Quantitative RT-PCR to evaluate in vivo expression of multiple transgenes using a common intron.

An assay measuring RNA expression levels of a gene-encoded therapeutic must distinguish between endogenous mRNA and mRNA transcribed from the transgene. Specificity for the delivered transgene is especially critical when the treatment involves genes that are expressed in the target tissue. To facilitate uniform detection of transgene RNA without interference from endogenous mRNA, we have engineered expression vectors that include a 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) containing a synthetic intron (PGL3). The synthetic intron splice junction was the target sequence for a quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay utilizing Taq-Man technology. In this study, we demonstrate that a quantitative RT-PCR assay designed to recognize an engineered intron splice site in the 5'UTR of expression constructs effectively measures the expression level of in vivo-delivered gene therapeutics.

Gamma imaging of atherosclerotic lesions: the role of antibody affinity in in vivo target localization.

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibodies are attractive agents for noninvasive localization of various cardiovascular disorders. Because proliferating intimal smooth muscle cells are important components of atherosclerotic lesions, radiolabeled antibody Z2D3 specific for proliferating smooth muscle cells has been used for immunoscintigraphic localization of experimental atherosclerotic lesions. This study was undertaken to assess the role of antibody affinity in optimization of immunoscintigraphic localization of these lesions. Z2D3 belongs to the immunoglobulin (Ig) M class of antibodies. For immunoscintigraphic studies, attempts were made to prepare F(ab')2 or Fab fragments from the parent cell line. Fragmentation of Z2D3-IgM or its two subclones (B7 and 2B12) was not possible; therefore the parent hybridoma line was subjected to class switching. Cell lines 5C5 and 3E5 secreted antibody of the IgG1 subclass. The Z2D3-IgG1 antibodies were enzymatically digested to provide F(ab')2. Because of a tenfold loss of immunoreactivity of these class-switched antibodies, the parent clone was subsequently genetically engineered to obtain a mouse/human chimeric antibody with human IgG1 constant region. F(ab')2 of Z2D3-73.30 chimeric antibody retained the immunoreactivity relative to the original Z2D3-IgM. Radiolabeled murine and chimeric F(ab')2 fragments were used to assess the role of affinity in gamma scintigraphic visualization of experimental atherosclerotic lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experimental atherosclerotic lesions were induced in 19 rabbits by abdominal aortic balloon deendothelialization followed by a hyperlipidemic diet for 12 weeks. 111In-labeled chimeric high-affinity Z2D3 F(ab')2 fragments (111In-Hi.aff Z2D3) were administered in four animals. Uptake was compared with 111In-labeled F(ab')2 of nonspecific human IgG1 (n = 4), murine low-affinity Z2D3-5C5 (111In-Lo.aff Z2D3; n = 4), nonspecific murine IgG1 monoclonal antibodies (n = 4), and 123I-labeled murine low-affinity Z2D3-3E5 (n = 3). Atherosclerotic lesions were visualized 48 hours after administration of the chimeric Hi.aff-Z2D3 antibody in all animals. Lesions were not visualized in rabbits injected with Lo.aff-Z2D3 or murine or human nonspecific antibodies. Mean percent injected dose per gram in the lesion was significantly higher with the 111In-Hi.aff-Z2D3 (0.112% +/- 0.024%) compared with 111In-Lo.aff-Z2D3 (0.037% +/- 0.005%; p = 0.03), human nonspecific (0.027% +/- 0.004%; p = 0.01), or murine nonspecific antibodies (0.006% +/- 0.001%; p = 0.0004). Nonspecific activity in unballooned thoracic aortic segments (normal) was comparable in the 111In-Hi.aff-Z2D3 (0.019 +/- 0.003) and the 111In-Lo.aff-Z2D3 (0.011% +/- 0.005%; p = 0.3) antibodies. The lesion activities of the Lo.aff-Z2D3 labeled with 111In (0.037 +/- 0.005) or 123I (0.034 +/- 0.007; p = 0.71) were similar regardless of the radioisotopes used for labeling. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the specificity of an antibody for the target antigen in the atheroma is a necessary condition for in vivo targeting. However, high enough affinity of an antibody is an essential component for noninvasive diagnostic visualization of experimental atherosclerotic lesions.

