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Rafii P, Cruz PR, Ettich J, Seibel C, Padrini G, Wittich C, Lang A, Petzsch P, Köhrer K, Moll JM, Floss DM, Scheller J. Engineered interleukin-6-derived cytokines recruit artificial receptor complexes and disclose CNTF signaling via the OSMR. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107251. [PMID: 38569939 PMCID: PMC11039321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) activates cells via the non-signaling α-receptor CNTF receptor (CNTFR) and the two signaling β-receptors glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR). The CNTF derivate, Axokine, was protective against obesity and insulin resistance, but clinical development was halted by the emergence of CNTF antibodies. The chimeric cytokine IC7 used the framework of interleukin (IL-)6 with the LIFR-binding site from CNTF to activate cells via IL-6R:gp130:LIFR complexes. Similar to CNTF/Axokine, IC7 protected mice from obesity and insulin resistance. Here, we developed CNTF-independent chimeras that specifically target the IL-6R:gp130:LIFR complex. In GIL-6 and GIO-6, we transferred the LIFR binding site from LIF or OSM to IL-6, respectively. While GIO-6 signals via gp130:IL-6R:LIFR and gp130:IL-6R:OSMR complexes, GIL-6 selectively activates the IL-6R:gp130:LIFR receptor complex. By re-evaluation of IC7 and CNTF, we discovered the Oncostatin M receptor (OSMR) as an alternative non-canonical high-affinity receptor leading to IL-6R:OSMR:gp130 and CNTFR:OSMR:gp130 receptor complexes, respectively. The discovery of OSMR as an alternative high-affinity receptor for IC7 and CNTF designates GIL-6 as the first truly selective IL-6R:gp130:LIFR cytokine, whereas GIO-6 is a CNTF-free alternative for IC7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puyan Rafii
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Patricia Rodrigues Cruz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Ettich
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christiane Seibel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Giacomo Padrini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Wittich
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Lang
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Patrick Petzsch
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Karl Köhrer
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Jens M Moll
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Doreen M Floss
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jürgen Scheller
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Scheller J, Ettich J, Wittich C, Pudewell S, Floss DM, Rafii P. Exploring the landscape of synthetic IL-6-type cytokines. FEBS J 2024; 291:2030-2050. [PMID: 37467060 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16909] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)-type cytokines not only have key immunomodulatory functions that affect the pathogenesis of diseases such as autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, and cancer, but also fulfill important homeostatic tasks. Even though the pro-inflammatory arm has hindered the development of therapeutics based on natural-like IL-6-type cytokines to date, current synthetic trends might pave the way to overcome these limitations and eventually lead to immune-inert designer cytokines to aid type 2 diabetes and brain injuries. Those synthetic biology approaches include mutations, fusion proteins, and inter-cytokine swapping, and resulted in IL-6-type cytokines with altered receptor affinities, extended target cell profiles, and targeting of non-natural cytokine receptor complexes. Here, we survey synthetic cytokine developments within the IL-6-type cytokine family and discuss potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Scheller
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Ettich
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Wittich
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Silke Pudewell
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Doreen M Floss
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Puyan Rafii
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Jiang M, Feng J, Fu R, Pan Y, Liu X, Dai J, Jiang C, Hao Y, Ren M. Transfection of STAT3 overexpression plasmid mediated through recombinant lentivirus promotes differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neural cells in fetal rats with spina bifida aperta. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:21778-21790. [PMID: 34520395 PMCID: PMC8457560 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the influence of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) on the spinal cord tissue grafts of rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta. In particular, we hoped to identify whether transfection of the STAT3 overexpression plasmid increases the survival of spinal cord transplantation in order to improve therapeutic efficacy. The fetal rat model of spina bifida aperta was established using retinoic acid and treated with a microsurgical injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The animals were divided into either the blank control group, negative control group or the experimental group. The optical density (OD) value of BMSCs viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The expression of STAT3, phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), neural markers and apoptosis-related factors were evaluated using real-time PCR and Western blot. The OD value in the experimental group was