U.S. patent application number 09/888210 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for inhibition of selectin binding.
Invention is credited to Bertozzi, Carolyn, Dasgupta, Falguni, Nagy, Jon O., Spevak, Wayne R..
Application Number | 20010046970 09/888210 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21757263 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010046970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nagy, Jon O. ; et
al. |
November 29, 2001 |
Inhibition of selectin binding
Abstract
This invention provides compositions for inhibiting the binding
between two cells, one expressing P- or L-selectin on the surface
and the other expressing the corresponding ligand. A covalently
crosslinked lipid composition is prepared having saccharides and
acidic group on separate lipids. The composition is then interposed
between the cells so as to inhibit binding. Inhibition can be
achieved at an effective oligosaccharide concentration as low as
10.sup.6 fold below that of the free saccharide. Since selectins
are involved in recruiting cells to sites of injury, these
composition scan be used to palliate certain inflammatory and
immunological conditions.
Inventors: |
Nagy, Jon O.; (Rodeo,
CA) ; Spevak, Wayne R.; (Albany, CA) ;
Dasgupta, Falguni; (New Delhi, IN) ; Bertozzi,
Carolyn; (Alabany, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAUL R. MARTIN
LAWRENCE BERKELEY LABORATORY
ONE CYCLOTRON ROAD
MS 50A 6140
BERKELEY
CA
94720
|
Family ID: |
21757263 |
Appl. No.: |
09/888210 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09888210 |
Jun 22, 2001 |
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09440880 |
Nov 15, 1999 |
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09440880 |
Nov 15, 1999 |
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08807428 |
Feb 28, 1997 |
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5962422 |
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60012894 |
Mar 1, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
514/53 ;
514/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 35/04 20180101;
A61P 9/00 20180101; A61P 9/10 20180101; A61K 9/1273 20130101; A61P
11/06 20180101; A61P 29/00 20180101; A61P 43/00 20180101; A61K
31/7024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/53 ;
514/54 |
International
Class: |
A61K 031/726; A61K
031/715 |
Claims
What is claimed as the invention is:
1. A composition for inhibiting the binding between a first cell
having a P- or L selectin and a second cell having a ligand for the
selectin, comprising a sheet of lipids wherein a proportion of the
lipids are covalently crosslinked, a proportion of the lipids have
an attached saccharide, and a proportion of the lipids not having
an attached saccharide have an acid group that is negatively
charged at neutral pH.
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the saccharide is a
sialylated fucooligosaccharide or analog thereof.
3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the saccharide is a sulfated
fucooligosaccharide.
4. Th composition of claim 1 wherein the attached saccharide is a
neutral saccharide.
5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the saccharide is selected
from the group consisting of lactose and maltose.
6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the attached saccharide is a
disaccharide.
7. The composition of claim 1 wherein a proportion of the lipids
having an attached saccharide are covalently crosslinked to other
lipids in the sheet.
8. The composition of claim 1 wherein a proportion of lipids having
an attached saccharide are not covalently crosslinked to other
lipids in the sheet.
9. The composition of claim 1, wherein a proportion of the lipids
in the lipid sheet have a first attached saccharide, and a separate
proportion of the lipids in the lipid sheet have a second attached
saccharide that is different from the first.
10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the first attached
saccharide is fucose and the second attached saccharide is a
sulfated or acidic monosaccharide.
11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the acid group is a
carboxylic acid.
12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the acid group is a
negatively charged sulfate or phosphate group.
13. The composition of claim 1, wherein the lipid sheet is
comprised in the lipid bilayer of a liposome.
14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the lipids each contain a
single aliphatic hydrocarbon.
15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition inhibits
binding of the ligand to the selectin.
16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a 50%
inhibition concentration (IC.sub.50) that is 10.sup.2-fold lower
than that of monomer sLe.sup.x.
17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a 50%
inhibition concentration (IC.sub.50) that is 10.sup.4-fold lower
than that of monomer sLe.sup.x.
18. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has an
IC.sub.50 in a selectin-to-cell binding assay of less than 100
nM.
19. The composition of claim 1, wherein the selectin is
P-selectin.
20. The composition of claim 1, wherein the selectin is L-selectin.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of therapeutic
compounds designed to interfere between the binding of carbohydrate
ligands and their receptors on cell surface. More specifically, it
provides compositions of materials whose purpose is inhibiting cell
migration and activation via P- and L-selectin, using polymerized
glycoliposomes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The adhesion of circulating neutrophils to endothelial cells
is one of the important events occurring in the process of
inflammation. Neutrophil recruitment to tissues is initiated by an
adhesion cascade. Through this process, cells roll and eventually
attach firmly to the endothelium. The factors that contribute to
the high binding strength of this interaction are not fully
understood, but is thought to involve interaction between selectins
on one cell with carbohydrate ligands on another cell. By
interfering with the binding between these components, it may be
possible to counter pathological sequelae related to cell
migration.
[0003] A number of adhesion molecules mediate the interaction of
neutrophils and other leukocytes to the endothelium. Amongst them
are the ICAMs, VCAM, CD11, CD18, the integrin I4.theta.1, and
several receptors now known collectively as selecting. Each of
these molecules is part of a ligand-receptor pair, one of which is
expressed on each of the two interacting cells. For a general
review, the reader is referred to Bevilacqua (Annu. Rev. Immunol.
11:767, 1993). In various combinations, these and other molecules
support leukocyte adhesion to the vessel wall and extravasation,
and may also participate in activation of cell effector functions.
Expression of many of these molecules is up-regulated by soluble
factors such as cytokines, thereby acting to increase the
recruitment of leukocytes to an affected area.
[0004] Amongst the plurality of adhesion molecules that have been
described, three have been collected together in a category known
as selectins. One was formerly known as ELAM-1, and was identified
using inhibitory monoclonal antibodies against cytokine-activated
endothelial cells. Another was formerly designated as PADGEM,
GMP-140, or CD61. It was originally identified on platelets, and is
now known as P-selectin. A third identified on lymphocytes was
formerly designated as mLHR, Leu8, TQ-1, gp90.sup.MEL, Lam-1, or
Lecam-1, and is now known as L-selectin. The selectins were grouped
together on the basis of a structural similarity, before very much
was known about their binding specificity. All are single chain
polypeptides having a carbohydrate binding domain near the
N-terminus, an EGF repeat, and anywhere between 2 to 9 modules of
.about.60 amino acids each sharing homology with complement binding
proteins. For general reviews, the reader is referred to Lasky
(Annu. Rev. Biochem. 64:113, 1995) and Kansas (Blood 88:3259,
1996).
[0005] The three selectins differ from each other in a number of
important respects. As depicted in FIG. 2A, the selectins have
different ligand counterparts in the adhesion process. Each
selectin is regulated differently, and participates in a different
manner in the process of inflammation or immunity. There is also an
increasing appreciation for differences in the ligand binding
requirements between the selecting.
[0006] E-selectin has garnered a significant amount of recent
research interest because of its role in inflammation. The
migration of inflammatory mediator cells to an inflammatory site is
thought to be mediated in part by adhesion of the cells to vascular
endothelial cells. Studies in vitro have suggested that E-selectin
participates in the adhesion of not only neutrophils, but also
eosinophils, monocytes and a subpopulation of memory T-cells to
endothelium that has been activated by endotoxin, IL-1, or TNF.
Expression of E-selectin by endothelial monolayer increases by
about 10-fold and peaks at about 4 hours after stimulation with
IL-1, subsiding to near basal levels within 24 hours. The
biological role of E-selectin is thought to be a strong binding of
cells bearing a suitable E-selectin ligand, over a time-course of
20 min to 1 hour, particularly during the course of local
inflammation.
[0007] Phillips et al. (Science 250:1130, 1990) first identified
the binding target of E-selectin as the oligosaccharide sialyl
Lewis X (sLe.sup.x) (NeuAcI2,3Gal.theta.1,4(fucI1,3)GlcNac-), a
terminal structure found on cell surface glycoprotein of
neutrophils. This has become the prototype carbohydrate ligand for
the selectin class. This and related oligosaccharides are the
subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,305 and PCT application WO
92/07572.
[0008] The sLe.sup.x unit has been assembled into various polymeric
structures in an attempt to improve its weak binding to selectins.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,843 and DeFrees et al. (J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 117:66, 1995) disclose bivalent sialyl X saccharides.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,843 discloses a carbohydrate-containing polymer
having a synthetic polymer backbone with 10-20 sLe.sup.x,
sLe.sup.a, or GlcNac linked via a bifunctional spacer.
[0009] DeFrees et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 118:6101, 1996) describe a
sLe.sup.x preparation made with conventional phospholipid liposome
technology. The liposomes contain phosphatidyl choline,
cholesterol, phospholipid conjugated with methoxypolyethylene
glycol, and phospholipid conjugated with sLe.sup.x through a
polyethylene glycol spacer. Data is presented showing that this
composition is 5.times.10.sup.3 fold more potent than the sLe.sup.x
monomer in inhibiting the binding of E-selectin to cells. Murohara
et al. (Cardiovasc. Res. 30:965, 1995) tested sLe.sup.x
phospholiposomes in a myocardial reperfusion model, and found that
a dose of 400 Tg/kg body weight reduced the proportional size of
the area of risk and necrosis.
[0010] P-selectin is a transmembrane glycoprotein of .about.140
kDa, substantially larger than E-selectin. It was originally
described on platelets, in which it may be found in I- and
dense-granules. Upon activation of platelets with a mediator like
thrombin, P-selectin is rapidly redistributed to the cell surface.
In endothelial cells, it is found in granules known as
Weibel-Palade bodies, from which it is redistributed to the surface
upon activation with histamine. Shuttling of P-selectin to storage
granules appears to be mediated by a sorting signal present in the
cytoplasmic domain, and apparently unique in comparison with
E-selectin.
[0011] Accordingly, P-selectin differs from E-selectin in that it
may be rapidly expressed from storage granules rather than
requiring de novo synthesis. P-selectin binds carbohydrate ligands
present on neutrophils, monocytes, and memory T cells. Not only is
P-selectin in a preformed state, its expression is stimulated by
mediators such as histamine which in turn are preformed and stored
in the granules of inflammatory cells. The adherence of leukocytes
to P-selectin rather than E-selectin on endothelial cells is
perhaps the initial event that occurs for recruitment of these
cells to an injured site. Interference with P-selectin binding may
be particularly important when it is desirable to limit leukocyte
migration.
[0012] The presence of P-selectin on platelets suggests additional
unique biological roles compared with the other selecting. In one
hypothesis, sites of tissue injury may be acutely enriched with
short-acting platelet activators, and active platelets expressing
P-selectin may directly recruit other leukocytes. In another
hypothesis, neutrophils or monocytes at an inflamed site may be
able to catch platelets by way of the P-selectin, which in turn
could lead to clot formation or additional mediator release. In an
experimental thrombus model, it has been observed that platelets
accumulate first at the injury site, followed by leukocyte
adherence and fibrin deposition. Both of the latter two steps was
inhibited by antibodies against P-selectin (Palabrica et al.,
Nature 359:848, 1992).
[0013] L-selectin has a number of features that are different from
the other known selecting. First, the tissue distribution pattern
is opposite to that of P- and E-selectin--it is expressed on the
surface of leukocytes, rather than on the endothelium; while the
ligand it binds to is on the endothelium rather than the
leukocytes. Second, L-selectin is constitutively expressed, rather
than being up-regulated during inflammation, and is in fact shed
following activation. This may act to allow the activated cells to
be released after binding, or may indicate a role of L-selectin in
cellular activation. Third, L-selectin is present not only on
neutrophils and monocytes, but also on most lymphocytes; while the
ligand counterpart is present not only on endothelium but also on
lymph node HEV. L-selectin appears to play a key role in homing to
lymph nodes (Shimizu et al., Immunol. Today 13:106, 1992; Picker et
al., Annu. Rev. Immunol. 10:561, 1992). In pathological conditions
involving the immune system, it may be L-selectin that plays the
most central role.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,578 describes sulfated ligands for
L-selectin and methods of treating inflammation. The ligands are
sulfooligosaccharides based on the carbohydrate structures present
on the natural L-selectin ligand GlyCAM-1.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,536 describes the use of sulfatides as
anti-inflammatory compounds. The binding activity was attributed to
a critical sulfate group at position 3 on the pyranose ring of
galactose. In one experiment, sulfatides were sonicated in a
protein-containing buffer to produce microdroplets. The preparation
was asserted to have protective effects in two animal models for
acute lung injury and inflammation.
[0016] Each of the selectins shows a fine specificity in terms of
the carbohydrate requirement for binding. All three selectins bind
sialylated fucooligosaccharides, of which the prototype is the
tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewis.sup.x (sLe.sup.x). Direct binding
experiments between synthetic carbohydrates and isolated selectins
has permitted a more detailed dissection of the binding
requirements (e.g., Brandley et al., Glycobiology 3: 633, 1993). E-
and L-selectin require an I2-3 linkage for the sialic acid in
sLe.sup.x, whereas P-selectin can recognize sialic acid in an I2-6
linkage. P-selectin also does not require a hydroxyl group in the
fucose 2- and 4-positions. P- and L-selectin bind sulfated
structures like sulpho-Le.sup.x-(Glc)-cer and sulfatides in a
manner largely independent of divalent cations, whereas E-selectin
binding is exquisitely sensitive to the presence of cations.
Binding of P- and L-selectin to sulfated carbohydrates is only
inhibitible by other sulfated carbohydrates, whereas E-selectin
does not have this requirement.
[0017] It is important to emphasize that the selectin specificity
in biological reactions is mediated by much more than the
carbohydrate component of the ligand. For example, P- and
L-selectin (but not E-selectin) bind sulfated molecules that lack
sialic acid and fucose, such as sulfatides (Aruffo et al., Cell
67:35, 1991) and certain subspecies of heparin (Norgard-Sumnicht et
al., Science 261:480, 1993). For a general review of the variety of
carbohydrates recognized by the selectins, see Varki et al. (Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:7390, 1994).
[0018] Each of the selectins has a different family of natural
ligands on the surface of the opposing cell (see McEver et al.,
270:11025, 1995). E-selectin binds strongly to a ligand designated
ESL-1. In contrast, antibody blocking studies indicate that
essentially all the binding sites for P-selectin on leukocytes are
attributable to an O-glycosylated protein designated PSGL-1
(P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1) (Moore et al., J. Cell Biol.
