SORL1 is genetically associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Japanese, Koreans and Caucasians

To discover susceptibility genes of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), we conducted a 3-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) using three populations: Japanese from the Japanese Genetic Consortium for Alzheimer Disease (JGSCAD), Koreans, and Caucasians from the Alzheimer Disease Genetic Consortium (ADGC). In Stage 1, we evaluated data for 5,877,918 genotyped and imputed SNPs in Japanese cases (n = 1,008) and controls (n = 1,016). Genome-wide significance was observed with 12 SNPs in the APOE region. Seven SNPs from other distinct regions with p-values <2×10(-5) were genotyped in a second Japanese sample (885 cases, 985 controls), and evidence of association was confirmed for one SORL1 SNP (rs3781834, P = 7.33×10(-7) in the combined sample). Subsequent analysis combining results for several SORL1 SNPs in the Japanese, Korean (339 cases, 1,129 controls) and Caucasians (11,840 AD cases, 10,931 controls) revealed genome wide significance with rs11218343 (P = 1.77×10(-9)) and rs3781834 (P = 1.04×10(-8)). SNPs in previously established AD loci in Caucasians showed strong evidence of association in Japanese including rs3851179 near PICALM (P = 1.71×10(-5)) and rs744373 near BIN1 (P = 1.39×10(-4)). The associated allele for each of these SNPs was the same as in Caucasians. These data demonstrate for the first time genome-wide significance of LOAD with SORL1 and confirm the role of other known loci for LOAD in Japanese. Our study highlights the importance of examining associations in multiple ethnic populations.

Raman scattering study of water clusters around polyrotaxane and pseudopolyrotaxane supramolecular assemblies

We have measured Raman spectra of collective O-H stretching vibration of water clusters in polyrotaxane and pseudopolyrotaxane aqueous solutions and the aqueous solutions of their constituent molecules. The intensities of the collective bands of water clusters in the polyrotaxane and pseudopolyrotaxane solutions were approximately equal to that of their solvents. On the other hand, those in the solutions of linear polymeric chains and cyclic molecules were smaller. These results indicate that the water molecules in the solvents cannot approach to interact with the hydrophobic parts of the constituent molecules sterically when the constituent molecules form the inclusion complexes. Thus, the polyrotaxane and pseudopolyrotaxane molecules are observed as inert in terms of molecular interaction with water, although the constituent molecules have hydrophobic parts in their structure.

Controllable erosion time and profile in poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels by supramolecular structure of hydrolyzable polyrotaxane

A series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels cross-linked by a hydrolyzable polyrotaxane was prepared and the hydrolytic erosion behavior was characterized. The hydrolyzable polyrotaxane consisting of many alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CDs) and a PEG chain capped with bulky end groups via ester linkages was used as a cross-linker in the PEG hydrogels, where alpha-CDs in the polyrotaxane were linked with another PEG chains to form hydrophilic PEG networks. From the result of the erosion study, the time to reach complete gel erosion was found to be prolonged by decreasing the polyrotaxane content and increasing the PEG/alpha-CD ratio. The PEG/alpha-CD ratio, indicating the number of PEG chains linked with one alpha-CD molecule, is considered to make the environment of the polyrotaxane more aqueous and lead to the hydrolysis of ester linkages in the polyrotaxane. However, the higher PEG/alpha-CD ratio prolonged the time of the hydrogel erosion. These results indicate the enhanced stability of ester hydrolysis in the hydrogels with highly water swollen state. Such an anomalous phenomenon may be due to the structural characteristic of the polyrotaxane: ester linkages may be included within the cavity of alpha-CDs, resulting in their enhanced stability. The erosion profile of the hydrogels was changeable by the M(n) of PEG-bisamine, independent of the polyrotaxane content. The hydrogels cross-linked by the polyrotaxane can be new candidates as long-term stable but actually hydrolyzable hydrogels for polymeric scaffolding in tissue engineering.

Enhanced accessibility of peptide substrate toward membrane-bound metalloexopeptidase by supramolecular structure of polyrotaxane

A L-phenylalanlylglycylglycine- (H-L-PheGlyGly-) terminated polyrotaxane in which many alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CDs) are threaded onto poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was synthesized to evaluate the effect of alpha-CD threading on the degradation of the terminal H-L-PheGlyGly by a membrane-bound metalloexopeptidase (aminopeptidase M). The threading of alpha-CDs and introducing H-L-PheGlyGly to the terminals were confirmed by gel permeation chromatography and (1)H NMR spectroscopies. In vitro degradation and kinetic studies revealed that the supramolecular structure of the polyrotaxane enhanced the accessibility toward aminopeptidase M despite the higher molecular weight of the polyrotaxane (M(n): approximately 16,000). This finding provides a new design of biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications with controlled degradation profile.

