Ceramide as an endothelial cell surface receptor and a lung-specific lipid vascular target for circulating ligands

The vascular endothelium from individual organs is functionally specialized, and it displays a unique set of accessible molecular targets. These serve as endothelial cell receptors to affinity ligands. To date, all identified vascular receptors have been proteins. Here, we show that an endothelial lung-homing peptide (CGSPGWVRC) interacts with C16-ceramide, a bioactive sphingolipid that mediates several biological functions. Upon binding to cell surfaces, CGSPGWVRC triggers ceramide-rich platform formation, activates acid sphingomyelinase and ceramide production, without the associated downstream apoptotic signaling. We also show that the lung selectivity of CGSPGWVRC homing peptide is dependent on ceramide production in vivo. Finally, we demonstrate two potential applications for this lipid vascular targeting system: i) as a bioinorganic hydrogel for pulmonary imaging and ii) as a ligand-directed lung immunization tool against COVID-19. Thus, C16-ceramide is a unique example of a lipid-based receptor system in the lung vascular endothelium targeted in vivo by circulating ligands such as CGSPGWVRC.

Abstract 5114: Multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) as a novel approach for dynamic, noninvasive assessment of tumor therapy response and chronic inflammation

Biomedical imaging has offered a dramatic leap forward in cancer research by enabling non-invasive assessment of tumor biology in its native environment. Multiple modalities are currently utilized for this purpose, including molecular (e.g. PET, SPECT, optical imaging), functional (e.g. Doppler ultrasound) or anatomical (e.g. ultrasound, MRI, CT) endpoints. However, integrated multi-modality imaging can be impractical due to cost or infrastructure requirements, while co-registration of sequential imaging sessions can pose technical challenges. A single modality that offers anatomical, functional and molecular contrast could therefore provide the next leap forward in cancer research.

Multispectral Optoacoustic Imaging (MSOT) is an emerging modality that combines ultrasound resolution of 150 μm and acquisition times of a few microseconds with optical contrast in the near infrared (NIR) spectral region. Multispectral imaging allows the localization of injected targeted fluorophores with NIR absorbance to offer molecular contrast, while visualization of endogenous contrast such as deoxy-/oxy-hemoglobin or melanin offers both functional and anatomical information. A core imaging rate of 10 images/second allows the acquisition of a multispectral image within a second or even less.

In the present work, MSOT was used to track the fate of injected monocytes, labeled with an NIR chromophore, in a model of dss-induced colitis. Monocyte distribution in lymphoid organs (e.g. spleen) and chronic sites of inflammation, often a prerequisite for tumor development, in the gut was monitored over a 48 hour period. The axial image plane enables the discrimination of signal origin throughout the entire depth of the mouse, while 3D renderings of axial image stacks allow visualization of monocyte distribution throughout the abdominal region.

The functional response to an injection of a vascular disrupting agent in the HT1090 fibrosarcoma model was assessed by MSOT-mediated differentiation of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin signals. Truncated tissue factor (tTF) fused to an NGR-peptide (tTF-NGR) targets CD13, which is overexpressed in tumor endothelial cells. After binding, it is known to cause vascular disruption, blood pooling and vessel occlusions within the tumor vasculature. These processes were associated with an increase in MSOT-associated deoxyhemoblin signal in the tumor.

In summary, MSOT offers an imaging modality that can provide anatomical, functional, molecular and kinetic information at high temporal and spatial resolution. When combined with (molecular) imaging agents that possess appropriate targeting properties, this modality can be leveraged for new biomarker imaging approaches in cancer research.

Citation Format: Wouter H. P. Driessen, Neal Burton, Christian Schwöppe, Wolfgang E. Berd, Toni Weinhage, Georg Varga, Christiane Geyer. Multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) as a novel approach for dynamic, noninvasive assessment of tumor therapy response and chronic inflammation. [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 5114. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5114

A macrophage uptaking near-infrared chemical probe CDnir7 for in vivo imaging of inflammation

Visualization of macrophages in live animals has been of great interest for a better understanding of inflammation. We developed a near infrared (NIR) probe that can selectively detect macrophages and visualize inflammation in vivo using the IVIS spectrum, Fluorescence Molecular Tomography (FMT) and Multi-Spectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT).

