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Azubuike-Osu SO, Kuhs A, Götz P, Faro A, Preissner KT, Arnholdt C, Deindl E. Treatment with Cobra Venom Factor Decreases Ischemic Tissue Damage in Mice. Biomedicines 2024; 12:309. [PMID: 38397911 PMCID: PMC10886846 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue ischemia, caused by the blockage of blood vessels, can result in substantial damage and impaired tissue performance. Information regarding the functional contribution of the complement system in the context of ischemia and angiogenesis is lacking. To investigate the influence of complement activation and depletion upon femoral artery ligation (FAL), Cobra venom factor (CVF) (that functionally resembles C3b, the activated form of complement component C3) was applied in mice in comparison to control mice. Seven days after induction of muscle ischemia through FAL, gastrocnemius muscles of mice were excised and subjected to (immuno-)histological analyses. H&E and apoptotic cell staining (TUNEL) staining revealed a significant reduction in ischemic tissue damage in CVF-treated mice compared to controls. The control mice, however, exhibited a significantly higher capillary-to-muscle fiber ratio and a higher number of proliferating endothelial cells (CD31+/CD45-/BrdU+). The total number of leukocytes (CD45+) substantially decreased in CVF-treated mice versus control mice. Moreover, the CVF-treated group displayed a shift towards the M2-like anti-inflammatory and regenerative macrophage phenotype (CD68+/MRC1+). In conclusion, our findings suggest that treatment with CVF leads to reduced ischemic tissue damage along with decreased leukocyte recruitment but increased numbers of M2-like polarized macrophages, thereby enhancing tissue regeneration, repair, and healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon O. Azubuike-Osu
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany or (S.O.A.-O.); (A.K.); (P.G.); (A.F.); (C.A.)
- Biomedical Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Abakaliki 482131, Ebonyi, Nigeria
| | - Amelie Kuhs
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany or (S.O.A.-O.); (A.K.); (P.G.); (A.F.); (C.A.)
- Biomedical Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Philipp Götz
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany or (S.O.A.-O.); (A.K.); (P.G.); (A.F.); (C.A.)
- Biomedical Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Anna Faro
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany or (S.O.A.-O.); (A.K.); (P.G.); (A.F.); (C.A.)
- Biomedical Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Klaus T. Preissner
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff-Heart Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Christoph Arnholdt
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany or (S.O.A.-O.); (A.K.); (P.G.); (A.F.); (C.A.)
- Biomedical Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Deindl
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany or (S.O.A.-O.); (A.K.); (P.G.); (A.F.); (C.A.)
- Biomedical Center, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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Zhang B, Zhao M, Lu Q. Extracellular Vesicles in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Functions and Applications. Front Immunol 2021; 11:575712. [PMID: 33519800 PMCID: PMC7841259 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.575712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have aroused wide interest among researchers in basic and clinical research. EVs, small membrane vesicles are released by almost all kinds of cells into the extracellular environment. According to many recent studies, EVs participate in immunomodulation and play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In addition, EVs have great potential in the diagnosis and therapy of autoimmune diseases. Here, we reviewed the latest research advances on the functions and mechanisms of EVs and their roles in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU027), Changsha, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU027), Changsha, China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU027), Changsha, China
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3