Transience in polyion complexation between nicotinamide-modified dextran and carboxymethyl dextran during enzymatic degradation of dextran

A self-regulated degradation system using polyion complexation through oxidation reaction from degradation products was preliminarily studied. 1,4-Dihydronicotinamide-modified dextran (NAH-Dex) with different molecular weights was prepared, and NAH moiety in NAH-Dex was oxidized by H2O2 to the dehydrated form (NA+-Dex). The dependence of stoichiometry, concentration, and molecular weight on polyion complexation with carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) were examined. NA+-Dex with a molecular weight above 40000 formed an insoluble complex with CMD, and the complexation was found to proceed stoichiometrically. The extent of polyion complexation was dependent on the concentration of NA+-Dex and CMD, whereas the time to reach complexation was dependent on H2O2 concentration. When H2O2 and dextranase were added to the solution containing NAH-Dex, CMD, and dextran, transmittance dropped and then increased again. From these results, the addition of dextran into the system of H2O2, NAH-Dex, CMD, and dextranase can regulate formation and dissociation of the polyion complex between NA+-Dex and CMD. The antagonistical inhibition of the degradation of the polyion complex is a key parameter of the self-regulated degradation system.

Modulatory factors on temperature-synchronized degradation of dextran grafted with thermoresponsive polymers and their hydrogels

Several types of dextran grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide [dextran-g-poly(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm)] with different graft lengths and numbers were synthesized in a preciously controlled fashion, and their enzymatic degradation was examined by viscosity measurement and gel permeation chromatography as a function of temperature. Degradation of dextran-g-poly(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm)s decreased with increasing the graft length below their lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs). Above the LCST, enzymatic degradation was independent of the graft length. A larger amount of the graft chain with increasing the graft length rather than the graft number was effective to modulate the temperature-synchronized degradation. Hydrogels were prepared by cross-linking the graft copolymers using 1,6-hexamethylenediamine. While all the hydrogels have water content of about 93-96% in a wide range of temperatures, their degradation behaviors show a significant dependence on a temperature change. Such a unique property is closely related to the structure of graft copolymers such as graft lengths. Consequently, introducing thermoresponsive grafts with longer length to dextran and its hydrogels is suggested to be an important factor for modulating enzymatic degradation of dextran in synchronization with temperature.

Preparation and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels cross-linked by hydrolyzable polyrotaxane

PEG hydrogels cross-linked by a hydrolyzable polyrotaxane were prepared and their hydrolytic erosion characterized in terms of supramolecular dissociation of the polyrotaxane. The hydrolyzable polyrotaxane, in which many alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CDs) are threaded onto a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain capped with L-phenylalanine via ester linkages, was used as a multifunctional cross-linker: the PEG network was covalently bound to hydroxyl groups of alpha-CDs in the polyrotaxane. The contact angle and water content of the hydrogels were varied with the polyrotaxane content in the feed. In vitro hydrolysis study revealed that the time to reach complete gel erosion was shortened by increasing the polyrotaxane content in the feed in relation to the decreased number of chemical cross-links between PEG and alpha-CDs in the polyrotaxane. The hydrogel degradation in a physiological condition was found to be followed by bulk mechanism. These findings suggest that changing the preparative conditions such as polyrotaxane content will make it possible to control programmed gel erosion for tissue engineering.

Self-complex formation of nicotinamide-modified dextran with carboxymethyl dextran using their degradation products

A pseudo-metabolic cycle as a self-degradation system was designed: enzymatic degradation products from a polysaccharide generate oxidants which introduce a cationic charge into the polysaccharide chains, and can form a polyion complex with an anionic polysaccharide. As a component of such a system, dextran, with various degrees of nicotinamide substitution, was prepared. Its degradation by dextranase, redox reaction via glucose oxidase-catalysis, and polyion complex formation with carboxymetyl dextran (CMD) were examined. Nicotinamide-modified dextran (NA-Dex) with nine nicotinamide moieties per 100 glucose units was soluble in PBS and completely oxidized by > 100 mM H2O2. The oxidized type of NA-Dex was found to form a 1:1 complex with CMD. By the addition of dextranase, isomaltase, and glucose oxidase (GOD) to phosphate buffer solution of the reduced type of NA-Dex and CMD, the transmittance of the solution dropped, suggesting polyion complex formation via the oxidation of 1,4-dihydronicotinamide in NA-Dex by H2O2 generated from GOD-catalytic reaction. These findings are of great importance for designing a self-complex formation system aimed at biodegradable and osillative drug release.

