Presence Of Bestatin Research Articles

P.416 What's between altered sensory modulation, depression and reduced quality of life in stroke survivors?

The addition of aminopeptidase inhibitors (AMIs) to rabbit semen extenders could be a solution to decrease the hormone degradation (GnRH) by the aminopeptidases existing in the seminal plasma. Therefore, the quantity of GnRH needed to induce ovulation in doe would be comparable with the amount administered intramuscularly (i.m.). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two AMIs (bestatin and EDTA) on rabbit semen quality parameters, β nerve growth factor (β-NGF) degradation and reproductive performance after artificial insemination. Results showed that seminal quality was not affected by the incubation with AMIs; the values of motility, acrosome integrity and sperm viability were not significantly different between the AMIs and the control groups (positive i.m. and negative intravaginally without AMIs). In addition, the aminopeptidase activity of seminal plasma was inhibited in a 55.5% by the AMIs as well as β-NGF degradation. On the other hand, regarding the effect of AMIs on reproductive performance, our results showed that the presence of bestatin and EDTA did neither affect fertility (85.3 vs. 88.6%), nor the prolificacy rate (10.12 vs. 10.51 kits per delivery), comparing AMIs group to positive control group, respectively. We conclude that the addition of specific AMIs in the rabbit semen extender has no effect on reproductive performance. Therefore, due to the fact that AMIs inhibit part of the aminopeptidase activity that degrades the GnRH analogue and β−NGF, they could be used to develop new extenders with less hormone concentration.

Egg-Hatching Mechanism of Human Liver Fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini: A Role For Leucine Aminopeptidases From the Snail Host, Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos.

The human liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda, Digenea) uses snails of the genus Bithynia as first intermediate host. Peculiarly among trematodes, the eggs of O. viverrini hatch within the digestive tract of its snail host. It remains uncertain whether hatching in this species is mediated through mechanical fracture of the eggshell or by digestion with specific digestive enzymes. This study aimed to characterize enzymes with specific inhibitors and factors involved in the hatching activity of O. viverrini eggs. For measuring egg hatching in vivo, 50 O. viverrini mature eggs were fed to individual Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos snails at various temperature conditions for 24 hr. Ex vivo, mature eggs were incubated with crude snail extract and commercial leucine aminopeptidase (LAP). Egg-hatching of O. viverrini was temperature dependent, with optimal hatching occurring at 24-28 C, with a peak of hatching of 93.54% in vivo and 30.55% ex vivo occurring at these temperatures. Ex vivo hatching rates increased to 45.87% under anaerobic conditions at 28 C. Some 22.70% and 16.21% of heat-killed eggs also hatched within the snail digestive tract and snail extract, respectively, indicating that host molecules are involved in the hatching response. Most eggs hatch in the anterior regions of the digestive tract. Hatching was completely inhibited in the presence of bestatin, an inhibitor of LAP, but not in the presence of phosphatase inhibitors. Bestatin inhibition of hatching was reversible. Finally, egg hatching could be induced by addition of a porcine LAP. The results indicate that this digenean utilizes both LAP of the snail host and movement of miracidia for hatching.

Insemination extender supplementation with bestatin and EDTA has no effect on rabbit reproductive performance

The addition of aminopeptidase inhibitors (AMIs) to rabbit semen extenders could be a solution to decrease the hormone degradation (GnRH) by the aminopeptidases existing in the seminal plasma. Therefore, the quantity of GnRH needed to induce ovulation in doe would be comparable with the amount administered intramuscularly (i.m.). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two AMIs (bestatin and EDTA) on rabbit semen quality parameters, β nerve growth factor (β-NGF) degradation and reproductive performance after artificial insemination. Results showed that seminal quality was not affected by the incubation with AMIs; the values of motility, acrosome integrity and sperm viability were not significantly different between the AMIs and the control groups (positive i.m. and negative intravaginally without AMIs). In addition, the aminopeptidase activity of seminal plasma was inhibited in a 55.5% by the AMIs as well as β-NGF degradation. On the other hand, regarding the effect of AMIs on reproductive performance, our results showed that the presence of bestatin and EDTA did neither affect fertility (85.3 vs. 88.6%), nor the prolificacy rate (10.12 vs. 10.51 kits per delivery), comparing AMIs group to positive control group, respectively. We conclude that the addition of specific AMIs in the rabbit semen extender has no effect on reproductive performance. Therefore, due to the fact that AMIs inhibit part of the aminopeptidase activity that degrades the GnRH analogue and β−NGF, they could be used to develop new extenders with less hormone concentration.

