Promotion of cell adhesion on biomaterials is crucial for the long-term success of a titanium implant. Herein a novel concept is highlighted combining very stable and affine titanium surface adhesive properties with specific cell binding moieties in one molecule. A peptide containing L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine was synthesized and affinity to titanium was investigated. Modification with a cyclic RGD peptide and a heparin binding peptide (HBP) was realized by an efficient on-resin combination of Diels-Alder reaction with inverse electron demand and Cu(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The peptide was fluorescently labeled by thiol Michael addition. Conjugating the cyclic RGD and HBP in one peptide gave improved spreading, proliferation, viability, and the formation of well-developed actin cytoskeleton and focal contacts of osteoblast-like cells.

No abstract

Hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), insensitive to most cytostatic interventions, features low response rates and bad prognosis. Studies with HRPC treated with temozolomide (TMZ) showed a poor response and the results were discouraging. Therefore, TMZ has been considered to be ineffective for the treatment of patients with symptomatic and progressive HRPC. A solution to this problem is demonstrated in this study by combining proper solid-phase peptide synthesis and a chemoselective new 'click' chemistry based on the Diels-Alder reaction with 'inverse-electron-demand' (DAR(inv)) for the construction of a highly efficient TMZ-BioShuttle in which TMZ is ligated to transporter and subcellular address molecules. The transport to the targeted nuclei resulted in much higher efficiency and better pharmacological effects. The reformulation of TMZ to TMZ-BioShuttle achieved higher in vitro killing of prostate cancer cells. Accordingly, the potential of TMZ for the treatment of prostate tumors was dramatically enhanced even in a tenfold lower concentration than applied normally. This TMZ-BioShuttle may be well suited for combining chemotherapy with other cytostatic agents or radiation therapy.

Multifunctionality is gaining more and more importance in the field of improved biomaterials. Especially peptides feature a broad chemical variability and are versatile mediators between inorganic surfaces and living cells. Here, we synthesized a unique peptide that binds to SiO(2) with nM affinity. We equipped the peptide with the bioactive integrin binding c[RGDfK]-ligand and a fluorescent probe by stepwise Diels-Alder reaction with inverse electron demand and copper(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. For the first time, we report the generation of a multifunctional peptide by combining these innovative coupling reactions. The resulting peptide displayed an outstanding binding to silicon oxide and induced a significant increase in cell spreading and cell viability of osteoblasts on the oxidized silicon surface.

Among the applications of fullerene technology in health sciences the expanding field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of molecular processes is most challenging. Here we present the synthesis and application of a GdxSc3-xN@C80-BioShuttle-conjugate referred to as Gd-cluster@-BioShuttle, which features high proton relaxation and, in comparison to the commonly used contrast agents, high signal enhancement at very low Gd concentrations. This modularly designed contrast agent represents a new tool for improved monitoring and evaluation of interventions at the gene transcription level. Also, a widespread monitoring to track individual cells is possible, as well as sensing of microenvironments. Furthermore, BioShuttle can also deliver constructs for transfection or active pharmaceutical ingredients, and scaffolding for incorporation with the host's body. Using the Gd-cluster@-BioShuttle as MRI contrast agent allows an improved evaluation of radio- or chemotherapy treated tissues.

No abstract

The ligation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for working with image processing systems in diagnostics (MRT) attracts increasing notice and scientific interest. The Diels-Alder ligation Reaction with inverse electron demand (DAR inv ) turns out to be an appropriate candidate. The DAR inv is characterized by a specific distribution of electrons of the diene and the corresponding dienophile counterpart. Whereas the reactants in the classical Diels-Alder Reaction feature electron-rich diene and electron-poor dienophile compounds, the DAR inv exhibits exactly the opposite distribution of electrons. Substituents with pushing electrones increase and, with pulling electrons reduce the electron density of the dienes as used in the DAR inv . We report here that the DAR inv is an efficient route for coupling of multifunctional molecules like active peptides, re-formulated drugs or small molecules like the alkyalting agent temozolomide (TMZ). This is an example of our contribution to the "Click chemistry" technology. In this case TMZ is ligated by DAR inv as a cargo to transporter molecules facilitating the passage across the cell membranes into cells and subsequently into subcellular components like the cell nucleus by using address molecules. With such constructs we achieved high local concentrations at the desired target site of pharmacological action. The DAR inv ligation was carried out using the combination of several technologies, namely: the organic chemistry and the solid phase peptide synthesis which can produce 'tailored' solutions for questions not solely restricted to the medical diagnostics or therapy, but also result in functionalizations of various surfaces qualified amongst others also for array development. We like to acquaint you with the DAR inv and we like to exemplify that all ligation products were generated after a rapid and complete reaction in organic solutions at room temperature, in high purity, but also, hurdles and difficulties on the way to the TMZ-BioShuttle conjugate should be mentioned. With this report we would like to stimulate scientists working with the focus on "Click chemistry" to intensify research with this expanding DAR inv able to open the door for new solutions inconceivable so far.

Progress in genome research led to new perspectives in diagnostic applications and to new promising therapies. On account of their specificity and sensitivity, nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) increasingly are in the focus of the scientific interest. While nucleic acids were a target of therapeutic interventions up to now, they could serve as excellent tools in the future, being highly sequence-specific in molecular diagnostics. Examples for imaging modalities are the representation of metabolic processes (Molecular Imaging) and customized therapeutic approaches (“Targeted Therapy”). In the individualized medicine nucleic acids could play a key role; this requires new properties of the nucleic acids, such as stability. Due to evolutionary reasons natural nucleic acids are substrates for nucleases and therefore suitable only to a limited extent as a drug. To use DNA as an excellent drug, modifications are required leading e.g. to a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Here we show that an easy substitution of nucleobases by functional molecules with different reactivity like the Reppe anhydride and pentenoic acid derivatives is feasible. These derivatives allow an independent multi-ligation of functionalized compounds, e.g. pharmacologically active ones together with imaging components, leading to local concentrations sufficient for therapy and diagnostics at the same time. The high chemical stability and ease of synthesis could enhance nucleic chemistry applications and qualify PNA as a favourite for delivery. This system is not restricted to medicament material, but appropriate for the development of new and highly efficient drugs for a sustainable pharmacy.