128:661, 1995). The natural ligands identified for L-selectin is
neither of these, but include other glycoproteins with the
designations GlyCAM-1, CD34, and MAdCAM-1.
[0019] The binding specificity indicates that at least two of the
three selectins must be recognizing a ligand component beyond the
sLe.sup.x structure. In addition to the oligosaccharide, P-selectin
must bind a site on PSGL-1 with features different from ESL-1 and
from other mucin-like O-glycosylated proteins, such as CD43.
[0020] A second ligand requirement for high affinity binding of the
natural ligand has been identified for both P- and L-selectin. The
second requirement is a sulfate residue, which is apparently not
required for E-selectin binding, and has implications for the
development of effective inhibitory compounds.
[0021] Imai et al. (Nature 361:555, 1993) tested the requirements
for binding of L-selectin to the ligands on lymph node HEV.
Radioactive inorganic sulfate is incorporated into the 50 kDa and
90 kDa glycoproteins in a manner that is inhibitible by sodium
chlorate. The undersulfated glycoproteins no longer interacted in
precipitation analyses with an L-selectin chimera. The inhibition
experiments do not pinpoint the location of the required sulfate
group to the carbohydrate or the protein backbone. Either way, the
sulfate requirement distinguishes L-selectin binding specificity
from that of E-selectin.
[0022] The sulfate component has been mapped more precisely in the
structure of the P-selectin ligand PSGL-1. The requirement in
P-selectin is provided by one or more sulfated tyrosines near the
N-terminus of the polypeptide backbone, separate from the
glycosylation site.
[0023] Wilkins et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 270:22677, 1995) demonstrated
that PSGL-1 synthesized in human HL-60 cells can be metabolically
labeled with [.sup.35S]sulfate. It was shown that most of the
.sup.35S label was incorporated into the polypeptide in the form of
tyrosine sulfate. Treatment of PSGL-1 with a bacterial
arylsulfatase released sulfate from tyrosine, and resulted in a
concordant decrease in binding to P-selectin.
[0024] Pouyani et al. (Cell 83:333, 1995) demonstrated that
selective inhibitors of sulfation compromised binding of HL-60
cells to soluble P-selectin but not E-selectin. The cell-surface
expression of sLe.sup.x or the polypeptide were not compromised by
treatment. Deletion analysis of isolated PSGL-1 constructs
localized the binding component to residues 20-40. The segment
contains three tyrosine residues, and when these were changed to
phenylalanine, P-selectin binding activity was abolished.
Furthermore, when the 20 amino acid segment was fused on to a
different protein, it was again sulfated during biosynthesis and
had binding activity for P-selectin. These authors suggested that
the sulfated tyrosines interact with P-selectin not through the
carbohydrate binding domain of P-selectin, but through the EGF-like
domain, which is located closer in the protein sequence to the
membrane spanning domain.
[0025] Sako et al. (Cell 83:323, 1995) performed another series of
binding experiments using the extracellular domain of PSGL-1
expressed as a fusion protein. The assay required fucosylation of
the protein and cations in the assay medium, consistent with a
dependence on carbohydrates like sLe.sup.x. Mutation of the
putative N-linked glycosylation sites had no effect on selectin
binding, suggesting that the carbohydrate requirement was O-linked.
However, mutation of three tyrosines to phenylalanine abrogated
binding activity for P-selectin. Binding of E-selectin, for which
PSGL-1 can also act as a ligand, was not affected by removal of the
sulfation sites.
[0026] The binding affinity of P- and L-selectin for sLe.sup.x is
in the mM range (Nelson et al., J. Clin Invest. 91:1157,1993). In
contrast, the affinity of P-selectin for the natural ligand is in
the nM range (Moore et al., J. Cell Biol. 112:491, 1991), a
difference in potency of .about.10.sup.6 fold. Synthetic
oligosaccharides containing multiple sLe.sup.x units only partly
make up the difference, so the effect is not just due to ligand
valency. The disparity is also attributable to the requirement of
P- and L-selectin for a strong anionic determinant, like the
sulfotyrosines on PSGL-1. Compounds effective in the same
concentration range as PSGL-1 must be able to supply a similarly
effective determinant combination.
[0027] There is a need to develop new therapeutic compositions
capable of interfering with selectin-ligand interactions, because
cellular adhesion is an early event in a number of inflammatory and
immunological phenomena. For systemic administration, the
compositions should be effective in the nanomolar range, so that an
effective amount can be given in a practicable dose. It is
important to emphasize that putative compositions should be tested
in a system that adequately represents the requirements of the
natural interaction. A one-component inhibitor that effectively
blocks a one-component interaction will typically not be effective
in blocking a two-component interaction.
[0028] This disclosure describes polymerized lipid compositions
that display all the features necessary to inhibit P- or L-selectin
at nanomolar concentrations when tested in appropriate cell
bioassays for ligand binding. Polymerized liposomes and lipid
sheets have been proposed in other contexts (Spevak et al., Adv.
Mater 7:85, 1995; Reichert et al., J. Am. Chem Soc. 117:829, 1995;
Charych et al., Science 261:585, 1993; Charych et al., Chem. Biol.
3:113, 1996). However, the present invention is the first instance
where polymerized glycoliposomes have been shown to be effective in
a biological system involving the interaction of two eukaryotic
cells. This is also the first instance where polymerized
glycoliposomes have been shown to be an effective ligand for a
binding system with a plurality of separate determinants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The lipid compositions of this invention provide a stable
scaffold from which to present a plurality of features required for
ligand binding. P- and L-selectin inhibitors comprise a multivalent
assembly of carbohydrates, interspersed with negatively charged
lipid headgroups which are essential for activity. These
compositions are proposed for use in inhibiting biological
phenomena mediated by selecting, including the adherence and
extravasation of neutrophils and monocytes, and the trafficking of
lymphocytes through blood vessels, lymphatics, and diseased
tissue.
[0030] Accordingly, certain embodiments of this invention relate to
compositions for inhibiting the binding between a first cell having
a P- or L-selectin and a second cell having a ligand for the
selectin, comprising a sheet of lipids wherein a proportion of the
lipids are covalently crosslinked, a proportion of the lipids have
an attached saccharide, and a proportion of the lipids not having
an attached saccharide have an acid group that is negatively
charged at neutral pH. A proportion of the lipids having the
attached saccharide or the acid group may be covalently crosslinked
to other lipids in the sheet, and a proportion may not be
covalently crosslinked to other lipids.
[0031] This includes embodiments wherein a proportion of the lipids
in the lipid sheet have a first attached saccharide, and a separate
proportion of the lipids in the lipid sheet have a second attached
saccharide that is different from the first. The composition
preferably has a 50% inhibition concentration (IC.sub.50) that is
10.sup.2-fold or 10.sup.4-fold lower than that of monomer
sLe.sup.x.
[0032] Also embodied in this invention are compositions for
inhibiting leukocyte adhesion or migration; compositions for
inhibiting leukocyte adherence or fibrin deposition; compositions
for inhibiting leukocyte adhesion or migration, compositions for
inhibiting lymphocyte adhesion, and compositions for other types of
interventions in cell interaction mediated by selectin, comprising
inhibiting binding between a first cell having a P- or L-selectin
and a second cell having a ligand for the selectin as already
outlined.
[0033] Another embodiment of the invention is a composition for
inhibiting the binding between a P- or L-selectin and a ligand for
the selectin, wherein the lipid composition containing the ligands
comprises a sheet of lipids wherein a proportion of the lipids are
covalently crosslinked, a proportion of the lipids have an attached
saccharide, and a proportion of the lipids not having an attached
saccharide have an acid group that is negatively charged at neutral
pH.
[0034] Also embodied is a composition for selecting a polymerized
glycoliposome with selectin binding activity, comprising the steps
of providing a glycoliposome with covalently crosslinked lipids,
and a saccharide attached to a proportion of the covalently
crosslinked lipids; introducing the glycoliposome into an
environment comprising a selectin and a cell having a selectin
ligand; and selecting the glycoliposome if the relative inhibitory
concentration is lower than that of monomer sLe.sup.x.
[0035] Also embodied is composition comprising a polymerized lipid
composition in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating
a disease characterized by local alteration in the adherence of
leukocytes or cancer cells to vascular endothelium, platelets or
lymphatic tissue; particularly diseases of inflammatory or
immunological etiology; wherein the polymerized lipid composition
comprises a sheet of lipids wherein a proportion of the lipids are
covalently crosslinked, a proportion of the lipids have an attached
saccharide, and a proportion of the lipids not having an attached
saccharide have an acid group that is negatively charged at neutral
pH.
[0036] Also embodied are compositions for treating a disease
characterized by local alteration in the adherence of leukocytes or
cancer cells to vascular endothelium, platelets or lymphatic
tissue, comprising a polymerized lipid composition comprising a
sheet of lipids wherein a proportion of the lipids are covalently
crosslinked, a proportion of the lipids have an attached
saccharide, and a proportion of the lipids not having an attached
saccharide have an acid group that is negatively charged at neutral
pH. Diseases of interest include but are not limited to cardiac
disease (such as ischemia reperfusion injury, myocardial
infarction, myocarditis, restenosis, and deep vein thrombosis),
hemmorhagic shock, arthritis, asthma, and metastatic cancer.
[0037] Also embodied are compositions with P- and L-selectin
inhibitory activity and pharmaceutical compositions prepared
therefrom, as may be recited in any of the aforementioned methods
or described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0038] FIG. 1 is a drawing of two polymerized glycoliposomes
showing an expanded detail of the chemical structure. Structure "A"
is able to inhibit the binding of P-selectin to HL-60 cells at an
oligosaccharide concentration below 2 nM, while Structure "B" has
essentially no activity. The vesicles are unilamellar and made up
of single-chain lipids with diyne groups cross-linked using UV
light. Conjugated to about 5% of the lipids are analogs of the
sLe.sup.x oligosaccharide. The preparations differ in terms of the
outward facing determinants displayed by the neighboring lipids. In
structure "A", the neighboring lipids provide carboxylic acid
groups, which have a negative charge at neutral pH. In structure
"B", the neighboring lipids are neutral. The negatively charged
lipids work synergistically with the sLe.sup.x analog to supply
P-selectin binding activity, just as sulfotyrosine works
synergistically with sLe.sup.x in the natural ligand. P- and
L-selectin differ from E-selectin in the requirement for a negative
charge determinant in binding.
[0039] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict some of the aspects of selectin
binding. In FIG. 2A the boxed panel shows the receptor ligand pairs
known for L-, P- and E-selectin. They are depicted on the same cell
for convenience, but participate in different ways to cell adhesion
and migration. FIG. 2B is a detail showing the dual binding site
model for P-selectin. In the ligand PSGL-1, the negative groups
correspond to three sulfotyrosine residues. In contrast, there is
no evidence for a separate anion binding site for E-selectin.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a drawing of particular components that may be
chosen for assembly into glycoliposomes of this invention.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a titration curve for the inhibition of P-selectin
binding to HL-60 cells by glycoliposomes. In order of decreasing
potency (left to right) the compositions are comprised of:
sLe.sup.x analog plus acidic lipids; lactose plus acidic lipids;
maltose plus acidic lipids; and sLe.sup.x analog plus neutral
lipids.
[0042] FIGS. 5A and 5B are bar graphs showing the 50% inhibition
concentration of various glycoliposome preparations.
[0043] FIGS. 6A through 6E are drawings of polymerized liposomes
tested for binding in Example 3. Amongst the components tested, the
sulfo Le.sup.x analog was found to be the best carbohydrate, and
lipid with a sulfate group best fulfilled the requirement for a
separate negatively charged group.
[0044] FIGS. 7 and 8 are drawings of additional exemplary
carbohydrate determinants for inclusion in polymerized
glycoliposomes.
[0045] FIG. 9 is a drawing comparing the sLe.sup.x structure and an
sLe.sup.x tethered analog with a novel glycoliposome comprising
sialic acid and fucose residues on neighboring lipids in the
crosslinked matrix.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] It is an object of this invention to provide a system for
inhibition of the binding of P- and L-selectin to their counterpart
ligands, especially during the interaction between two cells.
Polymerized lipid compositions are contacted with one of the
interacting cells, or else introduced into an environment where the
cells are expected to interact. This type of intervention is of
therapeutic interest in any circumstance where the adherence,
migration, or activation of cells is mediated by a selectin, and
adverse to the well-being of the host.
[0047] Polymerized glycolipid compositions for use in this
invention minimally comprise three elements:
[0048] 1. A stable platform made up of a lipid sheet stabilized by
covalent crosslinking between a proportion of the lipids.
[0049] 2. A saccharide or similar structure attached to a lipid in
the lipid sheet that meets the carbohydrate binding requirement of
selectins. Typically, the glycolipid is one of the crosslinked
lipids in the structure, but it may instead be trapped between
other lipids that form the crosslinked scaffold.
[0050] 3. A negatively charged or electronegative group (usually a
carboxylic acid or oxyacid) that meets the anionic binding
requirement of P- and L-selectin. There is no requirement that the
group play exactly the same role as the sulfotyrosines of PSGL-1,
as long as the anionic binding requirement is satisfied.
[0051] When exemplary compositions were prepared and tested for
inhibitory activity in a cell bioassay, a number of important
observations were made that underscore the improvement provided by
this technology.
[0052] Polymerized liposomes have not been tested previously for
inhibition of multi-component binding. The relative positioning of
the saccharide and the negatively charged group is a chance of
random polymerization, not a controlled structure as it is in
stepwise chemical synthesis of small molecules. It could not be
predicted that an effective orientation would result, but it was
found that active compositions are reproducibly produced without
difficulty. New determinant combinations are easily assembled and
tested for activity.
[0053] The negatively charged group of the natural ligand PSGL-1 is
sulfotyrosine, and the nature of what would be required to satisfy
the anionic binding requirement in liposomes was unknown. It was
found that the anionic binding requirement does not require the
anion to be on a protein or carbohydrate component, but can be
directly coupled to lipids that become part of the lipid sheet.
Surprisingly, the anionic component need not be a sulfate group,
but can be provided as a simple carboxylic acid headgroup on the
lipid.
