Variability of Complement Response toward Preclinical and Clinical Nanocarriers in the General Population

Opsonization (coating) of nanoparticles with complement C3 component is an important mechanism that triggers immune clearance and downstream anaphylactic and proinflammatory responses. The variability of complement C3 binding to nanoparticles in the general population has not been studied. We examined complement C3 binding to dextran superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoworms, SPIO NWs, 58 and 110 nm) and clinically approved nanoparticles (carboxymethyl dextran iron oxide ferumoxytol (Feraheme, 28 nm), highly PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (LipoDox, 88 nm), and minimally PEGylated liposomal irinotecan (Onivyde, 120 nm)) in sera from healthy human individuals. SPIO NWs had the highest variation in C3 binding (<i>n</i> = 47) between subjects, with a 15–30 fold range in levels of C3. LipoDox (<i>n</i> = 12) and Feraheme (<i>n</i> = 18) had the lowest levels of variation between subjects (an approximately 1.5-fold range), whereas Onivyde (<i>n</i> = 18) had intermediate between-subject variation (2-fold range). There was no statistical difference between males and females and no correlation with age. There was a significant correlation in complement response between small and large SPIO NWs, which are similar structurally and chemically, but the correlations between SPIO NWs and other types of nanoparticles, and between LipoDox and Onivyde, were not significant. The calculated average number of C3 molecules bound per nanoparticle correlated with the hydrodynamic diameter but was decreased in LipoDox, likely due to the PEG coating. The conclusions of this study are (1) all nanoparticles show variability of C3 opsonization in the general population; (2) an individual’s response toward one nanoparticle cannot be reliably predicted based on another nanoparticle; and (3) the average number of C3 molecules per nanoparticle depends on size and surface coating. These results provide new strategies to improve nanomedicine safety

Different Effect of Hydrogelation on Antifouling and Circulation Properties of Dextran–Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Premature recognition and clearance of nanoparticulate imaging and therapeutic agents by macrophages in the tissues can dramatically reduce both the nanoparticle half-life and delivery to the diseased tissue. Grafting nanoparticles with hydrogels prevents nanoparticulate recognition by liver and spleen macrophages and greatly prolongs circulation times in vivo. Understanding the mechanisms by which hydrogels achieve this “stealth” effect has implications for the design of long-circulating nanoparticles. Thus, the role of plasma protein absorption in the hydrogel effect is not yet understood. Short-circulating dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles could be converted into stealth hydrogel nanoparticles by cross-linking with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane. We show that hydrogelation did not affect the size, shape and zeta potential, but completely prevented the recognition and clearance by liver macrophages <i>in vivo</i>. Hydrogelation decreased the number of hydroxyl groups on the nanoparticle surface and reduced the binding of the anti-dextran antibody. At the same time, hydrogelation did not reduce the absorption of cationic proteins on the nanoparticle surface. Specifically, there was no effect on the binding of kininogen, histidine-rich glycoprotein, and protamine sulfate to the anionic nanoparticle surface. In addition, hydrogelation did not prevent activation of plasma kallikrein on the metal oxide surface. These data suggest that (a) a stealth hydrogel coating does not mask charge interactions with iron oxide surface and (b) the total blockade of plasma protein absorption is not required for maintaining iron oxide nanoparticles’ long-circulating stealth properties. These data illustrate a novel, clinically promising property of long-circulating stealth nanoparticles

High-Relaxivity Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoworms with Decreased Immune Recognition and Long-Circulating Properties

One of the core issues of nanotechnology involves masking the foreignness of nanomaterials to enable <i>in vivo</i> longevity and long-term immune evasion. Dextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are very effective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, and strategies to prevent immune recognition are critical for their clinical translation. Here we prepared 20 kDa dextran-coated SPIO nanoworms (NWs) of 250 nm diameter and a high molar transverse relaxivity rate <i>R</i>₂ (∼400 mM^–1 s^–1) to study the effect of cross-linking-hydrogelation with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane (epichlorohydrin) on the immune evasion both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. Cross-linking was performed in the presence of different concentrations of NaOH (0.5 to 10 N) and different temperatures (23 and 37 °C). Increasing NaOH concentration and temperature significantly decrease the binding of anti-dextran antibody and dextran-binding lectin conconavalin A to the NWs. The decrease in dextran immunoreactivity correlated with the decrease in opsonization by complement component 3 (C3) and with the decrease in the binding of the lectin pathway factor MASP-2 in mouse serum, suggesting that cross-linking blocks the lectin pathway of complement. The decrease in C3 opsonization correlated with the decrease in NW uptake by murine peritoneal macrophages. Optimized NWs demonstrated up to 10 h circulation half-life in mice and minimal uptake by the liver, while maintaining the large 250 nm size in the blood. We demonstrate that immune recognition of large iron oxide nanoparticles can be efficiently blocked by chemical cross-linking-hydrogelation, which is a promising strategy to improve safety and bioinertness of MRI contrast agents

