Influenza is a severe disease in humans and animals, causing upwards of 40,000 deaths every year in America alone. Influenza A virus (IAV) also causes periodic pandemics every 10 to 50 years, killing millions of people. Despite this, very few effective therapies are available. All strains of IAV are prone to developing resistance to antibodies due to the high mutation rate in the viral genome. Because of this mutation rate, a yearly vaccine must be generated before every flu season, and efficacy varies year to year. IAV has also mutated to escape several of the clinically-approved small molecule inhibitors. A therapeutic agent that targets a highly conserved region of the virus could bypass resistance and also be effective against multiple strains of IAV. IAV attachment is mediated by many individually weak hemagglutinin–sialic acid interactions that all together make a strong attachment to a host cell. Polymerized sialic acid analogs can recreate these interactions and block infection. However, they are not ideal therapeutics due to solubility issues and in vivo toxicity. We used liposomes as a novel means for delivery of the sialic acid-containing glycan, sialylneolacto-N-tetraose c (LSTc). LSTcbearing decoy liposomes form multivalent, polymer-like interactions with IAV. Decoy liposomes competitively bind IAV in hemagglutination inhibition assays and inhibit infection of target cells in a dose-dependent manner. LSTc decoy liposomes co-localize with IAV, while control liposomes do not. Inhibition is specific, as inhibition of Sendai virus and respiratory syncytial virus is not observed. In contrast, monovalent LSTc does not bind IAV or inhibit infectivity. LSTc decoy liposomes prevent the spread of IAV during multiple rounds of replication in vitro and extend survival of mice challenged with a lethal dose of virus. Considering the conservation of the hemagglutinin binding pocket and the ability of decoy liposomes to form high-avidity interactions with IAV hemagglutinin, our decoy liposomes have potential as a new therapeutic agent against emerging strains.

La thérapie photodynamique (PDT) est un traitement alternatif du cancer plus ciblé et moins invasif que les modalités traditionnelles. La Temoporfine (mTHPC, nom sous forme médicamenteuse : Foscan®), est l'un des PS les plus puissants cliniquement approuvés. Cependant, sa faible solubilité en milieu aqueux a provoqué plusieurs complications lors de son administration. La présente étude vise à mettre au point des nanoparticules constituées d’une molécule anticancéreuse couplée à la cyclodextrine intégré dans un liposome (drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposome, DCL) en couplant deux systèmes d'administration indépendants : les complexes d'inclusion cyclodextrine-mTHPC et les vésicules liposomales pour améliorer le transport et la pénétration de la mTHPC dans le tissu cible. La formation de complexes d'inclusion entre les cyclodextrines et la mTHPC a été étudiée en détail. Sur la base de ces données, des mTHPC-DCL à simple et double charge ont été préparées, optimisées et caractérisées. Il a été démontré que les mTHPC-DCL sont stables et que presque tous les mTHPC-DCL sont liés à β-CDs dans la lumière aqueuse interne des liposomes. L'influence des DCLs sur l'accumulation, la distribution et l'efficacité photodynamique de la mTHPC a été étudiée dans des modèles cellulaire en monocouche et sphéroïde multicellulaires 3D d’adénocarcinome de pharynx humain (HT29). En utilisant des sphéroïdes, nous avons démontré que le DCL à base de triméthyl-β-CD fournissait une accumulation homogène de la mTHPC dans tout le volume des sphéroïdes tumoraux, suggérant ainsi une distribution optimale de la mTHPC. / Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an alternative cancer treatment which offers a more targeted and less invasive treatment regimen compared to traditional modalities. Temoporfin (mTHPC, medicinal product name: Foscan®), is one of the most potent clinically approved PS. However, its poor solubility in aqueous medium caused several complications of its administration. The present study is aimed at the development of drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposome (DCL) nanoparticles by coupling two independent delivery systems: cyclodextrin/mTHPC inclusion complexes and liposomal vesicles to improve the transport and penetration of mTHPC to the target tissue. The formation of inclusion complexes between cyclodextrins and mTHPC was studied in detail. Based on these data, single and double loaded mTHPC-DCLs have been prepared, optimized and characterized. It was demonstrated that mTHPC-DCLs are stable and almost all mTHPC is bound to β-CDs in the inner aqueous liposome lumen. The influence of DCLs on mTHPC accumulation, distribution and photodynamic efficiency was studied in human adenocarcinoma HT29 cellular monolayer and spheroid models. Using 3D multicellular HT29 tumor spheroids we demonstrated that trimethyl-β-CD-based DCL provides homogenous accumulation of mTHPC across tumor spheroid volume thus supposing optimal mTHPC distribution.

