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Lior Y, Shtriker E, Kahremany S, Lewis EC, Gruzman A. Development of anti-inflammatory peptidomimetics based on the structure of human alpha1-antitrypsin. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 228:113969. [PMID: 34763945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT) has two distinguishing functions: anti-protease activity and regulation of the immune system. In the present study we hypothesized that those two protein functions are mediated by different structural domains on the hAAT surface. Indeed, such biologically active immunoregulatory sites (not associated with canonical anti-protease activity) on the surface of hAAT were identified by in silico methods. Several peptides were derived from those immunoregulatory sites. Four peptides exhibited impressive biological effects in pharmacological concentration ranges. Peptidomimetic (14) was developed, based on the structure of the most druggable and active peptide. The compound exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo. Such a compound could be used as a basis for developing novel anti-inflammatory drug candidates and as a research tool for better understanding hAAT functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Lior
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Efrat Shtriker
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Shirin Kahremany
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel; The Skin Research Institute, The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, 86910, Masada, Israel
| | - Eli C Lewis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Arie Gruzman
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel.
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2
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Zhuang Q, Cai H, Cao Q, Li Z, Liu S, Ming Y. Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells: The Pearl of Immunotherapy in Organ Transplantation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:552988. [PMID: 33123131 PMCID: PMC7573100 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.552988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over a half century, organ transplantation has become an effective method for the treatment of end-stage visceral diseases. Although the application of immunosuppressants (IS) minimizes the rate of allograft rejection, the common use of IS bring many adverse effects to transplant patients. Moreover, true transplant tolerance is very rare in clinical practice. Dendritic cells (DCs) are thought to be the most potent antigen-presenting cells, which makes a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Among their subsets, a small portion of DCs with immunoregulatory function was known as tolerogenic DC (Tol-DC). Previous reports demonstrated the ability of adoptively transferred Tol-DC to approach transplant tolerance in animal models. In this study, we summarized the properties, ex vivo generation, metabolism, and clinical attempts of Tol-DC. Tol-DC is expected to become a substitute for IS to enable patients to achieve immune tolerance in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhuang
- Transplantation Center of the 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Haozheng Cai
- Transplantation Center of the 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qingtai Cao
- Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Zixin Li
- Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Shu Liu
- Transplantation Center of the 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yingzi Ming
- Transplantation Center of the 3rd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Center of National Health Ministry on Transplantation Medicine, Changsha, China
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3
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Berger M, Liu M, Uknis ME, Koulmanda M. Alpha-1-antitrypsin in cell and organ transplantation. Am J Transplant 2018; 18:1589-1595. [PMID: 29607607 PMCID: PMC6055806 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Limited availability of donor organs and risk of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) seriously restrict organ transplantation. Therapeutics that can prevent or reduce IRI could potentially increase the number of transplants by increasing use of borderline organs and decreasing discards. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is an acute phase reactant and serine protease inhibitor that limits inflammatory tissue damage. Purified plasma-derived AAT has been well tolerated in more than 30 years of use to prevent emphysema in AAT-deficient individuals. Accumulating evidence suggests that AAT has additional anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective effects including improving mitochondrial membrane stability, inhibiting apoptosis, inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B activation, modulating pro- vs anti-inflammatory cytokine balance, and promoting immunologic tolerance. Cell culture and animal studies have shown that AAT limits tissue injury and promotes cell and tissue survival. AAT can promote tolerance in animal models by downregulating early inflammation and favoring induction and stabilization of regulatory T cells. The diverse intracellular and immune-modulatory effects of AAT and its well-established tolerability in patients suggest that it might be useful in transplantation. Clinical trials, planned and/or in progress, should help determine whether the promise of the animal and cellular studies will be fulfilled by improving outcomes in human organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Koulmanda
