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Di JW, Wang YX, Ma RX, Luo ZJ, Chen WT, Liu WM, Yuan DY, Zhang YY, Wu YH, Chen CP, Liu J. Repositioning baloxavir marboxil as VISTA agonist that ameliorates experimental asthma. Cell Biol Toxicol 2024; 40:12. [PMID: 38340268 PMCID: PMC10858940 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-024-09852-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
V-type immunoglobulin domain-containing suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA), a novel negative checkpoint regulator, plays an essential role in allergic pulmonary inflammation in mice. Treatment with a VISTA agonistic antibody could significantly improve asthma symptoms. Thus, for allergic asthma treatment, VISTA targeting may be a compelling approach. In this study, we examined the functional mechanism of VISTA in allergic pulmonary inflammation and screened the FDA-approved drugs for VISTA agonists. By using mass cytometry (CyTOF), we found that VISTA deficiency primarily increased lung macrophage infiltration in the OVA-induced asthma model, accompanied by an increased proportion of M1 macrophages (CD11b+F4/80+CD86+) and a decreased proportion of M2 macrophages (CD11b+F4/80+CD206+). Further in vitro studies showed that VISTA deficiency promoted M1 polarization and inhibited M2 polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Importantly, we discovered baloxavir marboxil (BXM) as a VISTA agonist by virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays revealed that BXM (KD = 1.07 µM) as well as its active form, baloxavir acid (BXA) (KD = 0.21 µM), could directly bind to VISTA with high affinity. Notably, treatment with BXM significantly ameliorated asthma symptoms, including less lung inflammation, mucus secretion, and the generation of Th2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-13, and IL-4), which were dramatically attenuated by anti-VISTA monoclonal antibody treatment. BXM administration also reduced the pulmonary infiltration of M1 macrophages and raised M2 macrophages. Collectively, our study indicates that VISTA regulates pulmonary inflammation in allergic asthma by regulating macrophage polarization and baloxavir marboxil, and an old drug might be a new treatment for allergic asthma through targeting VISTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Wen Di
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Rui-Xue Ma
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Luo
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Wen-Ting Chen
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Wan-Mei Liu
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ding-Yi Yuan
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yu-Ying Zhang
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yin-Hao Wu
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Cai-Ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing, 401135, China.
| | - Jun Liu
- New Drug Screening Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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