Ce travail consiste à utiliser deux systèmes microfluidiques de gouttes pour incorporer d'une part des acides nucléiques dans des liposomes cationiques et d'autre part étudier la dynamique de transfection dans des cellules mammifères. La première micropuce permet d'insérer de l'ADN dans des liposomes cationiques afin d'obtenir de manière reproductible des lipoplexes appropriés à la transfection de cellules dendritiques (DC). Plusieurs paramètres expérimentaux sont tout d'abord étudiés, tels que les débits d'entrée, l’entretien des propriétés des liposomes après leur traitement dans des micro-gouttes, les caractéristiques des lipoplexes (taille, polydispersité et charge) en fonction du rapport molaire de charge (R+/-) et de la géométrie de la puce. Ensuite, les lipoplexes produits dans des conditions optimisées: une micropuce avec un grand canal en serpentin et une région de division des gouttes qui diminuent la polydispersité des lipoplexes, fonctionnant à un rapport de débit eau/huile 0,25 et R+/- 1,5; 3; 5; 7 et 10; sont utilisés pour transfecter des DCs in vitro. Tous les lipoplexes transfectent les DCs, tout en offrant une activation des DCs. La seconde étape consiste à utiliser une micropuce à l'échelle de la cellule unique afin de contrôler les conditions de transfection et d'optimiser le rendement de production de protéines recombinantes. Ainsi, des cellules ovariennes de hamster Chinois (CHO-S) sont transfectées dans la micropuce avec différents types de lipoplexes (R+/- 1,5; 3; 5) dont la dynamique de transfection est suivie par la production de protéines vertes fluorescentes (GFP) et par la viabilité cellulaire. Cette micropuce a permis d'évaluer l’hétérogénéité des cellules transfectées, révélant la présence d'une sous-population produisant des niveaux particulièrement élevés de GFP. Ces hautes productrices (HP) ont une taille cellulaire plus importante que celle de la population moyenne. La charge des lipoplexes montre un rôle important pour transfecter CHO-S, puisque l’unique lipoplex chargé positif R+/- 5 produit plus de HPs. La quantité d’ADN délivrée influe sur la production de protéine, puisque R+/- 1,5 avec plus d’ADN augmente la productivité spécifique de GFP des HPs. Cette thèse est réalisée dans le cadre d'un programme de co-tutelle entre l'Université de Campinas, au Brésil, et l'École Polytechnique, en France. Ce travail a principalement contribué aux domaines de microfluidique et de délivrance de gènes. / This work aims to use one droplet-based microfluidic systems to incorporate nucleic acids into cationic liposomes and another one to study the mammalian cell transfection process. For this, the first step uses a droplet-based microfluidic system to complex cationic liposomes with pDNA in order to obtain reproducible and suitable lipoplexes to dendritic cells (DCs) transfection. For this purpose, some experimental parameters are investigated, such as inlet flow rates, the maintenance of liposomes’ properties after microfluidic processing, lipoplex characteristics (size, polydispersity and zeta potential) as function of molar charge ratio (R+/-) and microchip design. Then, lipoplexes produced in selected conditions: a microchip with large serpentine channel and split region, which decreases lipoplex polydispersity, operating at ratio aqueous/oil flow rate 0.25 and R+/- 1.5, 3, 5, 7 and 10; are used to transfect DCs in vitro. All lipoplexes transfect DCs while providing cells activation. The second step uses a single-cell microfluidic platform to investigate and control over the transfection conditions, in view of optimizing the recombinant protein production by transfected cells. In this context, Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-S) are transfected in microchip with different types of lipoplexes (R+/- 1.5, 3, 5) and monitored by green fluorescent protein (GFP) production and cell viability. The single-cell platform enables to assess the heterogeneities of CHO-S population, revealing the presence of a subpopulation producing significantly high levels of GFP. These high producers (HP) show increased cell size in comparison to the average population. Moreover, the charge of lipoplexes shows an important role to transfect CHO-S, since the unique positive charged lipoplex R+/- 5 produces more HPs. Additionally, the amount of pDNA delivered affects the protein production, since R+/- 1.5 with more pDNA increase GFP specific productivity of HPs. This thesis is a co-supervised program between University of Campinas, Brazil and École Polytechnique, France. In general, this work contributes to microfluidics and gene delivery areas.