- Transplant Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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Lior Y, Zaretsky M, Ochayon DE, Lotysh D, Baranovski BM, Schuster R, Guttman O, Aharoni A, Lewis EC. Point Mutation of a Non-Elastase-Binding Site in Human α1-Antitrypsin Alters Its Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Front Immunol 2018; 9:759. [PMID: 29780379 PMCID: PMC5946014 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT) is a 394-amino acid long anti-inflammatory, neutrophil elastase inhibitor, which binds elastase via a sequence-specific molecular protrusion (reactive center loop, RCL; positions 357-366). hAAT formulations that lack protease inhibition were shown to maintain their anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting that some attributes of the molecule may reside in extra-RCL segments. Here, we compare the protease-inhibitory and anti-inflammatory profiles of an extra-RCL mutation (cys232pro) and two intra-RCL mutations (pro357cys, pro357ala), to naïve [wild-type (WT)] recombinant hAAT, in vitro, and in vivo. Methods His-tag recombinant point-mutated hAAT constructs were expressed in HEK-293F cells. Purified proteins were evaluated for elastase inhibition, and their anti-inflammatory activities were assessed using several cell-types: RAW264.7 cells, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, and primary peritoneal macrophages. The pharmacokinetics of the recombinant variants and their effect on LPS-induced peritonitis were determined in vivo. Results Compared to WT and to RCL-mutated hAAT variants, cys232pro exhibited superior anti-inflammatory activities, as well as a longer circulating half-life, despite all three mutated forms of hAAT lacking anti-elastase activity. TNFα expression and its proteolytic membranal shedding were differently affected by the variants; specifically, cys232pro and pro357cys altered supernatant and serum TNFα dynamics without suppressing transcription or shedding. Conclusion Our data suggest that the anti-inflammatory profile of hAAT extends beyond direct RCL regions. Such regions might be relevant for the elaboration of hAAT formulations, as well as hAAT-based drugs, with enhanced anti-inflammatory attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yotam Lior
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Mariana Zaretsky
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and National Institute for Biotechnology, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - David E Ochayon
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Diana Lotysh
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and National Institute for Biotechnology, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Boris M Baranovski
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Ronen Schuster
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Ofer Guttman
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Amir Aharoni
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and National Institute for Biotechnology, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Eli C Lewis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
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Serrano I, Luque A, Aran JM. Exploring the Immunomodulatory Moonlighting Activities of Acute Phase Proteins for Tolerogenic Dendritic Cell Generation. Front Immunol 2018; 9:892. [PMID: 29760704 PMCID: PMC5936965 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The acute phase response is generated by an overwhelming immune-inflammatory process against infection or tissue damage, and represents the initial response of the organism in an attempt to return to homeostasis. It is mediated by acute phase proteins (APPs), an assortment of highly conserved plasma reactants of seemingly different functions that, however, share a common protective role from injury. Recent studies have suggested a crosstalk between several APPs and the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) in the resolution of inflammation, to restore tissue integrity and function. In fact, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs), an integral component of the MPS, play a fundamental role both in the regulation of antigen-specific adaptive responses and in the development of immunologic memory and tolerance, particularly in inflammatory settings. Due to their high plasticity, Mo-DCs can be modeled in vitro toward a tolerogenic phenotype for the treatment of aberrant immune-inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases and allotransplantation, with the phenotypic outcome of these cells depending on the immunomodulatory agent employed. Yet, recent immunotherapy trials have emphasized the drawbacks and challenges facing tolerogenic Mo-DC generation for clinical use, such as reduced therapeutic efficacy and limited in vivo stability of the tolerogenic activity. In this review, we will underline the potential relevance and advantages of APPs for tolerogenic DC production with respect to currently employed immunomodulatory/immunosuppressant compounds. A further understanding of the mechanisms of action underlying the moonlighting immunomodulatory activities exhibited by several APPs over DCs could lead to more efficacious, safe, and stable protocols for precision tolerogenic immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Serrano
- Immune-Inflammatory Processes and Gene Therapeutics Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Luque
- Immune-Inflammatory Processes and Gene Therapeutics Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Aran
- Immune-Inflammatory Processes and Gene Therapeutics Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Horton C, Shanmugarajah K, Fairchild PJ. Harnessing the properties of dendritic cells in the pursuit of immunological tolerance. Biomed J 2017; 40:80-93. [PMID: 28521905 PMCID: PMC6138597 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of self-perpetuating, immunological tolerance specific for graft alloantigens has long been described as the "holy grail" of clinical transplantation. By removing the need for life-long immunosuppression following engraftment, the adverse consequences of immunosuppressive regimens, including chronic infections and malignancy, may be avoided. Furthermore, autoimmune diseases and allergy are, by definition, driven by aberrant immunological responses to ordinarily innocuous antigens. The re-establishment of permanent tolerance towards instigating antigens may, therefore, provide a cure to these common diseases. Whilst various cell types exhibiting a tolerogenic phenotype have been proposed for such a task, tolerogenic dendritic cells (tol-DCs) are exquisitely adapted for antigen presentation and interact with many facets of the immune system: as such, they are attractive candidates for use in strategies for immune intervention. We review here our current understanding of tol-DC mediated induction and maintenance of immunological tolerance. Additionally, we discuss recent in vitro findings from animal models and clinical trials of tol-DC immunotherapy in the setting of transplantation, autoimmunity and allergy which highlight their promising therapeutic potential, and speculate how tol-DC therapy may be developed in the future.
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