Leonor P. Roguin

Photodynamic effects of isosteric water-soluble phthalocyanines on human nasopharynx KB carcinoma cells

The photodynamic activity of water-soluble cationic zinc(II) phthalocyanines using human nasopharynx carcinoma (KB cells) was investigated. A sulfur-linked cationic dye, named: 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis[(2-trimethylammonium)ethylsulfanyl]phthalocyaninatozinc(II) tetraioidide (13) is the most active of four sensitizer assays and shows a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.58 and a higher bathochromic shift of 10 nm for the Q-band as compared with the oxygen-linked cationic aliphatic phthalocyanine: 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis[(2-trimethylammonium)ethoxy]phthalocyaninatozinc(II) tetraioidide (11) and the best photo-stability in water in comparison with their tetra-alpha-substituted counterparts 1,8(11),15(18),22(25)-tetrakis[(2-trimethylammonium)ethoxy]phthalocyaninatozinc(II) tetraioidide (12) and 1,8(11),15(18),22(25)-tetrakis[(2-trimethylammonium)ethylsulfanyl]phthalocyaninatozinc(II) tetraioidide (14). Phthalocyanine 13, partially localized in lysosomes, led to cell photoinactivation in a concentration- and light dose-dependent manner. After photodynamic treatment, compound 13 induced an apoptotic response--as indicated by morphological cell changes--an increase in the activity of caspase-3 and the cleavage of poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase substrate (PARP).

The granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) activates Jak/STAT and MAPK pathways in a trophoblastic cell line

Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor receptor (G‐CSFR) has been found in placenta tissues, although its functional role has not yet been defined. In order to explore the molecular pathways induced by G‐CSF in this tissue, we first reveal the presence of G‐CSFR in the JEG‐3 human trophoblastic cell line and then examined the phosphorylation of Janus tyrosine kinases (Jak), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) after G‐CSF binding to receptors. We showed that Jak1, Jak2, Tyk2, and STAT3 were phosphorylated after incubation with G‐CSF. Phosphorylation of p38 and p44/42 MAPK was also activated by G‐CSF, and specifically blocked in the presence of the corresponding inhibitors. Similar intracellular pathways were induced by G‐CSF in a myeloid leukemia NFS‐60 cell line that was studied in parallel. Conversely to cytokine action in myeloid cells, G‐CSF did not induce a proliferative response in JEG‐3 cells. When the effect of G‐CSF on cellular viability was evaluated, cytokine‐stimulated JEG‐3 cells were protected from foetal serum starvation. In addition, when JEG‐3 cells deprived of serum were incubated at different times in the presence of G‐CSF, a progressive decrease in the percentage of hypodiploid cells was observed. In summary, we identified the molecular pathways activated after G‐CSF binding to trophoblastic cell receptors and showed that G‐CSF behaved as a protective cytokine, which supports JEG‐3 cells survival. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 1512–1523, 2008.

Synthesis and comparative photodynamic properties of two isosteric alkyl substituted zinc(II) phthalocyanines.

The synthesis and photophysical parameters of two novel isosteric cationic zinc(II) phthalocyanines: 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis[(N-butyl-N-methylammoniumethylsulfanyl]phthalocyaninatozinc(II) tetraiodide (6) and 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis[(N-dibutyl-N-methylammonium)ethoxy]phthalocyaninatozinc(II) tetraiodide (7) were investigated. Maximum absorption values were 686.5 nm and 678 nm for 6 and 7, respectively, whereas singlet molecular oxygen generation was 0.42 and 0.67, respectively. The photodynamic effect and the cellular uptake of both phthalocyanines were evaluated on human nasopharynx KB carcinoma cells. After light exposure, phthalocyanine 6 showed a higher cytotoxic activity than 7. In addition, a higher intracellular uptake of 6 and a preferential localization within lysosomes were demonstrated. The production of a greater amount of reactive oxygen species after phthalocyanine 6 irradiation would be responsible for its potent phototoxic action on KB cells.

Lysosomal and mitochondrial permeabilization mediates zinc(II) cationic phthalocyanine phototoxicity.

In order to find a novel photosensitizer to be used in photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment, we have previously showed that the cationic zinc(II) phthalocyanine named Pc13, the sulfur-linked dye 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis[(2-trimethylammonium) ethylsulfanyl]phthalocyaninatozinc(II) tetraiodide, exerts a selective phototoxic effect on human nasopharynx KB carcinoma cells and induces an apoptotic response characterized by an increase in the activity of caspase-3. Since the activation of an apoptotic pathway by chemotherapeutic agents contributes to the elimination of malignant cells, in this study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor action of Pc13. We found that after light exposure, Pc13 induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are mediating the resultant cytotoxic action on KB cells. ROS led to an early permeabilization of lysosomal membranes as demonstrated by the reduction of lysosome fluorescence with acridine orange and the release of lysosomal proteases to cytosol. Treatment with antioxidants inhibited ROS generation, preserved the integrity of lysosomal membrane and increased cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Lysosome disruption was followed by mitochondrial depolarization, cytosolic release of cytochrome C and caspases activation. Although no change in the total amount of Bax was observed, the translocation of Bax from cytosol to mitochondria, the cleavage of the pro-apoptotic protein Bid, together with the decrease of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 indicated the involvement of Bcl-2 family proteins in the induction of the mitochondrial pathway. It was also demonstrated that cathepsin D, but not caspase-8, contributed to Bid cleavage. In conclusion, Pc13-induced cell photodamage is triggered by ROS generation and activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through the release of lysosomal proteases. In addition, our results also indicated that Pc13 induced a caspase-dependent apoptotic response, being activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3 the result of a post-mitochondrial event.