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Cañas CA, Castaño-Valencia S, Castro-Herrera F, Cañas F, Tobón GJ. Biomedical applications of snake venom: from basic science to autoimmunity and rheumatology. J Transl Autoimmun 2020; 4:100076. [PMID: 33385156 PMCID: PMC7772571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2020.100076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake venoms have components with diverse biological actions that are extensively studied to identify elements that may be useful in biomedical sciences. In the field of autoimmunity and rheumatology, various findings useful for the study of diseases and potential drug development have been reported. The study of disintegrins, proteins that block the action of integrins, has been useful for the development of antiplatelet agents and principles for the development of immunosuppressants and antineoplastics. Several proteins in snake venoms act on the coagulation cascade, activating factors that have allowed the development of tests for the study of coagulation, including Russell's viper venom time, which is useful in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome. Neurotoxins with either pre- or postsynaptic effects have been used to study neurogenic synapses and neuromuscular plaques and the development of analgesics, muscle relaxants and drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. Various components act by inhibiting cells and proteins of the immune system, which will allow the development of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. This review summarizes the usefulness of the components of snake venoms in the fields of autoimmunity and rheumatology, which can serve as a basis for diverse translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Cañas
- GIRAT: Grupo de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoimunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Fundación Valle Del Lili and Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia.,Fundación Valle Del Lili, Rheumatology Unit, Cra 98 No. 18 - 49, Cali, 760032, Colombia
| | - Santiago Castaño-Valencia
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Fernando Castro-Herrera
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Felipe Cañas
- Department of Cardiology, Clínica Medellín, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gabriel J Tobón
- GIRAT: Grupo de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoimunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Fundación Valle Del Lili and Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia.,Fundación Valle Del Lili, Rheumatology Unit, Cra 98 No. 18 - 49, Cali, 760032, Colombia
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Zhang LN, Xia YZ, Zhang C, Zhang H, Luo JG, Yang L, Kong LY. Vielanin K enhances doxorubicin-induced apoptosis via activation of IRE1α- TRAF2 - JNK pathway and increases mitochondrial Ca 2 + influx in MCF-7 and MCF-7/MDR cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 78:153329. [PMID: 32896708 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutic failure and drug resistance are common and have important implications in the poor prognosis of advanced breast cancer. It is necessary to acquire a natural product to overcome the resistance of cancer and increase the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to anticancer agents. PURPOSE To demonstrate whether the compound Vielanin K (VK) has the potential to increase the sensitivity of MCF-7 and MCF-7/MDR cells to anticancer agents. METHODS Cell viability and proliferative capacity were determined by MTT, colony formation and EdU assays. Apoptosis and Ca2+ accumulation were evaluated by flow cytometry. Then, proteins were detected by immunoblotting, and gene expression levels were explored by qRT-PCR. RESULTS In MCF-7 and corresponding MDR cells, VK increased the fluorescence intensity of Rho123, but not CFDA. VK treatment did not affect the protein expression of P-gp, MRP1 or BCRP. VK treatment enhanced the DOX-induced apoptotic cascade, while VK combined with DOX increased JNK phosphorylation by activating the IRE1α-TRAF2 signaling pathway. In addition, Ca2+ was released from the endoplasmic reticulum following combination treatment, thereby giving rise to mitochondrial apoptosis. Silencing IRE1α and JNK with small interfering RNA (siRNA) efficiently attenuated combination treatment-induced apoptosis. These effects caused mitochondrial depolarization and reduced viability in MCF-7 and corresponding MCF-7/MDR cells. CONCLUSION VK combined with DOX increases the apoptosis of MCF-7 and corresponding MCF-7/MDR cells by activating ER stress and mitochondrial apoptosis via IRE1α-TRAF2-JNK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nan Jing 210009, China
| | - Yuan-Zheng Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nan Jing 210009, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nan Jing 210009, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nan Jing 210009, China
| | - Jian-Guang Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nan Jing 210009, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nan Jing 210009, China.
| | - Ling-Yi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nan Jing 210009, China.