[0054] The presence of the acid group on neighboring lipids
unexpectedly reduced the stringency of the oligosaccharide
requirement. Neutral disaccharides such as lactose and maltose have
not previously been shown to have any selectin binding activity,
and were included in the initial experiments as "negative
controls". Unexpectedly, compositions containing these sugars and
anionic lipids were potent selectin inhibitors. This is of
considerable commercial interest, because the manufacture of
compositions containing sugars like lactose is easier and less
expensive than those containing more complex sugars such as
sLe.sup.x.
[0055] The inhibitory activity was remarkably high. In the cell
bioassay, the sLe.sup.x analog-anionic lipid combination had an
IC.sub.50 as low as 2 nM, which is up to 10.sup.6 fold lower than
sLe.sup.x monomer. The lactose anionic lipid combination was
effective at 15 nM. This means that an effective therapeutic dose
can be prepared at a lower cost and administered in a smaller
volume than prior art compositions.
[0056] FIG. 1 shows exemplary lipid compositions of this invention,
in which an analog of sLe.sup.x is displayed on the surface of a
polymerized unilamellar liposome. Only the first structure
demonstrated inhibitory activity for P-selectin binding in the
bioassay, underlining the importance of the anionic component in
the composition.
[0057] Because the carbohydrate and anionic determinants are on
separate lipids in the polymerized lipid compositions, another
benefit of the approach described here is that the components can
be separately screened and titrated to produce improved
compositions with refined binding characteristics.
[0058] Preparation of Polymerized Lipid Compositions
[0059] It will be readily appreciated from the drawing in FIG. 1
and the data provided in Example 2 that the practice of this
invention is not critically dependent on the chemical details of
the composition. Within the constraints of the three requirements
above, the practitioner is free to assemble the composition
according to a number of different approaches. Variations in
polymerization chemistry and the conjugation of determinants are
permitted and included in the scope of this invention. Designing
particular linkages between a carbohydrate and a lipid is well
within the skill of the ordinary practitioner. The optimization of
the compounds may achieved by routine adjustment and following the
effects of adjustment on selectin binding in one of many assays
established in the art.
[0060] The following section is provided merely as an illustration
of possible approaches for the convenience of the reader.
[0061] Preparation of Components of the Lipid Composition:
[0062] The invention uses lipids both to bear the determinants
required to inhibit selectin binding, and as components for forming
the lipid assemblies. Examples of lipids that can be used in the
invention are fatty acids, preferably containing from about 8 to 30
carbon atoms in a saturated, monounsaturated, or multiply
unsaturated form; acylated derivatives of polyamino, polyhydroxy,
or mixed aminohydroxy compounds; glycosylacylglycerols;
phospholipids; phosphoglycerides; sphingolipids (including
sphingomyelins and glycosphingolipids); steroids such as
cholesterol; terpenes; prostaglandins; and non-saponifiable
lipids.
[0063] The negatively charged group of the composition is typically
an acid accessible from the exterior surface of the lipid sheet. In
certain embodiments, the acid is an organic acid, particularly a
carboxylic acid. In other embodiments, the acid is an oxyacid of
the form (XO.sub.n)(O.sup.-).sub.p, wherein n+p>2. In this case,
the lipid will typically be of the form
R.sub.m(XO.sub.n)(.sup.-).sub.p wherein each R comprises an
aliphatic hydrocarbon (which are not necessarily the same), m is 1
or 2, (XO.sub.n)(O.sup.-).sub.p is an oxyacid, and n+p>2.
Preferred oxyacids are sulfate, SO.sub.3.sup.-, and phosphate. A
phosphate may be conjugated through one or two of its oxygens to
aliphatic hydrocarbons. For any negatively charged component of the
composition, any additional features may be present between the
acid and the aliphatic or membrane anchoring group. These include
spacers such as polyethylene glycols and other
heteroatom-containing hydrocarbons. The acid group may also be
present on a substituent such as an amino acid, a sugar, or a
pseudo-sugar, which includes phosphorylated or sulfated forms of
cyclohexidine, particularly hexaphosphatidyl inositol and
hexasulfatidyl inositol.
[0064] The negatively charged group may already be present in the
lipid, or may be introduced by synthesis. Examples of lipids with
negatively charged headgroups include the fatty acids themselves
(where the negative charge is provided by a carboxylate group),
cardiolipin (phosphate groups), dioleoylphosphatidic acid
(phosphate groups), and the 1,4-dihexadecyl ester of sulfosuccinic
acid (sulfate group).
[0065] Negatively charged lipids not commercially available can be
synthesized by standard techniques. A few non-limiting
illustrations follow. In one approach, fatty acids are activated
with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and
1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiim- ide (EDC) in methylene
chloride. The leaving group N-hydroxysuccinimide can be displaced
with a wide range of nucleophiles. In one example, glycine is used
to yield a fatty acid-amino acid conjugate with a negatively
charged headgroup. Glutamic acid can be coupled to the activated
fatty acid to yield a fatty acid-amino acid conjugate with two
negative charges in its headgroup. In another synthetic approach,
2,3-bis((1-oxotetradecyl)oxy)-butanedioic acid is prepared by
adding myristoyl chloride in toluene to a pyridine solution of
dl-tartaric acid. The clarified solution is concentrated to yield
the product, which is recrystallized from hexane (Kunitake et al.,
Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan, 51:1877, 1978).
[0066] A sulfated lipid, the 1,4-dihexadecyl ester of sulfosuccinic
acid, is prepared as follows: a mixture of maleic anhydride and
hexadecyl alcohol in toluene with a few drops of concentrated
sulfuric acid is heated with azeotropic removal of water for 3 h.
The dihexadecyl maleate is recrystallized, then heated with an
equimolar amount of NaHSO.sub.3 in water at 100.degree. C. for 2-3
h. The product is recovered by evaporating the water and extracting
the lipid into methanol (Kunitake et al., supra). Alkyl sulfonates
may be synthesized as follows. A lipid alcohol is obtained from
Sigma, or the acid group of a fatty acid is reduced to an alcohol
by reacting with lithium aluminum hydride in ether to convert the
carboxylate into an alcohol. The alcohol can be converted into a
bromide by reaction with triphenylphosphine and carbon tetrabromide
in methylene chloride. The bromide is then reacted with bisulfite
ion to yield the alkyl sulfonate. Sulfates may be prepared by
reacting an activated fatty acid with a sulfate-containing amine.
For example, the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of
10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid is reacted with taurine to yield
N-10,12-pentacosadiynoyl taurine. Sulfates may also be prepared by
reacting an alcohol, e.g. lauryl alcohol, with sulfur
trioxide-trimethylamine complex in anhydrous dimethylformamide for
2.5 h (Bertozzi et al., Biochemistry 34:14271, 1995).
[0067] Phosphate-containing lipids not commercially obtainable are
also readily synthesized. For example, to prepare dialkyl phosphate
compounds, phosphoryl chloride is reacted with the corresponding
alcohol. To make dihexadecyl phosphate, phosphoryl chloride is
refluxed with three equivalents of hexadecyl alcohol in benzene for
twenty hours, followed by recrystallization of the product
(Kunitake et al., supra). Monoalkyl phosphates may be prepared by
reacting, e.g., 10,12-hexacosadiyne-1-ol (1 eq.) with phosphoryl
chloride (1.5 eq.) at ambient temperature in dry CCl.sub.4 for
.about.12 h, then boiling under reflux for 6 h. Removal of the
solvent and heating the residue with water for 1 h yields the
desired 10, 12-hexacosadiyne-1-phosphate (Hupfer et al., Chem.
Phys. Lipids 33:355, 1983). Alternatively, a fatty acid activated
with NHS can be reacted with 2-aminoethylphosphate to yield the
acylated derivative of aminoethylphosphate.
[0068] Carbohydrate components suitable for use with this invention
include any monosaccharides, disaccharides, and larger
oligosaccharides with selectin binding activity when incorporated
into a polymerized lipid sheet. Simple disaccharides like lactose
and maltose have no selectin binding activity as monomers, but when
incorporated into polymerized liposomes acquire substantial
activity. Accordingly, the range of suitable carbohydrates extends
considerably beyond what is used in other selectin inhibitors.
[0069] In some embodiments, the carbohydrate is a disaccharide or
neutral saccharide with no detectable binding as an unconjugated
monomer. In other embodiments, the carbohydrates have substantial
binding in the monomeric form, and are optionally synthesized as a
multimeric oligosaccharide, although this is not typically
required. Preferred oligosaccharides are sialylated
fucooligosaccharides, particularly sLe.sup.x and sLe.sup.a, analogs
of sialylated fucooligosaccharides, sulfated fucooligosaccharide,
particularly sulfo Le.sup.x, and analogs of sulfated
fucooligosaccharide. Disaccharides and larger oligosaccharide may
optionally comprise other features or spacer groups of a
non-carbohydrate nature between saccharide units.
[0070] A "sialylated fucooligosaccharide analog" is a saccharide
that contains the minimal structural components of sLe.sup.x
involved in selectin binding in a spatially similar orientation to
that of sLe.sup.x. These components are the 3-hydroxy group of the
fucose subunit and the negatively group of the neuraminic acid
subunit of sLe.sup.x. In the context of L-selectin binding,
preferred analogs include the 2-, 3-, and 4-hydroxy groups of the
fucose subunit and the negatively charged group of the neuraminic
acid subunit. The fucose and sialic acid components may be linked
through a disaccharide spacer as they are in sLe.sup.x, through a
hydrocarbon linker (as in the tethered analogs exemplified below),
or through a synthetic spacer of appropriate length containing such
optional features as cyclic and aromatic groups. Exemplars of the
latter type are listed in the review by Sears et al. (Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 93:12086, 1996)--see especially FIG. 7.
[0071] Certain analogs and other oligosaccharides of particular
interest include the following: 1. Tethered disaccharides,
containing a spacer between two sugars, particularly sialic acid or
a sulfated form thereof and fucose, wherein the spacer is a linear
or branched alkyl group (FIG. 9) or mixed hydrocarbon (Hanessian et
al., J. Syn. Lett. 868, 1994). 2. Analogs comprising a fucose
residue and the carboxylic acid group of sialic acid connected by
hydroxylated ring structures (Lin et al., Biorganic Med. Chem. Lett
6:2755, 1996). 3. Lactose sulfated at one or more positions
(Bertozzi et al., Biochemmistry 34, 14271, 1995). 4. Neutral
disaccharides with an ether linkage to a carboxylic acid group
(Hiruma et al., J. Am. Chem Soc. 118:9265, 1996). 5. A
monosaccharide (not necessarily fucose) linked through multiple 5-
or 6-member ring structures to a carboxylic acid group, at least
one of the ring structures being a phenyl group (Dupre et al.,
Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 6:569, 1996). 7. Glycopeptides,
comprising a fucose or similar monosaccharide linked via a
plurality of peptide bonds to a carboxylic acid (Cappi et al.,
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1996; Wang et al., Tetrahedron Lett.
37:5427, 1996). 8. Tri- and tetrasaccharides with a plurality of
sulfate groups (Nelson et al., Blood 82:3253, 1993). 9.
Phosphorylated or hydroxylated cyclohexanes, particularly
hexaphosphatidyl inositol and hexasulfatidyl inositol (Cacconi et
al., J. Biol. Chem. 269:15060, 1994).
[0072] Many mono and disaccharides are available commercially. The
syntheses of more complex carbohydrate structures for selectin
binding are described extensively in the art, and need not be
elaborated here. Academic articles of interest to the reader may
include Tonne et al. (Tetrahedron 45:5365, 1989); Drueckhammer et
al. (Synthesis 499, 1989); Hindsgaul (Sem. Cell Biol. 2:319, 1991);
Look et al. (Anal. Biochem. 202:215, 1992); Ito et al. (Pure Appl.
Chem. 65:753, 1993); and DeFrees et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 117:66,
1995).
[0073] Conjugation of carbohydrates onto lipids can be conducted by
any established or devised synthetic strategy, suitably protecting
the carbohydrate during conjugation as required. One method is to
react a fatty acid activated by N-hydroxysuccinimide with an amino
sugar such as glucosamine or galactosamine. If an
oligosaccharide-lipid conjugate is desired, the oligosaccharide may
be synthesized first, utilizing an amino sugar as one of the
subunits. The amino group of the amino sugar is then acylated by
the activated fatty acid to yield the lipid-oligosaccharide
conjugate. It should be noted that in an oligosaccharide, the amino
sugar-fatty acid conjugation may interfere sterically with binding
to the desired target. Thus it may be desirable to extend the
oligosaccharide by interposition of other sugar subunits between
the amino sugar-lipid conjugate and the portion of the saccharide
acting as a ligand. For example, for sLe.sup.x, the amino
sugar-fatty acid conjugation may introduce steric hindrance of
binding if the amino sugar is too close to the binding moieties of
the sLe.sup.x. Thus the sLe.sup.x should be extended by coupling
the amino sugar to the GlcNAc subunit of sLe.sup.x via an
O-glycosidic bond, instead of substituting the amino sugar for the
GlcNAc subunit, in order to avoid steric hindrance of binding.
[0074] Another method utilizing the amino group of an amino sugar
is to introduce an iodoacetyl group onto the amino group, followed
by reaction of the amino group with a thiol-containing compound
(such as cystamine or cysteine) which contains additional
functional groups for further derivatization.
[0075] O-glycosides are readily formed by the acid-catalyzed
condensation of an alcohol with monosaccharides such as glucose or
mannose. N-Fmoc-ethanolamine can be added to the reducing end of
glucose, followed by deprotection of the amino group with
piperidine. The free amino group of the compound can then be
acylated with an activated fatty acid to form a carbohydrate-lipid
conjugate. Alternatively, glycosyl halides (formed by reacting a
sugar with a haloacid such as HCl) can be used, where nucleophilic
displacement of the halide by an alcohol forms the O-glycoside.
[0076] Another method involves the formation of N-glycosides by
reacting an amine with a reducing sugar. This reaction is readily
accomplished by reacting the sugar, e.g. glucose, with an amine,
e.g. decylamine, at ambient temperature for .about.48 h.
Alternatively, heating the sugar with the amine, e.g. stearylamine
(in 2-3 molar excess) at 80.degree. C. in an ethanol/water solution
will suffice to form the N-stearyl glycoside (Lockhoff, Angew.
