Haixun Guo

111In-labeled lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone peptide analogues for melanoma imaging.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the lactam bridge cyclization on melanoma targeting and biodistribution properties of the radiolabeled conjugates. Two novel lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-MSH peptide analogues, DOTA-CycMSH (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Asp]) and DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH (DOTA-Gly-Glu-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Asp]), were synthesized and radiolabeled with (111)In. The internalization and efflux of (111)In-labeled CycMSH peptides were examined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. The melanoma targeting properties, pharmacokinetics, and SPECT/CT imaging of (111)In-labeled CycMSH peptides were determined in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice. Both (111)In-DOTA-CycMSH and (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH exhibited fast internalization and extended retention in B16/F1 cells. The tumor uptake values of (111)In-DOTA-CycMSH and (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH were 9.53+/-1.41% injected dose/gram (% ID/g) and 10.40+/-1.40% ID/g at 2 h postinjection, respectively. Flank melanoma tumors were clearly visualized with (111)In-DOTA-CycMSH and (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH by SPECT/CT images at 2 h postinjection. Whole-body clearance of the peptides was fast, with greater than 90% of the radioactivities cleared through urinary system by 2 h postinjection. There was low radioactivity (<0.8% ID/g) accumulated in blood and normal organs except kidneys at all time points investigated. Introduction of a negatively charged linker (-Gly-Glu-) into the peptide sequence decreased the renal uptake by 44% without affecting the tumor uptake at 4 h postinjection. High receptor-mediated melanoma uptakes coupled with fast whole-body clearance in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice demonstrated the feasibility of using (111)In-labeled lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-MSH peptide analogues as a novel class of imaging probes for receptor-targeting melanoma imaging.

Targeted Drug Delivery to Intestinal Macrophages by Bioactive Nanovesicles Released from Grapefruit

The gut mucosal immune system is considered to play an important role in counteracting potential adverse effects of food-derived antigens including nanovesicles. Whether nanovesicles naturally released from edible fruit work in a coordinated manner with gut immune cells to maintain the gut in a noninflammatory status is not known. Here, as proof of concept, we demonstrate that grapefruit-derived nanovesicles (GDNs) are selectively taken up by intestinal macrophages and ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis. These effects were mediated by upregulating the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and inhibiting the production of IL-1β and TNF-α in intestinal macrophages. The inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability, stability at wide ranges of pH values, and targeting of intestinal macrophages led us to further develop a novel GDN-based oral delivery system. Incorporating methotrexate (MTX), an anti-inflammatory drug, into GDNs and delivering the MTX-GDNs to mice significantly lowered the MTX toxicity when compared with free MTX, and remarkably increased its therapeutic effects in DSS-induced mouse colitis. These findings demonstrate that GDNs can serve as immune modulators in the intestine, maintain intestinal macrophage homeostasis, and can be developed for oral delivery of small molecule drugs to attenuate inflammatory responses in human disease.

Reduction of the ring size of radiolabeled lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-MSH peptide, resulting in enhanced melanoma uptake.

The purpose of this study was to examine the profound effect of the ring size of the radiolabeled lactam bridge–cyclized α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone (α-MSH) peptide on its melanoma-targeting properties. Methods: A novel cyclic α-MSH peptide, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-Nle-c[Asp-His-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-CONH2 (DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex), was synthesized and radiolabeled with 111In. The melanocortin-1 receptor–binding affinity of DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex was determined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. The internalization and efflux of 111In-DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex were examined in B16/F1 cells. The melanoma-targeting properties and SPECT/CT characteristics of 111In-DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex were determined in B16/F1 melanoma–bearing C57 mice. Results: DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex displayed 1.77 nM receptor-binding affinity. 111In-DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex exhibited rapid internalization and extended retention in B16/F1 cells. The tumor uptake of 111In-DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex was 24.94% ± 4.58% and 10.53% ± 1.11% injected dose per gram at 0.5 and 24 h after injection, respectively. Greater than 82% of the injected radioactivity was cleared through the urinary system by 2 h after injection. The tumor-to-kidney uptake ratios reached 2.04 and 1.70 at 2 and 4 h after injection, respectively. Flank melanoma tumors were clearly visualized by SPECT/CT using 111In-DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex as an imaging probe at 2 and 24 h after injection. The radioactivity accumulation in normal organs, except for the kidneys, was low at 2, 4, and 24 h after injection. Conclusion: The reduction of the peptide ring size dramatically increased the melanoma uptake and decreased the renal uptake of 111In-DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex, providing a new insight into the design of a novel radiolabeled lactam bridge–cyclized α-MSH peptide for melanoma imaging and treatment.

