Susceptibility of C5-deficient mice to listeriosis: modulation by Concanavalin A

Concordance of preclinical and clinical pharmacology and toxicology of monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins: soluble targets

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and fusion proteins directed towards soluble targets make an important contribution to the treatment of disease. The purpose of this review was to correlate the clinical and preclinical data on the 14 currently approved mAbs and fusion proteins targeted to soluble targets. The principal sources used to gather data were: the peer reviewed Literature; European Medicines Agency 'Scientific Discussions' and United States Food and Drug Administration 'Pharmacology/Toxicology Reviews' and package inserts (United States Prescribing Information). Data on the following approved biopharmaceuticals were included: adalimumab, anakinra, bevacizumab, canakinumab, certolizumab pegol, denosumab, eculizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, omalizumab, ranibizumab, rilonacept and ustekinumab. Some related biopharmaceuticals in late-stage development were also included for comparison. Good concordance with human pharmacodynamics was found for both non-human primates (NHPs) receiving the human biopharmaceutical and mice receiving rodent homologues (surrogates). In contrast, there was limited concordance for human adverse effects in genetically deficient mice, mice receiving surrogates or NHPs receiving the human pharmaceutical. In summary, the results of this survey show that although both mice and NHPs have good predictive value for human pharmacodynamics, neither species have good predictive value for human adverse effects. No evidence that NHPs have superior predictive value was found.

Animal models of listeriosis: a comparative review of the current state of the art and lessons learned

Listeriosis is a leading cause of hospitalization and death due to foodborne illness in the industrialized world. Animal models have played fundamental roles in elucidating the pathophysiology and immunology of listeriosis, and will almost certainly continue to be integral components of the research on listeriosis. Data derived from animal studies helped for example characterize the importance of cell-mediated immunity in controlling infection, allowed evaluation of chemotherapeutic treatments for listeriosis, and contributed to quantitative assessments of the public health risk associated with L. monocytogenes contaminated food commodities. Nonetheless, a number of pivotal questions remain unresolved, including dose-response relationships, which represent essential components of risk assessments. Newly emerging data about species-specific differences have recently raised concern about the validity of most traditional animal models of listeriosis. However, considerable uncertainty about the best choice of animal model remains. Here we review the available data on traditional and potential new animal models to summarize currently recognized strengths and limitations of each model. This knowledge is instrumental for devising future studies and for interpreting current data. We deliberately chose a historical, comparative and cross-disciplinary approach, striving to reveal clues that may help predict the ultimate value of each animal model in spite of incomplete data.

Suppression of immune response to Listeria monocytogenes: mechanism(s) of immune complex suppression

We have investigated possible mechanisms underlying immune complex suppression of resistance to Listeria monocytogenes. Inhibition of resistance was found when immune complexes were formed in vivo in immune mice or in nonimmune mice adoptively transferred with specific antibody. Suppression was also found when nonimmune mice were injected with immune complexes preformed in vitro. We investigated the role of complement by decomplementing mice with cobra venom factor purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Complete depletion of serum C3 did not eliminate immune complex suppression of resistance to L. monocytogenes, suggesting that complement activation is not required for immune complex suppression. Infection-induced changes in the surface phenotype and functional properties of macrophages from normal and immune complex-suppressed mice were also investigated. Macrophage expression of both H-2K and Ia molecules increased during the response of normal mice to L. monocytogenes. However, these changes were not found in immune complex-suppressed mice. In contrast, membrane interleukin 1 expression was increased in macrophages from suppressed mice compared with macrophages from normal mice. Macrophages from L. monocytogenes-infected normal and immune complex-suppressed mice expressed cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro. We conclude that immune complexes do not inhibit resistance to L. monocytogenes by activation of complement or decreasing macrophage cytotoxic activity. Rather, defects in Ia expression by macrophages from suppressed mice might be one component responsible for immune complex suppression of resistance to L. monocytogenes.

Concanavalin A-induced resistance to Listeria monocytogenes and activation of macrophages: defect in mice treated with 89Sr

89Sr-treated mice injected with concanavalin A (Con A) 24 h prior to infection with Listeria monocytogenes (LM) could not enhance the clearance of LM from the spleen. Adoptive transfer of normal syngeneic spleen cells together with Con A rendered these animals more resistant. Spleen cells of 89Sr-treated or age-matched control mice were stimulated with con A for 24 h, and supernatant fluids were assessed for macrophage-activating factor (MAF), i.e. the ability to activate resident peritoneal macrophages to kill LM intracellularly in vitro. A defective MAF production by spleen cells was observed in 89Sr-treated, 2 week-old, and athymic nude mice. Also, treatment of spleen cells with anti-Thy-1.2 antiserum plus complement inhibited MAF production. Synergism between spleen cells from 89Sr-treated and nude mice did not occur. The cells required for MAF production were relatively resistant to gamma irradiation. Nylon wool filtration did not modify the ability of spleen cells to make MAF. 89Sr-treated mice possess macrophages responsive to MAF derived from normal spleen cells. The data suggest that the failure of 89Sr-treated mice to develop an anti-LM response observed in thi system could be due to a defective capacity to produce protective humoral factors and/or cells in response to Con A.

Activation of the alternative complement pathway by Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria fowleri amoebae were lysed by adult fresh human serum, and their multiplication was inhibited in culture medium supplemented with 10% fresh human serum. Heat inactivation (56 degrees C, 30 min) of serum abrogated these lytic and inhibitory effects. Absorption of human serum with amoebae failed to reduce immunoglobulin levels, and no specific antibody was detected in untreated or treated sera by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Conversion of C3 and C3i occurred after incubation of n. fowleri with serum which had been treated with ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid, indicating activation of complement via the alternative pathway.