Chem. Int. Ed. Eng. 30:1161, 1991). In order to increase the
stability of the N-glycoside, the product is peracetylated by
stirring in 60% pyridine/40% acetic anhydride at 0.degree. C. The
peracetylated product is then dissolved in anhydrous methanol, 1M
sodium methoxide is added to adjust the pH to .about.10), and the
mixture stirred at room temperature for 3 h to yield the
N-acetyl-N-glycoside.
[0077] An extension of this method of introducing additional
functionality via N-glycosides involves the addition of a
polyfunctional amine to the sugar. For example, N-allylamine can be
added to a saccharide with a free reducing end, followed by
reaction of the allyl group to provide a suitable point of
attachment for a fatty acid. One of skill in the art will recognize
that the sugar conjugates depicted in FIG. 3 are created by
reacting N-allylamine with sLe.sup.x analog, followed by
peracetylation of the N-glycoside. The hydroxyl groups can be
deprotected with a catalytic amount of sodium methoxide, resulting
in the N-acetylated N-allyl glycoside. Alternatively, the amino
group of the N-allyl glycoside can be directly acetylated with an
acid chloride (Lockhoff, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Eng. 30:1161, 1991).
A mercaptoamine such as cystamine can then be added to the N-allyl
glycoside by irradiation with UV light (Roy et al., J. Chem. Soc.
Chem. Comm. 1059, 1988), which results in an N-glycoside with a
free amino group. The free amino group can then be readily coupled
to an activated fatty acid such as the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester
of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid to yield the conjugated sugar.
[0078] Other methods of attaching fatty acids or other lipids to
carbohydrates can be accomplished by forming suitable
thioglycosides or C-glycosides. These compounds can then be further
derivatized in a manner analogous to the methods used for the
N-glycosides. The C-allyl glycoside of neuraminic acid, for
example, is readily formed by reaction of N-acetyl mannosamine and
sodium pyruvate in the presence of NeuAc aldolase as catalyst to
yield N-acetyl neuraminic acid. Treatment of the crude reaction
mixture with HCl gas in ethanol yields an ethyl ester; this is
followed by reaction with acetyl chloride to give a glycosyl
chloride (this step also results in acetylation of the hydroxyl
groups). Reaction of this glycosyl chloride with allyl tributyltin
and a catalytic amount of bis (tributyltin) under UV irradiation (a
450 Watt Hanovia lamp, equipped with a Pyrex filter) yields a
C-allyl glycoside; the acetyl groups are then removed from the
hydroxyl groups with sodium ethoxide in ethanol. This yields the
ethyl ester of the C-allyl glycoside of neuraminic acid (Nagy, J.
O. et al., Tetrahedron Letters 32:3953 1991).
[0079] In a manner analogous to the reaction scheme described above
for the N-allyl glycosides, the C-allyl glycoside of a sugar may be
reacted with cystamine, resulting in the addition of the thiol
group to the allyl group, followed by reaction of the amino group
with an activated fatty acid.
[0080] Conjugation of a carbohydrate to a lipid via an amide bond
may be accomplished if the carbohydrate has a free carboxyl group.
Mixing the carbohydrate and
2-(2-(2-(2-azidoethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)-ethanamine and activating the
carboxyl group by using 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylc-
arbodiimide (EDC) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in methylene
chloride, followed by reduction of the azido group to an amine with
H.sub.2/Pd(OH).sub.2/C in ethanol/water/dioxane/acetic acid
(2:1:2:1), yields an amine-derivatized carbohydrate which can then
be linked to a fatty acid by a variety of activating chemistries
(Lin et al., Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett. 6:2755, 1996).
[0081] Carbohydrates can also be conjugated to lipids using
enzymatic methods. Sugars may be transphosphatidylated by reacting
diacylphosphatidyl choline and the sugar in the presence of
phospholipase D, resulting in the diacylphosphatidyl-sugar (Wang et
al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115:10487, 1993).
[0082] Assembly of the Lipid Composition:
[0083] Appropriately derivitized lipids are combined, formed into a
suitable composition, and cross-linked.
[0084] Where appropriate, the combination step includes mixing
lipids having the carbohydrate requirement for selectin binding
with lipids having the anionic requirement. Additional lipids can
also be included for a variety of purposes. The additional lipids
may have a different carbohydrate, or they may be scaffold lipids
that participate in crosslinking but have no binding determinant,
or they may be filler lipids that do not have crosslinking groups.
Non crosslinked lipids may bear either the carbohydrate
determinant, or the anionic determinant, or both, and become
stabilized in the composition by entrapment between other
crosslinked lipids.
[0085] The lipids are then formed into a lipid composition.
Although the lipid compositions are most typically liposomes, any
other arrangement can be used providing it is deliverable to the
intended site of action, and displays the determinants needed for
selectin binding. The participating lipids are crosslinked members
of a lipid sheet, but the lipid sheet need not be part of a lipid
bilayer. Micelles and microdroplets are examples of alternative
particulate forms suitable for displaying the binding determinants.
A single lipid sheet may also be formed about a hydrophobic core of
a suitable aliphatic compound. Lipid can also be seeded as a single
sheet or bilayer about another core substance, such as a protein
complex. Any descriptions in this disclosure that refer to
liposomes also apply to other types of lipid compositions, unless
required otherwise.
[0086] Liposomes are the more usual form of the composition,
because of their ease of manufacture. A number of methods are
available in the art for preparing liposomes. The reader is
referred to Gregoriadis (ed): "Liposome technology 2nd ed. Vol. I
Liposome preparation and related techniques", CRC Press, Boca
Raton, 1993; Watwe et al. (Curr. Sci. 68:715, 1995), Vemuri et al.
(Pharm. Acta Helvetiae 70:95 1995), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,737,323;
5,008,050; and 5,252,348. Frequently used techniques include
hydration of a lipid film, injection, sonication and detergent
dialysis. When using diyne chemistry and single-chain fatty acids
for crosslinking, a preferred method is sonication, as described in
one of the original articles (Hub et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
Engl. 19:938, 1980). This method is easy to use and produces
unilamellar spherical vesicles of small and uniform size. Briefly,
a thin film of lipid is heated with water above 90.degree. C., and
then cooled to about 4.degree. C., which is below the T.sub.c
(Lopez et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 693:437, 1982) to permit the
lipids to form a "solid analogous" state. The mixture is then
sonicated for several minutes, with longer times (.about.15 min)
typically producing more uniform vesicles.
[0087] After formation, the vesicles may be reduced in size, if
desired, by freeze-thaw cycles or extruding through filters of
progressively smaller pore size. Vesicles of any diameter are
included within the scope of this invention, but they are
preferably less than about 400 nm in median diameter, and more
preferably less than about 200 nm in diameter. Smaller sized
vesicles can be sterile-filtered and are less susceptible to uptake
by phagocytic cells.
[0088] The lipids used in any of these compositions will have been
prepared with functional groups that can be covalently crosslinked
once the lipid sheet is formed.
[0089] Several approaches are known in the art for covalently
crosslinking lipids Polymerization may be accomplished by
irradiation with ultraviolet light, or by radical initiation with
compounds such as hydrogen or benzoyl peroxide, as appropriate, of
lipid diynes, styrene-containing lipids, acrylic-containing lipids,
and lipid dienes; polymerization (by forming amide bonds) of lipids
containing free (unprotected) amino and carboxyl groups; and
polymerization (by oxidation of thiol groups) of thiol-containing
lipids (wherein each lipid must contain at least two thiol groups
in order to be crosslinked). Azides, epoxides, isocyanates and
isothiocyanates, and benzophenones also afford methods of
crosslinking lipids (Wong, S. S., Chemistry of Protein Conjugation
and Cross-Linking, Boston: CRC Press, 1993; Hermanson, G. T.,
Bioconjugate Techniques, San Diego: Academic Press, 1996).
[0090] An example of polymerization of lipids by forming amide
bonds is the polymerization of
N-.epsilon.-palmitoyl-L-lysine-N-.beta.-(2-acetylam-
ino-2-deoxy-.beta.-glucopyranosyl)-L-asparagine by carbodiimides.
The carbohydrate, lipid-modified dipeptide is readily assembled by
standard solid phase peptide synthesis methods using commercially
available
N-.alpha.-Fmoc-N-.beta.-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-.beta-
.-glucopyranosyl)-L-asparagine (from Novabiochem) and
N-.alpha.-Fmoc-N-.epsilon.-palmitoyl-L-lysine (which is readily
synthesized by coupling palmitic acid activated with
N-hydroxysuccinimide to the free .epsilon.-amino of commercially
available N-.alpha.-Fmoc-L-lysine). Removal of the modified
dipeptide from the solid-phase resin and deprotection of the
functional groups is carried out by standard methods. The
carbohydrate, lipid-modified dipeptide can be co-polymerized with a
second dipeptide, N-.epsilon.-palmitoyl-L-lysine- -L-aspartic acid,
in order to provide a liposome with both carbohydrate-bearing and
negatively-charged groups on its surface.
[0091] An example of polymerization of lipids by oxidation of thiol
groups is as follows: 10-undecenoic acid (10-undecylenic acid) is
brominated by addition of HBr by Markonikov addition across the
double bond, resulting in 10-bromoundecanoic acid (Streitweiser et
al., Introduction to Organic Chemistry, New York: Macmillan, 1976,
pp. 278-285). 10-thioundecanoic acid is prepared by treatment of
10-bromoundecanoic acid with thiourea in ethanol and subsequent
hydrolysis by aqueous NaOH. (Streitweiser et al., Introduction to
Organic Chemistry, New York: Macmillan, 1976, pp. 242-243). The
thiol is then protected with the trityl group by heating with
triphenylmethanol and boron trifluoride etherate in glacial acetic
acid, followed by workup with ethanol, water, and powdered sodium
acetate (Bodanszky et al., The Practice of Peptide Synthesis, New
York: Springer-Verlag, 1984, p. 83). The protected thiol fatty acid
is then activated with N-hydroxysuccinimide and reacted with
S-trityl-L-cysteine (Novabiochem). The fatty acid-amino acid
conjugate is then treated with trifluoroacetic acid to remove the
trityl groups, resulting in N-(10'-thioundecanoyl)-cysteine. The
dithiol can then be polymerized by oxidation with molecular
oxygen.
[0092] Additional examples of lipids that can be crosslinked are
reviewed in Ringsdorf et al., Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. Eng.,
27:113-158 (1988), and references therein, and Johnston, D. S. et
al., "Polymerized Liposomes and Vesicles," Chapter 9 in Liposome
Technology, Vol. 1 (G. Gregoriadis, Ed.), Boca Raton, Florida: CRC
Press, 1984, pp. 123-129 and references therein.
[0093] A preferred method of polymerizing lipids is by
polymerization of lipid diynes such as 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid
(Farchan Laboratories, Gainesville, Fla.) by ultraviolet light.
Polymerization reactions of diacetylenic compounds have been
extensively studied and have been utilized in the formation of
polymerized liposomes, micelles, and other supramolecular
assemblies (see Frankel et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113:7436, 1991;
Furhop et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113:7437-7439, 1991; Spevak et
al., Advanced Materials 7:85, 1995). Diynes are convenient because
they are easily polymerized using U.V. light, obviating the need
for a radical initiator. In addition, the polymerized lipid is
colored and the degree of polymerization can be easily
monitored.
[0094] An example of the preparation of a crosslinkable diacyl
lipid, 1,2,3-triamino-(bis-N1, N3-pentacosa-10,12-diynoyl) propane,
is as follows. The t-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) group is used to
protect the amino group of 2-amino-1,3-propanediol. The diol is
converted into a di-mesylate with mesyl chloride, followed by
immediate reaction with tetrabutylammonium azide in DMF. The azide
groups are converted to amines by reaction with PtO.sub.2/H.sub.2.
The compound is then reacted with the N-hydroxysuccinimide
derivative of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid. Finally, the Boc group
is removed with trifluoroacetic acid to yield the 1N, 3N-bis
(10,12-pentacosadiynoyl)-1,2,3-triaminopropane.
[0095] The lipids of the composition are crosslinked by activation
appropriate to the type of polymerization chemistry employed. Diyne
lipids are cross-linked by U.V. irradiation as originally described
(Hub et al., supra), monitoring visible absorption to follow the
course of the reaction, which is usually complete by 20-60 min.
Free radical initiators, where used, are removed from the
preparation after polymerization by a suitable technique, such as
dialysis.
[0096] Features of the Polymerized Lipid Compositions
[0097] One of the benefits of the crosslinked compositions is the
ease by which different substituents can be screened and titrated
for selectin binding. The optimal proportion of a particular
carbohydrate determinant and a particular anionic determinant are
determined empirically by titrating each substituent into the
compositions and conducting a suitable selectin activity assay.
This approach is illustrated further in Examples 2 and 3.
[0098] The proportion of lipids bearing a complex oligosaccharide
like sLe.sup.x is preferably between about 1% and 25%, preferably
about 2% to 10%, optimally about 5%. Low values probably do not
provide sufficient valency, while higher values are believed to
create steric problems for both polymerization and binding
accessibility. The proportion of lipids bearing the electronegative
determinant depends on the strength of the determinant. For many
applications, there is no harm in using a hydroxyl or carboxyl
lipid for the balance of the lipid in the sheet. However, stronger
acids may require more care. Excessive proportion of sulfate or
phosphate may confer the composition with inhibitory activity for
other biological reactions, particularly those that are naturally
inhibited by highly charged molecules, such as heparin. Where this
is an issue, the proportion of such acids may be titrated down to a
range of about 1% to 50%, or 1% to 10%, or 0.5% to 2%, as
appropriate.
[0099] The degree of polymerization between lipids in the lipid
sheet is a factor of the proportion of lipids having crosslinkable
substituents, and the completeness of the polymerization reaction.
The practitioner can limit the amount of polymerization by
including lipids in the preparation that will not participate in
crosslinking. While not intending to be bound by theory, it is a
hypothesis of this disclosure that the synergy between the
carbohydrate and anionic components is imparted partly by the
rigidity of the polymerized lipid structure. It is recommended that
at least 25%, preferably 50%, more preferably 75%, still more
preferably 90%, even more preferably 95%, and still more preferably
almost 100% of the lipids in the sheet are crosslinked. The entire
sheet be polymerized into one unit, or into separate patches or
tiles.