L’objectif de ce travail de recherche est le développement d’un biomatériau original permettant la libération retardée de principes actifs afin de résoudre les problématiques de diffusion trop rapide ou incontrôlée souvent rencontrées avec les systèmes de délivrance classiques. Un assemblage « hybride » composé de liposomes incorporant le principe actif, eux-mêmes incorporés dans un hydrogel physique de chitosane a été mis au point dans le cadre de ce travail. Pour élaborer ce système, une suspension de liposomes préformés est ajoutée à une solution de chitosane avant sa gelification. Une caractérisation des différents composants ainsi qu’une optimisation de ce processus d’élaboration ont été effectuées au cours de cette thèse. Les propriétés de relargage ont été étudiées via l’incorporation d’une molécule hydrosoluble jouant le rôle de modèle de principe actif. La carboxyfluorescéine (CF), dosable par fluorescence, a permis de confirmer le concept de « relargage retardé » : la quantité de CF libérée au cours du temps est plus élevée lorsque cette dernière est directement incorporée dans l’hydrogel, par rapport au cas où elle est intégrée dans l’assemblage « hybride ». Sur la base de ces résultats, l’incorporation et le relargage de deux principes actifs, la rifampicine (RIF), un antibiotique à large spectre, et la lidocaïne, un anesthésique local anti-arythmique, ont également été étudiées. Ce travail a permis de confirmer les résultats obtenus pour la molécule modèle, à savoir un retard au relargage significatif pour les assemblages par rapport aux hydrogels sans liposome. Diverses caractérisations ont également été menées pour examiner les propriétés rhéologiques et la morphologie de ces assemblages. Ces résultats représentent une avancée intéressante pour la valorisation de tels assemblages « hybrides » dans le domaine biomédical, et mettent en évidence le rôle des liposomes en tant que « réservoirs » de principes actifs au sein même de ces assemblages. / This work deals with the development of an original biomaterial in view of its application as drug delayed-release device in biomedical area. To overcome classic issues that may be encountered with common drug delivery systems such as the “burst effect” or fast outside diffusion of drugs, a « hybrid » system composed of liposomes entrapped within a chitosan physical hydrogel was developed. Its elaboration process consists in the addition of a suspension of pre-formed phosphatidylcholine liposomes within a chitosan solution before gelation process. A characterization of different components of the system and an optimization of the elaboration process were achieved. The release properties were firstly investigated using a water-soluble fluorescent model molecule, carboxyfluorescein (CF). The concept of delayed-release was confirmed. Indeed, the release of CF, assayed by fluorescence spectroscopy, was found to be higher in the “drug-in-hydrogel” systems in comparison with the “drug-in-liposomes-in-hydrogels” ones. Based on these results, the release of two drugs, rifampicin (RIF), a broad spectrum antibiotic, and lidocaine (LID), a local anaesthetic and anti-arrhythmic drug, were also studied. This work corroborated the data obtained for the model molecule, that is to say a significant delayed release for « hybrid » systems in comparison to hydrogels without liposome. Various characterizations were carried out to examine rheological properties and morphologies of assemblies. These first results showed that such systems could be a step forward in drug delivery, and highlighted the use of liposomes as drug « reservoirs » within assemblies.

