Yves Cordier

Capillary gel electrophoresis of oligonucleotides: prediction of migration times using base- specific migration coefficients

Chemically synthesized oligodeoxyribonucleotides were subjected to capillary gel electrophoresis on three different polyacrylamide-based matrices. Analysis of about 1000 samples over a 1-year period showed that the gel matrix evolved with time resulting in shifting migration times, making it essential to use an internal standard. Cross-linked polyacrylamide matrices had the highest stability, allowing an average of 100 injections on the same capillary. Computer-aided prediction of migration times was subsequently evaluated to confirm the size and base composition of oligonucleotides more accurately. A number of problems were noted when using this approach on a routine basis, such as insufficient stability of the gel matrices, effects of secondary structure on migration and insufficient differences in migration times for oligonucleotides containing > 50 bases. Capillary gel electrophoresis at pH 3.5 in replaceable gels showed that migration was mainly dependent on the charge per base ratio resulting in separations of significantly altered selectivity which complemented analyses under the commonly used basic pH conditions.

Solvoplex: A New Type of Synthetic Vector for Intrapulmonary Gene Delivery

A novel type of synthetic vector, termed solvoplex, is described that can greatly enhance gene expression in lung after intrapulmonary delivery. Solvoplexes consist of plasmid DNA and organic solvents. Several organic solvents were analyzed, and luciferase reporter gene expression was observed after intrapulmonary delivery of solvoplexes containing DPSO (di-n-propylsulfoxide), TMU (tetramethylurea), or BMSO (butylmethylsulfoxide). Expression levels correlated with the amount of solvent used at constant DNA amounts. Highest expression was obtained in the lung after intratracheal injection with 15% DPSO resulting in an increase up to 440-fold compared with DNA alone. DPSO-solvoplexes (15%) gave higher reporter gene expression than polyplexes (ExGen 500) or lipoplexes (DOTAP-cholesterol or DOTAP-DOPE). Solvoplex-mediated gene expression did not depend on the delivery mode, and was observed in both mice and rats. Readministration of DPSO-solvoplexes was possible. A second injection after 4 weeks resulted in expression levels similar to the first administration. Histological analyses using lacZ and GFP reporter genes demonstrated gene expression in the lung airway epithelium after intratracheal and microspray delivery. When luciferase expression levels in lung homogenates were compared with adenovirus vectors, DPSO-solvoplexes were 4- or 100-fold less efficient, depending on the promoter used in the viral vector. A quantitative histological comparison between solvoplexes and adenovirus vectors in the best expressing regions revealed that solvoplexes yielded about 2% LacZ-positive cells in the lung airway epithelium, and adenovirus vectors about 20%. Using the microsprayer system, we demonstrated that DNA remained intact in solvoplexes on spraying and that reporter gene expression was observed in mice after intrapulmonary delivery of a solvoplex spray. DNA in DPSO-solvoplexes remained stable and functional after prolonged storage at room temperature.

Synthesis and stability study of the new pentammonio lipid pcTG90, a gene transfer agent

Abstract The cationic lipid pcTG90 has been prepared from ( S )-1-aminopropane-2,3-diol by N -acylation with N -protected 18-amino-3,7,11,15-tetraazaoctadecanoic acid and O -acylation with oleic acid. The former acid could be obtained from 1,3-propanediamine via tetraprotected caldopentamine. The stability of the cationic lipid in HEPES buffer has been studied.

Synthesis and characterization of photoactivatable peptide agonists of the human thrombin receptor

Chemical synthesis and biochemical analysis of modified agonist peptides of the human thrombin receptor derived from the sequence SFLLRNP containing photoactivatable azido groups and biotin for sensitive detection is described. Substitution of leucine in position three with p‐azidophenylalanine and extension of the C‐terminus with a KGGK spacer containing biotin covalently linked to the side chain of the C‐terminal lysine residue resulted in an active receptor agonist as determined by intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells. In contrast, substitution of phenylalanine in position two with p‐azidophenylalanine reduced agonist activity significantly.