Allosteric effects of monoclonal antibodies on human growth hormone.

We have previously shown that a monoclonal antibody (MAb) recognizing the human growth hormone (hGH) antigenic domain left exposed after binding to lactogenic receptors enhanced hGH binding probably through allosteric effects on the hormone binding site. Since receptors displaying different specificities would not recognize exactly the same hGH region, we explored whether some of our MAb could affect hGH binding to somatogenic receptors from rabbit liver and to human liver hGH-specific receptors.The effect of MAbAE5, AC8 and F11 on hGH binding was measured by determining the formation of125I-MAb:hGH:receptor complexes using two different experimental approaches. Results from procedure A, which involved the previous binding of the hormone to microsomes before adding125I-MAb, indicated that the hGH domain defined by epitopes AE5, AC8 and F11 is uncovered in the various hormone:receptor complexes.Procedure B was devised to reveal any alteration in the hGH molecule induced by the MAb. In this case preformed125I-MAb:hGH complexes were added to microsomes. Data showed that125I-MAb AE5:hGH complexes bound better to the various receptors than125I-MAb AE5 to hGH:receptor complexes. On the contrary, hGH previously bound to125I-MAb AC8 or125I-MAb F11 was less recognized by the receptors than the free hormone. Furthermore, binding of MAb AE5 or MAb F11 to hGH 20 K (a natural hGH variant lacking residues 32–46) also enhanced its affinity to the various receptors whereas MAb AC8 did not inhibit hGH 20 K binding.Results indicated that MAb recognizing the hGH antigenic area that remains unmasked after binding to different membrane-bound receptors are able to affect hormone binding site. MAb would induce either positive or negative allosteric changes in the hormone region involved in its binding to lactogenic, somatogenic and hGH-specific receptors.

Photodynamic Effects of Zinc(II) Phthalocyanine‐Loaded Polymeric Micelles in Human Nasopharynx KB Carcinoma Cells

A major difficulty in photodynamic therapy is the poor solubility of the photosensitizer (PS) under physiological conditions which correlates with low bioavailability. PS aggregation leads to a decrease in the photodynamic efficiency and a more limited activity in vitro and in vivo. To improve the aqueous solubility and reduce the aggregation of 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)‐tetrakis[(2‐dimethylamino)ethylsulfanyl]phthal‐ocyaninatozinc(II) (Pc9), the encapsulation into four poloxamine polymeric micelles (T304, T904, T1107 and T1307) displaying a broad spectrum of molecular weight and hydrophilic–lipophilic balance was investigated. The aqueous solubility of Pc9 was increased up to 30 times. Morphological evaluation showed the formation of Pc9‐loaded spherical micelles in the nanosize range. UV/Vis and fluorescence studies indicated that Pc9 is less aggregated upon encapsulation in comparison with Pc9 in water–DMSO 2% and remained photostable. Pc9‐loaded micelles generated singlet molecular oxygen in high yields. Photocytotoxicity assays using human nasopharynx KB carcinoma cells confirmed that the encapsulation of Pc9 in T1107 and T1307 increases its photocytotoxicity by 10 times in comparison with the free form in water–DMSO. In addition, Pc9 incorporated into cells was mainly localized in lysosomes.

