Spontaneous CO release from Ru(II)(CO)2-protein complexes in aqueous solution, cells, and mice.

ABSTRACT: We demonstrate that Ru(II)(CO)2-protein complexes, formed by the reaction of the hydrolytic decomposition products of [fac-RuCl(?(2)-H2NCH2CO2)(CO)3] (CORM-3) with histidine residues exposed on the surface of proteins, spontaneously release CO in aqueous solution, cells, and mice. CO release was detected by mass spectrometry (MS) and confocal microscopy using a CO-responsive turn-on fluorescent probe. These findings support our hypothesis that plasma proteins act as CO carriers after in?vivo administration of CORM-3. CO released from a synthetic bovine serum albumin (BSA)-Ru(II)(CO)2 complex leads to downregulation of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? in cancer cells. Finally, administration of BSA-Ru(II)(CO)2 in mice bearing a colon carcinoma tumor results in enhanced CO accumulation at the tumor. Our data suggest the use of Ru(II)(CO)2-protein complexes as viable alternatives for the safe and spatially controlled delivery of therapeutic CO in?vivo.

SUBMITTER: Chaves-Ferreira M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4506567 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature