Strain-promoted Alkyne-azide Cycloaddition Reaction Research Articles

Antibody-targeted T cells and natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy

BackgroundAdoptive cell cancer therapies aim to re-engineer a patient’s immune cells to mount an anti-cancer response. Chimeric antigen receptor T and natural killer cells have been engineered and proved successful in treating some cancers; however, the genetic methods for engineering are laborious, expensive, and inefficient and can cause severe toxicities when they over-proliferate.ResultsWe examined whether the cell-killing capacity of activated T and NK cells could be targeted to cancer cells by anchoring antibodies to their cell surface. Using metabolic glycoengineering to introduce azide moieties to the cellular surface, we covalently attached a dibenzocyclooctyne-modified antibody using the strain-promoted alkyne azide cycloaddition reaction, creating antibody-conjugated T and NK cells. We targeted the immune cells to tumors possessing the xenoantigen, N-glycolyl neuraminic acid GM3 ganglioside, using the 14F7hT antibody. These activated T and NK cells are “armed” with tumour-homing capabilities that specifically lyses antigen-positive cancer cells without off-target toxicities. Moreover, when exposed to target cells, 14F7hT-conjugated T cells that are not preactivated exhibit increased perforin, granzyme, CD69, and CD25 expression and specific cell killing.ConclusionsThis research shows the potential for a non-genetic method for redirecting cytotoxic immune cells as a feasible and effective approach for tumor-targeted cell immunotherapy.Graphical

Cysteine-Assisted Click-Chemistry for Proximity-Driven, Site-Specific Acetylation of Histones.

Post-translational modifications of histones are essential in the regulation of chromatin structure and function. Among these modifications, lysine acetylation is one of the most established. Earlier studies relied on the use of chromatin containing heterogeneous mixtures of histones acetylated at multiple sites. Differentiating the individual contribution of single acetylation events towards chromatin regulation is thus of great relevance. However, it is difficult to access homogeneous samples of histones, with a single acetylation, in sufficient quantities for such studies. By engineering histone H3 with a cysteine in proximity of the lysine of interest, we demonstrate that conjugation with maleimide-DBCO followed by a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction results in the acetylation of a single lysine in a controlled, site-specific manner. The chemical precision offered by our click-to-acetylate approach will facilitate access to and the study of acetylated histones.

The influence of degree of labelling upon cellular internalisation of antibody-cell penetrating peptide conjugates.

Antibody-based agents are increasingly used as therapeutics and imaging agents, yet are generally restricted to cell surface targets due to inefficient cellular internalisation and endosomal entrapment. Enhanced cell membrane translocation of antibodies can be achieved by the covalent attachment of cell-penetrating peptides, including the HIV-1-derived transactivator of transcription (TAT) peptide. This study evaluated the cellular internalisation properties of five anti-HER2 Herceptin-TAT conjugates with degrees of TAT labelling (DOLTAT) ranging from one to five. Herceptin-TAT conjugates were synthesised via a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction, characterised by UV-vis spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF, and gel electrophoresis, then radiolabelled with zirconium-89 to permit measurement of cellular internalisation by gamma counting. [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Her-TAT(0-5) conjugates were isolated in high radiochemical purity (>99%) and exhibited high stability in murine and human serum over 7 days at 37 °C. Significant increases in cellular internalisation were observed for [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Her-TAT conjugates with DOLTAT values of 2 and above in SKBR3 (high HER2) cells over 48 h, in contrast to low-level non-specific uptake in MDA-MB-468 (low HER2) cells that did not increase over time. Notably, [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Her-TAT conjugates with DOLTAT of 3, 4, and 5 reached uptake values in SKBR3 cells of 5, 6, and 8% of the applied dose at 48 h respectively, representing 9, 10, 14-fold increases relative to the TAT-free control conjugate, [89Zr]Zr-DFO-Her-TAT(0).

Macrophage cell tracking PET imaging using mesoporous silica nanoparticles via in vivo bioorthogonal F-18 labeling

We introduce an efficient cell tracking imaging protocol using positron emission tomography (PET). Since macrophages are known to home and accumulate in tumor tissues and atherosclerotic plaque, we design a PET imaging protocol for macrophage cell tracking using aza-dibenzocyclooctyne-tethered PEGylated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DBCO-MSNs) with the short half-life F-18-labeled azide-radiotracer via an in vivo strain-promoted alkyne azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) covalent labeling reaction inside macrophage cells in vivo. This PET imaging protocol for in vivo cell tracking successfully visualizes the migration of macrophage cells into the tumor site by the bioorthogonal SPAAC reaction of DBCO-MSNs with [18F]fluoropentaethylene glycolic azide ([18F]2) to form 18F-labeled aza-dibenzocycloocta-triazolic MSNs (18F-DBCOT-MSNs) inside RAW 264.7 cells. The tissue radioactivity distribution results were consistent with PET imaging findings. In addition, PET images of atherosclerosis in ApoE−/- mice fed a western diet for 30 weeks were obtained using the devised macrophage cell-tracking protocol.