Different Effect of Hydrogelation on Antifouling and Circulation Properties of Dextran–Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Premature recognition and clearance of nanoparticulate imaging and therapeutic agents by macrophages in the tissues can dramatically reduce both the nanoparticle half-life and delivery to the diseased tissue. Grafting nanoparticles with hydrogels prevents nanoparticulate recognition by liver and spleen macrophages and greatly prolongs circulation times in vivo. Understanding the mechanisms by which hydrogels achieve this “stealth” effect has implications for the design of long-circulating nanoparticles. Thus, the role of plasma protein absorption in the hydrogel effect is not yet understood. Short-circulating dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles could be converted into stealth hydrogel nanoparticles by cross-linking with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane. We show that hydrogelation did not affect the size, shape and zeta potential, but completely prevented the recognition and clearance by liver macrophages <i>in vivo</i>. Hydrogelation decreased the number of hydroxyl groups on the nanoparticle surface and reduced the binding of the anti-dextran antibody. At the same time, hydrogelation did not reduce the absorption of cationic proteins on the nanoparticle surface. Specifically, there was no effect on the binding of kininogen, histidine-rich glycoprotein, and protamine sulfate to the anionic nanoparticle surface. In addition, hydrogelation did not prevent activation of plasma kallikrein on the metal oxide surface. These data suggest that (a) a stealth hydrogel coating does not mask charge interactions with iron oxide surface and (b) the total blockade of plasma protein absorption is not required for maintaining iron oxide nanoparticles’ long-circulating stealth properties. These data illustrate a novel, clinically promising property of long-circulating stealth nanoparticles

Different Effect of Hydrogelation on Antifouling and Circulation Properties of Dextran–Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Premature recognition and clearance of nanoparticulate imaging and therapeutic agents by macrophages in the tissues can dramatically reduce both the nanoparticle half-life and delivery to the diseased tissue. Grafting nanoparticles with hydrogels prevents nanoparticulate recognition by liver and spleen macrophages and greatly prolongs circulation times in vivo. Understanding the mechanisms by which hydrogels achieve this “stealth” effect has implications for the design of long-circulating nanoparticles. Thus, the role of plasma protein absorption in the hydrogel effect is not yet understood. Short-circulating dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles could be converted into stealth hydrogel nanoparticles by cross-linking with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane. We show that hydrogelation did not affect the size, shape and zeta potential, but completely prevented the recognition and clearance by liver macrophages <i>in vivo</i>. Hydrogelation decreased the number of hydroxyl groups on the nanoparticle surface and reduced the binding of the anti-dextran antibody. At the same time, hydrogelation did not reduce the absorption of cationic proteins on the nanoparticle surface. Specifically, there was no effect on the binding of kininogen, histidine-rich glycoprotein, and protamine sulfate to the anionic nanoparticle surface. In addition, hydrogelation did not prevent activation of plasma kallikrein on the metal oxide surface. These data suggest that (a) a stealth hydrogel coating does not mask charge interactions with iron oxide surface and (b) the total blockade of plasma protein absorption is not required for maintaining iron oxide nanoparticles’ long-circulating stealth properties. These data illustrate a novel, clinically promising property of long-circulating stealth nanoparticles

Different Effect of Hydrogelation on Antifouling and Circulation Properties of Dextran–Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Premature recognition and clearance of nanoparticulate imaging and therapeutic agents by macrophages in the tissues can dramatically reduce both the nanoparticle half-life and delivery to the diseased tissue. Grafting nanoparticles with hydrogels prevents nanoparticulate recognition by liver and spleen macrophages and greatly prolongs circulation times in vivo. Understanding the mechanisms by which hydrogels achieve this “stealth” effect has implications for the design of long-circulating nanoparticles. Thus, the role of plasma protein absorption in the hydrogel effect is not yet understood. Short-circulating dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles could be converted into stealth hydrogel nanoparticles by cross-linking with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane. We show that hydrogelation did not affect the size, shape and zeta potential, but completely prevented the recognition and clearance by liver macrophages <i>in vivo</i>. Hydrogelation decreased the number of hydroxyl groups on the nanoparticle surface and reduced the binding of the anti-dextran antibody. At the same time, hydrogelation did not reduce the absorption of cationic proteins on the nanoparticle surface. Specifically, there was no effect on the binding of kininogen, histidine-rich glycoprotein, and protamine sulfate to the anionic nanoparticle surface. In addition, hydrogelation did not prevent activation of plasma kallikrein on the metal oxide surface. These data suggest that (a) a stealth hydrogel coating does not mask charge interactions with iron oxide surface and (b) the total blockade of plasma protein absorption is not required for maintaining iron oxide nanoparticles’ long-circulating stealth properties. These data illustrate a novel, clinically promising property of long-circulating stealth nanoparticles

