SNAP-tag technology mediates site specific conjugation of antibody fragments with a photosensitizer and improves target specific phototoxicity in tumor cells

Bioconjug Chem. 2011 Dec 21;22(12):2487-95. doi: 10.1021/bc200304k. Epub 2011 Nov 3.

Abstract

Cancer cells can be killed by photosensitizing agents that induce toxic effects when exposed to nonhazardous light, but this also causes significant damage to surrounding healthy cells. The specificity of photodynamic therapy can be increased by conjugating photosensitizing agents to antibodies and antibody fragments that bind specifically to tumor cell antigens. However, standard conjugation reactions produce heterogeneous products whose targeting specificity and spectroscopic properties can be compromised. In this study, we used an antibody fragment (scFv-425) that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a model to investigate the use of SNAP-tag fusions as an improved conjugation strategy. The scFv-425-SNAP-tag fusion protein allowed the specific conjugation of a chlorin e6 photosensitizer modified with O(6)-benzylguanine, generating a homogeneous product that was delivered specifically to EGFR(+) cancer cells and resulted in significant, tumor cell-specific cytotoxicity. The impact of our results on the development of photodynamic therapy is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chlorophyllides
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Guanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Guanine / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Porphyrins / administration & dosage*
  • Porphyrins / chemistry
  • Porphyrins / pharmacology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / chemistry*
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / genetics
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / metabolism

Substances

  • Chlorophyllides
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Porphyrins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • scFv 425
  • O(6)-benzylguanine
  • phytochlorin
  • Guanine
  • ErbB Receptors