rate. After 4 weeks, a tumor volume inhibition of 56% and of 75%, compared to the controls, is observed for ¹⁰³ Pd:Pd@Au-PEG NPs and ¹⁰³ Pd:Pd@¹⁹⁸ Au:Au-PEG NPs, respectively. Skin necrosis is observed with ¹⁹⁸ Au; therefore, Au NPs labeled with ¹⁰³ Pd only are a more advisable choice. Overall, this is the first study confirming the impact of ¹⁰³ Pd@Au NPs on tumor growth. This new brachytherapy procedure could allow tunable doses of radioactivity, administered with smaller needles than with the current technologies, and leading to fewer image artifacts.

Three-Dimensional Culture Assay to Explore Cancer Cell Invasiveness and Satellite Tumor Formation

Mammalian cell culture in monolayers is widely used to study various physiological and molecular processes. However, this approach to study growing cells often generates unwanted artifacts. Therefore, cell culture in a three-dimensional (3D) environment, often using extracellular matrix components, emerged as an interesting alternative due to its close similarity to the native in vivo tissue or organ. We developed a 3D cell culture system using two compartments, namely (i) a central compartment containing cancer cells embedded in a collagen gel acting as a pseudo-primary macrospherical tumor and (ii) a peripheral cell-free compartment made of a fibrin gel, i.e. an extracellular matrix component different from that used in the center, in which cancer cells can migrate (invasion front) and/or form microspherical tumors representing secondary or satellite tumors. The formation of satellite tumors in the peripheral compartment is remarkably correlated to the known aggressiveness or metastatic origin of the native tumor cells, which makes this 3D culture system unique. This cell culture approach might be considered to assess cancer cell invasiveness and motility, cell-extracellular matrix interactions and as a method to evaluate anti-cancer drug properties.

Investigation of the DNA damage response to SFOM-0046, a new small-molecule drug inducing DNA double-strand breaks

2-Ethylphenyl 4-(3-ethylureido)benzenesulfonate (SFOM-0046) is a novel anticancer agent that arrests cell cycle in S-phase and causes DNA replication stress leading to the phosphorylation of H2AX into γ-H2AX. First, using the M21, HT29, HT-1080 and HeLa cell lines, we confirmed that S-phase cell cycle arrest and γ-H2AX foci induction by SFOM-0046 is a general mechanism occurring in diverse cancer cell lines. In addition to γ-H2AX, SFOM-0046 activates preferentially ATR-Chk1 in M21 and HT29 cells while both ATR-Chk1 and ATM-Chk2 pathways are activated in HCT116 cells. Co-localization of SFOM-0046-induced 53BP1 foci with γ-H2AX foci validates that the DNA damage generated corresponds to double-strand-breaks (DSBs). Consistent with an S-phase arrest, SFOM-0046 treatment induces RAD51 foci formation but not DNA-PKcs foci, confirming that homologous recombination is the major DSB repair pathway targeted by the drug. Furthermore, using isogenic HCT116 p53+/+ and HCT116 p53−/− cells, we showed that p53 plays a key role in the survival mechanism to SFOM-0046. Finally, SFOM-0046 exhibits a dose-dependent antitumor activity on human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 tumours grafted onto chick chorioallantoic membranes without showing embryo toxicity even at high doses. Altogether, our results highlight SFOM-0046 as a very promising drug that induces a replication stress response.

Laser-synthesized ligand-free Au nanoparticles for contrast agent applications in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) has emerged as a new green chemistry method, advantageous to produce gold nanoparticles-based contrast agents with strong blood retention and for multimodal imaging.

