| 1. |
- Borg, N, et al.
(author)
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Distribution to the brain and protein binding of 3' and 5-substituted 2',3'-dideoxyuridine derivatives, studied by microdialysis
- 1997
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In: ANTIVIRAL CHEMISTRY & CHEMOTHERAPY. - : SAGE Publications. - 0956-3202 .- 2040-2066. ; 8:1, s. 47-53
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate a series of 3′ and 5-substituted 2′,3′-dideoxyuridine derivatives (ddUD) with respect to plasma protein binding, half-life and distribution across the blood-brain barrier in the rat. The microdialysis technique was used to study protein binding in human plasma ( in vitro), and to sample the extracellular space of rats with microdialysis probes implanted into the striatum of the brain and the gastrocnemic muscle ( in vivo). The compounds were analysed by HPLC with UV-detection. The octanol/water partition coefficients of the ddUD varied from 0.08-0.84. The protein binding of the ddUDs was approximately 80%. After s.c. administration (25 or 50 mg kg−1), the brain and muscle extracellular levels differed; brain levels were 0.18-0.36 of peripheral (muscle) concentrations. A multivariate analysis, which included data on zidovudine, alovudine and thymidine, demonstrated a relationship between the physicochemical and some of the pharmacokinetic properties of uridine analogues. The analysis shows that half-life and protein binding increases with decreasing p Ka. However, penetration to the brain is not correlated with the partition into octanol. It is concluded that the transport to the brain is not primarily dependent upon passive diffusion over a lipophilic barrier but, rather, to other chemical properties of the ddUDs. This is suggestive of a specific transport mechanism, e.g. the thymidine carrier.
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| 2. |
- Coulibaly, S, et al.
(author)
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Modulation of invasive properties of murine squamous carcinoma cells by heterologous expression of cathepsin B and cystatin C
- 1999
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In: International Journal of Cancer. - 0020-7136. ; 83:4, s. 526-531
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Murine SCC-VII squamous carcinoma cells have the capacity to penetrate reconstituted basement membranes (Matrigel) in vitro. The invasion of Matrigel layers by SCC-VII cells was significantly reduced by E-64, a specific inhibitor of lysosomal cysteine proteinases. The cathepsin-B-selective E-64 derivative, CA-074, inhibited penetration of Matrigel by SCC-VII cells to the same extent, indicating a major role for this particular lysosomal enzyme in extracellular-matrix degradation during squamous-carcinoma-cell invasion. SCC-VII cells were stably transfected with a cDNA encoding human procathepsin B, in an attempt to modulate the invasive properties of the cell line. The transfected cells expressed the heterologous gene, secreted increased amounts of procathepsin B and displayed enhanced invasive potential. In vivo, the activity of cathepsin B is strictly regulated by endogenous inhibitors. SCC-VII cells were therefore also stably transfected with a cDNA encoding human cystatin C, the most potent cysteine-proteinase inhibitor in mammalian tissues. The expression of this transgene resulted in the production of active recombinant cystatin C and a pronounced reduction in Matrigel invasion. These studies demonstrate that the invasive properties of squamous-cell carcinomas can be changed by modulation of the balance between cathepsin B and its endogenous inhibitors, and provide further evidence for the involvement of this lysosomal cysteine proteinase in tumour invasion and metastasis.
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