Versatile and Finely Tuned Albumin Nanoplatform based on Click Chemistry.

Albumin is one of the most attractive nanoplatforms for targeted imaging and drug delivery due to its biocompatibility and long circulation half-life. However, previously reported albumin-based nanoplatforms have shown inconsistent blood circulation half-life according to the modified methods, and the affecting factors were not well evaluated, which could hamper the clinical translation of albumin-based nanoplatforms. Herein, we developed a finely tuned click-chemistry based albumin nanoplatform (CAN) with a longer circulation half-life and an efficient tumor targeting ability.Methods: CAN was synthesized in two steps. First, albumin was conjugated with ADIBO-NHS (albumin-ADIBO) by reacting albumin with various molar ratios of ADIBO. The number of attached ADIBO moieties was determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF). Second, the desired modalities including azide-functionalized chelator, a fluorescence dye, and folate were incorporated into albumin-ADIBO using strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction (SPAAC reaction). The biodistribution and targeting efficiency of functionalized CANs were demonstrated in mice.Results: The degree of functionalization (DOF) and resulting in vivo biodistribution was controlled precisely using the click chemistry approach. Specifically, the numbers of attached azadibenzocyclooctyne (ADIBO) moieties on albumin, the DOF, were optimized by reacting albumin with varying molar ratios of ADIBO with a high reproducibility. Furthermore, we developed a simple and efficient method to estimate the DOF using UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), which was further validated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF). The biodistribution of CAN could be controlled by DOF, and CAN with an optimized DOF showed a long circulation half-life (> 18 h). CAN was further functionalized using a simple click chemistry reaction with an azide functionalized chelator, a fluorescence dye, and folate. 64Cu- and folate-labeled CAN (64Cu-CAN-FA) showed effective and specific folate receptor targeting in vivo, with an over two-fold higher uptake than the liver at 24 h post-injection.Conclusions: Our development from the precisely controlled DOF demonstrates that an optimized CAN can be used as a multifunctional nanoplatform to obtain a longer half-life with radioisotopes and ligands, and provides an effective method for the development of albumin-based tumor theranostic agents.

Chemoselectivity of Tertiary Azides in Strain‐Promoted Alkyne‐Azide Cycloadditions

The strain‐promoted alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) is the most commonly employed bioorthogonal reaction with applications in a broad range of fields. Over the years, several different cyclooctyne derivatives have been developed and investigated in regard to their reactivity in SPAAC reactions with azides. However, only a few studies examined the influence of structurally diverse azides on reaction kinetics. Herein, we report our investigations of the reactivity of primary, secondary, and tertiary azides with the cyclooctynes BCN and ADIBO applying experimental and computational methods. All azides show similar reaction rates with the sterically non‐demanding cyclooctyne BCN. However, due to the increased steric demand of the dibenzocyclooctyne ADIBO, the reactivity of tertiary azides drops by several orders of magnitude in comparison to primary and secondary azides. We show that this chemoselective behavior of tertiary azides can be exploited to achieve semiorthogonal dual‐labeling without the need for any catalyst using SPAAC exclusively.

DNA-Functionalized 100 nm Polymer Nanoparticles from Block Copolymer Micelles.

DNA-mediated self-assembly of colloidal particles is one of the most promising approaches for constructing colloidal superstructures. For nanophotonic materials and devices, DNA-functionalized colloids with diameters of around 100 nm are essential building blocks. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for synthesizing DNA-functionalized polymer nanoparticles (DNA-polyNPs) in the size range of 55-150 nm using block copolymer micelles as a template. Diblock copolymers of polystyrene- b-poly(ethylene oxide) with an azide end group (PS- b-PEO-N3) are first formed into spherical micelles. Then, the micelle cores are swollen with the styrene monomer and polymerized, thus producing PS NPs with PEO brushes and azide functional end groups. DNA strands are conjugated onto the ends of the PEO brushes through a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction, resulting in a DNA density of more than one DNA strand per 12.6 nm2 for 70 nm particles. The DNA-polyNPs with complementary sequences enable the formation of CsCl-type colloidal superstructure by DNA binding.

NHC Ligated Group 11 Metal-Arylthiolates Containing an Azide Functionality Amenable to "Click" Reaction Chemistry.