Effect of protease inhibitors on pulmonary bioavailability of therapeutic proteins and peptides in the rat

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of protease inhibitors on the pulmonary absorption of therapeutic peptides and proteins with varying molecular weights. Dry powder formulations of leuprolide (1.2kD), salmon calcitonin (3.4kD), human insulin (5.8kD), human leptin (16.0kD), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (36.5kD) were prepared with or without protease inhibitors; aprotinin and bestatin. The formulations were administered intrapulmonary to anesthetized rats. The pharmacokinetics of these proteins were assessed by measuring serum drug concentrations. In addition, in vitro stability of these proteins in rat lung homogenate was assessed using the trifluoroacetic acid method. Bioavailability of leuprolide following pulmonary administration was 75% higher compared to subcutaneously administered leuprolide. Protease inhibitors had little or no effect on the pulmonary bioavailability of leuprolide. However, protease inhibitors (1mg/kg) increased the bioavailability of calcitonin by more than 50%. Similarly, the bioavailabilities of leptin and HCG in the presence of bestatin were increased by 1.9 and 2.1-fold, respectively. Leuprolide was stable both in the lung cytosol and subcellular pellets with about 10% degradation at the end of the study period (4h). In contrast, calcitonin, insulin, leptin and HCG were significantly degraded in the lung cytosol and subcellular pellets. Presence of protease inhibitors in formulation could improve the stability of protein drugs. The results of this study demonstrate that the pulmonary absorption of proteins may be enhanced by the selection of optimal concentration and type of protease inhibitor.

Cysteine Cathepsins S and L Modulate Anti-angiogenic Activities of Human Endostatin

Human endostatin, a potent anti-angiogenic protein, is generated by release of the C terminus of collagen XVIII. Here, we propose that cysteine cathepsins are involved in both the liberation and activation of bioactive endostatin fragments, thus regulating their anti-angiogenic properties. Cathepsins B, S, and L efficiently cleaved in vitro FRET peptides that encompass the hinge region corresponding to the N terminus of endostatin. However, in human umbilical vein endothelial cell-based assays, silencing of cathepsins S and L, but not cathepsin B, impaired the generation of the ∼22-kDa endostatin species. Moreover, cathepsins L and S released two peptides from endostatin with increased angiostatic properties and both encompassing the NGR sequence, a vasculature homing motif. The G10T peptide (residues 1455-1464: collagen XVIII numbering) displayed compelling anti-proliferative (EC(50) = 0.23 nm) and proapoptotic properties. G10T inhibited aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) and reduced tube formation of endothelial cells in a manner similar to bestatin. Combination of G10T with bestatin resulted in no further increase in anti-angiogenic activity. Taken together, these data suggest that endostatin-derived peptides may represent novel molecular links between cathepsins and APN/CD13 in the regulation of angiogenesis.

Characterization of the catalytically active Mn(II)-loaded argE-encoded N-acetyl-l-ornithine deacetylase from Escherichia coli

