A triply modified human adult hemoglobin with low oxygen affinity, rapid autoxidation and high tetramer stability

The hypoxic environment of tumor may retard the efficacy of tumor therapeutic agents. Hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) could overcome the hypoxia of tumor by the oxygen delivery. However, typical HBOCs may not provide sufficient oxygen for their low oxygen transferring efficiency (OTE). In order to increase the OTE, human adult Hb (HbA) was subjected to triple modifications, i.e., αα-fumaryl crosslink at Lys-99(α), carboxymethylation at Val-1(α) and 8-arm PEG-based polymerization. Crosslink at Lys-99(α) and carboxymethylation at Val-1(α) synergistically led to a T-like quaternary structure of HbA. The dual modification significantly increased the partial oxygen pressure at 50% saturation (P₅₀) of HbA from 14.8 mmHg to 34.6 mmHg and OTE from 9.1% to 33.1%. Eight-arm PEG-based polymerization slightly decreased the P₅₀ of the Hb derivative to 27.8 mmHg and OTE to 30.5%. However, it can enlarge the molecular size of HbA and then prolong the serum duration of HbA. The triple modifications synergistically increased the autoxidation rate of Hb, which promote the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, the sufficient oxygen delivery and substantial production of ROS by the triply modified Hb may provide a potential strategy for tumor therapy.