Abstract 1664: New moieties mimicking the trimethoxyphenyl (ring A) of combretastatin A-4: Synthesis and biological evaluation

Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4), its phosphate disodium (CA-4P) and serine hydrochloride salts (AVE8062) are part of a new class of anticancer agent named vascular disrupting agent (VDA). In addition to act as potent antimicrotubule agents in cancer cells, these drugs have the ability to target and disrupt the cytoskeleton of neo-endothelial vascular cells leading to selective and rapid shutdown of blood flow through tumors. The recent success of CA-4 salts in preclinical studies and its achievement in clinical studies prompted the comprehensive study of the structure-activity relationships related to CA-4. Several thousand derivatives and analogs were synthesised and biologically evaluated by modifying the ring B and the ethenyl bridge of CA-4; only few studies have been done on the trimethoxyphenyl (TMP) ring A since it had been previously found crucial for anticancer potency.

In the course of our own structure-activity relationship studies, we recently reported two new families of antimicrotubule agents where the ethenyl bridge of CA-4 was substituted by a sulfonate group and the TMP was replaced either by a phenylimidazolidin-2-one (IMZ) or phenylchloroethylurea (CEU) moieties. IMZs are potent antiproliferative agents exhibiting IC50 in the nanomolar range while CEU are soft alkylating agent normally active in micromolar range. IMZ and CEU arrest the cell cycle in G2/M phase, bind to the colchicine-binding site (C-BS) on β-tubulin leading to the disruption of the cytoskeleton and apoptosis. Although the structure-activity relationship studies of IMZ and CEU derivatives suggest that they mimic the TMP moiety of CA-4, molecular modeling experiments show that IMZs replace the ring B of CA-4 instead of ring A.

In this context, we synthesized 3 series of CEU and IMZ where the sulfonate bridge was replaced by an ethenyl bridge to confirm that IMZ and CEU mimic the TMP moiety of CA-4. First, IMZ and CEU analogs to CA-4 exhibited antiproliferative activities in nanomolar range and in micromolar range, respectively as their parent compounds. Moreover, the most potent compounds blocked the cell cycle progression in G2/M-phase, disrupted the cytoskeleton and bind also the C-BS.

Our results strongly suggest that IMZ and CEU mimic the TMP (ring A) of CA-4. These two moieties could be used as bioisosteric equivalents to circumvent some problems that might be encountered during the clinical development of CA-4. In addition, they could be used also to replace the TMP moiety found in several other antimitotics such colchicine, podophyllotoxin and steganacin to design new potent antimicrotubule agents.

Citation Format: Mathieu Gagné-Boulet, Sébastien Fortin, Jacques Lacroix, Carole-Anne Lefebvre, Marie-France Côté, René C-Gaudreault. New moieties mimicking the trimethoxyphenyl (ring A) of combretastatin A-4: Synthesis and biological evaluation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1664. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1664

Abstract 4533: New antimicrotubule phenyl 4-(2-oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonate prodrugs bioactivated selectively in breast cancer cells by CYP1A1: An innovative approach for the personalized treatment of breast cancer

Breast cancers are the most common cancers among American women. Unfortunately, they are patient developing chemoresistance against conventional treatments or are diagnosed with more aggressive tumours and poorer prognosis. Novel therapeutic approaches are therefore required to treat patients that do not respond to current therapies.

To this end, we developed a new family of highly potent antimitotics referred to as phenyl 4-(2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PIB-SOs). To improve the biopharmaceutical properties of these new antimicrotubule agents, we modified their 1-phenylimidazolidin-2-one moiety by substituting the -NH group of the imidazolidone moiety with linear and branched alkyl chains that lead to prodrugs referred to as phenyl 4-(2-oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PAIB-SOs). PAIB-SOs are highly selective (ratio >1000) and cytocidal toward specific hormono-, non-hormono- and chemoresistant human breast cancer cells such as MCF-7, SK-BR-3, T47D and the “triple negative” MDA-MB-468 cells. PAIB-SOs arrest cell cycle progression in G2/M phase and disrupt the cytoskeleton in sensitive lines.

Co-incubation of PAIB-SOs such as 22, with CYP1A1 inhibitors at subtoxic concentrations with MDA-MB-468 cells significantly reduced their antiproliferative activity. Moreover, using the ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase assay and CYP1A1 Supersome™, 22 shows high affinity toward CYP1A1 and its selective biotransformation into its parent cytocidal PIB-SO (CEU-602). Furthermore, 22 induces CYP1A1 expression in MCF7 by 3-folds. Finally, 22 was also found to be active in vivo in a CAM assay on HT-1080 cells stably transfected with CYP1A1 while being inactive in the same cell line not expressing CYP1A1.