The catalytically competent Mn(II)-loaded form of the argE-encoded N-acetyl-L-ornithine deacetylase from Escherichia coli (ArgE) was characterized by kinetic, thermodynamic, and spectroscopic methods. Maximum N-acetyl-L-ornithine (NAO) hydrolytic activity was observed in the presence of one Mn(II) ion with k(cat) and K(m) values of 550 s(-1) and 0.8 mM, respectively, providing a catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) of 6.9 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). The ArgE dissociation constant (K(d)) for Mn(II) was determined to be 0.18 microM, correlating well with a value obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry of 0.30 microM for the first metal binding event and 5.3 microM for the second. An Arrhenius plot of the NAO hydrolysis for Mn(II)-loaded ArgE was linear from 15 to 55 degrees C, suggesting the rate-limiting step does not change as a function of temperature over this range. The activation energy, determined from the slope of this plot, was 50.3 kJ mol(-1). Other thermodynamic parameters were DeltaG(double dagger) = 58.1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaH(double dagger) = 47.7 kJ mol(-1), and DeltaS(double dagger) = -34.5 J mol(-1) K(-1). Similarly, plots of lnK(m) versus 1/T were linear, suggesting substrate binding is controlled by a single step. The natural product, [(2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl]leucine (bestatin), was found to be a competitive inhibitor of ArgE with a K (i) value of 67 muM. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data recorded for both [Mn(II)_(ArgE)] and [Mn(II)Mn(II)(ArgE)] indicate that the two Mn(II) ions form a dinuclear site. Moreover, the EPR spectrum of [Mn(II)Mn(II)(ArgE)] in the presence of bestatin indicates that bestatin binds to ArgE but does not form a micro-alkoxide bridge between the two metal ions.

Simultaneous modulation of transport and metabolism of acyclovir prodrugs across rabbit cornea: An approach involving enzyme inhibitors

The aim of this study is to identify the class of enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of amino acid and dipeptide prodrugs of acyclovir (ACV) and to modulate transport and metabolism of amino acid and dipeptide prodrugs of acyclovir by enzyme inhibitors across rabbit cornea. l-Valine ester of acyclovir, valacyclovir (VACV) and l-glycine-valine ester of acyclovir, gly-val-acyclovir (GVACV) were used as model compounds. Hydrolysis studies of VACV and GVACV in corneal homogenate were conducted in presence of various enzyme inhibitors. IC 50 values were determined for the enzyme inhibitors. Transport studies were conducted with isolated rabbit corneas at 34 °C. Complete inhibition of VACV hydrolysis was observed in the presence of Pefabloc SC (4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl-fluoride) and PCMB ( p-chloromercuribenzoic acid). Similar trend was also observed with GVACV in the presence of bestatin. IC 50 values of PCMB and bestatin for VACV and GVACV were found to be 3.81 ± 0.94 and 0.34 ± 0.08 μM respectively. Eserine, tetraethyl pyrophosphate (TEPP) and diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) also produced significant inhibition of VACV hydrolysis. Transport of VACV and GVACV across cornea showed decreased metabolic rate and modulation of transport in presence of PCMB and bestain respectively. The principle enzyme classes responsible for the hydrolysis of VACV and GVACV were carboxylesterases and aminopeptidases respectively. Enzyme inhibitors modulated the transport and metabolism of prodrugs simultaneously even though their affinity towards prodrugs was distinct. In conclusion, utility of enzyme inhibitors to modulate transport and metabolism of prodrugs appears to be promising strategy for enhancing drug transport across cornea.

Development of a New Analgesic Based on Metabolism of Endomorphin, an Endogenous Opioid Peptide

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Development of a new analgesic based on metabolism of endomorphin, an endogenous opioid peptide

Endomorphin-2 (Tyr-Pro-Phe-PheNH(2)) was discovered as an endogenous ligand for the mu-opioid receptor. The physiologic function of endomorphin-2 as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator may cease after rapid enzymatic processing in the synapses of the brain, like other neuropeptides. The present study was conducted to examine the metabolism of endomorphin-2 by synaptic membranes prepared from mouse brain. Major metabolites were free tyrosine, free phenylalanine, Tyr-Pro, and PheNH(2). Both the degradation of endomorphin-2 and the accumulation of major metabolites were inhibited by specific inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, such as diprotin A and B. On the other hand, the accumulation of Phe-PheNH(2) and Pro-Phe-PheNH(2) was increased in the presence of bestatin, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, whereas that of free phenylalanine and PheNH(2) was decreased. Furthermore, purified dipeptidyl peptidase IV hydrolyzed endomorphin-2 at the cleavage site, the Pro(2)-Phe(3) bond. Thus degradation of endomorphin-2 by brain synaptic membranes appears to occur mainly through the cleavage of the Pro(2)-Phe(3) bond by dipeptidyl peptidase IV, followed by the release of free phenylalanine and PheNH(2) from the liberated fragment, Phe-PheNH(2), by aminopeptidase. We have also examined the effects of diprotin A on the antinociception induced by intracerebroventricularly administered endomorphin-2 in the mouse paw withdrawal test. Diprotin A simultaneously injected with endomorphin-2 enhanced endomorphin-2-induced antinociception. These results indicate that dipeptidyl peptidase IV may be an important peptidase responsible for terminating endomorphin-2-induced antinociception at the supraspinal level in mice. These findings also suggest that selective dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors or dipeptidyl peptidase IV-resistant endomorphin-2 analogues have the potential for the clinical use as analgesics.

Degradation of endomorphin-2 at the supraspinal level in mice is initiated by dipeptidyl peptidase IV: an in vitro and in vivo study

Endomorphin-2 (Tyr–Pro–Phe–PheNH2) was discovered as an endogenous ligand for the μ-opioid receptor. The physiological function of endomorphin-2 as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator may cease through the rapid enzymatic process in the synapse of brain, as for other neuropeptides. The present study was conducted to examine the metabolism of endomorphin-2 by synaptic membranes prepared from mouse brain. Major metabolites were free tyrosine, free phenylalanine, Tyr–Pro and PheNH2. Both the degradation of endomorphin-2 and the accumulation of major metabolites were inhibited by specific inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, such as diprotin A and B. On the other hand, the accumulation of Phe–PheNH2 and Pro–Phe–PheNH2 was increased in the presence of bestatin, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, whereas that of free phenylalanine and PheNH2 was decreased. Furthermore, purified dipeptidyl peptidase IV hydrolyzed endomorphin-2 at the cleavage site, Pro2–Phe3 bond. Thus, degradation of endomorphin-2 by brain synaptic membranes seems to take place mainly through the cleavage of Pro2–Phe3 bond by dipeptidyl peptidase IV, followed by release of free phenylalanine and PheNH2 from the liberated fragment, Phe–PheNH2 by aminopeptidase. We have also examined that the effect of diprotin A on the antinociception induced by intracerebroventricularly administered endomorphin-2 in the mouse paw withdrawal test. Diprotin A simultaneously injected with endomorphin-2 enhanced endomorphin-2-induced antinociception. These results indicate that dipeptidyl peptidase IV may be an important peptidase responsible for terminating endomorphin-2-induced antinociception at the supraspinal level in mice.

Bestatin selectively suppresses the growth of leukemic stem/progenitor cells with BCR/ABL mRNA transcript in patients with chronic myelogeneous leukemia

The in vitro effect of bestatin on Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was investigated using mature clonogenic cells and primitive stem cells derived from long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-ICs). Individual colonies were grown in methycellulose culture (clonogenic cells) and after 5 weeks, LTC (colonies derived from LTC-ICs) were individually isolated. DNA isolated from these clonogenic colonies was studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis to detect BCR/ABL mRNA transcripts b3a2 and b2a2. At the mature hematopoietic progenitor cell level, almost all (20/21) colonies, including both erythroid and myeloid progenitors, were leukemic, i.e. BCR/ABL mRNA positive. Although normal progenitors were able to grow in the presence of bestatin, even at the most primitive progenitor cell level (LTC-ICs), the number of leukemic clones gradually decreased. Furthermore, bestatin suppressed the outgrowth of leukemic clones more frequently than control LTC without any effect on the growth of normal clones. These results indicate that bestatin, at levels that can be obtained by per os administration clinically, suppresses only Ph-positive leukemic clones without affecting normal hematopoiesis. Based on these results, we suggest that bestatin has the potential to provide another treatment for patients with CML.