Polyrotaxanes: synthesis, structure, and potential in drug delivery

This article reviews the potential of polyrotaxanes in drug delivery with the historical background of polyrotaxane syntheses. Pseudopolyrotaxanes and polyrotaxanes, including classifications, synthetic methods, structures and physical properties are discussed in the first section. The second section provides our concept of drug carriers using drug-polyrotaxane conjugates in comparison with conventional drug-polymer conjugates. The third and fourth sections describe the synthetic method for biodegradable polyrotaxanes, the conjugation with drugs, and their association under physiological conditions. The fifth section discusses other possibilities for the polyrotaxanes such as drug penetration enhancers. These studies suggest the potential of polyrotaxanes in pharmaceutical applications.

Effect of acetylation of biodegradable polyrotaxanes on its supramolecular dissociation via terminal ester hydrolysis

Acetylation of biodegradable polyrotaxanes was examined to estimate the effect on its supramolecular dissociation via terminal ester hydrolysis. The biodegradable polyrotaxanes, in which many alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CD) are threaded onto a poly(ethylene glycol) chain capped with L-phenylalanine via ester linkages, were acetylated using acetic anhydride; alpha-CD release behavior was then characterized by in vitro hydrolysis. The degree of acetylation was changed by the concentration of acetic anhydride and the reaction time. The results of the in vitro hydrolysis indicate that the critical degree of acetylation to prolong supramolecular dissociation lies at around 30%. The terminal hydrolysis proceeded completely even with 100% of acetylation. These findings suggest that the hydrophobization of alpha-CDs in the polyrotaxane makes it possible to delay the time to complete the supramolecular dissociation. The hydrophobization of the polyrotaxane is of great importance for designing implantable materials that maintain their supramolecular structure until tissue regeneration with complete terminal hydrolysis.

Pulsatile peptide release from multi-layered hydrogel formulations consisting of poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted and ungrafted dextrans

Multi-layered hydrogel formulations consisting of poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted dextran (PEG-g-Dex) and ungrafted Dex were investigated as a model of pulsatile drug release. In these formulations, it is considered that the grafted PEG domains act as a drug reservoir dispersed in the Dex matrix based on aqueous polymer two-phase systems. The formulations exhibited surface-controlled degradation by dextranase, and insulin release was observed in a pulsatile manner because of the multi-layered structure: PEG-g-Dex hydrogel layers containing insulin and insulin-free Dex hydrogel layers. Thus, it is suggested that the multi-layered hydrogel formulations using PEG-g-Dex and Dex are feasible for chronopharmacological drug delivery systems.

Hyaluronic acid grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) as a novel peptide formulation

Hyaluronic acids (HA) grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (PEG-g-HA) were synthesized. The materials characterization, enzymatic degradability and peptide (insulin) release from solutions of the copolymers were examined. Distribution of bioactive peptides within the polymer chain is well-known for combinations of PEG and polysaccharides as aqueous polymer two-phase systems. Insulin was preferentially partitioned into the PEG phase in a PEG/HA solution system. Enzymatic degradation of the copolymers was strongly dependent on the PEG content. Thermal analysis revealed that PEG-g-HA exhibited a variation in phase-separated structures depending on the PEG content. The solution of PEG-g-HA enabled insulin to remain in the PEG moieties dispersed in the HA matrix. Leakage of insulin from the copolymers was dependent upon the PEG content. Leakage rate of insulin from copolymer containing between 7 and 39% by weight of PEG were similar. A dramatic increase in leakage rate occurred when the PEG content was increased to greater than 39% by weight. It is considered that the loaded insulin was partitioned into the PEG moieties and became entangled with the PEG chains. The conformational change of insulin was effectively prevented in PEG-g-HA solutions, although insulin was denatured in storage of both phosphate buffered solution and HA solution. Such a heterogeneous-structured polymeric solution may be advantageous as an injectable therapeutic formulation for ophthalmic or arthritis treatment.

Synthesis of theophylline-polyrotaxane conjugates and their drug release via supramolecular dissociation

Theophylline-polyrotaxane conjugates were synthesized by coupling theophylline with alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CDs) in the polyrotaxane. The polyrotaxane is a molecular assembly in which many alpha-CDs are threaded onto a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain capped with L-phenylalanine (L-Phe). Theophylline-7-acetic acid was activated by coupling with 4-nitrophenol, and then ethylenediamine was allowed to react with the active ester in order to obtain N-aminoethyl-theophylline-7-acetoamide. This derivative was coupled with a 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate-activated polyrotaxane to obtain the theophylline-polyrotaxane conjugates. The conjugates formed a specific association under physiological conditions, depending upon interactions between the theophylline molecules and/or the terminal l-Phe moiety in the conjugates. In vitro degradation of the conjugates revealed that theophylline-immobilized alpha-CDs were completely released by hydrolysis of the terminal peptide linkage in the polyrotaxane. This result indicates that the association of the conjugates does not induce the steric hindrance but rather enhances the accessibility of enzymes to the terminal peptide linkages. It is suggested that our designed drug-polyrotaxane conjugates can release the drugs via the dissociation of the supramolecular structure without steric hindrance of enzymatic accessibility to the terminal peptide linkages.

