Imaging DNA damage in vivo using gammaH2AX-targeted immunoconjugates.
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ABSTRACT: DNA damage responses (DDR) occur during oncogenesis and therapeutic responses to DNA damaging cytotoxic drugs. Thus, a real-time method to image DNA damage in vivo would be useful to diagnose cancer and monitor its treatment. Toward this end, we have developed fluorophore- and radioisotope-labeled immunoconjugates to target a DDR signaling protein, phosphorylated histone H2A variant H2AX (?H2AX), which forms foci at sites of DNA double-strand breaks. Anti-?H2AX antibodies were modified by the addition of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) to allow (111)In labeling or the fluorophore Cy3. The cell-penetrating peptide Tat (GRKKRRQRRRPPQGYG) was also added to the immunoconjugate to aid nuclear translocation. In irradiated breast cancer cells, confocal microscopy confirmed the expected colocalization of anti-?H2AX-Tat with ?H2AX foci. In comparison with nonspecific antibody conjugates, (111)In-anti-?H2AX-Tat was retained longer in cells. Anti-?H2AX-Tat probes were also used to track in vivo DNA damage, using a mouse xenograft model of human breast cancer. After local X-ray irradiation or bleomycin treatment, the anti-?H2AX-Tat probes produced fluorescent and single photon emission computed tomography signals in the tumors that were proportionate to the delivered radiation dose and the amount of ?H2AX present. Taken together, our findings establish the use of radioimmunoconjugates that target ?H2AX as a noninvasive imaging method to monitor DNA damage, with many potential applications in preclinical and clinical settings.
SUBMITTER: Cornelissen B
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3130133 | biostudies-other | 2011 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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