These results suggest that PAIB-SO are prodrugs that could be use as an innovative approach for future personalized breast cancer treatments.

Cytocidal activity and selectivity of CEU-602 and 22 on several human breast cancer cell linesDrugIC50 (nM)IC50 (nM)IC50 (nM)IC50 (nM)IC50 (nM)Selectivity ratioMCF7MDA-MB-468T47DSK-BR-3MDA-MB-231MDA-MB-231/SK-BR-3CEU-6023.14.66.23.16.42.1225.510202.05 9002 950

Citation Format: René C.-Gaudreault, Mathieu Gagné-Boulet, Xavier Charest-Morin, Jacques Lacroix, Marie-France Côté, Stéphane Gobeil, Sébastien Fortin, Coraline Lauvaux. New antimicrotubule phenyl 4-(2-oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonate prodrugs bioactivated selectively in breast cancer cells by CYP1A1: An innovative approach for the personalized treatment of breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4533. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4533

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and structure-activity relationships of novel substituted N-phenyl ureidobenzenesulfonate derivatives blocking cell cycle progression in S-phase and inducing DNA double-strand breaks

Twenty-eight new substituted N-phenyl ureidobenzenesulfonate (PUB-SO) and 18 N-phenylureidobenzenesulfonamide (PUB-SA) derivatives were prepared. Several PUB-SOs exhibited antiproliferative activity at the micromolar level against the HT-29, M21, and MCF-7 cell lines and blocked cell cycle progression in S-phase similarly to cisplatin. In addition, PUB-SOs induced histone H2AX (γH2AX) phosphorylation, indicating that these molecules induce DNA double-strand breaks. In contrast, PUB-SAs were less active than PUB-SOs and did not block cell cycle progression in S-phase. Finally, PUB-SOs 4 and 46 exhibited potent antitumor activity in HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells grafted onto chick chorioallantoic membranes, which was similar to cisplatin and combretastatin A-4 and without significant toxicity toward chick embryos. These new compounds are members of a promising new class of anticancer agents.

Substituted phenyl 4-(2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonamides as antimitotics. Antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and antitumoral activity, and quantitative structure-activity relationships

The importance of the bridge linking the two phenyl moieties of substituted phenyl 4-(2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PIB-SOs) was assessed using a sulfonamide group, which is a bioisostere of sulfonate and ethenyl groups. Forty one phenyl 4-(2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (PIB-SA) derivatives were prepared and biologically evaluated. PIB-SAs exhibit antiproliferative activities at the nanomolar level against sixteen cancer cell lines, block the cell cycle progression in G(2)/M phase, leading to cytoskeleton disruption and anoikis. These results were subjected to CoMFA and CoMSIA analyses to establish quantitative structure-activity relationships. These results evidence that the sulfonate and sulfonamide moieties are reciprocal bioisosteres and that phenylimidazolidin-2-one could mimic the trimethoxyphenyl moiety found in the structure of numerous potent antimicrotubule agents. Finally, compounds 16 and 17 exhibited potent antitumor and antiangiogenic activities on HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells grafted onto chick chorioallantoic membrane similar to CA-4 without significant toxicity for the chick embryos, making this class of compounds a promising class of anticancer agents.

Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and structure-activity relationships of substituted phenyl 4-(2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates as new tubulin inhibitors mimicking combretastatin A-4

Sixty-one phenyl 4-(2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PIB-SOs) and 13 of their tetrahydro-2-oxopyrimidin-1(2H)-yl analogues (PPB-SOs) were prepared and biologically evaluated. The antiproliferative activities of PIB-SOs on 16 cancer cell lines are in the nanomolar range and unaffected in cancer cells resistant to colchicine, paclitaxel, and vinblastine or overexpressing the P-glycoprotein. None of the PPB-SOs exhibit significant antiproliferative activity. PIB-SOs block the cell cycle progression in the G₂/M phase and bind to the colchicine-binding site on β-tubulin leading to cytoskeleton disruption and cell death. Chick chorioallantoic membrane tumor assays show that compounds 36, 44, and 45 efficiently block angiogenesis and tumor growth at least at similar levels as combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) and exhibit low to very low toxicity on the chick embryos. PIB-SOs were subjected to CoMFA and CoMSIA analyses to establish quantitative structure–activity relationships.

ASK1-P38 pathway is important for anoikis induced by microtubule-targeting aryl chloroethylureas

PURPOSE

We investigated the involvement of MAPK signaling in the cell death mechanisms of classical microtubule interfering agents (MIA) and aryl-3-(2-chloroethyl)ureas (CEU) acting as antimitotics, along with CEU that don't affect directly microtubules (non-MIA CEU).

METHODS

To ascertain the activated signaling pathway profile of MIA and non-MIA CEU, Western blot, immunoprecipitation and transfection experiments were performed.

RESULTS

Non-MIA CEU do not activate p38, as opposed to MIA, and the extent of ERK and JNK activation is lower than in response to MIA. The effect of MIA and non-MIA CEU on focal adhesion associated protein was also studied; MIA were shown to induce focal adhesion dismantlement associated with a sustained increase in paxillin phosphorylation and FAK cleavage, as opposed to non-MIA CEU. In addition, bcl-2 phosphorylation and AKT cleavage, induced by all MIA tested, was not observed in response to non-MIA CEU further emphasizing the differential cell death mechanisms induced by MIA and non-MIA CEU. Pharmacologic and genetic approaches emphasize that the ASK1-p38 pathway activation contributes to the cytotoxic mechanism of MIA, in contrast to non-MIA CEU. ASK1-p38 is important for increased paxillin phosphorylation and FAK cleavage, suggesting that ASK-1-p38 is an upstream event of FA structure dismantlement induced by MIA. Moreover, the endogen inhibitor of ASK-1, thioredoxin, is released from ASK-1 in response to MIA as opposed to non-MIA CEU.

CONCLUSION

Our study supports that ASK1-p38 activation is an important signaling event, induced by MIA, which impairs focal adhesion structure and induces anchorage-dependent apoptosis or anoikis.

Ultra-small gadolinium oxide nanoparticles to image brain cancer cells in vivo with MRI

The majority of contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is based on the rare-earth element gadolinium. Gadolinium-based nanoparticles could find promising applications in pre-clinical diagnostic procedures of certain types of cancer, such as glioblastoma multiforme. This is one of the most malignant, lethal and poorly accessible forms of cancer. Recent advances in colloidal nanocrystal synthesis have led to the development of ultra-small crystals of gadolinium oxide (US-Gd(2)O(3), 2-3 nm diameter). As of today, this is the smallest and the densest of all Gd-containing nanoparticles. Cancer cells labeled with a sufficient quantity of this compound appear bright in T(1)-weighted MRI images. Here we demonstrate that US-Gd(2)O(3) can be used to label GL-261 glioblastoma multiforme cells, followed by localization and visualization in vivo using MRI. Very high amounts of Gd are efficiently internalized and retained in cells, as confirmed with TEM and ICP-MS. Labeled cells were visualized in vivo at 1.5 T using the chicken embryo model. This is one more step toward the development of "positively contrasted" cell tracking procedures with MRI.