Metastatic melanoma imaging with an 111In-labeled lactam bridge-cyclized α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptide

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to examine whether a novel lactam bridge-cyclized (111)In-labeled 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-Gly-Glu-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Asp] {DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH} could be an effective imaging probe for metastatic melanoma detection. METHODS (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH was prepared and purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The internalization and efflux of (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH were examined in B16/F10 melanoma cells. The biodistribution of (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH was determined in B16/F10 pulmonary metastatic melanoma-bearing and normal C57 mice. Pulmonary metastatic melanoma imaging was performed by small-animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT (Nano-SPECT/CT) using (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH as an imaging probe and compared with 2-[(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. RESULTS (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH was readily prepared with greater than 95% radiolabeling yield. (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH displayed rapid internalization and extended efflux in B16/F10 cells. (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH exhibited significantly (P<.05) higher uptakes (2.00+/-0.74%ID/g at 2 h post-injection and 1.83+/-0.12%ID/g at 4 h post-injection) in metastatic melanoma-bearing lung than that in normal lung (0.08+/-0.08%ID/g and 0.05+/-0.05%ID/g at 2 and 4 h post-injection, respectively). The activity accumulation in normal organs was low (<0.5%ID/g) except for the kidneys 2 and 4 h post-injection. B16/F10 pulmonary melanoma metastases were clearly visualized with (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH 2 h post-injection rather than with [(18)F]FDG 1 h post-injection. CONCLUSIONS (111)In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH exhibited favorable metastatic melanoma-targeting and -imaging properties, highlighting its potential as an effective imaging probe for metastatic melanoma detection.

Effect of DOTA Position on Melanoma Targeting and Pharmacokinetic Properties of 111In-labeled Lactam Bridge-Cyclized Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Peptide

UNLABELLED The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) position on melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetics of radiolabeled lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) peptide. METHOD A novel lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-MSH peptide, Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA] {Ac-Glu-Glu-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Lys(DOTA)]}, was synthesized using standard 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry. DOTA was directly attached to the alpha-amino group of Lys in the cyclic ring, while the N-terminus of the peptide was acetylated to generate Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA]. The MC1 receptor binding affinity of Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA] was determined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. Melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA]-111In were determined in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice and compared to that of 111In-DOTA-Gly-Glu-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Asp] (111In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH; DOTA was coupled to the N-terminus of the peptide). RESULTS Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA] displayed 0.6 nM MC1 receptor binding affinity in B16/F1 cells. Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA]-111In was readily prepared with greater than 95% radiolabeling yield. Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA]-111In exhibited high tumor uptake (11.42 +/- 2.20% ID/g 2 h postinjection) and prolonged tumor retention (9.42 +/- 2.41% ID/g 4 h postinjection) in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice. The uptake values for nontarget organs were generally low (<1.3% ID/g) except for the kidneys 2, 4, and 24 h postinjection. CONCLUSIONS DOTA position exhibited profound effect on melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA]-111In, providing a new insight into the design of lactam bridge-cyclized peptide for melanoma imaging and therapy.

Evaluation of a novel Arg-Gly-Asp-conjugated α-melanocyte stimulating hormone hybrid peptide for potential melanoma therapy.