<p>Use of chemotherapeutics in treatment of solid tumors suffers from insufficient and heterogeneous drug delivery, systemic toxicity and lack of knowledge of delivered drug concentration. The overall objectives of this work were: 1) to address these shortcomings through development and characterization of a treatment system capable of real-time spatiotemporal control of drug distribution and 2) to investigate the role of MR-image-able tissue transport parameters in predicting drug distribution following hyperthermia-triggered drug release from nanoparticles. Towards these objectives, a combination of potentially synergetic technologies was used: 1) image-able low temperature-sensitive liposomes (iLTSLs) for drug delivery, 2) quantitative drug delivery and transport parameter imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 3) control over drug release with magnetic resonance-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU). The overall hypothesis of this work is that the drug distribution in the targeted zone spatially correlates with the image-able transport-related parameters as well as contrast enhancement due to release of contrast agent during treatment.</p><p>We began by developing and characterizing iLTSLs, which were designed using a lipid formulation similar to one that is in clinical trials in the US (ThermoDox®) and a gadolinium-based MR contrast agent that is in widespread clinical use (Prohance®) and least likelihood of toxicity due to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). The resulting liposome was found to stably encapsulate both an anthracycline chemotherapeutic, doxorubicin, and the MR contrast agent. Release rates were similar for these two species in physiologic buffer as well as in human plasma. The next step towards control and imaging of release with this drug delivery system (DDS) was development of algorithms that allowed for large-volume mild hyperthermia with MR-HIFU that would be required to move this combination of technologies into the clinic.</p><p>Optimal drug delivery with iLTSL requires a sustained period of heating of the entire target to the range of temperatures that are optimal for liposomal release and maintenance of perfusion (40 - 45 &#61616;C). The MR-HIFU technology was developed and used mainly for rapid thermal ablation or mechanical disruption of tissue in small ellipsoid volumes. Variability and size of common clinical lesions called for modifications that would enable stable conformal heating of large tumor volumes to the sub-ablative temperature range of mild hyperthermia (40 - 45 &#61616;C). Therefore, we set out to develop an algorithm that would allow rapid attainment and maintenance of mild hyperthermia in larger volumes of variable shape that were typically encountered in the clinic. We approached this goal through a series of successive steps that addressed different aspects of mild hyperthermia treatment: 1) controlled heating to mild hyperthermia, 2) conformity of heating and 3) ability to heat large volumes.</p><p>To achieve controlled heating to mild hyperthermia we implemented a simple binary mild hyperthermia feedback mechanism that adequately maintained mild hyperthermia for extended periods of time in small ellipsoidal volumes. We then developed a conformal small-volume mild hyperthermia algorithm that could provide spatial control over heating in an environment with spatially heterogeneous perfusion. This algorithm used electronic steering of the HIFU focus to heat each MR image voxel with different power, depending on temperature measured within that voxel. Finally, to heat large volumes conformally, we developed an algorithm that combined mechanical displacement of the MR-HIFU transducer (to cover large areas) with electronic deflection of the HIFU beam (to heat sub-volumes conformally). This advancement allowed us to quickly attain mild hyperthermia (<8.1 min to steady state) in larger volumes (cross-sectional area = 8.4 cm, ~12 times larger than previous methods).</p><p>Following their characterization, we examined iLTSL pharmacokinetics and combined MR-HIFU large volume mild hyperthermia with iLTSL to deliver doxorubicin to large Vx2 carcinomas in the hindlimb muscle of rabbits. To determine MR image-able correlates to the intratumoral drug distribution, we assessed the spatial pattern of drug distribution with fluorescence microscopy and examined spatial correlations of this pattern to several parameters measured with MRI, including the spatial distributions of temperature, contrast enhancement following injection of iLTSL, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) parameters, and maps of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI parameters have been used extensively in literature to approximate a mixture of parameters critical to drug delivery, such as perfusion (F), permeability-vascular surface area product (PS) and vascular volume and ADC has been previously correlated with cellular density in tumors. Possible utility of such spatial correlations was examined for future use in treatment planning, intraprocedural feedback control and post-treatment evaluation.