Targeting the interleukin-11 receptor α in metastatic prostate cancer: A first-in-man study

BACKGROUND

Receptors in tumor blood vessels are attractive targets for ligand-directed drug discovery and development. The authors have worked systematically to map human endothelial receptors (“vascular zip codes”) within tumors through direct peptide library selection in cancer patients. Previously, they selected a ligand-binding motif to the interleukin-11 receptor alpha (IL-11Rα) in the human vasculature.

METHODS

The authors generated a ligand-directed, peptidomimetic drug (bone metastasis-targeting peptidomimetic-11 [BMTP-11]) for IL-11Rα–based human tumor vascular targeting. Preclinical studies (efficacy/toxicity) included evaluating BMTP-11 in prostate cancer xenograft models, drug localization, targeted apoptotic effects, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses, and dose-range determination, including formal (good laboratory practice) toxicity across rodent and nonhuman primate species. The initial BMTP-11 clinical development also is reported based on a single-institution, open-label, first-in-class, first-in-man trial (National Clinical Trials number NCT00872157) in patients with metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

RESULTS

BMTP-11 was preclinically promising and, thus, was chosen for clinical development in patients. Limited numbers of patients who had castrate-resistant prostate cancer with osteoblastic bone metastases were enrolled into a phase 0 trial with biology-driven endpoints. The authors demonstrated biopsy-verified localization of BMTP-11 to tumors in the bone marrow and drug-induced apoptosis in all patients. Moreover, the maximum tolerated dose was identified on a weekly schedule (20-30 mg/m²). Finally, a renal dose-limiting toxicity was determined, namely, dose-dependent, reversible nephrotoxicity with proteinuria and casts involving increased serum creatinine.

CONCLUSIONS

These biologic endpoints establish BMTP-11 as a targeted drug candidate in metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Within a larger discovery context, the current findings indicate that functional tumor vascular ligand-receptor targeting systems may be identified through direct combinatorial selection of peptide libraries in cancer patients. Cancer 2015;121:2411–2421. © 2015 The Authors. Cancer published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Cancer Society.

The authors report on the development of a new ligand-directed peptidomimetic (termed bone metastasis-targeting peptidomimetic-11) for interleukin-11 receptor-based human vascular targeting, including the translation from preclinical studies to a first-in-class, first-in-man clinical trial in patients with metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

Targeting IL11 Receptor in Leukemia and Lymphoma: A Functional Ligand-Directed Study and Hematopathology Analysis of Patient-Derived Specimens

PURPOSE

The IL11 receptor (IL11R) is an established molecular target in primary tumors of bone, such as osteosarcoma, and in secondary bone metastases from solid tumors, such as prostate cancer. However, its potential role in management of hematopoietic malignancies has not yet been determined. Here, we evaluated the IL11R as a candidate therapeutic target in human leukemia and lymphoma.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RESULTS

First, we show that the IL11R protein is expressed in a variety of human leukemia- and lymphoma-derived cell lines and in a large panel of bone marrow samples from leukemia and lymphoma patients, whereas expression is absent from nonmalignant control bone marrow. Moreover, a targeted peptidomimetic prototype (termed BMTP-11), specifically bound to leukemia and lymphoma cell membranes, induced ligand-receptor internalization mediated by the IL11R, and resulted in a specific dose-dependent cell death induction in these cells. Finally, a pilot drug lead-optimization program yielded a new myristoylated BMTP-11 analogue with an apparent improved antileukemia cell profile.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate (i) that the IL11R is a suitable cell surface target for ligand-directed applications in human leukemia and lymphoma and (ii) that BMTP-11 and its derivatives have translational potential against this group of malignant diseases.