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5
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Li L, Hao B, Zhang Y, Ji S, Chou G. Metabolite Profiling and Distribution of Militarine in Rats Using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25051082. [PMID: 32121087 PMCID: PMC7179186 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Militarine, a natural glucosyloxybenzyl 2-isobutylmalate, isolated from Bletilla striata, was reported with a prominent neuroprotective effect recently. The limited information on the metabolism of militarine impedes comprehension of its biological actions and pharmacology. This study aimed to investigate the metabolite profile and the distribution of militarine in vivo, which help to clarify the action mechanism further. A total of 71 metabolites (57 new metabolites) in rats were identified with a systematic method by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The proposed metabolic pathways of militarine include hydrolyzation, oxidation, glycosylation, esterification, sulfation, glucuronidation and glycine conjugation. Militarine and its metabolites were distributed extensively in the treated rats. Notably, six metabolites of militarine were identified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which were highly consistent with the metabolites after oral administration of gastrodin in rats. Among the metabolites in CSF, five of them were not reported before. It is the first systematic metabolic study of militarine in vivo, which is very helpful for better comprehension of the functions and the central nervous system (CNS) bioactivities of militarine. The findings will also provide an essential reference for the metabolism of other glucosylated benzyl esters of succinic, malic, tartaric and citric acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China;
- Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai 201203, China;
| | - Bin Hao
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (B.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yulong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (B.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Shen Ji
- Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai 201203, China;
| | - Guixin Chou
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-021-50271706
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6
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Fully automated chip-based nanoelectrospray ionization-mass spectrometry as an effective tool for rapid and high-throughput screening of 5α-reductase inhibitors. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 412:1685-1692. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-02408-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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7
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Belmadani S, Matrougui K. Broken heart: A matter of the endoplasmic reticulum stress bad management? World J Cardiol 2019; 11:159-170. [PMID: 31367278 PMCID: PMC6658386 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v11.i6.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. The induction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a result of a disruption in the ER homeostasis, was found to be highly associated with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart diseases and heart failure. This review will discuss the latest literature on the different aspects of the involvement of the ER stress in cardiovascular complications and the potential of targeting the ER stress pathways as a new therapeutic approach for cardiovascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souad Belmadani
- Department of Physiological Science, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, United States
| | - Khalid Matrougui
- Department of Physiological Science, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, United States
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8
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Abstract
Cobra venom factor (CVF) is the complement-activating protein in cobra venom. Humanized CVF (hCVF) is a human C3 derivative where the C-terminal 168 amino acid residues were replaced with the homologous sequence from CVF. hCVF has been shown in multiple models of disease with complement pathology to be a promising therapeutic agent, with no observed adverse effects. Here we describe the antibody response to hCVF in two different strains of mice. hCVF was able to repeatedly decomplement the mice after four injections in weekly intervals, demonstrating the absence of a neutralizing antibody response. In contrast, natural CVF caused decomplementation in all mice only after the first administration. After two additional administrations of natural CVF, decomplementation was inconsistent and varied tremendously from mouse to mouse. After the fourth administration, natural CVF was essentially unable to deplete complement, consistent with the known generation of a neutralizing antibody response. We also analyzed the IgG antibody response to hCVF. There was great variation, with approximately one quarter of the mice exhibiting non-detectable levels of anti-hCVF IgG, and another quarter very low levels. The levels of anti-hCVF IgG did not correlate with the levels of remaining C3. The anti-hCVF antibodies cross-reacted with natural CVF, recombinant CVF, and human C3. Whereas overall the level of anti-hCVF IgG cross-reacting with human C3 was lower compared to rCVF or nCVF, mice with higher levels of anti-hCVF IgG exhibited higher binding to CVF and human C3, excluding the possibility that higher antibody levels reflect preferential immunogenicity of CVF-specific or human C3-specific epitopes.
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Fritzinger D, Gorsuch B, Stahl G, Vogel CW. Complement depletion with humanised cobra venom factor: Efficacy in preclinical models of vascular diseases. Thromb Haemost 2017; 113:548-52. [DOI: 10.1160/th14-04-0300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
SummaryThe complement system is an intrinsic part of the immune system and has important functions in both innate and adaptive immunity. On the other hand, inadvertent or misdirected complement activation is also involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases, contributing solely or significantly to tissue injury and disease development. Multiple approaches to develop pharmacological agents to inhibit complement are currently being pursued. We have developed a conceptually different approach of not inhibiting but depleting complement, based on the complement-depleting activities of cobra venom factor (CVF), a non-toxic cobra venom component with structural and functional homology to complement component C3. We developed a humanised version of CVF by creating human complement component C3 derivatives with complement-depleting activities of CVF (humanised CVF) as a promising therapeutic agent for diseases with complement pathogenesis. Here we review the beneficial therapeutic effect of humanised CVF in several murine models of vascular diseases such as reperfusion injury.
