Raman imaging of PLGA microsphere degradation inside macrophages

Understanding the degradation behavior of polymeric microspheres is crucial for the successful application of such devices in controlled drug delivery. The degradation mechanism of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres inside phagocytic cells is not known, but different models for degradation in aqueous solution have been proposed. We have used confocal Raman spectroscopy and imaging to study the intracellular degradation of PLGA microspheres inside individual macrophages. Our results show that ingested microspheres degrade in a heterogeneous manner, with a more rapid degradation in the center. Comparison of Raman spectra from degrading beads with those of uningested beads reveals that ester hydrolysis occurs throughout the phagocytosed microspheres, with a selective loss of glycolic acid units. Furthermore, we show that PLGA degradation is a cell-mediated process, possibly caused by the low pH of the phagosome and/or the presence of hydrolytic enzymes. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the chemical composition of degrading polymers inside cells can be probed by Raman spectral imaging. This technique will expand the capabilities of investigating biomaterial degradation in vivo.     

Non‐symmetric bent‐core mesogens with one terminal vinyl group

Two series of non‐symmetric banana‐shaped compounds, both with one alkyl and one alkenyl terminal tail, have been synthesized and studied. Both series were compared with the corresponding series with two saturated terminal alkyl tails. All the compounds have a bent central 1,3‐phenylene bis(4‐benzoyloxy)benzoate core; their mesophases were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction and switching current response experiments. In all four series one of the terminal tails is varied from OC₈H₁₇ to OC₁₆H₃₃. The other terminal tails are OC₁₁H₂₃, O(CH₂)₉CH?=?CH₂, OC₁₀H₂₁ and O(CH₂)₈CH?=?CH₂. The short‐tailed compounds show monotropic or enantiotropic B₁ phases and the long‐tailed compounds the B₂ phase. The introduction of one terminal vinyl group slightly lowers the transition temperatures. The introduction of a second terminal vinyl group further suppresses the liquid crystalline properties. All compounds with B₂ phases have layer spacings that suggest a tilt of ～45° of the bent molecules in the layers, and their switching behaviour is antiferroelectric.     

Synthesis,experimental and in silico studies of N‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl‐O‐tert‐butyl‐N‐methyltyrosine,coupled with CSD data: a survey of interactions in the crystal structures of Fmoc–amino acids

Recently, fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) amino acids (e.g. Fmoc–tyrosine or Fmoc–phenylalanine) have attracted growing interest in biomedical research and industry, with special emphasis directed towards the design and development of novel effective hydrogelators, biomaterials or therapeutics. With this in mind, a systematic knowledge of the structural and supramolecular features in recognition of those properties is essential. This work is the first comprehensive summary of noncovalent interactions combined with a library of supramolecular synthon patterns in all crystal structures of amino acids with the Fmoc moiety reported so far. Moreover, a new Fmoc‐protected amino acid, namely, 2‐{[(9H‐fluoren‐9‐ylmethoxy)carbonyl](methyl)amino}‐3‐{4‐[(2‐hydroxypropan‐2‐yl)oxy]phenyl}propanoic acid or N‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl‐O‐tert‐butyl‐N‐methyltyrosine, Fmoc‐N‐Me‐Tyr(t‐Bu)‐OH, C₂₉H₃₁NO₅, was successfully synthesized and the structure of its unsolvated form was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structural, conformational and energy landscape was investigated in detail by combined experimental and in silico approaches, and further compared to N‐Fmoc‐phenylalanine [Draper et al. (2015). CrystEngComm, 42 , 8047–8057]. Geometries were optimized by the density functional theory (DFT) method either in vacuo or in solutio. The polarizable conductor calculation model was exploited for the evaluation of the hydration effect. Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that H…H, C…H/H…C and O…H/H…O interactions constitute the major contributions to the total Hirshfeld surface area in all the investigated systems. The molecular electrostatic potentials mapped over the surfaces identified the electrostatic complementarities in the crystal packing. The prediction of weak hydrogen‐bonded patterns via Full Interaction Maps was computed. Supramolecular motifs formed via C—H…O, C—H…π, (fluorenyl)C—H…Cl(I), C—Br…π(fluorenyl) and C—I…π(fluorenyl) interactions are observed. Basic synthons, in combination with the Long‐Range Synthon Aufbau Modules, further supported by energy‐framework calculations, are discussed. Furthermore, the relevance of Fmoc‐based supramolecular hydrogen‐bonding patterns in biocomplexes are emphasized, for the first time.     