The reaction of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Group 11 metal complexes, [(NHC)M-X] (X = chloride, acetate), with the new azide-modified arylthiol 1-HSCH2-2,5-Me2-4-N3CH2-C6H2, 1 (for M = Au; X = Cl), or 1-Me3SiSCH2-2,5-Me2-4-N3CH2-C6H2, 2 (for M = Cu, X = Cl; M = Ag, X = OAc), affords the "clickable" NHC-metal thiolates [( iPr2-bimy)Au-(1-SCH2-2,5-Me2-4-N3CH2-C6H2)], 5; [(IPr)Au-(1-SCH2-2,5-Me2-4-N3CH2-C6H2)], 6; [(IPr)Ag-(1-SCH2-2,5-Me2-4-N3CH2-C6H2)], 7; and [(IPr)Cu-(1-SCH2-2,5-Me2-4-N3CH2-C6H2)], 8 ( iPr2-bimy = 1,3-di-isopropylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene, IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). Single-crystal X-ray analysis of all metal complexes show that they are two-coordinate, nearly linear, with a terminally bonded thiolate ligand possessing an accessible azide (-N3) moiety. The strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) reaction of complex 6 with bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN-OH) and dibenzocyclooctyne-amine (DBCO-NH2) illustrated the reactivity of the azide moiety toward strain-promoted cycloaddition. The rate of the SPAAC reaction between complex 6 and BCN-OH was determined via 1H NMR spectroscopy under second order conditions, and was compared to that of BCN-OH with PhCH2N3.

Click Functionalization of a Dibenzocyclooctyne-Containing Conjugated Polyimine.

A conjugated poly(phenyl-co-dibenzocyclooctyne) Schiff-base polymer, prepared through polycondensation of dibenzocyclooctyne bisamine (DIBO-(NH2)2) with bis(hexadecyloxy)phenyldialdehyde, is reported. The resulting polymer, which has a high molecular weight (M(n)>30 kDa, M(w)>60 kDa), undergoes efficient strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reactions with a series of azides. This enables quantitative modification of each repeat unit within the polymer backbone and the rapid synthesis of a conjugated polymer library with widely different substituents but a consistent degree of polymerization (DP). Kinetic studies show a second-order reaction rate constant that is consistent with monomeric dibenzocyclooctynes. Grafting with azide-terminated polystyrene and polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether chains of varying molecular weight resulted in the efficient syntheses of a series of graft copolymers with a conjugated backbone and maximal graft density.

Synthetic Strategies Toward DNA-Coated Colloids that Crystallize.

We report on synthetic strategies to fabricate DNA-coated micrometer-sized colloids that, upon thermal annealing, self-assemble into various crystal structures. Colloids of a wide range of chemical compositions, including poly(styrene), poly(methyl methacrylate), titania, silica, and a silica-methacrylate hybrid material, are fabricated with smooth particle surfaces and a dense layer of surface functional anchors. Single-stranded oligonucleotides with a short sticky end are covalently grafted onto particle surfaces employing a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction resulting in DNA coatings with areal densities an order of magnitude higher than previously reported. Our approach allows the DNA-coated colloids not only to aggregate upon cooling but also to anneal and rearrange while still bound together, leading to the formation of colloidal crystal compounds when particles of different sizes or different materials are combined.

F-18 Labeled RGD Probes Based on Bioorthogonal Strain-Promoted Click Reaction for PET Imaging.

A series of fluorine-substituted monomeric and dimeric cRGD peptide derivatives, such as cRGD-ADIBOT-F (ADIBOT = azadibenzocyclooctatriazole), di-cRGD-ADIBOT-F, cRGD-PEG5-ADIBOT-F, and di-cRGD-PEG5-ADIBOT-F, were prepared by strain-promoted alkyne azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) reaction of the corresponding aza-dibenzocyclooctyne (ADIBO) substituted peptides with a fluorinated azide 3. Among these cRGD derivatives, di-cRGD-PEG5-ADIBOT-F had the highest binding affinity in a competitive binding assay compared to other derivatives and even the original cRGDyk. On the basis of the in vitro study results, di-cRGD-PEG5-ADIBOT-(18)F was prepared from a SPAAC reaction with (18)F-labeled azide and subsequent chemo-orthogonal scavenger-assisted separation without high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification in 92% decay-corrected radiochemical yield (dcRCY) with high specific activity for further in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging study. In vivo PET imaging study and biodistribution data showed that this radiotracer allowed successful visualization of tumors with good tumor-to-background contrast and significantly higher tumor uptake compared to other major organs.

A chemoenzymatic approach toward the preparation of site-specific antibody–drug conjugates

An efficient chemical synthesis of UDP-N-azidoacetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAz) is presented, while the value of this molecule was demonstrated through its attachment to an antibody Fc domain. Thus, the antibody was first degalactosylated, which was followed by loading of the UDP-GalNAz with a recombinant galactosyltransferase. This engineered Azide-Fc-N-glycan antibody was subsequently ‘clicked’ by a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction for site-specific attachment of a fluorescent probe. The principles detailed will allow for the facile preparation of chemically defined homogeneous antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs).