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Vogel CW, Finnegan PW, Fritzinger DC. Humanized cobra venom factor: Structure, activity, and therapeutic efficacy in preclinical disease models. Mol Immunol 2014; 61:191-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Ricklin D, Lambris JD. Complement in immune and inflammatory disorders: therapeutic interventions. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2013; 190:3839-47. [PMID: 23564578 PMCID: PMC3623010 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1203200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
With the awareness that immune-inflammatory cross-talk is at the heart of many disorders, the desire for novel immunomodulatory strategies in the therapy of such diseases has grown dramatically. As a prime initiator and important modulator of immunological and inflammatory processes, the complement system has emerged as an attractive target for early and upstream intervention in inflammatory diseases and has moved into the spotlight of drug discovery. Although prevalent conditions such as age-related macular degeneration have attracted the most attention, the diverse array of complement-mediated pathologies, with distinct underlying mechanisms, demands a multifaceted arsenal of therapeutic strategies. Fortunately, efforts in recent years have not only introduced the first complement inhibitors to the clinic but also filled the pipelines with promising candidates. With a focus on immunomodulatory strategies, in this review we discuss complement-directed therapeutic concepts and highlight promising candidate molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ricklin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - John D. Lambris
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
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Progress and Trends in Complement Therapeutics. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 735:1-22. [PMID: 22990692 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-4118-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The past few years have proven to be a highly successful and exciting period for the field of complement-directed drug discovery and development. Driven by promising experiences with the first marketed complement drugs, increased knowledge about the involvement of complement in health and disease, and improvements in structural and analytical techniques as well as animal models of disease, the field has seen a surge in creative approaches to therapeutically intervene at various stages of the cascade. An impressive panel of compounds that show promise in clinical trials is meanwhile being lined up in the pipelines of both small biotechnology and big pharmaceutical companies. Yet with this new focus on complement-targeted therapeutics, important questions concerning target selection, point and length of intervention, safety, and drug delivery emerge. In view of the diversity of the clinical disorders involving abnormal complement activity or regulation, which include both acute and chronic diseases and affect a wide range of organs, diverse yet specifically tailored therapeutic approaches may be needed to shift complement back into balance. This chapter highlights the key changes in the field that shape our current perception of complement-targeted drugs and provides a brief overview of recent strategies and emerging trends. Selected examples of complement-related diseases and inhibitor classes are highlighted to illustrate the diversity and creativity in field.
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Hew BE, Wehrhahn D, Fritzinger DC, Vogel CW. Hybrid proteins of Cobra Venom Factor and cobra C3: tools to identify functionally important regions in Cobra Venom Factor. Toxicon 2012; 60:632-47. [PMID: 22609532 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Cobra Venom Factor (CVF) is the complement-activating protein in cobra venom. CVF is structurally and functionally highly homologous to complement component C3. CVF, like C3b, the activated form of C3, forms a bimolecular complex with Factor B in serum, called C3/C5 convertase, an enzyme which activates complement components C3 and C5. Despite the high degree of homology, the two C3/C5 convertases exhibit significant functional differences. The most important difference is that the convertase formed with CVF (CVF,Bb) is physico-chemically far more stable than the convertase formed with C3b (C3b,Bb). In addition, the CVF,Bb convertase and CVF are completely resistant to inactivation by the complement regulatory proteins Factor H and Factor I. Furthermore, the CVF,Bb enzyme shows efficient C5-cleaving activity in fluid phase. In contrast, the C3b,Bb enzyme is essentially devoid of fluid-phase C5-cleaving activity. By taking advantage of the high degree of sequence identity at both the amino acid (85%) and DNA levels (93%) between CVF and cobra C3, we created hybrid proteins of CVF and cobra C3 where sections, or only a few amino acids, of the CVF sequence were replaced with the homologous amino acid sequence of cobra C3. In a first set of experiments, we created five hybrid proteins, termed H1 through H5, where the