Multispectral opto-acoustic tomography (MSOT) of the brain and glioblastoma characterization

Brain research depends strongly on imaging for assessing function and disease in vivo. We examine herein multispectral opto-acoustic tomography (MSOT), a novel technology for high-resolution molecular imaging deep inside tissues. MSOT illuminates tissue with light pulses at multiple wavelengths and detects the acoustic waves generated by the thermoelastic expansion of the environment surrounding absorbing molecules. Using spectral unmixing analysis of the data collected, MSOT can then differentiate the spectral signatures of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin and of photo-absorbing agents and quantify their concentration. By being able to detect absorbing molecules up to centimeters deep in the tissue it represents an ideal modality for small animal brain imaging, simultaneously providing anatomical, hemodynamic, functional, and molecular information. In this work we examine the capacity of MSOT in cross-sectional brain imaging of mice. We find unprecedented optical imaging performance in cross-sectional visualization of anatomical and physiological parameters of the mouse brain. For example, the potential of MSOT to characterize ischemic brain areas was demonstrated through the use of a carbon dioxide challenge. In addition, indocyanine green (ICG) was injected intravenously, and the kinetics of uptake and clearance in the vasculature of the brain was visualized in real-time. We further found that multiparameter, multispectral imaging of the growth of U87 tumor cells injected into the brain could be visualized through the intact mouse head, for example through visualization of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the growing tumor. We also demonstrate how MSOT offers several compelling features for brain research and allows time-dependent detection and quantification of brain parameters that are not available using other imaging methods without invasive procedures.

A peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys

Obesity, defined as body mass index greater than 30, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a financial burden worldwide. Despite significant efforts in the past decade, very few drugs have been successfully developed for the treatment of obese patients. Biological differences between rodents and primates are a major hurdle for translation of anti-obesity strategies either discovered or developed in rodents into effective human therapeutics. Here, we evaluate the ligand-directed peptidomimetic CKGGRAKDC-GG-(D)(KLAKLAK)(2) (henceforth termed adipotide) in obese Old World monkeys. Treatment with adipotide induced targeted apoptosis within blood vessels of white adipose tissue and resulted in rapid weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys. Magnetic resonance imaging and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry confirmed a marked reduction in white adipose tissue. At experimentally determined optimal doses, monkeys from three different species displayed predictable and reversible changes in renal proximal tubule function. Together, these data in primates establish adipotide as a prototype in a new class of candidate drugs that may be useful for treating obesity in humans.

Enhanced relative biological effectiveness of proton radiotherapy in tumor cells with internalized gold nanoparticles

The development and use of sensitizing agents to improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy have long been sought to improve our ability to treat cancer. In this letter, we have studied the relative biological effectiveness of proton beam radiotherapy on prostate tumor cells with and without internalized gold nanoparticles. The effectiveness of proton radiotherapy for the killing of prostate tumor cells was increased by approximately 15%-20% for those cells containing internalized gold nanoparticles.

Systemic combinatorial peptide selection yields a non-canonical iron-mimicry mechanism for targeting tumors in a mouse model of human glioblastoma

The management of CNS tumors is limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a vascular interface that restricts the passage of most molecules from the blood into the brain. Here we show that phage particles targeted with certain ligand motifs selected in vivo from a combinatorial peptide library can cross the BBB under normal and pathological conditions. Specifically, we demonstrated that phage clones displaying an iron-mimic peptide were able to target a protein complex of transferrin and transferrin receptor (TfR) through a non-canonical allosteric binding mechanism and that this functional protein complex mediated transport of the corresponding viral particles into the normal mouse brain. We also showed that, in an orthotopic mouse model of human glioblastoma, a combination of TfR overexpression plus extended vascular permeability and ligand retention resulted in remarkable brain tumor targeting of chimeric adeno-associated virus/phage particles displaying the iron-mimic peptide and carrying a gene of interest. As a proof of concept, we delivered the HSV thymidine kinase gene for molecular-genetic imaging and targeted therapy of intracranial xenografted tumors. Finally, we established that these experimental findings might be clinically relevant by determining through human tissue microarrays that many primary astrocytic tumors strongly express TfR. Together, our combinatorial selection system and results may provide a translational avenue for the targeted detection and treatment of brain tumors.