Nasal absorption enhancement strategies for therapeutic peptides: an in vitro study using cultured human nasal epithelium

This study examined the potential usefulness of cultured human nasal epithelium as a model to investigate nasal absorption enhancement strategies for therapeutic peptides. The transport of leucine enkephalin (Leu-Enk) in the presence of bestatin and puromycin, respectively and various combinations of these protease inhibitors with absorption enhancers capable of inhibiting proteases or protecting peptides against protease degradation (glycocholate, dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin (DMβCD)) was studied. Epithelial membrane perturbation, protein leakage, bestatin/puromycin absorption and rebound aminopeptidase activity were used as toxicological end-points. The combination of puromycin with glycocholate or DMβCD resulted in a higher absorption enhancement of Leu-Enk (9–14%) than when the absorption enhancers were combined with bestatin (1–3%) or when the inhibitors were used alone (2–4%). The higher absorption enhancement resulting from the combination of protease inhibitors with absorption enhancers caused a significant reduction of epithelial resistance and increased sodium fluorescein transport. Although only puromycin permeated the human nasal epithelium, both protease inhibitors induced a significant rebound aminopeptidase activity (25–61%), which can be associated with protein leakage (21–46%). This study highlighted (i) the potential usefulness of cultured human nasal epithelium as a model to study nasal absorption enhancement of therapeutic peptides; (ii) further studies using in vivo nasal models are required to ascertain whether the membrane perturbation and cytotoxicity observed with various combinations of the protease inhibitors and absorption enhancers really raise safety concerns.

Effect of buffer pH, buffer concentration and skin with or without enzyme inhibitors on the stability of [Arg 8]-vasopressin

The stability of [Arg 8]-vasopressin (AVP) as a function of buffer pH, buffer concentration, salt concentration, temperature, and skin with and without enzyme inhibitors was investigated. AVP was analyzed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that the buffer’s pH affected the degradation rate of AVP. Buffer ions (H 2PO 4 − and HPO 4 2−) and salt concentrations had no effect on the degradation of AVP. Maximum stability was achieved at pH 3.35 among pH values tested. The activation energy for the overall reaction was 21.5 kcal mol −1 at pH 3.35. From the Arrhenius equation, the shelf-life of AVP at 25°C and pH 3.35 was calculated to be 1.38 years. The degradation rate of AVP in the skin (area: 9 cm 2, thickness: 0.5 mm) was 0.22 h −1. Bestatin (an aminopeptidase inhibitor) had the best stabilizing effect on the degradation of AVP by skin among the three enzyme inhibitors (i.e. aprotinin, bestatin, and leupeptin) studied. The degradation rate of AVP in the skin was reduced to 0.059 h −1 in the presence of bestatin in comparison with no inhibitor (0.22 h −1).

Stability of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone: Effects of pH, Temperature, Pig Skin, and Enzyme Inhibitors

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the stability of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) as a function of solution pH, temperature, and pig skin with and without enzyme inhibitors. LHRH, incubated with a 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 2.5–8.1), pig skin, and pig skin with enzyme inhibitors, was analyzed using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The solution's pH affected the rate constants of LHRH, following apparent first-order kinetics. Maximum stability was achieved at pH 6.05. Therefore, the effect of various temperatures (i.e., 65, 75, 80, and 90°C) was studied on the stability of LHRH at pH 6.05. The activation energy for the overall reaction was 23.4 kcal/mol at pH 6.05. The shelf-life of LHRH at 25°C and pH 6.05, calculated using the Arrhenius equation, was approximately 4 years. The rate constant of LHRH in the skin (area: 9 cm2; thickness: 0.5 mm) was 0.167 hr−1. Out of three inhibitors (i.e., aprotinin, bestatin, and leupeptin), bestatin had the best stabilizing effect on the degradation of LHRH by the skin. The rate constant of LHRH in the presence of bestatin was 0.082 hr−1. Sixty percent of LHRH was found to be degraded in the skin within 5 hr in the absence of enzyme inhibitors, whereas only 33% of LHRH was degraded in the presence of bestatin (an aminopeptidase inhibitor).