</p><p>Highly perfused peripheral regions of Vx2 tumors in rabbit hindlimb displayed high Ktrans and ve, indicative of high perfusion. Maps of ADC obtained with low b-values also showed high ADC in the periphery of these tumors, indicating high perfusion there. ADC maps that were weighted more towards diffusion (using higher b-values) showed that diffusion was largest in the tumor core, indicating destruction of the cellular membranes and greater mobility of water. Microscopic examination of excised tumors was spatially registered to the MRI datasets and showed that most of the tumor core is necrotic, though some highly vascularized and viable tissue was present in strands or segments that traversed the necrotic regions. Those segments also showed bright doxorubicin fluorescence following treatment with MR-HIFU and iLTSL. The two control groups - free drug and iLTSL without mild hyperthermia - showed minimal to no doxorubicin fluorescence in the tumor.</p><p>Susceptibility effects due to use of contrast agent caused large errors (up to 15 °C) in MR thermometry measurements. To address this phenomenon, experiments were designed to arrive at steady state heating (target temperature = 41 °C), and employ an algorithm to learn the spatiotemporal distribution of power that was needed to maintain steady state heating. This heating pattern was then played back several times to verify maintenance of steady state, and if satisfactory, image-able liposomes were injected. Since temperature feedback was replaced by the learned steady-state heating, injection of image-able liposomes likely did not alter the heating performance. Following injection, changes in T1 and magnetic susceptibility were most pronounced in regions that previously showed greatest enhancement during DCE-MRI and displayed larger values of ADC with perfusion-weighted, low b-value scans. Maps of T1 were obtained in real time using a variable flip angle sequence during heating, and were corrected for inhomogeneity of the B1 field and calibrated against a more accurate, T1 mapping technique.</p><p>After treatment with MR-HIFU and iLTSL, the drug was preferentially distributed in the viable tissue, in and around the tumor. Doxorubicin fluorescence was greatest in zones that were heated, though the drug distribution did not display a clear boundary between heated and unheated tissue. While iLTSL provided intraprocedural feedback via enhancement of T1-weighted image intensity, susceptibility-related effects of iLTSL on MR thermometry complicate their prospects of clinical use, where precise temperature feedback is required for control of therapy and MR thermometry techniques that are in widespread use would be affected. Spatial correlations between drug delivery with iLTSL and MR-imageable parameters may serve as a predictive tool to identify areas that will not receive adequate drug. Such a-priori knowledge of correlates to the approximate tumor drug distribution has the potential to inform treatment planning by revealing the extent to which drug dose could be painted with a combination of LTSL and MR-HIFU. These studies point to an adjustment of course in further development of drug dose painting this combination of technologies, towards informing treatment planning, and not only painting the dose, but predicting it. These results also point to the need to develop rational combinations other treatments, such as ablation and radiation, to treat regions that will not receive sufficient drug.</p> / Dissertation

Development of chimeric, recombinant peptides, proteins and enzymes expands the availability of protein/enzyme–based tools for cellular analysis and new assay platforms. Ideal protein reagents for cellular analysis must translocate into a variety of cells with minimum cell damage, retain stability and biological activity within the cell during analysis, and provide a reliable, measurable signal. This work focused on development, characterization and utilization of chimeric recombinant peptide, protein and enzyme reagents for cellular analysis and immunoassays. A cell-penetrating, fluorescent protein substrate (PKAS) was developed to monitor intracellular protein kinase A activity in cells without the need for cellular transfection. PKAS translocated into HeLa cells, βTC-3 cells and pancreatic islets with minimal toxicity. Upon cellular loading, glucose dependent phosphorylation of PKAS was observed in both βTC-3 and pancreatic islets via capillary zone electrophoresis. In pancreatic islets, maximal PKAS phosphorylation (83 ± 6 %) was observed at 12 mM glucose, whereas maximal PKAS phosphorylation (86 ± 4 %) in βTC-3 cells was with 3 mM glucose indicating a left-shifted glucose sensitivity. A cell-penetrating luciferase chimera (Luc-TAT) and a cell-penetrating phospholipid nanoshell entrapped luciferase (Luc-PPN) was constructed to monitor dynamic changes in intracellular ATP levels in mammalian cells. Upon cellular loading, the activity of Luc-TAT and Luc-PPN was monitored with time. Luc-TAT lost approximately 50% activity within one hour, and decreased rapidly over time. In contrast Luc-PPNs retain approximately 95% activity in 1 hour and 77% after 12 hours showing longer biological lifetime. Luc-PPNs were able to detect dynamic ATP changes in intact HeLa cells in the presence of KCN and NaN3. The bioluminescence returned to background levels within 8-10 minutes after treatment with KCN, whereas NaN₃ showed ~ 40% reduction. Two novel recombinant human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) analogs hPTHEGFP and hPTH-Cys were prepared to develop immunoassays for PTH detection in clinical samples. Initial experiments show promise for these analogs for use in CZELIF based immunoassays. The analogs present a number of distinctive advantages for clinical assays and can be used to develop several immunoassay platforms.