UNLABELLED The purpose of this study was to determine whether Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-conjugated α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) hybrid peptide could be employed to target melanocortin-1 (MC1) receptor for potential melanoma therapy. METHODS The RGD motif {cyclic(Arg-Gly-Asp-DTyr-Asp)} was coupled to [Cys(3,4,10), DPhe(7), Arg(11)]α-MSH(3-13) {(Arg(11))CCMSH} to generate RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH hybrid peptide. The MC1 receptor binding affinity of RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH was determined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. The internalization and efflux, melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetic properties and single photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) imaging of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH were determined in B16/F1 melanoma cells and melanoma-bearing C57 mice. Clonogenic cytotoxic effect of RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH was examined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. RESULTS RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH displayed 2.1 nM MC1 receptor binding affinity. (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH showed rapid internalization and extended retention in B16/F1 cells. The cellular uptake of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH was MC1 receptor-mediated. (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH exhibited high tumor uptake (14.83 ± 2.94% ID/g 2 h postinjection) and prolonged tumor retention (7.59 ± 2.04% ID/g 24 h postinjection) in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing mice. Nontarget organ uptakes were generally low except for the kidneys. Whole-body clearance of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH was rapid, with approximately 62% of the injected radioactivity cleared through the urinary system by 2 h postinjection. Flank melanoma tumors were clearly imaged by small animal SPECT/CT using (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH as an imaging probe 2 h postinjection. Single treatment (3 h incubation) with 100 nM of RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the clonogenic survival of B16/F1 cells by 65% compared to the untreated control cells. CONCLUSION Favorable melanoma targeting property of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH and remarkable cytotoxic effect of RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH in B16/F1 cells warranted the further evaluation of (188)Re-labeled α-MSH hybrid peptides as novel therapeutic peptides for melanoma treatment once the strategies of amino acid coinjection or structural modification of peptide sequence substantially reduce the renal uptake.

Effects of the amino acid linkers on the melanoma-targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of 111In-labeled lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-MSH peptides.

The purpose of this study was to examine the profound effects of the amino acid linkers on the melanoma-targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of 111In-labeled lactam bridge–cyclized DOTA-[X]-CycMSHhex {1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-[X]-c[Asp-His-dPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-CONH2; X = GGNle, GENle, or NleGE; GG = -Gly-Gly- and GE = -Gly-Glu-} peptides. Methods: Three novel peptides (DOTA-GGNle-CycMSHhex, DOTA-GENle-CycMSHhex, and DOTA-NleGE-CycMSHhex) were designed and synthesized. The melanocortin-1 (MC1) receptor–binding affinities of the peptides were determined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. The melanoma-targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of 111In-DOTA-GGNle-CycMSHhex and 111In-DOTA-GENle-CycMSHhex were determined in B16/F1 melanoma–bearing C57 mice. Results: DOTA-GGNle-CycMSHhex and DOTA-GENle-CycMSHhex displayed 2.1 and 11.5 nM MC1 receptor–binding affinities, whereas DOTA-NleGE-CycMSHhex showed 873.4 nM MC1 receptor–binding affinity. The introduction of the -GG- linker maintained high melanoma uptake while decreasing kidney and liver uptake of 111In-DOTA-GGNle-CycMSHhex. The tumor uptake of 111In-DOTA-GGNle-CycMSHhex was 19.05 ± 5.04 and 18.6 ± 3.56 percentage injected dose per gram at 2 and 4 h after injection, respectively. 111In-DOTA-GGNle-CycMSHhex exhibited 28%, 32%, and 42% less kidney uptake than 111In-DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex we reported previously, and 61%, 65%, and 68% less liver uptake than 111In-DOTA-Nle-CycMSHhex at 2, 4, and 24 h after injection, respectively. Conclusion: The amino acid linkers exhibited profound effects on the melanoma-targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of the 111In-labeled lactam bridge–cyclized α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone peptides. Introduction of the -GG- linker maintained high melanoma uptake while reducing kidney and liver uptake of 111In-DOTA-GGNle-CycMSHhex, highlighting its potential as an effective imaging probe for melanoma detection, as well as a therapeutic peptide for melanoma treatment when labeled with a therapeutic radionuclide.

Gallium-67-Labeled Lactam Bridge-Cyclized Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Peptide for Primary and Metastatic Melanoma Imaging