Mutagenesis Study of Retinal Entry Pathway of Rhodopsin

The visual photoreceptor rhodopsin binds a photosensitive ligand 11-cis-retinal to respond to light stimulation. The regeneration of rhodopsin with 11-cis-retinal completes the photocycle of visual signaling. The molecular determinants of retinal entry can be assessed by measuring the retinal uptake kinetics of site-directed rhodopsin mutants. Here we report an assay for this purpose based on the energy transfer between 11-cis-retinal and a fluorescent probe covalently attached to the receptor. Previously, we developed an approach for site-specific labeling of G protein-coupled receptors by combining amber codon suppression technology and strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction[1]. We have demonstrated robust fluorescent labeling of receptors without generating a cysteine-free background. We utilized this approach to label rhodopsin with Alexa488 as the FRET donor. Compared to tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy, our assay exhibits a greater sensitivity and enables the characterization of mutant with slow retinal uptake kinetics. We showed that the heterologously expressed rhodopsin labeled at the second intracellular loop retains the wild-type retinal uptake kinetics. We further introduced a series of substitutions for the residues located in proximity of the retinal β-ionone binding pocket. We observed three orders of magnitude changes in retinal uptake kinetics. By varying the residue substitution we further studied the effect of hydrogen bonding and sterical hindrance. The insights into retinal entry not only shed light on a physiologically relevant process, but also facilitate understanding of retinal diseases.[1] H Tian, TP Sakmar, T Huber. Site-specific labeling of genetically encoded azido groups for multicolor, single-molecule fluorescence imaging of GPCRs. Methods in Cell Biology. In press.

DNA-associated click chemistry

This review highlights the most recent advances in click chemistry associated with DNA. Cu[I]-catalyzed azides-alkynes Huisgen cycloadditions (CuAAC) and a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) are two popular click reactions that have great impact in DNA science. The simplicity, versatility, orthogonality, and high efficiency of click reaction along with a stable triazole product have been instrumental for the successful application of this reaction in the field of nucleic acid chemistry. CuAAC and SPAAC reactions have been widely used for DNA modification, including DNA labeling, metallization, conjugation, cross-linking, and ligation. Modified oligodeoxynucleotides obtained from click reaction have been extensively applied in the fields of drug discovery, nanotechnology, bio-conjugation, and material sciences, among others. The most recent advances in the synthesis and applications of clickable DNAs are discussed in detail in this article.

F-18 Labeling Protocol of Peptides Based on Chemically Orthogonal Strain-Promoted Cycloaddition under Physiologically Friendly Reaction Conditions

We introduce the high-throughput synthesis of various (18)F-labeled peptide tracers by a straightforward (18)F-labeling protocol based on a chemo-orthogonal strain-promoted alkyne azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) using aza-dibenzocyclootyne-substituted peptides as precursors with (18)F-azide synthon to develop peptide based positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging probes. The SPAAC reaction and subsequent chemo-orthogonal purification reaction with azide resin proceeded quickly and selectively under physiologically friendly reaction conditions (i.e., toxic chemical reagents-free, aqueous medium, room temperature, and pH ≈7), and provided four (18)F-labeled tumor targetable bioactive peptides such as cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (cRGD) peptide, bombesin (BBN), c-Met binding peptide (cMBP), and apoptosis targeting peptide (ApoPep) in high radiochemical yields as direct injectable solutions without any HPLC purification and/or formulation processes. In vitro binding assay and in vivo PET molecular imaging study using the (18)F-labeled cRGD peptide also demonstrated a successful application of our (18)F-labeling protocol.

Copper-Free Click Biofunctionalization of Silicon Nitride Surfaces via Strain-Promoted Alkyne–Azide Cycloaddition Reactions

Cu-free "click" chemistry is explored on silicon nitride (Si(3)N(4)) surfaces as an effective way for oriented immobilization of biomolecules. An ω-unsaturated ester was grafted onto Si(3)N(4) using UV irradiation. Hydrolysis followed by carbodiimide-mediated activation yielded surface-bound active succinimidyl and pentafluorophenyl ester groups. These reactive surfaces were employed for the attachment of bicyclononyne with an amine spacer, which subsequently enabled room temperature strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC). This stepwise approach was characterized by means of static water contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The surface-bound SPAAC reaction was studied with both a fluorine-tagged azide and an azide-linked lactose, yielding hydrophobic and bioactive surfaces for which the presence of trace amounts of Cu ions would have been problematic. Additionally, patterning of the Si(3)N(4) surface using this metal-free click reaction with a fluorescent azide is shown. These results demonstrate the ability of the SPAAC as a generic tool for anchoring complex molecules onto a surface under extremely mild, namely ambient and metal-free, conditions in a clean and relatively fast manner.