Chloroethyl urea derivatives block tumour growth and thioredoxin-1 nuclear translocation

Aryl chloroethyl ureas (CEUs) are new protein alkylating agents exhibiting anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. We report herein that 14C-labeled CEU derivatives, designated CEU-025 and CEU-027, covalently bind to thioredoxin-1 (TRX1). Covalent binding of these molecules slightly decreases the disulfide-reducing activity of recombinant TRX1, when compared with the effect of strong thioalkylating agents such as N-ethylmaleimide. Moreover, site-directed mutagenesis and diamide competition assays demonstrated that TRX1 cysteinyl residues are not the prime targets of CEUs. CEU-025 abrogates the nuclear translocation of TRX1 in human cancer cells. In addition, we show that CEU-025 can block TRX1 nuclear translocation induced by cisplatin. Unexpectedly, pretreatment with sublethal CEU-025 concentrations that block TRX1 nuclear translocation protected the cells against cisplatin cytotoxicity. Overexpression of TRX1 in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells attenuated CEU-025 cytotoxicity, while its suppression using TRX1-specific siRNA increased the effects of CEU-025, suggesting that loss of function of TRX1 is involved, at least in part, in the cytotoxic activity of CEU-025. These results suggest that CEU-025 and CEU-027 exhibit anticancer activity through a novel, unique mechanism of action. The importance of TRX1 and the dependence of the cytotoxicity of CEU-025 and CEU-027 on TRX1 intracellular localization are also discussed.

Quick and simple detection technique to assess the binding of antimicrotubule agents to the colchicine-binding site

Development of antimitotic binding to the colchicine-binding site for the treatment of cancer is rapidly expanding. Numerous antimicrotubule agents are prepared every year, and the determination of their binding affinity to tubulin requires the use of purified tubulins and radiolabeled ligands. Such a procedure is costly and time-consuming and therefore is limited to the most promising candidates. Here, we report a quick and inexpensive method that requires only usual laboratory resources to assess the binding of antimicrotubules to colchicine-binding site. The method is based on the ability of N,N'-ethylene-bis(iodoacetamide) (EBI) to crosslink in living cells the cysteine residues at position 239 and 354 of β-tubulin, residues which are involved in the colchicine-binding site. The β-tubulin adduct formed by EBI is easily detectable by Western blot as a second immunoreacting band of β-tubulin that migrates faster than β-tubulin. The occupancy of colchicine-binding site by pertinent antimitotics inhibits the formation of the EBI: β-tubulin adduct, resulting in an assay that allows the screening of new molecules targeting this binding site.

Synthesis, antiproliferative activity evaluation and structure-activity relationships of novel aromatic urea and amide analogues of N-phenyl-N'-(2-chloroethyl)ureas

Seven subsets of aromatic urea and amide analogues of N-phenyl-N'-(2-chloroethyl)ureas (CEU) have been synthesized by nucleophilic addition of 3-chloropropylisocyanate, 2-chloroacetylisocyanate, ethylisocyanate, 2-chloroacetyl chloride, 3-chloropropanoyl chloride, 4-chlorobutanoyl chloride, and acryloyl chloride, respectively, to selected anilines or benzylamines to afford 3-chloropropylureas (1, CPU), 2-chloroacetylureas (2, CAU), ethylureas (3, EU), 2-chloroacetamides (4, CA), 3-chloropropionamides (5, CPA), 4-chlorobutyramides (6, CBA) and acrylamides (7, Acr). The molecular structure of these compounds has been confirmed by IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR, and MS spectra and their purity also confirmed by HPLC. The CEU analogues were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against three human tumor cell lines, namely human colon carcinoma HT-29, human skin melanoma M21, and human breast carcinoma MCF-7. CAU (2c to 2g), CA (4a to 4d, 4f and 4 g), CPA (5a) and Acr (7a and 7b) had IC(50) ranging from 1.4 to 25 microM. CAU, CA, CPA and Acr exhibited interesting antiproliferative activity through mechanism(s) of action unrelated to the acylation of glutamic acid at position 198 on beta-tubulin that is characterizing CEU.