Molecular structure,p<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>a,lipophilicity, solubility,absorption, polar surface area,and blood brain barrier penetration of some antiangiogenic agents

The methods of theoretical chemistry have been used to elucidate molecular properties of selected and novel antiangiogenic agents (semaxanib, sunitinib, N-methylsunitinib, sorafenib, motesanib, ABT-869, vatalanib, vandetanib, AEE 788, CP-547632, A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4). The geometries and energies of these drugs have been computed using HF/6-31G(d), Becke3LYP/6-31G(d) and Becke3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) model chemistries. Wherever possible the most stable conformations of inhibitors studied are stabilized by means of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Water has a remarkable effect on the geometry of the antiangiogenic agents studied. Computed partition coefficients (ALOGPS method) varied between 2.3 and 5. Compounds studied are described as lipophilic inhibitors. Semaxanib is inhibitor with lowest lipophilicity. The antiangiogenic agents studied are only slightly soluble in water; their computed solubility (log S) from interval between −3.4 and −5.4 is sufficient for fast absorption. Selection criteria for drug-like properties of VEGFR2 inhibitors investigated were designed. Based on these criteria, three compounds (A-2, A-3, and A-4) were selected for synthesis and biological testing for antianiogenic activity on VEGFR2 receptor.     

A new equation for the size distribution of emulsion particles

Summary A study of experimental data from the literature provided grounds for believing that the particle size distributions of emulsions can be represented by a single general size distribution equation. In the present paper this distribution equation, which contains two parameters, is derived statistically. Verification with published experimental data on several oil-in-water emulsions and with own data on water-in-oil emulsions yielded very good agreement for mechanically prepared emulsions.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Studium der experimentellen Ergebnisse aus dem Schrifttum legt nahe, daß die Teilchengrößenverteilungen von Emulsionen durch eine einzige generelle Verteilungsgleichung dargestellt werden können. Die vorliegende Arbeit gibt eine statistische Ableitung dieser Verteilungsfunktion, die zwei Parameter enthält. Die PrÜfung mit veröffentlichten experimentellen Ergebnissen an verschiedenen öl-in Wasser-Emulsionen und mit eigenen Experimenten an Wasser- in öl-Emulsionen ergab fÜr mechanisch präparierte Emulsionen sehr gute Übereinstimmungen.

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List of symbols A constant - a parameter of the equation; characteristic diameter - constant - constant - D sum of the diameters of all globules - dd sum of the diameters of the globules in the diameter interval fromx tox +dx - m number of categories - N total number of globules - n _i number of globules ini-th category - dn number of globules in the diameter interval fromx tox +dx. - _i number of volume elements in thei-th category - P probability - p number of volume elements in volumeV - S total surface area of the globules - s surface area of a globule - s _i surface area of a globule in thei-th category - ds surface area of the globules in the diameter interval fromx tox +dx - V total volume of the globules - v volume of a globule - v _i volume of a globule in thei-th category - v _x cumulative volume below sizex - dv volume of the globules in the diameter interval fromx tox +dx - w specific surface area of a globule - w _i specific surface area of a globule in thei-th category - X parameter of the equation; largest globule occurring - x variable globule diameter - X _i diameter of a globule in thei-th category.     