[0100] Where a proportion of non-reactive lipid is included as
filler to reduce the degree of crosslinking, the carbohydrate
determinant and the anionic determinant are typically on the
crosslinked lipid rather than the filler lipid. However, the
opposite arrangement is possible, insofar as the filler lipid will
become entrapped by the neighboring crosslinks. Thus, in certain
embodiments of the invention, either the carbohydrate determinant
or the anionic determinant for selectin binding, or both, are
provided by non crosslinked lipids present in a lipid sheet
comprising other lipids that are crosslinked. This approach is
especially appropriate when using glycosphingolipids to satisfy the
carbohydrate determinant. Preferred lipids of this type are
sulfoglucuronyl glycosphingolipids (Needham et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 90:1359, 1993).
[0101] Both carbohydrate groups and electronegative groups are
optionally conjugated to the lipid through a spacer group. As will
already be appreciated from the synthetic methods described
earlier, hydrocarbon spacers of about 2 carbons in length provide a
convenient approach to conjugation. In certain embodiments, the
spacer groups are polyethylene glycols that improve the stealth of
the liposomes from uptake by reticuloendothelial cells. Since the
anionic group and the carbohydrate group must work in concert, the
length of the spacer arms should match. The potency of polymerized
lipid compositions is believed to derive in part from the
structural rigidity, and many embodiments have spacers of minimal
length.
[0102] In certain embodiments of this invention, a proportion of
the lipids in the lipid sheet have a first attached saccharide, and
a separate proportion of the lipids have a second attached
saccharide that is different from the first. The two glycolipids
are preferably part of the cross-linked structure. Embodiments
where there is a higher plurality of different independently
conjugated saccharides are contemplated. Any combination of lipids
in this arrangement that fulfills the carbohydrate binding
requirement of selectins is suitable. In one example, the first
attached carbohydrate is an acidic monosaccharide such as sialic
acid or similar sugar and the second carbohydrate is fucose or
similar sugar. Combinations of lipids conjugated with different
monosaccharides or disaccharides or their analogs are of commercial
interest because of their ease of synthesis.
[0103] Polymerized liposomes of this invention can be classified on
the basis of their potency in various test assays known in the art.
For example, when tested for inhibition of the binding of isolated
selectin to cells expressing a selectin ligand such as PSGL-1, the
liposomes preferably are able to inhibit the binding in a manner
that attains 50% maximal inhibition (IC.sub.50) at a concentration
of no more than about 10 TM, preferably no more than about 1 TM,
still more preferably no more than about 100 nM, and even more
preferably no more than about 10 nM oligosaccharide equivalents. A
preferred binding assay of this type uses HL-60 cells, and is
illustrated in Example 2. Polymerized liposomes may also be
categorized in any assay on the basis of the relative IC.sub.50
compared with a suitable standard. The standard may be an
oligosaccharide presented uncomplexed to liposomes or in a
monomeric form, such as sLe.sup.x or sLe.sup.x analog. The standard
may also be a liposome having no oligosaccharide but otherwise the
same lipid composition, or a liposome made with 100% carboxy
terminated or hydroxy terminated lipids. In certain embodiments,
the polymerized liposomes have an IC.sub.50 which is preferably
10.sup.2-fold lower, more preferably about 10.sup.3-fold lower,
more preferably about 10.sup.4-fold lower, still more preferably
about 10.sup.5-fold lower, and even more preferably about
10.sup.6-fold lower than that of the standard.
[0104] This invention also includes embodiments which are selective
for P- and L-selectin in comparison with E-selectin, or selective
for P- or L-selectin in comparison with the other two selectins. A
polymerized liposome is selective if it has an IC.sub.50 in an
assay for inhibiting one selectin that is higher than its IC.sub.50
in an assay for inhibiting another selectin. An assay is preferably
used for this determination that allows the particular selectin to
be the only variable. The HL-60 selectin binding assay outlined in
Example 1 can be used for comparing P- and E-selectin inhibition
using the same cells and switching chimeras. In a similar fashion,
the plated mucin in the ELISA described in Example 3 binds a
chimera of any of the three selectins, and can be used to compare
the inhibitory capacity of a particular composition for all three
selectins. Selective inhibitors preferably have an IC.sub.50 that
is about 5-fold higher for the target selectin in comparison with
another selectin; more preferably it is 25-fold higher; still more
preferably it is 100-fold higher.
[0105] Inhibitors that are selective for P- and/or L-selectin are
of particular interest, because of recent observations that
E-selectin antagonists can lead to conditions reminiscent of
leukocyte adhesion deficiency disease (LAD-2), where neutrophils do
not adhere normally to endothelial tissues, and recurrent bacterial
infections of the lung, skin, and gingival tissues are common.
Example 3 provides illustrations of selective polymerized
liposomes. Non-sulfated sugars like sLe.sup.x and the neutral
disaccharides lactose and maltose are selective for L- and
P-selectin when presented in the context of carboxy-terminated
lipids. sLe.sup.x is also selective in the context of
hydroxyl-terminated lipids. Liposomes with sulfate groups either on
sulfo Le.sup.x or on a lipid in combination with sLe.sup.x were not
selective.
[0106] Also included are embodiments that are designed to optimize
binding to multiple selecting. These compositions may have a
plurality of different carbohydrates and a plurality of different
anionic or electronegative groups on separate lipids.
[0107] Testing of the Polymerized Lipid Compositions
[0108] In vitro Testing and Optimization of the Composition:
[0109] Assays for determining the ability of a polymerized lipid
composition to display selectin ligands can be classified as either
direct binding assays or inhibition assays.
[0110] Direct binding assays are conducted by permitting the
composition to interact directly with either a selectin or with a
cell expressing a selectin. A lipid sheet containing various test
selectin binding determinants can be polymerized directly onto a
microscope slide (Spevak et al., Adv. Mater. 7:85, 1995) and
titrated with selectin, or conversely the selectin can be coated
onto microtiter plate wells and titrated with labeled polymerized
lipid particles. Polymerized particles can also be tested for
direct binding to cells expressing selectin ligands, such as HL-60
cells.
[0111] Since most of the applications for polymerized liposomes
according to this invention relate to an inhibition of binding
between selectin ligand-receptor pairs, it is more usual to develop
and test compositions in inhibition assays.
[0112] Inhibition capacity can be tested in cell-free assays where
one member of the selectin ligand-receptor pair is coupled to a
solid surface, and the second is presented for binding in the
presence of the potential inhibitor. After washing, the amount of
second member bound is quantitated by way of a preattached or
subsequently attached labeling system. This type of assay is
convenient for comparative screening of a number of different lipid
compositions, for example, displaying different carbohydrate and
anionic determinants.
[0113] Many of the current cell-free selectin assay systems make
use of selectin chimeras, in which an N-terminal portion of the
selectin comprising the binding domain is fused to a second protein
fragment that can be used as an attachment means for a labeling
system. A frequently used second fragment is an IgG Fc region,
which can then be detected using a conjugate made with Protein A or
anti-Fc. The construction of chimeras and related assays are
described by Watson et al. (J. Cell Biol. 115:235, 1992), Aruffo et
al. (Cell 67:35, 1991) and Foxall et al. (J. Cell Biol. 117:895,
1992).
[0114] One illustration of a convenient cell-free assay is the
L-selectin ELISA described in Bertozzi et al. (Biochemistry
34:14275, 1995). Briefly, a crude preparation of GlyCAM-1 is
obtained from mouse serum. Microtiter plates are coated with
polyclonal antibody specific for the peptide backbone of the mucin,
overlaid with the mucin, and then washed. A chimera of L-selectin
fused to Fc is complexed with biotinylated F(ab').sub.2 anti-Fc,
which in turn is complexed to streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase
conjugate. The combined conjugate is preincubated with the
potential inhibitor for 30 min, then transferred to the microtiter
plate wells. After 30 min at room temperature, the wells are
washed, and developed with the enzyme substrate. In a variation of
this type of assay, selectin ligand substitutes such as sulfatides
are used that can be coated directly onto the plate. In another
variation, the solid substrate is also a polymerized lipid (Spevak
et al., Adv. Mater. 7:85, 1995) expressing determinants that are at
least as potent for selectin binding as the compositions being
tested as inhibitors.
[0115] Beyond the initial screening stage, one- or two-cell
bioassays are preferably used during the development of
compositions as being more representative of inhibition in a
biological system.
[0116] A convenient one-cell assay for P-selectin inhibitors makes
use of HL-60 cells, available from the ATCC. HL-60 cells naturally
express the PSGL-1 antigen at about 36,000 sites per cell (Ushiyama
et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268:15229, 1993). The assay is described in
Brandley et al. (Glycobiol. 3:633, 1993). Briefly, an E or
P-selectin chimera is incubated with biotinylated goat F(ab'),
anti-human IgG Fc, and an alkaline phosphatase-streptavidin
conjugate for 30 min. This complex is then incubated with potential
inhibitors for .about.45 min at 37.degree. C. 50 TL of the mixture
is added to each well of round-bottom microtiter plates previously
blocked with BSA. An equal volume of an HL-60 cell suspension is
added and the plate is incubated for 45 min at 4.degree. C. Cells
are pelleted to the well bottoms by centrifugation, washed, and
developing using p-nitrophenyl phosphate.
[0117] Other one-cell assays are done with cell isolates rather
than cell lines. The ability to inhibit neutrophil adhesion to
purified P-selectin immobilized on plastic wells can be determined
using the assay described by Geng, et al. (Nature 343:757, 1990).
Briefly, human neutrophils are isolated from heparinized whole
blood by density gradient centrifugation on Mono-Poly.TM. resolving
media (Flow Laboratories), and suspended in Hanks' balanced salt
solution containing Ca.sup.++, Mg.sup.++, and human serum albumin
(HBSS/HSA). P-selectin is obtained by recombinant expression or
isolated from outdated human platelet lysates by immunoaffinity
chromatography on antibody S12-Sepharose.TM. and ion-exchange
chromatography on a Mono-Q.TM. column (U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,935).
The P-selectin is coated onto microtiter plate wells at 5 Tg/mL.
Cells are added at .about.2.times.10.sup.5 per well, incubated at
22.degree. C. for 20 min. The wells are then filled with HBSS/HSA,
sealed with acetate tape, and centrifuged. After discarding
nonadherent cells and supemates, the contents of each well are
solubilized with 0.5% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide in
phosphate buffer and assayed for myeloperoxidase activity (Ley et
al., Blood 73:1324, 1989).
[0118] Two-cell adherence assays are conducted by testing the
ability of a composition to interfere with the attachment of one
cell having a selectin to another cell having a ligand for the
selectin. One illustration uses COS cells transfected to express
the appropriate selectin (see generally Aruffo et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 84:8573, 1987). Transfected cell clones are selected
for their ability to support HL-60 cell adhesion. The clones are
then expanded and grown in small-well culture plates as a substrate
for the assay. Another suitable substrate cell are human umbilical
vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), obtainable from Cell Systems, Inc.,
and stimulated with 100 U/mL IL-1.theta. for 4 h. (Martens et al.,
J. Biol. Chem. 270:21129, 1995). HL-60 cells are labeled by
incorporation of 1 TCi/mL [.sup.3H]thymidine or 10 Tg/mL calcein.
The putative inhibitor is preincubated with the labeled HL-60
cells, presented to the substrate cells, and then the wells are
washed and counted.
[0119] Lymphocyte adherence can be determined using the frozen
section assay originally described by Stamper et al. (J. Exp. Med.
144:, 828, 1976), since modified by Stoolman et al. (J. Cell Biol.
96:722, 1988), Arbones et al. (Immunity 1:247, 1994), and Brandley
et al. (supra). Briefly, lymphocytes from mouse mesenteric lymph
nodes or splenocytes are fluorescently labeled with CMFDA, and
incubated with the test inhibitor for .about.30 min at 0.degree. C.
The lymphocyte suspension is then overlaid on 10 Tm frozen sections
of mesenteric or peripheral lymph nodes (.about.3.times.10.sup.4
cells/section) and incubated on ice for 30 min on a rotator. The
suspension is gently drained from the slide, and the sections are
fixed with 3% glutaraldehyde and counterstained with acridine
orange. Fucoidan can be used as a positive control for inhibition.
The adherence observed in this assay is attributable to L-selectin
binding.
[0120] Leukocyte flow (rolling cell) assays are also described in
Martens et al. (supra). Neutrophils are isolated from venous blood
by dextran sedimentation and Ficoll-Hypaque.TM. centrifugation.
HUVEC are harvested by collagenase treatment, plated onto 0.1%
gelatin coated flasks, and cultured. A HUVEC monolayer is mounted
on the flow chamber, and perfused for 2 min with buffer containing
calcium and glucose. The isolated neutrophils are preincubated with
the test inhibitor in the same buffer. The neutrophil suspension is
then passed over the HUVEC monolayer at a wall shear stress of
.about.1.85 dyne/cm.sup.2. Interaction is videotaped for about
10-20 min using a phase contrast microscope, and an imaging
software program is used to determine the average number of
neutrophils rolling on the monolayer in several different fields of
view.
[0121] In vivo Testing:
[0122] Animal models for various diseases with an inflammatory or
immunological etiology are known in the art and may be brought to
bear in the testing of any composition that shows promising
selectin inhibitory action. In models of hyperacute disease such as
reperfusion injury, the composition is typically administered
within minutes or hours of the inducing event to simulate a
clinical setting. In models of chronic disease, the composition is
typically administered at regular periods of a week or more during
the progression phase. The animal is evaluated by cellular and
clinical criteria for the ability of the composition to palliate
the condition.
[0123] Amongst models suitable for the testing of selectin
inhibitors are the following: The cardiac ischemia reperfusion
models of Weyrich et al. (J. Clin Invest. 91:2620, 1993), Murohara
et al. (Cardiovasc. Res. 30:965, 1995), Ma et al. (Circulation
88:649, 1993) Tojo et al. (Glycobiology 6:463, 1996) and
Garcia-Criado et al. (J. Am. Coll. Surg. 181:327, 1995); the
cardiact infarct model of Silver et al. (Circulation 92:492, 1995);
the pulmonary ischemia reperfusion models of Steinberg et al. (J.