New Soft Alkylating Agents with Enhanced Cytotoxicity against Cancer Cells Resistant to Chemotherapeutics and Hypoxia

Chloroethylureas (CEU) are soft alkylating agents that covalently bind to beta-tubulin (betaTAC) and affect microtubule polymerization dynamics. Herein, we report the identification of a CEU subset and its corresponding oxazolines, which induce cell growth inhibition, apoptosis, and microtubule disruption without alkylating beta-tubulin (N-betaTAC). Both betaTAC and N-betaTAC trigger the collapse of mitochondrial potential (DeltaPsi(m)) and modulate reactive oxygen species levels, following activation of intrinsic caspase-8 and caspase-9. Experiments using human fibrosarcoma HT1080 respiratory-deficient cells (rho(0)) and uncoupler of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) showed that betaTAC and N-betaTAC impaired the MRC. rho(0) cells displayed an increased sensitivity toward N-betaTAC as compared with rho(+) cells but, in contrast, were resistant to betaTAC or classic chemotherapeutics, such as paclitaxel. Oxazoline-195 (OXA-195), an N-betaTAC derivative, triggered massive swelling of isolated mitochondria. This effect was insensitive to cyclosporin A and to Bcl-2 addition. In contrast, adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) antagonists, bongkrekic acid or atractyloside, diminished swelling induced by OXA-195. The antiproliferative activities of the N-betaTACs CEU-025 and OXA-152 were markedly decreased in the presence of atractyloside. Conversely, pretreatment with cyclosporin A enhanced growth inhibition induced by betaTAC and N-betaTAC. One of the proteins alkylated by N-betaTAC was identified as the voltage-dependent anion channel isoform-1, an ANT partner. Our results suggest that betaTAC and N-betaTAC, despite their common ability to affect the microtubule network, trigger different cytotoxic mechanisms in cancer cells. The role of mitochondria in these mechanisms and the potential of N-betaTAC as a new therapeutic approach for targeting hypoxia-resistant cells are discussed.

Microtubule-Destabilizing Agents Induce Focal Adhesion Structure Disorganization and Anoikis in Cancer Cells

Microtubule disruption provokes cytoskeleton and cell adhesion changes whose importance for apoptosis induction remains unclear. The present study focuses on the functional and the molecular adhesion kinetics that are induced by microtubule disruption-mediated apoptosis. We showed that antimicrotubules induce a biphasic sequence of adhesion response that precedes the onset of apoptosis and focal adhesion kinase hydrolysis. Antimicrotubules first induced an increase of the cellular adhesion paralleled by the raise of focal adhesion sites and actin contractility, which was followed by a sharp decrease of cell adhesion and disorganization of focal adhesion and actin stress fibers. The latter sequence of events ends by cell rounding, detachment from the extracellular matrix, and cell death. Microtubule-disrupting agents induced a sustained paxillin phosphorylation, before the activation of apoptosis, that requires the prior activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 but not c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase. Interestingly, integrin-linked kinase overexpression rescued the antimicrotubule-mediated loss of cell viability. Altogether, these results propound that antimicrotubule agents induce anoikis through the loss of focal adhesion structure integrity.

Antiangiogenic and antitumoral activity of phenyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)ureas: a class of soft alkylating agents disrupting microtubules that are unaffected by cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance

The development of new anticancer agents with lower toxicity, higher therapeutic index, and weaker tendency to induce resistant phenotypes in tumor cells is a continuous challenge for the scientific community. Toward that end, we showed previously that a new class of soft alkylating agents designed as phenyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)ureas (CEUs) inhibits tumor cell growth in vitro and that their efficiency is not altered by clinically relevant mechanisms of resistance such as overexpression of multidrug resistance proteins, increase in intracellular concentration of glutathione and/or glutathione S-transferase activity, alteration of topoisomerase II, and increased DNA repair. Mechanistic studies have showed recently that the cytotoxic activity of several CEUs was mainly related to the disruption of microtubules. Here, we present results supporting our assumption that 4-tert-butyl-[3-(2-chloroethyl)ureido]phenyl (tBCEU) (and its bioisosteric derivative 4-iodo-[3-(2-chloroethyl)ureido]phenyl (ICEU) are potent antimicrotubule agents both in vitro and in vivo. They covalently bind to beta-tubulin, leading to a microtubule depolymerization phenotype, consequently disrupting the actin cytoskeleton and altering the nuclear morphology. Accordingly, tBCEU and ICEU also inhibited the migration and proliferation of endothelial and tumor cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. It is noteworthy that ICEU efficiently blocked angiogenesis and tumor growth in three distinct animal models: (a) the Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay; (b) the CT-26 tumor growth assay in mice; and (c) the chick chorioallantoic membrane tumor assay. In addition, we present evidence that CEU cytotoxicity is unaffected by additional resistance mechanisms impeding tumor response to DNA alkylating agents such as cisplatin, namely the cell adhesion mediated-drug resistance mechanism, which failed to influence the cytocidal activity of CEUs. On the basis of the apparent innocuousness of CEUs, on their ability to circumvent many classical and recently described tumor cell resistance mechanisms, and on their specific biodistribution to organs of the gastrointestinal tract, our results suggest that CEUs represent a promising new class of anticancer agents.