Preparation and Usefulness of Some Fluorogenic Substrates for Assay of Arginyl-tRNA-Protein Transferase by HPLC

A series of fluorescent substrates and products was prepared and evaluated for the assay of arginyl-tRNA-protein transferase (arginyltransferase) activity by HPLC. SinceN-aspartyl-N′-dansylamido-1,4-butanediamine (Asp(4)DNS) was the most suitable substrate of the compounds tested, which had a three-, four-, or five-methylene-chain interval between Asp or Glu and DNS, the following enzymatic studies were focussed on Asp(4)DNS and its product,N-arginylaspartyl-N′-dansylamido-1,4-butanediamine (ArgAsp(4)DNS). The apparentKmvalue for Asp(4)DNS was calculated to be 30 μM using a hydroxyapatite-treated arginyltransferase preparation from hog kidney, which was free from any enzyme that might decompose the two compounds. The present HPLC method was shown to be advantageous in reliability and sensitivity compared to the available isotope paper disk method using the hydroxyapatite-treated enzyme preparation and in applicability to crude samples examined using a DEAE-treated arginyltransferase preparation and 105,000gsupernatant (105S) from hog kidney. Stepwise elimination of Arg and Asp from ArgAsp(4)DNS was observed with the two crude enzyme solutions, and the elimination of Arg was suppressed by the addition of bestatin, suggesting the participation of certain aminopeptidases. Although Asp(4)DNS was decomposed significantly with 105S, an incubation-time-dependent linear elevation of ArgAsp(4)DNS was maintained for 5 min in the presence of bestatin. Furthermore, an addition–recovery test of the DEAE-treated enzyme preparation for the 105S assured accurate determination of arginyltransferase activity in the 105S under the tentatively established conditions. The present HPLC method, which permits the simultaneous determination of 4-dansylamidobutylamine, Asp(4)DNS, and ArgAsp(4)DNS, was advantageous in measuring arginyltransferase activity and detecting the presence of unfavorable enzyme(s) in samples to ensure accurate determination.

Arginyl-tRNA-protein transferase activities in crude supernatants of rat tissues.

A fluorescent HPLC method for the assay of arginyl-tRNA-protein transferase (R-Transferase) activity was applied to obtain quantitative data of the enzyme activity in rat tissues for the first time. In this assay, the major problem was a significant hydrolysis of the substrate, N-aspartyl-N'-dansylamido-1,4-butanediamine, and the product, N-arginylaspartyl-N'-dansylamido-1,4-butanediamine (ArgAsp(4)DNS) by aminopeptidases in crude samples such as 105000g supernatants (105S) of tissue homogenates. As bestatin inhibited the hydrolysis of ArgAsp(4)DNS, a standard-addition method in the presence of bestatin, using a partially purified R-Transferase preparation from hog kidney as a standard, made it possible to measure directly R-Transferase activities in 105S with a short incubation time and sufficient reliability. It was found by the established method that of 14 tissues examined, stomach was rich in the R-Transferase activity with the highest specific activity, suggesting a target tissue for the future studies on R-Transferase to elucidate its physiological significance.

Ubenimex (bestatin) inhibits invasion and matrilysin activation of human uterine cervical adenocarcinoma OMC-4 cells

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the aminopeptidase inhibitor ubenimex (bestatin) on the invasive activity of cultured human uterine cervical adenocarcinoma cells. The enzymatic degradation of the extracellular matrix by tumor cells during the invasive process was also examined. The invasion of cervical adenocarcinoma OMC-4 cells into reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) was inhi-bited by the presence of bestatin in a concentration-dependent manner. However, bestatin did not have any effect on tumor cell proliferation and migration. The casein zymography of tumor conditioned medium showed that the treatment of tumor cells with bestatin resulted in the drastic reduction of the 19 kDa-enzyme level (matrilysin, active form) and the slight reduction of the 28 kDa-enzyme level (matrilysin, latent form) in OMC-4 cells. The effect of bestatin on matrilysin secreted by OMC-4 cells were also confirmed by immunoblot analysis, and the disappearance of matrilysin in the active form was found. Bestatin inhibited hydrolysing activities towards substrates of aminopeptidases in tumor cells, but did not directly inhibit matrilysin. These results suggest that bestatin may inhibit the invasion of uterine cervical adenocarcinoma OMC-4 cells possibly through the inhibitory mechanisms for production and activation of matrilysin modulated by tumor aminopeptidases.