The purpose of this study was to examine the melanoma imaging properties of a novel 67Ga-labeled lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) peptide. A lactam bridge-cyclized alpha-MSH peptide, DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH {DOTA-Gly-Glu-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Asp]}, was synthesized and radiolabeled with 67Ga. The melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of 67Ga-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH were determined in B16/F1 flank primary melanoma-bearing and B16/F10 pulmonary metastatic melanoma-bearing C57 mice. Flank primary melanoma and pulmonary metastatic melanoma imaging were performed by small animal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT using 67Ga-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH as an imaging probe. 67Ga-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH was readily prepared with greater than 95% radiolabeling yield. 67Ga-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH exhibited substantial tumor uptake (12.93 +/- 1.63%ID/g at 2 h postinjection) and prolonged tumor retention (5.02 +/- 1.35%ID/g at 24 h postinjection) in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice. The uptake values for nontarget organs were generally low (<0.30%ID/g) except for the kidneys at 2, 4, and 24 h postinjection. 67Ga-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher uptakes (1.44 +/- 0.75%ID/g at 2 h postinjection and 1.49 +/- 0.69%ID/g at 4 h postinjection) in metastatic melanoma-bearing lung than those in normal lung (0.15 +/- 0.10%ID/g and 0.17 +/- 0.11%ID/g at 2 and 4 h postinjection, respectively). Both flank primary B16/F1 melanoma and B16/F10 pulmonary melanoma metastases were clearly visualized by SPECT/CT using 67Ga-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH as an imaging probe 2 h postinjection. 67Ga-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH exhibited favorable melanoma targeting and imaging properties, highlighting its potential as an effective imaging probe for early detection of primary and metastatic melanoma.

Technetium-99m-labeled Arg-Gly-Asp-conjugated alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone hybrid peptides for human melanoma imaging

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to examine whether (99m)Tc-labeled Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-conjugated alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) hybrid peptide targeting both melanocortin-1 (MC1) and α(v)β(3) integrin receptors was superior in melanoma targeting to (99m)Tc-labeled α-MSH or RGD peptide targeting only the MC1 or α(v)β(3) integrin receptor. METHODS RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH, RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH and RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSHscramble were designed to target both MC1 and α(v)β(3) integrin receptors, MC1 receptor only and α(v)β(3) integrin receptor only, respectively. The MC1 or α(v)β(3) integrin receptor binding affinities of three peptides were determined in M21 human melanoma cells. The melanoma targeting properties of (99m)Tc-labeled RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH, RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH and RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSHscramble were determined in M21 human melanoma-xenografted nude mice. Meanwhile, the melanoma uptake of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH was blocked with various non-radiolabeled peptides in M21 melanoma xenografts. RESULTS RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH displayed 2.0 and 403 nM binding affinities to both MC1 and α(v)β(3) integrin receptors, whereas RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH or RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSHscramble lost their α(v)β(3) integrin receptor binding affinity by greater than 248-fold or MC1 receptor binding affinity by more than 100-fold, respectively. The melanoma uptake of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH was 2.49 and 2.24 times (P < .05) the melanoma uptakes of (99m)Tc-RAD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH and (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSHscramble at 2 h post-injection, respectively. Either RGD or (Arg(11))CCMSH peptide co-injection could block 42% and 57% of the tumor uptake of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH, whereas the coinjection of RGD+(Arg(11))CCMSH peptide mixture could block 66% of the tumor uptake of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH. CONCLUSIONS Targeting both MC1 and α(v)β(3) integrin receptors enhanced the melanoma uptake of (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH in M21 human melanoma xenografts. Flank M21 human melanoma tumors were clearly visualized by single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomographic imaging using (99m)Tc-RGD-Lys-(Arg(11))CCMSH as an imaging probe, highlighting its potential use as a dual-receptor-targeting imaging probe for human melanoma detection.

Enterobacteria-secreted particles induce production of exosome-like S1P-containing particles by intestinal epithelium to drive Th17-mediated tumorigenesis

Gut-associated inflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of colon cancer. Here, we identify a novel pathogen-host interaction that promotes gut inflammation and the development of colon cancer. We find that enteropathogenic bacteria-secreted particles (ET-BSPs) stimulate intestinal epithelium to produce IDENs (intestinal mucosa-derived exosome-like nanoparticles) containing elevated levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate, CCL20 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). CCL20 and PGE2 are required for the recruitment and proliferation, respectively, of Th17 cells, and these processes also involve the MyD88-mediated pathway. By influencing the recruitment and proliferation of Th17 cells in the intestine, IDENs promote colon cancer. We demonstrate the biological effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate contained in IDENs on tumor growth in spontaneous and transplanted colon cancer mouse models. These findings provide deeper insights into how host-microbe relationships are mediated by particles secreted from both bacterial and host cells.