Extravasation and transcytosis of liposomes in Kaposi's sarcoma-like dermal lesions of transgenic mice bearing the HIV tat gene.

Transgenic mice bearing the HIV tat gene develop dermal lesions resembling a common malignant tumor in AIDS, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). To evaluate the permeability characteristics of these lesions and the therapeutic potential of drug-carrying liposomes, we have studied the localization of sterically stabilized liposomes, which show long circulation time in blood and increased accumulation in tumors. Liposomes encapsulating colloidal gold were injected intravenously into transgenic mice bearing KS lesions, and tissues were processed 24 hours later for both electron microscopy and for light microscopy with silver enhancement. Liposomes and silver marker were detected predominantly in the dermis surrounding the early and mature KS lesions, which were characterized by a proliferation of fibroblast-like spindle cells and abnormal blood vessels close to the epidermis. The silver-enhanced gold marker often surrounded vascular channels and scattered erythrocytes. As determined by electron microscopy, some spindle cells and macrophages had ingested intact liposomes. Transendothelial transport of liposomes was observed both through open channels between endothelial cells and also through endothelial cells lining intact vessels. Both extravasation and transcytosis of liposomes through irregular endothelium were much higher in KS lesions than in the adjacent normal skin. The high accumulation of sterically stabilized liposomes in KS lesions and their intracellular uptake by some spindle cells enhances their potential as carriers of chemotherapeutic agents against this neoplasm.     

Antagonism of paraoxon intoxication by recombinant phosphotriesterase encapsulated within sterically stabilized liposomes

This investigation effort is focused on increasing organophosphate (OP) degradation by phosphotriesterase to antagonize OP intoxication. For these studies, sterically stabilized liposomes encapsulating recombinant phosphotriesterase were employed. This enzyme was obtained from Flavobacterium sp. and was expressed in Escherichia coli. It has a broad substrate specificity, which includes parathion, paraoxon, soman, sarin, diisopropylfluorophosphate, and other organophosphorous compounds. Paraoxon is rapidly hydrolyzed by phosphotriesterase to the less toxic 4-nitrophenol and diethylphosphate. This enzyme was isolated and purified over 1600-fold and subsequently encapsulated within sterically stabilized liposomes (SL). The properties of this encapsulated phosphotriesterase were investigated. When these liposomes containing phosphotriesterase were incubated with paraoxon, it readily degraded the paraoxon. Hydrolysis of paraoxon did not occur when these sterically stabilized liposomes contained no phosphotriesterase. These sterically stabilized liposomes (SL) containing phosphotriesterases (SL)* were employed as a carrier model to antagonize the toxic effects of paraoxon by hydrolyzing it to the less toxic 4-nitrophenol and diethylphosphate. This enzyme-SL complex (SL)* was administered intravenously to mice either alone or in combination with pralidoxime (2-PAM) and/or atropine intraperitoneally. These results indicate that this carrier model system provides a striking enhanced protective effects against the lethal effects of paraoxon. Moreover when these carrier liposomes were administered with 2-PAM and/or atropine, a dramatic enhanced protection was observed.     

In vitro studies on sterically stabilized liposomes (SL) as enzyme carriers in organophosphorus (OP) antagonism

This study describes a new approach for organophosphorous (OP) antidotal treatment by encapsulating an OP hydrolyzing enzyme, OPA anhydrolase (OPAA), within sterically stabilized liposomes. The recombinant OPAA enzyme was derived from Alteromonas strain JD6. It has broad substrate specificity to a wide range of OP compounds: DFP and the nerve agents, soman and sarin. Liposomes encapsulating OPAA (SL)* were made by mechanical dispersion method. Hydrolysis of DFP by (SL)* was measured by following an increase of fluoride ion concentration using a fluoride ion selective electrode. OPAA entrapped in the carrier liposomes rapidly hydrolyze DFP, with the rate of DFP hydrolysis directly proportional to the amount of (SL)* added to the solution. Liposomal carriers containing no enzyme did not hydrolyze DFP. The reaction was linear and the rate of hydrolysis was first order in the substrate. This enzyme carrier system serves as a biodegradable protective environment for the recombinant OP-metabolizing enzyme, OPAA, resulting in prolongation of enzymatic concentration in the body. These studies suggest that the protection of OP intoxication can be strikingly enhanced by adding OPAA encapsulated within (SL)* to pralidoxime and atropine.     