Dual-Porosity Hollow Nanoparticles for the Immunoprotection and Delivery of Nonhuman Enzymes

Although enzymes of nonhuman origin have been studied for a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic applications, their use has been limited by the immune responses generated against them. The described dual-porosity hollow nanoparticle platform obviates immune attack on nonhuman enzymes paving the way to in vivo applications including enzyme-prodrug therapies and enzymatic depletion of tumor nutrients. This platform is manufactured with a versatile, scalable, and robust fabrication method. It efficiently encapsulates macromolecular cargos filled through mesopores into a hollow interior, shielding them from antibodies and proteases once the mesopores are sealed with nanoporous material. The nanoporous shell allows small molecule diffusion allowing interaction with the large macromolecular payload in the hollow center. The approach has been validated in vivo using l-asparaginase to achieve l-asparagine depletion in the presence of neutralizing antibodies

Isolation of Rare Tumor Cells from Blood Cells with Buoyant Immuno-Microbubbles

<div><p>Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are exfoliated at various stages of cancer, and could provide invaluable information for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers. There is an urgent need for the development of cost-efficient and scalable technologies for rare CTC enrichment from blood. Here we report a novel method for isolation of rare tumor cells from excess of blood cells using gas-filled buoyant immuno-microbubbles (MBs). MBs were prepared by emulsification of perfluorocarbon gas in phospholipids and decorated with anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody. EpCAM-targeted MBs efficiently (85%) and rapidly (within 15 minutes) bound to various epithelial tumor cells suspended in cell medium. EpCAM-targeted MBs efficiently (88%) isolated frequent tumor cells that were spiked at 100,000 cells/ml into plasma-depleted blood. Anti-EpCAM MBs efficiently (>77%) isolated rare mouse breast 4T1, human prostate PC-3 and pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 cells spiked into 1, 3 and 7 ml (respectively) of plasma-depleted blood. Using EpCAM targeted MBs CTCs from metastatic cancer patients were isolated, suggesting that this technique could be developed into a valuable clinical tool for isolation, enumeration and analysis of rare cells.</p> </div

Tumor cell lines tested for anti-EpCAM MB binding.

<p>Tumor cell lines tested for anti-EpCAM MB binding.</p

Isolation of tumor cells with MBs and magnetic beads.

<p>Tumor cells were spiked into 1 ml of plasma-depleted mouse blood (see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0058017#s2" target="_blank">Methods</a>). Mouse EpCAM-targeted MBs and beads were added at 1×10⁷ MB/ml. Following gentle mixing for 15 minutes, MB layer was separated from blood cells by centrifugation at 100 g for 2 minutes. Magnetic beads were separated with a neodymium magnet. <b><i>A</i></b>, Collection of the floating MB layer on top depends on the downstream analysis (see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0058017#s2" target="_blank">Methods</a>); <b><i>B</i></b>, After the isolation of MBs and beads, the cells were placed on a hemocytometer grid (MBs were destroyed for 1 second with gentle sonication) and the GFP-positive cells were counted at low magnification (40×). MBs and beads showed similar numbers of GFP+ cells in the isolated (enriched) fraction and near absence of GFP+ cells in the blood cell (depleted) fractions. For size reference, red outline shows the major 5×5 square of the hemocytometer; <b><i>C</i></b>, Quantification of isolation efficiency of GFP-4T1 cells. <b><i>D</i></b>, Quantification of tumor cell depletion from blood cells with flow cytometry. One ml of blood cells was spiked with non-labeled 4T1 cells at 1×10⁶ cells/ml. Remaining blood cell fraction and the isolated MB fraction were analyzed for tumor cells after CD45 (leukocyte) and EpCAM staining (as described in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0058017#s2" target="_blank">Methods</a>). Red blood cells were lysed and gated out (left image, FSC/SSC plot). MBs efficiently depleted 4T1 cells, and enriched them with 95.4% purity. A representative experiment out of two is shown.</p