Requirement for Surface Aminopeptidase Activities during Development of CD8+Fetal Thymocytes

The role of surface aminopeptidases (APs), enzymes that cleave amino-terminal residues from polypeptide chains, in the development of fetal thymocytes was studied using a murine fetal thymic organ culture (FTOC) model. FTOC AP activity was demonstrable for various amino acid–p-nitroanilide substrates, and specific inhibitors of AP (amastatin and bestatin) inhibited enzymatic activity. AP activity decreased from Day 4 to Day 7 in FTOC. Inhibition of AP activity during thymic development by FTOC in the presence of bestatin caused a significant selective decrease in the percentage of CD8+cells (both CD4+CD8+and CD4−CD8+). Bestatin did not downregulate expression of CD8 by a mature CD8+T cell clone. These data suggest that APs are involved in the development of thymocytes expressing CD8.

Rapid enrichment of hematopoietic stem cells from human vertebral body marrow

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of protease inhibitors on the pulmonary absorption of therapeutic peptides and proteins with varying molecular weights. Dry powder formulations of leuprolide (1.2 kD), salmon calcitonin (3.4 kD), human insulin (5.8 kD), human leptin (16.0 kD), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (36.5 kD) were prepared with or without protease inhibitors; aprotinin and bestatin. The formulations were administered intrapulmonary to anesthetized rats. The pharmacokinetics of these proteins were assessed by measuring serum drug concentrations. In addition, in vitro stability of these proteins in rat lung homogenate was assessed using the trifluoroacetic acid method. Bioavailability of leuprolide following pulmonary administration was 75% higher compared to subcutaneously administered leuprolide. Protease inhibitors had little or no effect on the pulmonary bioavailability of leuprolide. However, protease inhibitors (1 mg/kg) increased the bioavailability of calcitonin by more than 50%. Similarly, the bioavailabilities of leptin and HCG in the presence of bestatin were increased by 1.9 and 2.1-fold, respectively. Leuprolide was stable both in the lung cytosol and subcellular pellets with about 10% degradation at the end of the study period (4 h). In contrast, calcitonin, insulin, leptin and HCG were significantly degraded in the lung cytosol and subcellular pellets. Presence of protease inhibitors in formulation could improve the stability of protein drugs. The results of this study demonstrate that the pulmonary absorption of proteins may be enhanced by the selection of optimal concentration and type of protease inhibitor.

The use of panel of monoclonal antibodies against different components of crude collagenase to study the function of collagenase in the digestion of the human pancreas

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of protease inhibitors on the pulmonary absorption of therapeutic peptides and proteins with varying molecular weights. Dry powder formulations of leuprolide (1.2 kD), salmon calcitonin (3.4 kD), human insulin (5.8 kD), human leptin (16.0 kD), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (36.5 kD) were prepared with or without protease inhibitors; aprotinin and bestatin. The formulations were administered intrapulmonary to anesthetized rats. The pharmacokinetics of these proteins were assessed by measuring serum drug concentrations. In addition, in vitro stability of these proteins in rat lung homogenate was assessed using the trifluoroacetic acid method. Bioavailability of leuprolide following pulmonary administration was 75% higher compared to subcutaneously administered leuprolide. Protease inhibitors had little or no effect on the pulmonary bioavailability of leuprolide. However, protease inhibitors (1 mg/kg) increased the bioavailability of calcitonin by more than 50%. Similarly, the bioavailabilities of leptin and HCG in the presence of bestatin were increased by 1.9 and 2.1-fold, respectively. Leuprolide was stable both in the lung cytosol and subcellular pellets with about 10% degradation at the end of the study period (4 h). In contrast, calcitonin, insulin, leptin and HCG were significantly degraded in the lung cytosol and subcellular pellets. Presence of protease inhibitors in formulation could improve the stability of protein drugs. The results of this study demonstrate that the pulmonary absorption of proteins may be enhanced by the selection of optimal concentration and type of protease inhibitor.