Heart Lung Transplant 13:306, 1994) and Kapelanski et al. (J. Heart
Lung Transplant 12:294, 1993); the cobra venom acute lung injury
model and immune complex lung inflammation model in U.S. Pat. No.
5,486,536; the hemmhoragic shock model of Kushimoto et al.
(Thrombosis Res. 82:97, 1996); the peritoneal exudate and
endotoxin-induced uveitis models of WO 96/35418; the bacterial
peritonitis model of Sharar et al. (J. Immunol. 151:4982, 1993);
the meningitis model of Tang et al. (J. Clin. Invest. 97:2485,
1996); the colitis model of Meenan et al. (Scand. J. Gastroenterol.
31:786, 1996); the Dacron graft experimental thrombus model of
Palabrica et al. (Nature 359:848, 1992); the tumor metastasis model
of WO 96/34609; the allergic asthma model of WO 96/35418; the
allergen mediated pulmonary hypersensitivity model of Gundel et al.
(Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 146:369, 1992); the diabetes models of
Martin et al. (J. Autoimmunity 9:637, 1996) and Yang et al. (Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:10494, 1993); the model for immune complex
alveolitis and dermal vasculitis by Mulligan et al. (J. Clin.
Invest. 88:1393, 1991); the lymphocyte trafficking model of Hicke
et al. (J. Clin. Invest. 98:2688, 1996); the IgE-mediated skin
reaction model of Wada et al. (J. Med. Chem. 39, 2055, 1996); and
the collagen-induced arthritis and delayed-type skin
hypersensitivity models of Zeidler et al. (Autoimmunity 21:245,
1995). All the aforelisted descriptions of animal models are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0124] Uses for Polymerized Liposomes
[0125] Research Use:
[0126] Polymerized lipid compositions of this invention can be used
to characterize the nature of binding between putative
ligand-receptor binding cells. For example, a newly isolated
protein receptor that binds isolated neutrophils or HL-60 cells in
a manner inhibitible by liposomes this invention will be suspected
as a selectin. A newly isolated mucin that binds HUVEC or cells
transfected with selectin in a manner inhibitible by liposomes of
this invention will be suspected of being a selectin ligand.
Adhesion or activation of one cell by another in a manner
inhibitible by liposomes of this invention will be suspected of
being mediated by selectin-ligand coupling.
[0127] Diagnostic Use:
[0128] Polymerized lipid compositions can also be used for the
detection of human disorders in which the ligands for the selectins
might be defective. Such disorders would most likely be seen in
patients with increased susceptibility to infections involving an
abnormality in leukocyte migration or lymphocyte activation.
[0129] For in vitro diagnostic procedures, cells to be tested are
collected from blood, separated by Ficoll-Hypaque.TM.
centrifugation, and then tested for their ability to bind a
polymerized liposome with selectin binding activity. The liposome
may be labeled with a radioisotopic or fluorescent marker, or if
based on diyne chemistry, monitored by way of its intrinsic color.
Direct binding of the composition to the cells can provide a
measure of selectin on the cell surface. In one illustration, T
cells or cells dispersed from a tumor biopsy are isolated and the
composition is used to measure the density of selectin. In another
illustration, the composition is used in a mixed leukocyte
population to count the number of cells expressing selectin.
[0130] For in vivo diagnostic procedures, the lipid composition is
labeled by conjugation with or encapsulation of a suitable agent.
Radioisotopes such as .sup.111In or .sup.99mTc can be used as
labels for scintigraphy, or non-radioactive dense atoms can be used
to enhance x-ray contrast. The composition is administered
intravenously at a peripheral site or via local intubation.
Abnormal localization at a particular site may reflect unusual cell
trafficking or activation with clinical implications.
[0131] Therapeutic Use:
[0132] Since the selectins have several functions related to
leukocyte adherence, inflammation, and coagulation, compounds that
interfere with binding of P-selectin or L-selectin can be used to
modulate the pathological consequences of these events.
[0133] An inflammatory response can cause damage to the host if
unchecked, because leukocytes release many toxic molecules that can
damage normal tissues. These molecules include proteolytic enzymes
and free radicals. Examples of pathological situations in which
leukocytes can cause tissue damage include injury from ischemia and
reperfusion, bacterial sepsis and disseminated intravascular
coagulation, adult respiratory distress syndrome, rheumatoid
arthritis and atherosclerosis.
[0134] Reperfusion injury is a major problem in clinical
cardiology. Therapeutic agents that reduce leukocyte adherence in
ischemic myocardium can significantly enhance the therapeutic
efficacy of thrombolytic agents. Thrombolytic therapy with agents
such as tissue plasminogen activator or streptokinase can relieve
coronary artery obstruction in many patients with severe myocardial
ischemia prior to irreversible myocardial cell death. However, many
such patients still suffer myocardial necrosis despite restoration
of blood flow. Reperfusion injury is known to be associated with
adherence of leukocytes to vascular endothelium in the ischemic
zone, presumably in part because of activation of platelets and
endothelium by thrombin and cytokines that makes them adhesive for
leukocytes (Romson et al., Circulation 67:1016, 1983). The adherent
leukocytes can migrate through the endothelium and destroy ischemic
myocardium just as it is being rescued by restoration of blood
flow. Ischemia may occur pursuant to a myocardial infarction or as
a result of complications of surgery, such as deep vein thrombosis.
Another inflammatory condition of concern in cardiology is
restenosis.
[0135] There are a number of other common clinical disorders in
which ischemia and reperfusion results in organ injury mediated by
adherence of leukocytes to vascular surfaces, including strokes;
mesenteric and peripheral vascular disease; organ transplantation;
and multiple organ failure following circulatory shock. Bacterial
sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation often exist
concurrently in critically ill patients. These conditions are
associated with generation of thrombin, cytokines, and other
inflammatory mediators, activation of platelets and endothelium,
and adherence of leukocytes and aggregation of platelets throughout
the vascular system. Leukocyte-dependent organ damage is an
important feature of these conditions.
[0136] Adult respiratory distress syndrome is a devastating
pulmonary disorder occurring in patients with sepsis or following
trauma, which is associated with widespread adherence and
aggregation of leukocytes in the pulmonary circulation. This leads
to extravasation of large amounts of plasma into the lungs and
destruction of lung tissue, both mediated in large part by
leukocyte products.
[0137] Tumor cells from many malignancies (including carcinomas,
lymphomas, and sarcomas) metastasize to distant sites through the
vasculature. The mechanisms for adhesion of tumor cells to
endothelium and their subsequent migration are not well understood,
but may be similar to those of leukocytes in at least some cases.
The association of platelets with metastasizing tumor cells has
been well described, suggesting a role for platelets in the spread
of some cancers. It has been reported that P-selectin binds to
tumor cells in human carcinoma tissue sections and cell lines
derived from carcinomas (Aruggo et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
89:2292, 1992). In addition, certain tumors may themselves express
selectins or selectin ligands, which may participate in the
adherence of metastasizing cells to endothelial cells or HEV at a
new site.
[0138] Antagonists of P-selectin may be beneficial for blocking
platelet-leukocyte interaction as thrombi develop (Welpy et al.,
Biochim. Biophys. Acta 117:215, 1994). In baboons, administration
of anti P-selectin decreased fibrin deposition into Dacron graft
implants without diminishing platelet accumulation into the grafts
(Palabrica et al., Nature 359, 848, 1992). The results suggest that
the trapping of leukocytes, via interaction with platelets, may
contribute to the deposition of fibrin. Blocking P-selectin should
prevent this interaction and may have value as an anti-thrombogenic
therapy.
[0139] To the extent that the initiation of an acute allograft or
xenograft rejection involves selectin-mediated recruitment of
inflammatory or immune mediator cells, selectin antagonists can be
brought to bear in the few days after engraftment.
[0140] Antagonists of P- and L-selectin are also of interest in
palliating autoimmune diseases. For a review of the role of
adhesion molecules in these diseases, the reader is referred to
Murray (Semin. Arthritis Rheum. 25:215, 1996).
[0141] Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by symmetric,
polyarticular inflammation of synovial-lined joints, and may
involve extraarticular tissues, such as the pericardium, lung, and
blood vessels. Adhesion molecules appear to play an important role
(Postigo et al., Autoimmunity 16:69, 1993). Soluble selectins are
present in the synovial fluid and blood of affected patients,
correlating with elevated ESR and synovial PMNcount (Carson C W et
al. J. Rheumatol. 21:605, 1994). Conventional antirheumatic therapy
may modify synovial inflammation by altering leukocyte adhesion.
Corticosteroids, gold compounds, and colchicine downregulate
endothelial expression of selectins (Corkill et al., J. Rheumatol.
18:1453, 1991; Molad et al., Arthritis Rheum. 35:S35, 1992).
[0142] Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by formation
of antinuclear antibodies and manifest by inflammatory lesions on
the skin and throughout the body. Selectin expression is increased
on dermal vessel endothelial wall of patients with increased
disease severity (Belmont et al., Arthritis Rheum. 37:376, 1994).
Sjoren's syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis,
and diabetes are other conditions with a heavy implication of
altered adhesion proteins such as ICAM-1, LFA-1 and -3, VCAM-1, and
selectins (Murray, supra), and may be amenable to therapy with
selectin inhibitors.
[0143] Asthma is characterized by airway obstruction, inflammation,
and increased responsiveness to a variety of stimuli, manifest by
episodes of cough, dyspnea and wheezing. The steps proposed in
chronic airway inflammation include inflammatory stimulus
triggering release of mediators, followed by activation of the
leukocyte-endothelial adhesion cascade resulting in leukocyte
adhesion to the endothelium. Adhesion molecules implicated include
selecting, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 which may be up-regulated following
allergen challenge (Pilewski et al., Am. Rev. Respir. Dis 148, S31,
1993).
[0144] Timing and Objectives of Treatment.
[0145] An effective amount of polymerized lipid compositions may be
used for treating an individual for a condition wherein etiology
involves altered cell traffic or activation, mediated in part by
selecting.
[0146] An "individual" treated by the methods of this invention is
a vertebrate, particularly a mammal (including farm animals, sport
animals, and pets), and typically a human.
[0147] "Treatment" refers to clinical intervention in an attempt to
alter the natural course of the individual being treated, and may
be performed either for prophylaxis or during the course of
clinical pathology. Desirable effects include preventing occurrence
or recurrence of disease, alleviation of symptoms, diminishment of
any direct or indirect pathological consequences of the disease,
such as hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, or necrosis, preventing
metastasis, lowering the rate of disease progression, amelioration
or palliation of the disease state, and remission or improved
prognosis. The "pathology" associated with a disease condition is
anything that compromises the well-being, normal physiology, or
quality of life of the affected individual.
[0148] Treatment is performed by administering an effective amount
of a polymerized lipid composition of this invention. An "effective
amount" is an amount sufficient to effect a beneficial or desired
clinical result, and can be administered in one or more doses.
[0149] The modes of treatment contemplated in this invention
include but are not limited to the following:
[0150] 1. Inhibiting leukocyte adhesion or migration, comprising
administering a P-selectin inhibitor so as to inhibit binding
between a vascular endothelial cell and a leukocyte selected from
the group consisting of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and
lymphocytes bearing a P-selectin ligand, thought to be memory T
cells. The inhibiting can be performed either by introducing the
inhibitor into an environment where the interacting cells come into
contact, particularly near the affected site, or contacting the
cell bearing the selectin with the inhibitor in the absence of the
cell bearing the ligand.
[0151] 2 Inhibiting platelet aggregation or fibrin deposition by
administering a P-selectin inhibitor to an environment containing
platelets or susceptible of accumulating platelets.
[0152] 3. Inhibiting leukocyte adhesion or migration, comprising
administering an L-selectin inhibitor so as to inhibit binding
between a lymphocyte, neutrophil or monocyte and an endothelial
cell or lymphatic tissue, particularly an HEV cell.
[0153] 4. Inhibiting lymphocyte adhesion, migration, or activation,
comprising administering an L-selectin inhibitor to the
lymphocyte.
[0154] 5. Inhibiting metastasis of a tumor suspected of expressing
a selectin ligand or receptor by administering an inhibitor for the
selectin to the tumor or to the circulation.
[0155] The criteria for assessing response to therapeutic
modalities employing the lipid compositions of this invention are
dictated by the specific condition, For example, the treatment to
prevent extension of myocardial infarction can be monitored by
serial determination of marker enzymes for myocardial necrosis, and
by EKG, vital signs, and clinical response. Treatment of acute
respiratory distress syndrome can be monitored by following
arterial oxygen levels, resolution of pulmonary infiltrates, and
clinical improvement as measured by lessened dyspnea and tachypnea.
Other conditions treated using the methods of this invention are
measured according to standard medical procedures appropriate for
the condition.
[0156] Pharmaceutical Preparations and Administration:
[0157] Compositions prepared for use according to this invention
can be prepared for administration to an individual in need
thereof, particularly humans, in accordance with generally accepted
procedures for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions.
Preferred methods for preparing liposomes described herein are
sufficiently flexible that batch sizes from 5 mL to several liters
or more can be prepared reproducibly and under sterile
conditions.
[0158] General procedures for preparing pharmaceutical compositions
are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, E. W. Martin
ed., Mack Publishing Co., PA. Liquid pharmaceutically administrable
compositions can, for example, be prepared by dispersing a liposome
in a liquid excipient, such as water, saline, aqueous dextrose, or
glycerol. The liposome suspension may include lipid-protective
agents to protect lipids against free-radical and
lipid-peroxidative damages on storage. Lipophilic free-radical
quenchers, such as alphatocopherol and water-soluble iron-specific
chelators, such as ferrioxamine, can be used. One of the advantages
of the polymerized lipid compositions of the present invention is
stability against many of the usual degradative effects that
accumulate upon storage. The composition may optionally also
contain other medicinal agents, pharmaceutical agents, and
carriers.
[0159] Compositions for injection can be supplied as liquid
solutions or suspensions, or as solid forms suitable for
dissolution or suspension in liquid prior to injection. For
administration to the trachea and bronchial epithelium, a preferred
composition is one that provides either a solid or liquid aerosol
when used with an appropriate aerosolizer device. Although not
required, pharmaceutical compositions are in some instances
supplied in unit dosage form suitable for administration of a
precise amount.
[0160] The route of administration of a pharmaceutical composition
depends, inter alia, on the intended target site, clinical
condition, and the nature of the condition being treated.