Monoclonal antibodies to human growth hormone modulate its biological properties

Previous results indicated that monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) termed mAb AE5, mAb AC8 and mAb F11, recognizing the human growth hormone (hGH) region left exposed after binding to lactogenic, somatogenic and hGH-specific receptors, produce allosteric changes in the hormone which modify its binding properties. To study whether these mAbs could also influence hGH biological activity, experiments were carried out with Nb2 cells, a rat lymphoma cell line which proliferates in the presence of lactogenic hormones. Experiments involving previous binding of the hormone to receptors before adding 125I-mAbs indicated that the hGH domain defined by overlapped epitopes AE5, AC8 and F11 is uncovered in hGH when it is bound to the cell membranes. To reveal any alteration in the hGH molecule induced by the mAbs, preformed 125I-mAb:hGH complexes were added to the cell membranes. Data showed that 125I-mAb AE5:hGH complexes bound better to the receptors than free hormone. On the contrary, hGH previously bound to 125I-mAb AC8 or 125I-mAb F11 was poorly recognized by Nb2 receptors. Furthermore, both mAbs AC8 and F11 strongly inhibited 125I-hGH binding to Nb2 cell membranes and hGH-induced Nb2 cell proliferation whereas mAb AE5 enhanced both hormone binding and hGH mitogenic effect. Additionally, since mAb AC8 is directed towards an epitope shared by hGH and human placental lactogen (hPL), it was also shown that this mAb could impair hPL biological activity even though it recognizes the hPL region left exposed in hPL:Nb2 cell receptor complexes. Data presented in this work suggest that mAbs directed to the hGH or hPL regions unmasked after binding to Nb2 cell receptors produce allosteric alterations in the binding properties of these hormones leading to either enhancement or decrease of their biological activities.

STAT1, STAT3 and p38MAPK are involved in the apoptotic effect induced by a chimeric cyclic interferon-α2b peptide

In the search of mimetic peptides of the interferon-alpha2b molecule (IFN-alpha2b), we have previously designed and synthesized a chimeric cyclic peptide of the IFN-alpha2b that inhibits WISH cell proliferation by inducing an apoptotic response. Here, we first studied the ability of this peptide to activate intracellular signaling pathways and then evaluated the participation of some signals in the induction of apoptosis. Stimulation of WISH cells with the cyclic peptide showed tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak1 and Tyk2 kinases, tyrosine and serine phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 transcription factors and activation of p38 MAPK pathway, although phosphorylation levels or kinetics were in some conditions different to those obtained under IFN-alpha2b stimulus. JNK and p44/42 pathways were not activated by the peptide in WISH cells. We also showed that STAT1 and STAT3 downregulation by RNA interference decreased the antiproliferative activity and the amount of apoptotic cells induced by the peptide. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK also reduced the peptide growth inhibitory activity and the apoptotic effect. Thus, we demonstrated that the cyclic peptide regulates WISH cell proliferation through the activation of Jak/STAT signaling pathway. In addition, our results indicate that p38 MAPK may also be involved in cell growth regulation. This study suggests that STAT1, STAT3 and p38 MAPK would be mediating the antitumor and apoptotic response triggered by the cyclic peptide in WISH cells.

Synthesis and biological properties of chimeric interferon-α2b peptides

We have previously reported the antiproliferative activity of synthetic sequences 29-35 and 122-139 of the interferon-alpha2b (IFN-alpha2b), both probably representing a common receptor recognition domain. In the search of new peptidic agonists, we designed and synthesized the linear peptide (Gly)2-122-137-Gly138-Gly29-30-35-(Gly)2, in which Gly residues replaced the 138 and 29 Cys bound through a disulfide bridge in the native cytokine. Additionally, a cyclic analog was obtained by reaction of the N- and C-terminal ends of the linear fragment. Thus, the distance that separates residues 122 and 35 in the crystalline structure of the IFN-alpha2b was maintained through a (Gly)4 bridge. When the influence of chimeric peptides on the proliferation of WISH cells was studied, it was shown that both derivatives significantly diminished cell growth. A more evident inhibitory effect on (125)I-IFN-alpha2b binding to WISH cell-membrane receptors was observed for both peptides. Results indicated that chimeric IFN-alpha2b peptides behaved as partial agonists of the IFN-alpha2b molecule and may be of interest for drug design purposes.

Change in the accessibility of an epitope of the human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor after binding to receptors.

In a previous work we demonstrated that monoclonal antibody (mAb) 8C2 recognized a human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (hG-CSF) region left unmasked after binding to placenta receptors, whereas mAb 6E3 defined a receptor-buried epitope. Herein we examined the role of these antigenic regions on the proliferative response induced by hG-CSF on a myeloid leukaemia cell line. Both mAbs significantly inhibited the hG-CSF-induced cell growing, although epitope 8C2 but not 6E3 remained exposed in hG-CSF:cell receptor complexes. When cytokine:receptor complexes already formed at 4 degrees C were incubated 1 h at 37 degrees C under conditions preventing the internalization, a significant reduction in the amount of accessible 8C2 epitopes was evident. However, this effect was not observed when mAb 8C2:hG-CSF complexes previously bound to cells were incubated at 37 degrees C. Thus, results suggest that a receptor oligomerization process could account for the temperature-induced epitope 8C2 masking. The identification of epitope 8C2 accomplished by synthesis of overlapping octapeptides, revealed that it is formed by sequences 39-52 and 155-164, both in close proximity in the three-dimensional structure of the hG-CSF molecule. Since part of this region has been proposed as a second binding site to receptors, we infer that the change of epitope 8C2 accessibility could be the result of either receptor aggregation or epitope binding to another receptor. In addition, our data support the hypothesis that a ligand-induced receptor oligomerization is required for transduction of cytokine signals.