Thermosensitive Sterically Stabilized Liposomes: Formulation and in Vitro Studies on Mechanism of Doxorubicin Release by Bovine Serum and Human Plasma

Purpose. To formulate thermosensitive sterically stabilized liposomes and to study the effects of plasma and serum components in vitro. Methods. The rate of release of encapsulated doxorubicin (Dox) from liposomes of various compositions was followed by fluorometric assay at 37°, 42° and 45°C, in buffer and also in both calf serum and human plasma up to 50% by volume. Results. The optimal composition for the maximal differential release of doxorubicin between 37°C and 42°C in human plasma was a mixture of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol and distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine derivatized with polyethylene glycol at a molar ratio of 100:50:30:6. In experiments designed to study the mechanism causing increased permeability of liposomes in bovine serum, we found two different distinct release patterns: a slow linear rise of rate of Dox release for fluid liposomes and fast exponential rise reaching plateau within 5 minutes for solid phase (rigid) liposomes. This release of Dox from rigid but not fluid liposomes was inhibited by pre-heating serum at 55°C for 30 minutes or by addition of EDTA (but not EGTA) or antiserum to the C3 component of complement. Conclusions. A formulation of sterically stabilized liposomes with the proper thermal sensitivity in human plasma has been obtained. In addition, the results suggest that complement may play an important role in the interaction of rigid but not fluid liposomes with bovine serum. Human plasma did not show this effect.     

Liposome-mediated delivery of tobacco mosaic virus RNA into tobacco protoplasts: A sensitive assay for monitoring liposome-protoplast interactions

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA was encapsulated in large, unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (liposomes), and the encapsulated TMV RNA was shown to be infectious when incubated with tobacco protoplasts under appropriate conditions. Maximal virus production in protoplasts was observed after their incubation with TMV RNA entrapped in phosphatidylserine/cholesterol liposomes. Infection was dependent on the presence of polyalcohols in the incubation mixture. Other parameters, such as the extent of vesicle binding, the cell-induced leakage of vesicle contents, and the degree of liposome toxicity were shown to be important in determining the efficiency of infectivity. Liposome-mediated delivery offers an efficient and reproducible method for introducing RNA into plant protoplasts.     

Effect of liposome composition and other factors on the targeting of liposomes to experimental tumors: biodistribution and imaging studies.

We have examined the distribution of radiolabeled liposomes in tumor-bearing mice after i.v. injection. Two mouse tumors (B16 melanoma, J6456 lymphoma) and a human tumor (LS174T colon carcinoma) inoculated i.m., s.c., or in the hind footpad were used in these studies. When various liposome compositions with a mean vesicle diameter of approximately 100 nm were compared using a radiolabel of gallium-67-deferoxamine, optimal tumor localization was obtained with liposomes containing a phosphatidylcholine of high phase-transition temperature and a small molar fraction of monosialoganglioside or hydrogenated phosphatidylinositol (HPI). At 24 h after injection, average values of tumor uptake higher than 10% of the injected dose per g and liver-to-tumor ratios close to 1 were reproducibly obtained. Increasing the molar fraction of HPI from 9% to 41% of the total phospholipid resulted in enhancement of liver uptake and decrease of tumor uptake. Methodological aspects that influence vesicle size appear to affect significantly liposome localization in the tumor. However, varying the phospholipid dose within a 10-fold range caused only minor changes in the percent of injected dose recovered in the tumor. A high uptake by tumors was also observed using other radiolabels [[3H]inulin and indium-111-labeled bleomycin (111In-Bleo)] in monosialoganglioside- and HPI-containing liposomes. In the case of 111In-Bleo, encapsulation in liposomes resulted in approximately 20- to 40-fold increase in tumor accumulation of the radiolabel at 24 h after injection. The marked localization of liposomes in the mouse footpad inoculated with tumor as opposed to the contralateral mock-injected footpad was also documented by imaging experiments with gallium-67-deferoxamine and 111In-Bleo-labeled liposomes. These results support the contention that some glycolipid-containing liposomes previously shown to have long circulating half-lives accumulate significantly in a variety of tumors and are promising tools for the delivery of anti-tumor agents.     

Role of ligand in antibody-directed endocytosis of liposomes by human T-leukemia cells

The rate of uptake and intracellular processing of ligand-directed drug carriers may depend heavily on the endocytic pathway of the target antigen. We examined the role of the target antigen and type of antibody-liposome linkage in determining endocytosis of liposomes by three human T-cell leukemias, Jurkat, CEM, and Molt-4. Liposome-cell binding and internalization over time were studied using two independent assays for intracellular delivery of liposome contents: a new fluorescence assay using a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye; and a growth inhibition assay for delivery of cytotoxic drug, methotrexate-gamma-aspartate. Liposomes targeted against the transferrin receptor showed greater surface binding, internalization, and growth inhibition than liposomes targeted against the T-cell surface antigens, CD2, CD3, or CD5. Furthermore, liposomes made by conjugating the targeting antibody directly to the liposome surface were more efficiently internalized and retained than were liposomes linked to antibody-coated cells via Protein A. Selection of the type of antibody-liposome conjugate as well as the appropriate surface receptor to facilitate endocytosis is essential in antibody-directed drug treatment of cancer.     