Platinum based chemotherapy is amongst the mainstream DNA-damaging agents used in clinical cancer therapy today. Agents such as cisplatin, carboplatin are clinically prescribed for the treatment of solid tumors either as single agents, in combination, or as part of multi-modality treatment strategy. Despite the potent anti-tumor activity of these drugs, overall effectiveness is still hampered by inadequate delivery and retention of drug in tumor and unwanted normal tissue toxicity, induced by non-selective accumulation of drug in normal cells and tissues. Utilizing molecular imaging and nanoparticle technologies, this thesis aims to contribute to better understanding of how to improve the profile of platinum based therapy. By developing a novel fluorinated derivative of carboplatin, incorporating a Flourine-18 (18F) moiety as an inherent part of the molecule, quantitative measures of drug concentration in tumors and normal tissues can be directly determined in vivo and within the intact individual environment. A potential impact of this knowledge will be helpful in predicting the overall response of individual patients to the treatment. Specifically, the aim of this project, therefore, is the development of a fluorinated carboplatin drug derivative with an inherent positron emission tomography (PET) imaging capability, so that the accumulation of the drug in the tumor and normal organs can be studied during the course of therapy . A secondary objective of this research is to develop a proof of concept for simultaneous imaging of a PET radiolabeled drug with a SPECT radiolabeled liposomal formulation, enabling thereby bi-modal imaging of drug and delivery vehicle in vivo. The approach is challenging because it involves development in PET radiochemistry, PET and SPECT imaging, drug liposomal encapsulation, and a dual-modal imaging of radiolabeled drug and radiolabeled vehicle. The principal development is the synthesis of fluorinated carboplatin 19F-FCP using 2-(5-fluoro-pentyl)-2-methyl malonic acid as the labeling agent to coordinate with the cisplatin aqua complex. It was then used to treat various cell lines and compared with cisplatin and carboplatin at different concentrations ranging from 0.001 µM to 100 µM for 72 hrs and 96 hrs. IC50 values calculated from cell viability indicated that 19F-FCP is a more potent drug than Carboplatin. Manual radiosynthesis and characterization of [18F]-FCP was performed using [18F]-2-(5-fluoro-pentyl)-2-methyl malonic acid with coordination with cisplatin aqua complex. Automated radiosynthesis of [18F]-FCP was optimized using the manual synthetic procedures and using them as macros for the radiosynthesizer. [18F]-FCP was evaluated in vivo with detailed biodistribution studies and PET imaging in normal and KB 3-1 and KB 8-5 tumor xenograft bearing nude mice. The biodistribution studies and PET imaging of [18F]-FCP showed major uptake in kidneys which attributes to the renal clearance of radiotracer. In vivo plasma and urine stability demonstrated intact [18F]-FCP. [111In]-Labeled Liposomes was synthesized and physiochemical properties were assessed with DLS. [111In]-Labeled Liposome was evaluated in vivo with detailed pharmacokinetic studies and SPECT imaging. The biodistribution and ROI analysis from SPECT imaging showed the spleen and liver uptake of [111In]-Labeled Liposome and subsequent clearance of activity with time. [18F]-FCP encapsulated [111In]-Labeled Liposome was developed and physiochemical properties were characterized with DLS. [18F]-FCP encapsulated [111In]-Labeled Liposome was used for in vivo dual tracer PET and SPECT imaging from the same nanoconstruct in KB 3-1 (sensitive) and COLO 205 (resistant) tumor xenograft bearing nude mice. PET imaging of [18F]-FCP in KB 3-1 (sensitive) and COLO 205 (resistant) tumor xenograft bearing nude mice was performed. Naked [18F]-FCP and [18F]-FCP encapsulated [111In]-Labeled Liposome showed different pharmacokinetic profiles. PET imaging of [18F]-FCP showed major uptake in kidneys and bladder. However, [18F]-FCP encapsulated [111In]-Labeled Liposome showed major uptake in RES in both PET and SPECT images. ROI analysis of SPECT image enabled by 111In corresponded with PET image enabled by 18F demonstrating the feasibility of dual tracer imaging from the single nanoconstruct. Future work involves the intensive in vitro characterization of [18F]-FCP encapsulated [111In]-Labeled Liposome and detailed in vivo evaluation of [18F]-FCP encapsulated [111In]-Labeled Liposome in various tumor models.