Gas-phase and solution conformations of the alpha-L-iduronic acid structural unit of heparin

The IdoA2S structural unit of heparin (subunit G) may oscillate among the three conformations (4C1, 1C4, and 2So). Only the twisted boat conformation allowed the biologically active pentasaccharide unit of heparin (DEFGH) to bind to antithrombin. Our work reports, in detail, the results of systematic large-scale theoretical investigations of the three basic conformations (4C1, 1C4, and 2So) of the IdoA2S structural unit of heparin, its anionic forms, and its sodium salt using the B3LYP/6-311++G(d, p) and B3LYP/6-31+G(d) model chemistries. According to our calculations, the most stable structure of these molecules corresponds to the 2So skew-boat conformation. This form is also the most stable in a water solution. The 2So conformation of neutral molecules is not maintained in the anionic species. With anions, both 1C4 and 4C1 conformations are present. The relative stability of individual species of the substituted iduronic acid affects extra stabilization by means of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The calculated macroscopic pKa of 1,4-DiOMe IdoA2S are as follows: pKa = 0.25 for the terminal C(2)-OSO3H group, pKa = 3.67 for the terminal C(5)-CO2H group, and pKa = 14.00 for the C(3)-OH hydroxyl group. The computed Gibbs interaction energies, DeltaGdegrees , for the reaction 1,4-DiOMe IdoA2S(2-) + 2Na+ <==> 1,4-DiOMe IdoA2SNa2 (4C1, 1C4, and 2So conformations) are negative and span a rather small energy interval (from -1244 to -1290 kJ mol(-1)).     

Loop grafting of Bacillus subtilis lipase A: inversion of enantioselectivity

Lipases are successfully applied in enantioselective biocatalysis. Most lipases contain a lid domain controlling access to the active site, but Bacillus subtilis Lipase A (LipA) is a notable exception: its active site is solvent exposed. To improve the enantioselectivity of LipA in the kinetic resolution of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol (IPG) esters, we replaced a loop near the active-site entrance by longer loops originating from Fusarium solani cutinase and Penicillium purpurogenum acetylxylan esterase, thereby aiming to increase the interaction surface for the substrate. The resulting loop hybrids showed enantioselectivities inverted toward the desired enantiomer of IPG. The acetylxylan esterase-derived variant showed an inversion in enantiomeric excess (ee) from -12.9% to +6.0%, whereas the cutinase-derived variant was improved to an ee of +26.5%. The enantioselectivity of the cutinase-derived variant was further improved by directed evolution to an ee of +57.4%.     

Conformational structure of some trimeric and pentameric structural units of heparin

The molecular structure of trimeric units (D-E-F and F-G-H) and the pentamer D-E-F-G-H of heparin (sodium salts and their anionic forms) was studied using the B3LYP/6-31G(d) method. The equilibrium structure of the sodium salts of the trimers and pentamer investigated in the isolated state was determined by multidentate coordination of the sodium cations with oxygen atoms of the sulfate, carboxyl, and hydroxyl (hydroxymethyl) groups, respectively. The displacement of Na+ ions from the binding sites in the sodium salt of oligosaccharides studied resulted in the appreciable change of the overall conformation of the corresponding anion. Upon dissociation, a large change in both the position of the sulfate groups and the conformation across the glycosidic bonds was observed. The stable energy conformations around the glysosidic bonds found for the pentamer investigated are compared and discussed with the available experimental X-ray structural data for the structurally related heparin-derived pentasaccharides in cocrystals with proteins.     

Gas phase and solution state stability of complexes L…M, where M = Cu, Ni, or Zn and L = R−C(O)NHOH (R = H, NH2, CH3, CF3, or Phenyl)

The structure and gas-phase metal affinities (M = Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺) of formohydroxamic acid derivatives R–C(O)NHOH (R = H, NH₂, CH₃, CF₃ and Phenyl) were studied using the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) method of DFT theory. In order to evaluate the conformational behavior of these systems in water, we carried out CPCM-SCRF optimization calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. The obtained optimized geometries and interaction affinities of the gas and solution phase were compared. The following order of stability was found for ionic complexes of the transition metals: Cu²⁺ > Ni(t)²⁺ > Zn²⁺. The same stability order would be expected according to the Irving–Williams order of stability constants. The high-spin complexes of the Ni²⁺ were more stable than the low-spin complexes. The solvent effect reduced the observed relative stability of individual metallic complexes of substituted hydroxamic acids.