Noninvasive localization of experimental atherosclerotic lesions with mouse/human chimeric Z2D3 F(ab')2 specific for the proliferating smooth muscle cells of human atheroma. Imaging with conventional and negative charge-modified antibody fragments.

BACKGROUND: A murine monoclonal antibody designated Z2D3 (IgM) generated against homogenized human atherosclerotic plaques was demonstrated to be highly specific for proliferating smooth muscle cells. The primary clone subsequently was genetically engineered to provide a mouse/human chimeric antibody with human IgG1 constant region expressed in a rat myeloma cell line. The resulting Z2D3-73.30 chimeric retained the immunoreactivity relative to the parent Z2D3-IgM and was pepsin-digested to yield F(ab')2. 111In-labeled chimeric Z2D3 F(ab')2 was then used for noninvasive imaging of experimental atherosclerotic lesions. To improve the imaging characteristics, we modified chimeric Z2D3 F(ab')2 fragments to carry a high negative charge. Improved visualization of targets with 111In-labeled, negatively charged, polymer-modified antibodies most probably is the result of faster blood clearance and a decrease in nontarget background activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experimental atherosclerotic lesions were induced in rabbits by deendothelialization of the infradiaphragmatic aorta followed by a 6% peanut oil-2% cholesterol diet. After 12 weeks, localization of the conventionally labeled 111In-Z2D3 F(ab')2 (24 Mbq [650 microCi]/500 to 750 micrograms) (n = 4) was compared with 111In-labeled, negatively charged, polymer-modified Z2D3 F(ab')2 (24 Mbq [650 microCi]/25 to 50 micrograms) in eight atherosclerotic rabbits. Three control rabbits also received radiolabeled polymer-modified Z2D3. Ten rabbits with atherosclerotic lesions received 111In-labeled nonspecific human IgG1 F(ab')2 with (n = 6) or without (n = 4) negative charge modification. Atherosclerotic lesions were visualized in all rabbits with the conventional Z2D3 F(ab')2 at 48 hours. However, unequivocal lesion visualization was possible at 24 hours only with negatively charged, polymer-modified Z2D3 F(ab')2. Quantitative uptake of F(ab')2 fragments was essentially determined by the presence of atherosclerotic lesions (F1.37 = 69.8; P < .0001) and the specificity of the antibody (F1.37 = 36.6; P < .0001). Uptake of the conventional Z2D3 in atherosclerotic lesions (mean +/- SEM percent injected dose per gram, 0.112 +/- 0.024%) was six times higher than background activity in the normal aortic segments (nondenuded thoracic aorta; mean percent injected dose per gram, 0.019 +/- 0.003%). Uptake of the conventional Z2D3 was also significantly higher than that of nonspecific human IgG1 F(ab')2 (0.027 +/- 0.004%). Specific uptake of the conventional Z2D3 in the lesions was comparable to the charge-modified Z2D3 uptake (0.084 +/- 0.017; P = .20). Uptake of negative charge-modified Z2D3 in the lesions was significantly higher than in the corresponding background activity in normal thoracic aorta (0.021 +/- 0.002). Uptake of negative charge-modified Z2D3 F(ab')2 in the lesions was higher than the uptake of negative charge-modified nonspecific IgG1 F(ab')2 (0.020 +/- 0.002) in the lesions. Uptake of charge-modified Z2D3 in the atherosclerotic lesions was also significantly higher than the corresponding regions of the aorta of the control rabbits (0.017 +/- 0.002; F1.18 = 27.9; P = .0001). There was, however, no difference in the specific lesion uptake of negative charge-modified Z2D3 at 24 hours (0.079 +/- 0.014) and 48 hours (0.084 +/- 0.0017; P = .99) after intravenous administration. Nontarget organ activities were lower with negative charge-modified 111In-labeled Z2D3 F(ab')2 than with the conventional Z2D3 F(ab')2. Mean kidney activity was fourfold less with the modified (0.45 +/- 0.06) than with the conventionally radiolabeled (1.67 +/- 0.264; P = .001) Z2D3 F(ab')2.