EN The growing emergence of bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics is very alarming. This has prompted an intensive search for alternative antimicrobial agents which kill bacteria with different modes of action than do traditional antibiotics and do not develop drug resistance. Among these, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered as promising compounds against resistant pathogens. These positively charged peptides permeabilize or disrupt bacterial cell envelope which leads to leakage of cytoplasmic components and cell death. The aim of my dissertation thesis was the study of the action mechanism of novel antimicrobial peptides which I have isolated from the venom of different wild bees. I identified six novel AMPs which were named panurgines (PNG), codesane (COD) and antapines (ANTPs). These peptides were isolated from the venom of three different bee species (Panurgus calcaratus, Collete daviesanus and Anthophora plumipes). I was also involved in the structural studies of lasiocepsin (Las), the antimicrobial peptide identified in the venom earlier in our laboratory. All studied peptides possess activity against various strains of bacteria and low or moderate hemolytic activity. We prepared series of PNG, COD and ANTP analogs in order to study the effect of physicochemical properties...

Surfactin is an antibiotic produced by several strains of B. subtilis. Its broad range of biological activities is interesting from perspective of medicine, food industry and bioremediation and is based on its surface-active properties and interaction with biological membranes. The latter means mainly forming ion channels, conductive pores and with increasing concentration eventually disrupting membrane structure in detergent-like manner. Mechanism of resistance of producing strain against its own toxic product is not yet fully understood. This work shows that it could be based on surfactin target modification - which means altering membrane lipid composition. We were able to recognize surfactin-formed ion channels or pores with a broad range of conductivities spanning from 2 pS to 2 nS using BLM method. Liposome leakage assay with carboxyfluorescein revealed few distinct mechanisms of lysis, differing in amplitude, rate of lysis and cooperativity. Increased content of anionic lipids with conical shape, namely cardiolipin and phosphatidic acid led to substantial increased membrane resistance to surfactin-induced permeabilization. Key words: membrane, surfactin, Bacillus subtilis, cardiolipin, black lipid membranes, liposomes

A liberação controlada de fármacos é um tópico importante para várias iniciativas em nanotecnologia devido ao possível impacto para a sociedade, com a criação de sistemas otimizados que garantam a liberação num sítio específico e a uma taxa controlada. Dentre os vários paradigmas de liberação controlada destaca-se o uso de lipossomos, uma vez que muitos fármacos e drogas podem ser transportados. Este trabalho descreve a fabricação de filmes automontados de lipossomos que incorporam o fármaco ibuprofeno. Os lipossomos foram preparados de dipalmitoil fosfatidil colina (DPPC), dipalmitoil fosfatidil glicerol (DPPG) e palmitoil-oleoil fosfatidil glicerol (POPG), cujas camadas foram alternadas por interações eletrostáticas com camadas do dendrímero PAMAM geração 4. Medidas de espalhamento dinâmico de luz indicaram que a incorporação do ibuprofeno tornou os lipossomos de DPPC e DPPG mais estáveis, com uma diminuição