Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Publication
    High content analysis of cytotoxic effects of pDMAEMA on human intestinal epithelial and monocyte cultures
    Poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate) (pDMAEMA) is a cationic polymer with potential as an antimicrobial agent and as a non-viral gene delivery vector. The aim was to further elucidate the cytotoxicity of a selected pDMAEMA low molecular weight (MW) polymer against human U937 monocytes and Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells using a novel multi-parameter high content analysis (HCA) assay and to investigate histological effects on isolated rat intestinal mucosae. Seven parameters of cytotoxicity were measured: nuclear intensity (NI), nuclear area (NA), intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), plasma membrane permeability (PMP), cell number (CN) and phospholipidosis. Histological effects of pDMAEMA on excised rat ileal and colonic mucosae were investigated in Ussing chambers. Following 24-72 hours exposure, 25-50 µg/ml pDMAEMA induced necrosis in U937 cells, while 100-250 µg/ml induced apoptosis in Caco-2. pDMAEMA increased NA and NI and decreased [Ca2+]i, PMP, MMP and CN in U937 cells. In Caco-2, it increased NI and [Ca2+]i, but decreased NA, PMP, MMP and CN. Phospholipidosis was not observed in either cell line. pDMAEMA (10 mg/ml) did not induce any histological damage on rat colonic tissue and only mild damage to ileal tissue following exposure for 60 min. In conclusion, HCA reveals that pDMAEMA induces cytotoxicity in different ways on different cell types at different concentrations. HCA potential for high throughput toxicity screening in drug formulation programmes.
      978Scopus© Citations 52
  • Publication
    High content analysis to determine cytotoxicity of the antimicrobial peptide, melittin and selected structural analogs
    Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring entities with potential as pharmaceutical candidates and/or food additives. They are present in many organisms including bacteria, insects, fish and mammals. While their antimicrobial activity is equipotent with many commercial antibiotics, current limitations are poor pharmacokinetics, stability and potential toxicology issues. Most elicit antimicrobial action via perturbation of bacterial membranes. Consequently, associated cytotoxicity in human cells is reflected by their capacity to lyse erythrocytes. However, more rigorous toxicological assessment of AMPs is required in order to predict potential failure at a later stage of development.Wedescribe a high-content analysis (HCA) screening protocol recently established for determination and prediction of safety in pharmaceutical drug discovery. HCA is a powerful, multi-parameter bioanalytical tool that amalgamates the actions of fluorescence microscopy with automated cell analysis software in order to understand multiple changes in cellular health. We describe the application of HCA in assessing cytotoxicity of the cytolytic-helical peptide, melittin, and selected structural analogs. The data shows that structural modification of melittin reduces its cytotoxic action and that HCA is suitable for rapidly identifying cytotoxicity.
    Scopus© Citations 24  1649
  • Publication
    High-content analysis for drug delivery and nanoparticle applications
    High-content analysis (HCA) provides quantitative multiparametric cellular fluorescence data. From its origins in discovery toxicology, it is now addressing fundamental questions in drug delivery. Nanoparticles (NPs), polymers, and intestinal permeation enhancers are being harnessed in drug delivery systems to modulate plasma membrane properties and the intracellular environment. Identifying comparative mechanistic cytotoxicity on sublethal events is crucial to expedite the development of such systems. NP uptake and intracellular routing pathways are also being dissected using chemical and genetic perturbations, with the potential to assess the intracellular fate of targeted and untargeted particles in vitro. As we discuss here, HCA is set to make a major impact in preclinical delivery research by elucidating the intracellular pathways of NPs and the in vitro mechanistic-based toxicology of formulation constituents.
    Scopus© Citations 36  1334