Denatured collagen as support for a FGF-2 delivery system: physicochemical characterizations and in vitro release kinetics and bioactivity

Collagen-based materials have scaffold properties to support bioactive molecules such as growth factor (GF). Gelatin, a denatured collagen, may have also some potential to interact with GF. An alternative process to denature collagen using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was investigated. Physicochemical characterization (XPS, DSC, isoelectric point, water uptake) of TFA-denatured collagen was comparable to regular gelatin, except a significant hydrophilicity and a pH sensitivity. FGF-2 was mixed with either regular gelatin or TFA-denatured collagen, then incorporated to a collagen sponge. Autoradiography revealed a relatively homogenous distribution of radiolabeled FGF-2 within the sponge. In vitro release kinetic of radiolabeled FGF-2 was investigated as well as the bioactivity of FGF-2 towards endothelial cell growth. The mixture was also sorbed to hydrogels made of ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymer and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), and to cell culture insert membranes as control. Release of FGF-2 from collagen was progressive in the presence of TFA-denatured collagen, and cell growth was stimulated (significant peak at 8 and 10 days) by TFA-denatured collagen and FGF-2 eluted particularly from collagen sponges. Whereas control hydrogels, and those with regular gelatin showed a early stimulation of cell growth (1-5 days). Thus, the combination of both FGF-2 and an acid-denatured collagen in collagen sponges allows to sustain in vitro endothelial cell activity.

Porosity and biological properties of polyethylene glycol-conjugated collagen materials

Collagen-based materials can be designed for use as scaffolds for connective tissue reconstruction. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the behavior of collagen materials as well as cell and tissue reactions after the conjugation of activated polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with collagen. It is known that proteins conjugated with PEGs exhibit a decrease in their biodegradation rate and their immunogenicity. Different concentrations and molecular weights of activated PEGs (PEG-750 and PEG-5000) were conjugated to collagen materials (films or sponges) which were then investigated by collagenase assay, fibroblast cell culture, and subcutaneous implantation. PEG-conjugated collagen sponge degradation by collagenase was delayed in comparison to untreated sponges. In culture, fibroblasts with a normal morphology reached confluency on PEG-conjugated collagen films. In vivo, the porous structure of non-modified sponges collapsed by day 15 with a few observable fibroblasts between the collagen fibers. In PEG-modified collagen sponges, the porous structure remained stable for 30 days. Cell infiltration was particularly enhanced in PEG-750-conjugated collagen sponges. In conclusion, PEGs conjugated onto collagen sponges stabilize the porous structure without deactivating the biological properties of collagen. These porous composite materials could function as a scaffold to organize tissue ingrowth.

