Near-infrared fluorescence imaging of HER-2 protein over-expression in tumour cells.

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo imaging of HER-2-over-expressing tumours using near-infrared optical imaging. A fluorochrome probe was designed by coupling Cy5.5 to anti-HER-2 antibodies. Cells over-expressing (SK-BR-3 cells) or normally expressing (PE/CA-PJ34 cells) the HER-2 protein were incubated with the probe. After removing unbound probe molecules, fluorescence intensities were determined (a.u.: arbitrary units). Cells were additionally investigated using FACS and laser scanning microscopy. The probe was also injected intravenously into tumours bearing SK-BR-3 ( n=3) or PE/CA-PJ34 ( n=3). Whole-body fluorescence images were generated and analysed. The incubation of SK-BR-3 cells with the probe led to higher fluorescence intensities [2,133 (+/-143) a.u.] compared to controls [975 (+/-95) a.u.]. The results from FACS and immunocytochemical analysis were in agreement with these findings. A distinct dependency between the fluorescence intensity and the cell number used in the incubations was detected. In vivo, the relative fluorescence intensities in SK-BR-3 tumours were higher than in PE/CA-PJ34 tumours at 16-24 h after probe application. HER-2-over-expressing tumours were depictable in their original size. Labelling of HER-2 with Cy5.5 is suitable for in vitro and in vivo detection of HER-2-over-expressing tumour cells.

Novel bacterial membrane surface display system using cell wall-less L-forms of Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli.

We describe a novel membrane surface display system that allows the anchoring of foreign proteins in the cytoplasmic membrane (CM) of stable, cell wall-less L-form cells of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The reporter protein, staphylokinase (Sak), was fused to transmembrane domains of integral membrane proteins from E. coli (lactose permease LacY, preprotein translocase SecY) and P. mirabilis (curved cell morphology protein CcmA). Both L-form strains overexpressed fusion proteins in amounts of 1 to 100 microg ml(-1), with higher expression for those with homologous anchor motifs. Various experimental approaches, e.g., cell fractionation, Percoll gradient purification, and solubilization of the CM, demonstrated that the fusion proteins are tightly bound to the CM and do not form aggregates. Trypsin digestion, as well as electron microscopy of immunogold-labeled replicas, confirmed that the protein was localized on the outside surface. The displayed Sak showed functional activity, indicating correct folding. This membrane surface display system features endotoxin-poor organisms and can provide a novel platform for numerous applications.