Regulation of intracellular metabolism by biodegradable polyrotaxanes

Cellular response to our designed biodegradable polyrotaxanes was investigated in terms of changes in cytoplasmic calcium levels in platelets. The polyrotaxanes regulated thrombin-induced calcium increase in platelets although constituent molecules of the polyrotaxanes showed fewer effects on the intracellular metabolism. Further, an increase in membrane fluidity of red blood cell ghosts was significantly observed by the addition of the polyrotaxanes. Static light scattering study revealed that the polyrotaxanes formed a supramolecular association state in relation to the molecular weight of PEG: a loosely packed association with a specific molecular shape. From these characteristics, it is suggested that supramolecular level interactions between the polyrotaxanes and cell membranes regulate the intracellular metabolism. It is concluded that these biodegradable polyrotaxanes can be feasible as temporarily-controlled bioactivator.

Interferon-alpha-induced thyroid dysfunction in patients with chronic active hepatitis C: a transient, reversible and self-limited dysfunction

To survey the prognoses of interferon-alpha (IFNalpha)-induced thyroid dysfunction, a total of 100 patients (49 males and 51 females) with biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis C were studied. Either during or after IFNalpha therapy, 29 patients (33.7%) revealed suppression/elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or both, transient thyrotoxicosis (TSH less than 0.1 microU/ml) or transient hypothyroidism (TSH 5.0-190.95 microU/ml). However, the thyroid function normalized without supplementation of the thyroid hormone in the follow-up period. In the same period, one of the 14 control patients (7.1%) developed thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid abnormalities developed significantly more in patients with IFNalpha therapy than in those without IFNalpha therapy. The findings suggest that the occult autoimmune disorder becomes overt with IFNalpha treatment in patients with pre-existent autoimmune thyroid disease. IFNalpha-induced thyroid dysfunction is transient, reversible and self-limited. It is not necessary to discontinue IFNalpha therapy when thyroid dysfunction develops.

Effect of biodegradable polyrotaxanes on platelet activation

Cellular response to our designed biodegradable polyrotaxanes was evaluated in terms of physicochemical interaction with plasma membrane and intracellular metabolism of platelets. The polyrotaxanes, in which many hydroxypropylated (HP-) alpha-cyclodextrins are threaded onto a poly(ethylene glycol) chain capped with a L-phenylalanine moiety via a peptide linkage, were synthesized and characterized. The polyrotaxanes inhibited cytoplasmic calcium increase in platelets, increased plasma membrane fluidity of red blood cell ghosts, and elevated cytoplasmic cyclic-3',5'-AMP levels in platelets. Such cellular response to the polyrotaxanes was observed, which was more than that to constituent molecules. These results suggest that the supramolecular structure of the polyrotaxanes contributes to acceleration of the physicochemical interaction with plasma membrane and intracellular metabolism of platelets. Thus, biodegradable polyrotaxanes can be useful as new biomaterials for fabricating blood-contacting devices.

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable polyrotaxane as a novel supramolecular-structured drug carrier

Polyrotaxanes were synthesized as novel biodegradable polymers with supramolecular assembly and their properties evaluated in vitro. The synthesis of biodegradable polyrotaxanes consists of three steps: preparation of an inclusion complex consisting of alpha-cyclodextrins (alpha-CDs) and amino-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG); introduction of L-phenylalanine (L-Phc) at each complex terminal via peptide linkages: and hydroxypropylation of alpha-CDs in the polyrotaxanes. Succinimide ester of benzyloxycarbonyl-L-Phe was condensed with the terminal amino groups of the inclusion complex. 1H-NMR and GPC results showed that alpha-CDs were threaded onto a PEG chain and L-Phe moieties were introduced at each terminal of the PEG chain. Further, the amount of threaded alpha-CDs was found to be governed by the molecular weight of PEG. The hydroxypropylation of alpha-CDs improved the solubility of the polyrotaxanes in PBS (pH 7.4). The hydroxypropylated (HP-) polyrotaxanes were characterized by terminal peptide cleavage using papain. In vitro degradation of HP-polyrotaxanes revealed that HP-alpha-CDs threaded onto a PEG chain were released only when terminal peptide linkages were cleaved. Moreover, threaded HP-alpha-CDs onto a PEG chain was found to be completely released. Kinetics of terminal peptide cleavage were also evaluated by catalytic efficiency (kcat/K(m)). The kcat/K(m) values were found to be independent of the molecular weight of HP-polyrotaxanes but to be affected by terminal hydrophobic moieties. It is proposed that our designed polyrotaxanes are feasible as novel drug carriers.