On the synergistic effects of ligand-mediated and phage-intrinsic properties during in vivo selection

Phage display has been used as a powerful tool in the discovery and characterization of ligand-receptor complexes that can be utilized for therapeutic applications as well as to elucidate disease mechanisms. While the basic properties of phage itself have been well described, the behavior of phage in an in vivo setting is not as well understood due to the complexity of the system. Here, we take a dual approach in describing the biophysical mechanisms and properties that contribute to the efficacy of in vivo phage targeting. We begin by considering the interaction between phage and target by applying a kinetic model of ligand-receptor complexation and internalization. The multivalent display of peptides on the pIII capsid of phage is also discussed as an augmenting factor in the binding affinity of phage-displayed peptides to cellular targets accessible in a microenvironment of interest. Lastly, we examine the physical properties of the total phage particle that facilitate improved delivery and targeting in vivo compared to free peptides.

An integrated approach for the rational design of nanovectors for biomedical imaging and therapy

The use of nanoparticles for the early detection, cure, and imaging of diseases has been proved already to have a colossal potential in different biomedical fields, such as oncology and cardiology. A broad spectrum of nanoparticles are currently under development, exhibiting differences in (i) size, ranging from few tens of nanometers to few microns; (ii) shape, from the classical spherical beads to discoidal, hemispherical, cylindrical, and conical; (iii) surface functionalization, with a wide range of electrostatic charges and biomolecule conjugations. Clearly, the library of nanoparticles generated by combining all possible sizes, shapes, and surface physicochemical properties is enormous. With such a complex scenario, an integrated approach is here proposed and described for the rational design of nanoparticle systems (nanovectors) for the intravascular delivery of therapeutic and imaging contrast agents. The proposed integrated approach combines multiscale/multiphysics mathematical models with in vitro assays and in vivo intravital microscopy (IVM) experiments and aims at identifying the optimal combination of size, shape, and surface properties that maximize the nanovectors localization within the diseased microvasculature.

Ligand-directed cancer gene therapy to angiogenic vasculature

Gene therapy strategies in cancer have remained an active area of preclinical and clinical research. One of the current limitations to successful trials is the relative transduction efficiency to produce a therapeutic effect. While intratumoral injections are the mainstay of many treatment regimens to date, this approach is hindered by hydrostatic pressures within the tumor and is not always applicable to all tumor subtypes. Vascular-targeting strategies introduce an alternative method to deliver vectors with higher local concentrations and minimization of systemic toxicity. Moreover, therapeutic targeting of angiogenic vasculature often leads to enhanced bystander effects, improving efficacy. While identification of functional and systemically accessible molecular targets is challenging, approaches, such as in vivo phage display and phage-based viral delivery vectors, provide a platform upon which vascular targeting of vectors may become a viable and translational approach.

Peptide-mediated Gene Transfer of Cationic Lipid/Plasmid DNA Complexes to Endothelial Cells