Intravenous or intralymphoid administration or injection directly
into an affected site are the most usual routes. Pulmonary
administration by aerosol is conducted using a nebulizer device.
Apparatus and methods for forming aerosols are described in
Kirk-Othmer, "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology", 4th Ed Vol. 1,
Wiley N.Y., pp. 670-685, 1991.
[0161] The size of the dose is selected taking into account the
expected volume of distribution of the composition before reaching
the intended site of action, and then providing sufficient
inhibitor (in nM sugar equivalent) to meet or exceed the IC.sub.50
concentration as measured in an appropriate cell bioassay,
typically at about 2-20 times IC.sub.50 concentration. In planning
the dose, it may not be necessary to completely block all of the
selectin receptors. For normal healing, at least some leukocytes
may need to migrate to the affected site. The amount of inhibitor
is adjusted accordingly.
[0162] The assessment of the clinical features and the design of an
appropriate therapeutic regimen for the individual patient is
ultimately the responsibility of the prescribing physician.
[0163] The foregoing description provides, inter alia, a detailed
explanation of how polymerized lipid compositions can be used to
inhibit cellular events mediated by selectin binding. It is
understood that variations may be made with respect to structure of
the composition or its implementation without departing from the
spirit of this invention.
[0164] All patents, patent applications, articles and publications
mentioned herein, both supra and infra, are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
[0165] The examples presented below are provided as a further guide
to a practitioner of ordinary skill in the art, and are not meant
to be limiting in any way.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0166] Development of Two-component Glycoliposomes
[0167] Glycoliposomes were formed by attaching a carbohydrate
component to a polymerizable lipid, mixing with a second
polymerizable lipid with a polar head group, forming liposomes, and
then polymerizing the lipids.
[0168] FIG. 3 shows the sialyl Lewis.sup.x (sLe.sup.x)
tetrasaccharide (structure 1) in comparison with the components
assembled into liposomes. The carbohydrates labeled as 2a (an
sLe.sup.x analog), 3a (lactose), and 4a (maltose) were used for
synthesizing the polymerizable glycolipids, hereafter designated as
2b, 3b and 4b, respectively. The precursor polymerizable lipid was
10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PDA), which was conjugated to the
carbohydrate by standard techniques. The second polymerizable lipid
used during liposome formation was either compound 5 (PDA), which
comprises a negatively charged headgroup, or compound 6, which
comprises a polar but uncharged headgroup.
[0169] FIG. 1 depicts an expanded view of polymerized
glycoliposomes, containing either compounds 2b and 5(A) or 2b and
6(B). The polymerized glycoliposomes were formed as follows:
Various molar percentages of lipids were prepared so as to give 1
mM solutions in total lipid while varying the percentages of
glycolipids in the range 0.5 to 50%. The glycolipids were formed
into liposomes by the probe sonication method (R.R.C. New, pp.
33-104, in "Liposomes: a practical approach", Oxford U. Press
1990). The lipids appeared to be miscible based on an analysis of
their Langmuir isotherms (G. L. Gaines, in "Insoluble monolayers at
liquid-gas interfaces", Wiley:N.Y. 1966).
[0170] Polymerization of the liposomes was carried out by exposure
of the aqueous solutions to UV light at 254 nm (Hub et al., Angew.
Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 19:938, 1980; Spevak et al., J. Amer. Chem.
Soc. 115:1146, 1993). Polymerization of lipid diacetylenes requires
the monomers to adopt a solid analogous state. The carbohydrate
percentages reported here are estimates of the sugar groups
appearing on both the inner and outer liposome surfaces. With
percentages of the glycolipid component above approximately 40%,
polymerization was substantially inhibited. This is rationalized by
the steric crowding of adjacent carbohydrate headgroups which
prevent the proximal diacetylenes from polymerizing.
[0171] Characterization of the polymerized glycoliposomes by
transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the preparation
consisted of spheres between 20-100 nm in diameter.
Example 2
[0172] Bioassay for Selectin Inhibition Activity
[0173] Ability of the compositions prepared in Example 1 to inhibit
selectin binding was tested in a standard bioassay. The assay for
measuring P-selectin binding to HL-60 cells was taken from the
description in Brandley et al. (Glycobiol. 3:633, 1993). Briefly,
P-selectin chimera is allowed to form a complex with biotinylated
goat F(ab') anti-human IgG Fc and alkaline
phosphatase-streptavidin, and is preincubated with inhibitors
before mixing with HL-60 cells. The cells were pelleted by
centrifugation and washed with TBS. Chromagen was added and the
color that developed was read as an OD at 405 nm. All assays were
run in quadruplicate.
[0174] FIG. 4 shows the inhibition titration curve for various
polymerized glycoliposome preparations containing 5%
carbohydrate-linked lipid. Open triangles: sLe.sup.x analog
conjugate plus acidic lipids. Open circles: sLe.sup.x analog
conjugate plus neutral lipids. Closed circles: lactose conjugate
plus acidic lipids. Squares: maltose conjugate plus acidic lipids.
It is evident from the results of this assay that the presence of
the acidic lipid is critical for measurable inhibition, even when
the most effective carbohydrate conjugate of those tested, the
sLe.sup.x analog, is used. The neutral disaccharides lactose and
maltose also have selectin inhibition activity when used alongside
acidic lipids. All the compositions having a saccharide and a
negatively charged lipid inhibited P-selectin binding in a
dose-dependent fashion.
[0175] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the concentration giving 50% inhibition
(IC.sub.50) for various polymerized glycolipid compositions. The
IC.sub.50 values are based on the total concentration of
glycolipid. No reduction was made for any glycoside that may be
inaccessible due to incorporation into the inner layer of the
liposome. Therefore, these IC.sub.50 values represent an upper
limit of the actual glycoside available for binding.
[0176] FIG. 5A is a titration analysis of the optimal proportion of
carbohydrate lipid to total lipid in the composition. This
experiment was conducted with the sLe.sup.x analog lipid conjugate,
with the balance of the composition being the lipid having the
carboxylic acid headgroup. It is evident that the optimal
percentage is about 5%, although compositions up to at least 50%
contain inhibitory activity, and compositions up to about 20% have
inhibitory activity in the nM range. The decrease in inhibitory
activity at the higher percentages correlates with the increased
difficulty in polymerizing these compositions, which is attributed
to steric hindrance by the carbohydrate. The 2 nM IC.sub.50 for the
5% composition contrasts by about 1 to 5.times.10.sup.6 with values
obtained in this assay for sLe.sup.x monomer.
[0177] FIG. 5B is a comparison of the IC.sub.50 for various
compositions with different carbohydrate constituents. Both lactose
and maltose provide significant inhibitory activity (15 nM and 200
nM respectively) when provided in the context of acidic lipids. The
value for lactose in particular compares favorably with that for
sLe.sup.x compositions. The last two bars show the lack of
detectable inhibition by polymerized liposomes made with acidic or
neutral lipids alone.
[0178] Thus, both a suitable carbohydrate and a separate negatively
charged lipid are required in these preparations to provide
selectin inhibition activity. In hindsight, we speculate that the
binding of other inhibitory compounds, such as certain types of
heparin, inositol hexakis phosphate, sulphoglucuronyl glycolipids,
fucoidan, sulfatides and an sLe.sup.x-RGD conjugate, can be
explained as a combination of a carbohydrate or carbohydrate-like
molecules and separately spaced multiple acid groups.
[0179] The possibility of intercalation of the liposomes into the
cells, thereby effecting their ability to bind P-selectin, was also
addressed. The cells were pretreated with the liposomes and washed
to remove the liposomes prior to the addition of the P-selectin
chimera. This did not result in any reduction in selectin binding
to the cells. The inhibition was unaffected in experiments where
the reagents and inhibitors were added simultaneously to the
microtiter plates.
[0180] By way of comparison, the level of sLe.sup.x or sLe.sup.x
analog presented as a monomer required to reach IC.sub.50 in this
assay is .about.1 to 5 mm. The relative improvement imparted by
incorporation in the polymerized liposome is approximately
10.sup.6-fold.
Example 3
[0181] Further Confirmation of the Requirement for Negatively
Charged Lipids
[0182] Additional polymerized glycoliposome compositions were
prepared for testing in a different assay system.
[0183] The assay is an ELISA in which the polymerized liposomes are
tested for an ability to inhibit the binding of selectin chimera to
isolated GlyCAM-1. A full description is provided in Bertozzi et
al. (Biochemistry 34:14275, 1995). Briefly, a crude preparation of
GlyCAM-1 is obtained from mouse serum by extraction with 2:1
chloroform/methanol, recovery of the aqueous phase, and
concentration. This mucin acts in this assay as a ligand for any of
the three selecting. Microtiter plates are coated with polyclonal
antibody specific for the peptide backbone of the mucin, overlaid
with the mucin, and then washed. Meanwhile, a complex is formed
between: a) a chimera of the respective selectin fused to the Fc
region of the human IgG heavy chain; b) biotinylated F(ab').sub.2
anti-Fc; c) streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. This
solution (70 TL) is combined with 70 TL of inhibitor and incubated
for 30 min, then transferred to the microtiter plate wells. After
30 min at room temperature, the wells are washed, and developed
with the enzyme substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate.
[0184] FIGS. 6A and 6B show the polymerized liposomes prepared for
testing. Five different groups were prepared having either no
oligosaccharide (Group1, depicted in FIG. 6A), or one of four
different oligosaccharide conjugated lipids at a relative molar
concentration of 5% (Groups 2-5, depicted in FIGS. 6B-6E
respectively). Within each group, the substituent on the lipids not
conjugated with oligosaccharide (shown as an "X" in the diagram)
was varied as follows:
[0185] an amine, which has a positive charge at neutral pH;
[0186] a hydroxyl group, which is neutral but electronegative;
[0187] a carboxylic acid, which has a negative charge at neutral
pH; or
[0188] a mixture comprising either 5% or 50% lipid with the oxyacid
sulfate, the balance being lipid with a hydroxyl head group.
[0189] These compositions gave the following results in the
selectin inhibition assay:
1TABLE 1 Selectin Inhibition of Polymerized Glycoliposomes Carbo-
Inhibitory Activity hydrate IC.sub.50 in TM Grou lipid L- E- P- p
substituent Other lipid substituent selectin selectin selectin 1
(none) --CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2NH.sub.2 >250 >250 >250
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH >250 >250 >50 --COOH >250
>250 >100 --CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OSO.sub.3.sup.- >250
>250 18 -- CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH(5:95)
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OSO.sub.3.sup.- 7.5 >50 4.4
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH (50:50) 2 5% sLe.sup.x
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2NH.sub.2 >12.5 >12.5 >12.5 analog
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH 1.12 >12.5 1.5 --COOH 0.50 >2.5 0.47
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OSO.sub.3.sup.- 0.26 0.45 0.18
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH (50:50) 3 5% sulfo
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2NH.sub.2 >12.5 >12.5 >12.5 Le.sup.x
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH 0.26 0.38 0.18 analog --COOH 0.26 0.68
0.28 --CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OSO.sub.3.sup.- 0.20 n.d. n.d.
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH (50:50) 4 5% lactose
--CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH >12.5 >12.5 >12.5 --COOH 1.80
>12.5 0.50 5 5% --CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH >12.5 >12.5 3.0
maltose --COOH 3.0 >12.5 1.3
[0190] The IC.sub.50 values are all based on the total amount of
liposome bound carbohydrate except in Group 1, where the values are
calculated from the total amount of matrix head groups.
[0191] The results support the following conclusions. First, the
sulfated carbohydrate sulfo Le.sup.x analog has a very low
IC.sub.50 (high inhibitory capacity) for L-, E- or P-selectin in a
context of acidic or polar lipids (but not positively charged
lipids). Where the saccharide is the non-sulfated sLe.sup.x analog,
an acidic neighboring lipid is required for full inhibitory
activity, which is selective for L- and P-selectin. Sulfate lipids
support sLe.sup.x binding better than carboxylate lipids, even at a
relative proportion of 50%. As in the preceding example, the
presence of acid lipids turn ineffective neutral disaccharides like
lactose and maltose into effective inhibitors. This effect occurred
only for L- and P-selectin, since none of the neutral disaccharide
compositions inhibited E-selectin binding. The contributory effect
of acid groups to the binding of L- and P-selectin is consistent
with the working hypothesis that the lipid acid groups fulfill a
selectin binding requirement equivalent to what is provided by
sulfotyrosine or its equivalent in the biological ligands.
[0192] This mixed construction approach combined with a simple
plate-binding assay provides a rapid method for identifying
carbohydrate-acid group combinations that are capable of
selectively inhibiting the binding of different selectin-ligand
pairs.
Example 4
[0193] Cell Activity Assays Confirm Biological Efficacy of
Glycoliposomes
[0194] Glycoliposomes containing 5% sulfo Le.sup.x analog and 95%
hydroxyl-terminated lipid were tested in a flow adhesion assay
(Alon et al., Nature 374:539, 1995). Briefly, P-selectin chimera is
immobilized in a flow chamber and the affinity of HL-60 cells for
this substrate is manifest for their ability to roll slowly along
on the surface. The interaction is specific for the PSGL-1 mucin
domain on the HL-60 cells and the inhibitor's ability to block cell
adhesion under physiological flow rather than under static
conditions. At a glycolipid concentration of 1 TM, this
glycoliposome formulation was able to completely inhibit HL-60 cell
rolling on P-selectin surfaces. The control liposome (without the
carbohydrate) had no effect.
[0195] The same liposome formulation was tested in the
Stamper-Woodruff lymphocyte homing assay (Stamper et al., J. Exp.
Med. 144:828, 1976). This assay measures ability of lymphocytes to
home into lymph nodes through high endothelial venules (HEV), a
process known to be mediated by L-selectin. Thoracic duct
lymphocytes (TDC) were counted on fixed sections of HEV in the
presence of the liposomes. The 5% glycoliposome completely
inhibited the TDC from binding to HEV at a concentration of 1 TM.
The control liposome had no effect.
Example 5
[0196] Alternative Saccharide Components
[0197] Further refinement of the carbohydrate component of
polymerized liposomes is conducted along several fronts.
