Total body and hepatic clearance in rats of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator expressed in mouse C127 and Chinese hamster ovary cells.

The total body and hepatic clearance of two recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activators (t-PA) produced in mouse C127 cells [t-PA(C127)] and in Chinese hamster ovary cells [t-PA(CHO)] were determined in rats. Recombinant t-PA was administered as a constant iv or intraportal venous infusion for 60 min. The plasma t-PA level over 120 min was measured by an ELISA. Whole-body pharmacokinetics were characterized in terms of the total body clearance (CLt), total volume of distribution, and mean residence time in the body. Hepatic disposition was described by the hepatic clearance (CL(hep)) and the mean hepatoportal transit time. Whereas a marked hepatic extraction was observed with both t-PAs, the estimated CL(hep) accounted for only one-half the Clt. No elimination took place in the lung, because no difference was observed between iv and intraarterial administration. Extrahepatic elimination, such as that in circulating blood, appeared to play a significant role in the disposition of t-PA in vivo. t-PA(C127) is known to possess the Gal alpha 1-3Gal epitope in its complex-type carbohydrate chains, whereas this structure is not involved in t-PA(CHO). In the presence of Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin I isolectin B4, which is specific to the Gal alpha 1-3Gal, the Clt of t-PA(C127) was significantly decreased, whereas that of t-PA(CHO) was unchanged. These results imply that the formation of a high molecular weight complex by this carbohydrate epitope effectively reduces the rate of catabolism of t-PA in vivo.