The purpose of this research is to develop ligand-targeted plasmid based gene delivery systems for gene transfer to tumor endothelium. Cell adhesion assays were used to test the peptide inhibition of human endothelial cell adsorption to vitronectin-treated tissue culture plates. A series of RGD containing peptides were tested in linear form and with one and two disulfide bonds. The linear and two disulfide bond peptides yielded similar IC50 (approximately 1 x 10(-7) M). Substitution of two methionines for cysteines yielded a single disulfide bond that increased the IC50 by 10-fold. The single and double disulfide peptides were derivatized to N-succinyl-dioleoylphopsphatidylethanolamine and incorporated into 100 nm liposomes radiolabeled with H-cholesterylhexadecylether. Liposome uptake by human umbilical vein endothelial cells was tested as a function of lipopeptide surface density. Increase in membrane surface density from 5 to 20mol% increased human umbilical derived endothelial cell (HUVEC) uptake of the liposomes for both the single and double disulfide peptides. Liposome uptake by HUVECs was 3-fold greater for the double disulfide compared to the single disulfide. The single and double disulfide lipopeptides were then tested for gene transfer to HUVECs using DOTMA:Cholesterol cationic liposomes. The polyplexes were formed by rapidly mixing plasmid DNA with DOTMA:CHOL liposomes at a 3:1 charge ratio in 2% ethanol, 10% lactose. The ethanol was removed by lyophilization and upon rehydration, the lipoplexes had a mean diameter of approximately 100nm. HUVEC transfection studies showed that increasing the mol% of the single disulfide RGD lipopeptide to 20mol% increased gene transfer by 10-fold. This increase in transfection could be reduced to that obtained in the absence of lipopeptide by co-incubating the HUVECs with a 100-fold excess of the single disulfide RGD peptide, thus demonstrating lipopeptide mediated gene transfer to endothelial cells.

Development of peptide-targeted lipoplexes to CXCR4-expressing rat glioma cells and rat proliferating endothelial cells

A peptide analog, 4-fluorobenzoyl-RR-(L-3-(2-naphthyl)alanine)-CYEK-(L-citrulline)-PYR-(L-citrulline)-CR, covalently linked to a phospholipid, was used for targeting a lipid-based gene delivery vehicle to CXCR4(+)-cells. Characterization of transfection activity was done in vitro using a transformed rat glioma cell line (RG2) that expresses CXCR4. The substitution of the targeting lipid at increasing mole percentages in the place of helper lipids yielded a progressive increase in reporter gene expression, reaching a maximum of 2.5 times the control value at 20 mol% of ligand. The substitution of helper lipids with cysteine-derivatized phospholipid analog or phosphatidylethanolamine resulted in a progressive decrease in transfection activity, with complete inactivation of the complex occurring at 20 mol%. A DNA dose-response with 10 mol% of lipopeptide reduced the effective DNA dose at least fivefold with regard to the number of transfected cells and >20-fold with regard to the amount of gene expression. Gene transfer to rat endothelial cells was studied in the context of an arterial organ culture. Mesenteric arteries were cannulated and maintained in culture for up to 4 days. CXCR4 cell-surface expression on endothelial cells was induced after overnight incubation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Gene transfer studies showed that only the peptide-targeted lipoplexes transfected the endothelium, and only after CXCR4 had been induced with VEGF. These results demonstrate that non-viral transfection complexes can be targeted to cells expressing CXCR4, and that gene transfer is dependent upon cell surface receptor expression levels.

DC-SIGN-specific liposomal targeting and selective intracellular compound delivery to human myeloid dendritic cells: implications for HIV disease

Myeloid dendritic cells (MyDCs), prime stimulators of antigen-specific immunity, can serve as one of the major reservoirs for human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Utilizing mature monocyte-derived MyDCs generated with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-4, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha as an in vitro model, we here present the first proof of concept for liposomal compound delivery to these cells by specifically addressing CD209, i.e. DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), a MyDC-associated C-type lectin implicated in the transmission of HIV-1 to T helper cells. By employing a liposomally entrapped tracer, calcein, we demonstrate by flow cytometry and mathematics a superior targeting efficacy for DC-SIGN, as compared with select other MyDC markers (CD1a, CD4, CD45R0, and CD83). Fluorescence microscopy reveals time-dependent surface binding and intracellular uptake of DC-SIGN-specific liposomes by both immature and mature MyDCs. This pilot study implies that liposomal targeting to CD209 and related C-type lectins may afford therapeutic intracellular drug delivery to MyDCs and other reservoir and nonreservoir cells susceptible to infection with HIV-1.