[0198] In one experimental series, the prototype oligosaccharides
sLe.sup.x and sulfo Le.sup.x are dissected into various
substituents and tested in independent compositions. FIG. 7 shows
some monosaccharide and disaccharide lipid conjugates of interest.
Other saccharides of interest are lactosamine, 3' sialyl
lactosamine, and 3' sialyl lactose. The identification of active
subcomponent saccharides has two purposes. One is to further
elucidate the binding requirements for each selectin, which can
then be used to develop inexpensive analog structures with enhanced
binding or selectin specificity. Another is to identify mono- and
disaccharides that can be used in a mixed saccharide liposome, as
explained below.
[0199] In another experimental series, other oligosaccharides
believed to have equal or better activity than the prototypes as
monomers are tested in liposome compositions to determine if the
activity can be enhanced further. Conjugates of interest are shown
in FIG. 8. Other conjugates of interest are various sLe.sup.x
analongs and other structures listed elsewhere in the
disclosure.
[0200] The conjugates are formed similarly to those in the previous
examples: by formation of peracetylated beta-NAc-allyl glycoside,
combined with cystamine hydrochloride under U.V. light, and then
coupled directly with the activated acid of PDA.
[0201] Mixed saccharide liposomes have different saccharides
conjugated to different lipids in the composition. It is proposed
that the different saccharides can work in concert to supply the
carbohydrate requirement for selectin binding, when presented in
the context of other lipids satisfying the anionic binding
requirement in a polymerized lipid sheet. Of particular interest is
a combination of sialic acid and fucose, since these are believed
to be the residues in sLe.sup.x responsible for selectin
binding.
[0202] The sialic acid conjugate is prepared according to the
standard method outlined in Spevak et al. J. Amer. Chem. Soc.
(1993) 115, 1146. The fucose conjugate is prepared as follows.
First, the perbenzoylated, glycosylchloride of fucose is
C-allylated by trimethylallylsilane and trimethylsilyltriflate
(Hosomi et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 2383, 1984 to give the
C-glycoside. This compound is deprotected by sodium/ammonia. The
perbenzoylated C-glycoside of fucose is dissolved in t-butanol and
added to refluxing, anhydrous ammonia, protected from moisture.
Solid sodium metal is then added until the blue color persists for
at least 20 min. The reaction is then quenched with ammonium
chloride and the ammonia is allowed to evaporate. The solid residue
is dissolved in water, brought to about pH 2 with conc. HCl and
extracted with ethyl acetate several times. The combined organic
solutions are dried with magnesium sulfate and filtered. After
evaporation the C-glycoside product is purified by flash
chromatography. The C-glycoside is dissolved with
cystamine-hydrochloride (3 eq.) in degassed water to give a 1 molar
sugar solution. The solution is kept under a constant blanket of
nitrogen and irradiated with UV light (254 nm). After 12 hours the
solution is neutralized with solid sodium bicarbonate, concentrated
and flash chromatographed yielding the amine. This is dissolved in
a minimal amount of methanol, added to this solution of NHS-PDA
(1.2 eq.) and stirred for 12 hrs. The reaction is diluted with
chloroform, washed with saturated, aqueous sodium bicarbonate, then
dried with magnesium sulfate and filtered. After evaporation, the
crude glycolipid residue is purified by flash chromatography.
[0203] Sialic acid conjugate and fucose conjugate are mixed at a
ratio of 1:1 and then combined with PDA at 5 to 10% glycoconjugate
as molar percent of total lipid. Vesicle formation and lipid
polymerization proceed as normal to form a mixed glycoliposome with
a surface structure shown in FIG. 9.
[0204] The polymerized lipid compositions described in this example
are tested according to the assay described in Example 3.
Example 6
[0205] Therapeutic Testing in Animal Models
[0206] Polymerized liposome compositions having good inhibition
activity in selectin binding assays are tested further for their
efficacy in disease models. All trials are conduced in accordance
and with the approval of the appropriate Animal Use Committee.
[0207] Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury are modeled
according to protocols similar to those of Weyrich et al. (J. Clin.
Invest. 91:2620, 1993), Murohara et al. (Cardiovascular Res.
30:965, 1995), and Ma et al. (Circulation 88:649, 1993). Briefly,
adult mammals of a higher species (typically canine, feline, or
ovine) are anesthetized, and a midsternal thoracotomy is performed.
A silk ligature is tied around the left anterior descending
coronary artery 8-10 mm from the origin. EKG and MABP are
continuously monitored. The animals are allowed to stabilize, and
then myocardial ischemia (MI) is induced by tightening the ligature
to complete occlusion. The test therapeutic agent is given
intravenously as a bolus 80 min later. At the 90 min time point,
the ligature is untied and the myocardium is allowed to reperfuse
for 270 min.
[0208] The ligature is retightened, and the aria at risk is
identified by injecting Evans blue. After excision, irreversibly
injured parts of the heart are identified by dissection and
staining using 0.1% nitroblue tetrazolium, and calculated as a
percentage of mass of the organ. The proportional area effected is
reduced upon successful treatment. Myeloperoxidase activity in the
ischemic myocardium as determined according to Mullane et al. (J.
Pharmacol. Meth. 14:157, 1985) is preferably also reduced. The
ischemic-reperfused coronary endothelium can also be measured for
adherence of isolated autologous PMN, and is preferably reduced in
the treated animals. The animals are tested in three groups: MI
induced and inhibitor treated; MI induced and control treated; and
sham MI (operated but without vessel occlusion).
[0209] Treated animals in the cited studies responded to 400 Tg/kg
of sLe.sup.x presented as a phospholipid liposome, or 1 mg/kg of
the anti-L-selectin monoclonal antibody DREG-200. In the present
experiment, polymerized liposomes are tested in a range of about
10-400 Tg of carbohydrate equivalent per kg body weight. An equal
number of polymerized liposomes made of 100% neutral lipids is
given at an equal dose (on a per-liposome basis) as vehicle
control. To the extent that necrosis induced by other types of
acute cardiac inflammatory events, such as myocarditis, restenosis
and deep vein thrombosis, are mediated by similar mechanisms, the
effective doses established in the cardiac reperfusion model may
also be considered for these conditions.
[0210] Lung reperfusion injury is modeled according to protocols
similar to those of Steinberg et al. (J. Heart Lung Transplant
13:306, 1994) and Kapelanski et al. (J. Heart Lung Transplant
12:294, 1993). Briefly, general anesthesia is induced, and the left
lung is exposed by excision of adjacent ribs, intercostal muscles
and neurovasculature. After a 30 min recovery period, animals are
selected for continuation that have an arterial oxygen tension
above 200 mm Hg and a carbondioxide tension below 45 mm Hg. After
systemic heparinization, ischemia of the left lung is initiated by
occlusion of the left main pulmonary artery. The period of ischemia
is about 3 h, whereupon the lung is ventilated and permitted to
reperfuse. Ten minutes before reperfusion, animals receive a bolus
intravenous infusion of the test therapeutic compound. Ten minutes
after the onset of reperfusion, the right pulmonary artery is
ligated, and the tip of an endotracheal tube is advanced beyond the
orifice of the trachial bronchus, and the right main bronchus is
clamped at end expiration. Physiologic parameters are recorded for
6 h. Animals are compared on the basis of survival data, plus
several of the following: gravimetric lung water, partial pressures
of oxygen and carbon dioxide, inert gas shunt, pulmonary vascular
resistance, and circulating WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte count.
Sham animals are operated but the pulmonary artery is not
ligated--both lungs are ventilated during the 3 h period, and then
worked up as in the test animals.
[0211] In the first study cited above, ischemic animals responded
to 1 mg/kg of the monoclonal antibody EL-246, specific for L- and
E-selectin. In the present experiment, polymerized liposomes are
tested in a range of about 10-400 Tg of carbohydrate equivalent per
kg body weight. An equal number of polymerized liposomes made of
100% neutral lipids is given at an equal dose (on a per-liposome
basis) as vehicle control.
[0212] Pulmonary vascular injury induced by hemorrhagic shock is
modeled according to protocols similar to those of Kushimoto et al.
(Thrombosis Res. 82:97, 1996). Briefly, adult rats are anesthetized
with pentobarbital, the right carotid artery is cannulated for
monitoring blood pressure, and the left femoral artery is
cannulated for sampling blood and administering fluids. Phlebotomy
is induced by gradual withdrawal of 25 mL blood/kg over 15 min
using a syringe pump. The mean arterial pressure is maintained
between .about.30-40 mm Hg for 30 min, and then the rats are
resuscitated with 75 mL/kg lactated Ringer's solution, infused over
30 min. Physiological body temperature was maintained during this
procedure using a heat lamp. Sham animals are cannulated in the
same fashion, but no blood is removed. Pulmonary accumulation of
leukocytes, measured as myeloperoxidase activity, and pulmonary
vascular permeability to bovine serum albumin (BSA) peaks at 6 h.
The hemorrhagic shock is reversible, because animals surviving the
first 6 h and allowed to recover survive for at least another 5
days.
[0213] The therapeutic compound is tested by administering boluses
of test compound through the femoral artery cannula at regular
intervals through the critical period (0, 2, and 4 h following
fluid resuscitation). .sup.125I-BSA is injected 30 min prior to
sacrifice at the 6 h point. A midline laparotomy is performed,
blood is withdrawn from the abdominal aorta, and the pulmonary
vasculature is perfused with saline via right ventricular puncture.
Pulmonary vascular permeability is calculated as a ratio cpm in
lung versus plasma, and is an indication of pulmonary vascular
damage. Lung samples are homogenized and assayed for
myeloperoxidase activity according to Warren et al. (J. Clin.
Invest. 84:1873, 1989), as an indication of the number of
neutrophils in the lung. Reduction of myeloperoxidase activity
and/or permeability by the test composition compared with vehicle
control is an indication of efficacy.
[0214] In the cited study, hemorrhagic animals responded to 1 mg/kg
of the monoclonal antibody PB 1.3. In the present experiment,
polymerized liposomes are tested in a range of about 10-400 Tg of
carbohydrate equivalent per kg body weight per administration.
[0215] Tumor metastasis is modeled according to protocols similar
to those described in PCT application WO 96/34609. This model is
based on the highly metastatic BL6 clone of the B16 melanoma cell
line (Dr. Jean Starkey, Montana Stane U., Bozeman M T), or a
similar line established and cloned by standard techniques from an
excised melanoma or carcinoma. A suspension of metastatic cells is
suspended and incubated for 5-10 min at 37.degree. C. with the
therapeutic test compound at various concentrations, or a vehicle
control. Following incubation, about 2-5.times.10.sup.4 cells in a
volume of 200 TL are injected into the tail vein of 8 week old
syngeneic mice. After about 3 weeks, the animals are sacrificed.
Lung and liver are excised and fixed in 10% formaldehyde, and tumor
cell colonies are counted under a dissecting microscope. Colonies
with a diameter >1 mm are counted separately from smaller
colonies. A positive result is indicated by a substantial reduction
in the total number of colonies or in the proportion of larger
colonies. Polymerized liposome preparations are tested in a range
of 5 nM-10 TM final concentration of carbohydrate equivalent in the
cell incubation mixture.
[0216] Allergic asthma is modeled according to protocols similar to
those described in PCT application WO 96/35418. Briefly, adult
sheep are selected on the basis of having an established early and
late bronchial response to inhaled Ascaris suum antigen. Animals
are restrained, and the nasal passages are topically anesthetized
with lidocane. The animals are intubated with a cuffed endotracheal
tube through the opposite nostril with a flexible fiber optic
bronchoscope as guide. Pleural pressure is estimated with an
esophageal balloon catheter. Lateral pressure is measured with a
sidehole catheter (i.d. 2.5 mm) advanced through and positioned
distal to the tip of the endotracheal tube. The tracheal and
pleural pressure catheters are connected to a differential pressure
transducer for measuring transpulmonary pressure. Airflow is
measured by connecting the proximal end of the endotracheal tube to
a pneumotachograph. Pulmonary flow resistance is calculated as the
change in transpulmonary pressure divided by the change in flow at
mid-tidal volume, averaged over 5 breaths. Thoracic gas volume is
measured in a constant-volume body plethysmograph to obtain
specific lung resistance (SRL).
[0217] Aerosols of test therapeutic suspensions are generated using
a nebulizer that provides a median aerodynamic diameter of .about.3
Tm. The nebulizer is connected to a dosimeter system, consisting of
a solenoid valve and a source of compressed air. The solenoid valve
is activated for 1 sec at the beginning of the inspiratory cycle of
the respirator. Aerosols are delivered at a tidal volume of 500 mL
at a rate of 20 breaths per minute. The test therapeutic compound
is administered via nebulizer. To assess bronchial responsiveness,
cumulative concentration response curves are determined by
measuring SRL immediately after inhalation of buffer, and after
each consecutive administration of 10 breaths of increasing
concentrations of carbachol, in the range of .about.0.25% to
.about.4% (wt/vol). The test is discontinued when SRL exceeds 400%
of initial value or the maximal dose is reached. Bronchial
responsiveness is assessed by determining the point at which SRL
reached 400%. Polymerized liposome preparations are tested in a
range of 5 nM-10 TM final concentration of carbohydrate equivalent
in the aerosol solution.
[0218] Arthritis is modeled according to the collagen type-II
induced arthritis model of Zeidler et al. (Autoimmunity 21:245,
1995). Briefly, groups of age-matched DBA/1 mice are immunized
intradermally with 100 Tg collagen type II from bovine cartilage,
emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant, followed 18 days later
with 50 Tg in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Test therapeutic
compositions are administered weekly from about week 4 to about
week 8 following the first collagen injection. The disease is
assessed daily by visual signs of erythema, and of swelling of one
or more joints. Immunological signs of autoimmunity are monitored
by standard immunoassays for serum antibody against collagen type
II, collagen type I, and proteoglycans. Reduction in the titers of
the autoantibodies, or a delay in the appearance of visual signs of
arthritis, are indications of efficacy. Polymerized liposomes are
tested in a range of about 10-400 Tg of carbohydrate equivalent per
kg body weight. In the present experiment, polymerized liposomes
are tested in a range of about 10-400 Tg of carbohydrate equivalent
per kg body weight per administration, or an equal number of
control liposomes.
[0219] Other established animal models are implemented in the
testing of polymerized liposomes for the treatment of additional
clinical conditions of interest.
* * * * *