cobra C3 substitutions collectively spanned the entire length of the CVF protein. We also created three additional hybrid proteins where only four or five amino acid residues in CVF were exchanged with the corresponding amino acid residues from cobra C3. Collectively, these hybrid proteins, representing loss-of-function mutants of CVF, allowed the identification of regions and individual amino acid residues important for the CVF-specific functions. The results include the observation that the CVF β-chain is crucially important for forming a stable convertase, whereas the CVF α-chain appears to harbor no CVF-specific functions. Furthermore, the CVF γ-chain is additionally important for the fluid-phase C5-cleaving activity of CVF,Bb. Interestingly, the structural changes in the individual hybrid proteins differentially affected the molecular functions of the CVF,Bb enzyme such as convertase formation, C3 cleavage, and C5 cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian E Hew
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1236 Lauhala Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
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Zeng L, Sun QY, Jin Y, Zhang Y, Lee WH, Zhang Y. Molecular cloning and characterization of a complement-depleting factor from king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah. Toxicon 2012; 60:290-301. [PMID: 22561424 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.04.344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 04/15/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cobra venom factor (CVF) is an anti-complement factor existing in cobra venom. CVF proteins have been purified from the venoms of Naja haje, Naja siamensis, Naja atra, Naja kaouthia, Naja naja, Naja melanoleuca and Austrelaps superbus, but only three full-length cDNA sequences of CVF are available. In the present work, a cobra venom factor termed OVF was purified from the crude venom of Ophiophagus hannah by successive gel filtration, ion-exchange and heparin affinity chromatography steps. The purified OVF was homogenous on the SDS-PAGE gel with an apparent molecular weight of 140 kDa under non-reducing conditions. Under reducing conditions, OVF was divided into three bands with apparent molecular weight of 72 kDa (α chain), 45 kDa (β chain) and 32 kDa (γ chain), respectively. OVF consumed complement components with anti-complement activity of 154 units per mg. By using Reverse transcription-PCR and 5'-RACE assay, the open reading frame of OVF was obtained. MALDI-TOF and protein sequencing assays confirmed the cloned cDNA coding for OVF protein. The cDNA sequence of OVF is conservative when aligned with that of other CVFs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed OVF is closer to CVF from N. kaouthia than to AVF-1 and AVF-2 from A. superbus. Our results demonstrated that OVF has its unique features as following: 1) The N-terminal amino acid sequence of OVF γ chain is different from that of other known CVFs, suggesting that the OVF γ chain might be further processed; 2) Unlike N. kaouthia CVF and A. superbus AVF-1, which have potential N-linked glycosylation sites located in both α and β chain, OVF only has N-linked glycosylation site in its α chain as revealed by Schiff's reagent staining and protein sequence analysis; 3) In addition to the 27 well conserved cysteine residues in all known CVFs, OVF have an additional cysteine residue in its γ chain. Understanding the importance of above mentioned specific characteristics might provide useful information on structure-function relationship between CVF and complement system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
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Vogel CW, Fritzinger DC. Cobra venom factor: Structure, function, and humanization for therapeutic complement depletion. Toxicon 2010; 56:1198-222. [PMID: 20417224 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2009] [Revised: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cobra venom factor (CVF) is the complement-activating protein in cobra venom. This manuscript reviews the structure and function of CVF, how it interacts with the complement system, the structural and functional homology to complement component C3, and the use of CVF as an experimental tool to decomplement laboratory animals to study the functions of complement in host defense and immune response as well as in the pathogenesis of diseases. This manuscript also reviews the recent progress in using the homology between CVF and C3 to study C3 structure and function, and to develop human C3 derivatives with the complement-depleting function of CVF. These human C3 derivatives represent humanized CVF, and are a conceptually different concept for pharmacological intervention of the complement system, therapeutic complement depletion. The use of humanized CVF for therapeutic complement depletion in several pre-clinical models of human diseases is also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl-Wilhelm Vogel
- Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1236 Lauhala Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
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