Heparin-fibroblast growth factor-fibrin complex: in vitro and in vivo applications to collagen-based materials

Biological molecules such as fibrin and growth factors could have interesting features to design bioactive biomaterials and particularly collagen-based materials used as connective tissue replacement. Different combinations of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and heparin complexed to fibrin were analysed. In vitro, FGF bound to matrix was rapidly, but partially released, specifically with heparin. Heparin concentrations were progressively equilibrated between matrix and medium. DNA replication of fibroblasts grown either on or within fibrin matrices was increased in the presence of both FGF and high doses of heparin incorporated in fibrin. Subcutaneous implantations of collagen sponges impregnated with composite fibrin matrices showed qualitative and quantitative tissue ingrowth within the sponges. The uncross-linked collagen of fibrin-impregnated sponges swelled after implantation. The resulting fibroblast-infiltrated tissue resembled a normal dense connective tissue that was observed particularly in the presence of high doses of heparin and FGF incorporated in fibrin.

Growth factors and biological supports for endothelial cell lining: in vitro study

Endothelial cell covering over the vascular prosthesis luminal surface is a process that may require the presence of growth factors (GFs) and extracellular matrix supports. Endothelialization could be improved by combining both GFs and an extracellular matrix analog. In the present study, different biological substrates made of type I or IV collagens, gelatin, fibronectin, fibrin, laminin, chondroitin sulphate, heparan sulphate, heparin or hyaluronic acid were used to support endothelial cell culture. An endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS) was incorporated in (group 1) or overlaid on (group 2) the substrates; or present in medium (group 3); or absent (group 4). GF binding assay using 125I bFGF showed that more GF remained combined to the substrates in group 2 than those in group 1. Growth and morphology of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were sequentially analyzed in vitro for 8 days using DNA (nuclei counts) and F-actin labelings. Growth was relatively stable for the first 48 hours, later in groups 1, 2 and 4, cell death was observed on all the substrates except for fibronectin. Growth failure could be related to the degradation or inefficient release of ECGS. In group 3, growth increased and confluency was reached within 5-8 days on all the substrates except for gelatin and type I collagen. Confluent cells containing actin filaments were organized on glycoproteins and disorganized on glycosaminoglycans and fibrin. Despite that glycoproteins can enhance cell adhesion and lining pattern, GFs continually delivered in a fresh soluble form seem to be the appropriate condition to obtain an endothelial cell lining.

Wettability of cross-linked collagenous biomaterials: in vitro study

Collagenous biomaterials can be treated by chemical and physical agents to decrease biodegradation rate. Treatments to collagen may modify surface properties and subsequently cell and platelet behaviour. Collagenous films were either uncross-linked and cross-linked by glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde or cyanamide and/or treated by a severe dehydration. Contact angles, platelet contacting assay and fibroblast morphology were investigated. After severe dehydration, wettability was diminished except for formaldehyde-cross-linked and severely dehydrated films. Glutaraldehyde-cross-linked collagen results in an increase in wettability. Platelets were similarly distributed, except on formaldehyde-cross-linked films that exhibited no platelet aggregation. Fibroblasts were in a spreading phase on most collagenous films. However, cytotoxicity was noticed on some aldehyde-cross-linked films. No direct relationship was found between contact angles and platelet-cell attachment.

In vitro contraction rate of collagen in sponge-shape matrices

Connective tissue substitute can be made of collagen sponge-shaped matrice which is reconstituted by freeze-drying a collagen dispersion. This procedure is then followed by a crosslinking treatment to decrease the in vivo biodegradation rate. In the present study, collagen dispersions made of collagen fibrils with a D-staggered pattern were submitted to the following treatments: (1) cyanamide or glutaraldehyde was introduced during the dispersion step followed by the manufacture of sponges; (2) uncrosslinked sponges were exposed to formaldehyde vapor; or (3) uncrosslinked and crosslinked sponges were severely dehydrated. To characterize the in vitro contraction rate, the surface areas of sponges were sequentially recorded in relation to soaking time. Contraction did not significantly occur when sponges were chemically treated. However, collagen in sponges treated by either severe dehydration or by both cyanamide treatment and severe dehydration contracted. On the other hand, the different treatments of the collagen modified the distribution of the D-staggered pattern within fibrils. After glutaraldehyde treatment, the periodicity of collagen fibrils disappeared and large fibres were observed. These experiments show that the different treatments of the collagen can be useful for designing a contractile as well as a non-contractile biomaterial.