Liposome-based therapy of human ovarian cancer: parameters determining potency of negatively charged and antibody-targeted liposomes

Liposomes containing cytotoxic agents may be highly efficacious for intracavitary therapy of malignancies such as ovarian carcinoma, which resides principally in the peritoneal cavity. We have examined in vitro the cytotoxicity of a variety of liposome-drug formulations against OVCAR-3, a human ovarian cancer cell line. Two drugs tested, methotrexate-gamma-aspartate and 5-fluoroorotate, show increased cytotoxicity on various cultured cell lines following encapsulation in liposomes and can be considered liposome-dependent agents. With the optimal lipid composition used in this study, the maximal increase in potency on OVCAR-3 is 2.6-fold for methotrexate-gamma-aspartate and 5.2-fold for 5-fluoroorotate. Studies on liposome-cell association suggest a low capacity of OVCAR-3 to bind and internalize phospholipid vesicles, which limits the in vitro potency of liposomes for these cells. OC-125, a monoclonal antibody recognizing an antigen common to a number of human ovarian cancers (CA-125), has been coupled covalently to the liposome surface. Liposomes bearing OC-125 and containing methotrexate-gamma-aspartate show an 8-fold increase in potency against OVCAR-3 cells in a 96-h growth inhibition assay. Briefer exposure of tumor cells to treatment accentuates the advantage of targeted liposomes. The cytostatic effect of 1 h exposure to OC-125 liposomes is 100-fold greater than the equivalent exposure to free drug and equal to the maximal cytostatic effect achieved with free drug for 96 h. Attachment of OC-125 antibody also confers upon liposomes the capacity to recognize OVCAR-3 cells growing as an ascites tumor in nude mice. After i.p. injection, control liposomes bind tumor cells in relatively low numbers, while fluorescent OC-125 liposomes can be observed bound specifically to tumor cell masses for periods of days.     

Specific enhancement of drug delivery to AKR lymphoma by antibody-targeted small unilamellar vesicles

Antibody targeting of drug-containing liposomes to specific cell populations provides the opportunity to improve cancer chemotherapy. We report here the efficacy of targeted liposomes containing methotrexate-gamma-aspartate against two murine T-lymphomas, AKR/J SL2 and R1.1. Both large and small unilamellar vesicles conjugated to anti-Thy-1.1 antibody associated with AKR lymphoma cells in 10-fold greater amounts than nonconjugated liposomes or liposomes conjugated to a nonspecific antibody. Cell association was inhibited by two different anti-Thy-1.1 monoclonal antibodies, but not by nonspecific antibody. Vesicle size is the critical factor determining drug delivery of targeted liposomes to both AKR and R1.1 T-lymphoma cells. Although targeted large unilamellar vesicles (mean diameter, 0.45 micron) specifically bind to lymphoma cells, they probably are not internalized, because they fail to enhance the efficacy of the drug for growth inhibition of either AKR or R1.1 cells. In contrast, drug encapsulated in targeted small unilamellar vesicles (mean diameter, 0.053 micron) is up to 22 times more effective than free drug against AKR cells, and is 40 times more effective against R1.1 cells. We have also demonstrated the efficacy of small compared to large unilamellar vesicles using two different target antigens, Thy-1.1 for AKR cells and H-2Kk for R1.1 cells. These experiments establish a system which can be used to test the antitumor efficacy of targeted liposomes against AKR/J SL2 lymphoma implanted in AKR/Cu mice.     

Antibody-directed liposomes: comparison of various ligands for association, endocytosis, and drug delivery

We have developed and compared the cytotoxicity of methotrexate-gamma-aspartate encapsulated in several liposome formulations which bind mouse monoclonal antibody in order to define conditions for screening cell lines and antibodies for liposomal efficacy. Liposomes conjugated to Staphylococcus aureus Protein A were more potent than liposomes conjugated to either rabbit or affinity-purified goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin (Ig) when incubated with AKR/J SL2 cells sensitized with specific antibody. The antibody-directed Protein A liposomes were also 10-fold more potent than liposomes conjugated directly to specific antibody against the AKR/J SL2. We examined the effect of antibody specificity, concentration, and isotype on liposome-mediated drug delivery to AKR/J SL2 cells. The growth-inhibitory effect of the drug in the antibody-directed Protein A liposomes varied with the target antigen on the cell. The potency of the liposomes with a given antibody was proportional to their relative binding and endocytosis by the cells, and to the reactivity of the particular antibody with the cell as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence. The Protein A liposomes maintained maximal potency down to antibody concentrations as low as 1 microgram/ml with the anti-Thy 1.1-sensitized AKR/J SL2 cells, thus demonstrating the possible use of these liposomes for hybridoma screening. Use of isotype-switched variants of the anti-Thy 1.1 antibody with the AKR/J SL2 cells showed the superior efficacy of the IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 isotypes to the IgG1 with the Protein A liposomes. The large differential potency of the free drug and the drug encapsulated in antibody-directed Protein A liposomes was maintained even at short incubation times, thus providing a system which may be useful for eradication of tumor cells from bone marrow in vitro.