no diâmetro médio de 140 para 74 nm e 132 para 63nm, respectivamente. Ao contrário, os lipossomos de POPG ficaram menos estáveis, com aumento do diâmetro de 110 para 160 nm. A influência na estabilidade foi confirmada em medidas de microscopia de força atômica nos filmes automontados, que mostraram grande tendência à ruptura nos lipossomos de POPG com a incorporação de ibuprofeno. O crescimento dos filmes automontados foi investigado com espectroscopia de fluorescência e uma balança de cristal de quartzo. A intensidade da fluorescência devida ao ibuprofeno aumentou exponencialmente com o número de camadas depositadas, mas não por causa de uma crescente adsorção de ibuprofeno. Ao contrário, a quantidade de material adsorvido nas primeiras camadas aumentou inicialmente, mas depois diminuiu drasticamente após a 6ª. bicamada, e o filme praticamente pára de crescer a partir da 10ª. bicamada. Portanto, a grande fluorescência para filmes espessos deve ser associada a um ambiente favorável, que aumenta a emissão quântica do ibuprofeno. A liberação do ibuprofeno, estudada com medidas de fluorescência, é mais lenta quando incorporado em lipossomos. Em experimentos com uma membrana de diálise, notamos que o tempo de decaimento do ibuprofeno puro é 5,2 h, enquanto este tempo aumentou para 9,2 e 8 h para ibuprofeno encapsulado em lipossomos de DPPG e POPG, respectivamente. O ibuprofeno também foi liberado de filmes automontados contendo lipossomos de DPPG e POPG, o que é promissor para o uso em bandagens (patches). / Controlled drug delivery is a key issue in a number of nanotechnology endeavors owing to the large impact on society that may achieved if improved systems are created which allows for delivery at a specific target and with a controlled rate. Among the various paradigms employed in drug delivery, the use of liposomes is prominent because a variety of drug molecules can be carried. This work describes the fabrication of layer-by-layer (LbL) films made with liposomes incorporating ibuprofen. The liposomes were made with dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC), dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG) and palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidyl glycerol (POPG), whose layers were alternated with layers of the dendrimer PAMAM generation 4 via electrostatic interactions. According to dynamic light scattering measurements, the incorporation of ibuprofen caused DPPC and DPPG liposomes to become more stable, with a decrease in diameter from 140 to 74 nm and from 132 to 63 nm, respectively. In contrast, liposomes from POPG became less stable, with an increase in size from 110 to 160 nm. These results were confirmed with atomic force microscopy images of LbL films, which showed a large tendency to rupture for POPG liposomes. The film growth was monitored with fluorescence spectroscopy and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The fluorescence intensity arising from ibuprofen increased exponentially with the number of layers, but this was not caused by an increased adsorption of ibuprofen. Instead, the QCM measurements showed that the amount of material adsorbed increases initially with the number of PAMAM/liposome(ibuprofen) layers, but after the 6th bilayer it decreases sharply and film growth practically stops after the 10th layer. Therefore, the inevitable conclusion is that the increased fluorescence is due to a favorable environment for the ibuprofen, whose quantum emission efficiency increases with the number of layers deposited. Also using fluorescence measurements, we noted that release of ibuprofen was delayed when incorporated in liposomes. For instance, in a membrane dialysis experiment, the characteristic decay time was 3.5 h for ibuprofen in solution, whereas this time increased to 9.2 and 8 h for ibuprofen encapsulated into DPPG and POPG liposomes, respectively. Ibuprofen could also be released from the LbL films made with DPPG and POPG liposomes, which is promising for further use in patches.