highest at eight hours after transplantation using CCK-8. The expression of pSTAT3, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilament and nestin in the experimental group was significantly higher compared to the blank control group and negative control group (P<0.05). However, STAT3 expression in the experimental group was statistically significantly decreased (P<0.05). The relative expression of caspase-8 and bcl-2 in the experimental group were significantly lower compared to the blank control group and negative control group (P<0.05). Transfection of the recombinant lentivirus-mediated STAT3 overexpression plasmid with BMSCs can help improve the efficiency of transforming into neural cells and provide new seed cells for the treatment of congenital spina bifida aperta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, P.R. China
| | - Jiale Feng
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, P.R. China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, The Fifth Hospital of Harbin, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
| | - Yanbo Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tieling Central Hospital, Tieling 112000, P.R. China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Stomatology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, P.R. China
| | - Jicheng Dai
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, P.R. China
| | - Chunming Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, P.R. China
| | - Yunpeng Hao
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Mingyong Ren
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, P.R. China
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Abstract
The interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokines is a group of cytokines consisting of IL-6, IL-11, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), oncostatin M (OSM), cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1), cardiotrophin-like cytokine (CLC), and IL-27. They are grouped into one family because the receptor complex of each cytokine contains two (IL-6 and IL-11) or one molecule (all others cytokines) of the signaling receptor subunit gp130. IL-6 family cytokines have overlapping but also distinct biologic activities and are involved among others in the regulation of the hepatic acute phase reaction, in B-cell stimulation, in the regulation of the balance between regulatory and effector T cells, in metabolic regulation, and in many neural functions. Blockade of IL-6 family cytokines has been shown to be beneficial in autoimmune diseases, but bacterial infections and metabolic side effects have been observed. Recent advances in cytokine blockade might help to minimize such side effects during therapeutic blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Rose-John
- Institute of Biochemistry, Kiel University, Olshausenstrasse 40, Kiel, Germany
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Rose-John S. The Soluble Interleukin 6 Receptor: Advanced Therapeutic Options in Inflammation. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2017; 102:591-598. [DOI: 10.1002/cpt.782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Dams-Kozlowska H, Gryska K, Kwiatkowska-Borowczyk E, Izycki D, Rose-John S, Mackiewicz A. A designer hyper interleukin 11 (H11) is a biologically active cytokine. BMC Biotechnol 2012; 12:8. [PMID: 22433466 PMCID: PMC3382428 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-12-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interleukin 11 (IL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine with anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and hematopoietic potential. The IL-11 activity is determined by the expression of the IL-11R receptor alpha (IL-11Rα) and the signal transducing subunit β (gp130) on the cell membrane. A recombinant soluble form of the IL-11Rα (sIL-11Rα) in combination with IL-11 acts as an agonist on cells expressing the gp130 molecule. We constructed a designer cytokine Hyper IL-11 (H11), which is exclusively composed of naturally existing components. It contains the full length sIL-11Rα connected with the mature IL-11 protein using their natural sequences only. Such a construct has two major advantages: (i) its components are as close as possible to the natural forms of both proteins and (ii) it lacks an artificial linker what should avoid induction of antibody production. Results The H11 construct was generated, the protein was produced in a baculovirus expression system and was then purified by using ion exchange chromatography. The H11 protein displayed activity in three independent bioassays, (i) it induced acute phase proteins production in HepG2 cells expressing IL-11, IL-11Rα and gp130, (ii) it stimulated the proliferation of B9 cells (cells expressing IL-11Rα and gp130) and (iii) proliferation of Baf/3-gp130 cells (cells not expressing IL-11 and IL-11Rα but gp130). Moreover, the preliminary data indicated that H11 was functionally distinct from Hyper-IL-6, a molecule which utilizes the same homodimer of signal transducing receptor (gp130). Conclusions The biologically active H11 may be potentially useful for treatment of thrombocytopenia, infertility, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases or inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Dams-Kozlowska
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 15 Garbary St, 61-866 Poznan, Poland.
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Paban V, Chambon C, Manrique C, Touzet C, Alescio-Lautier B. Neurotrophic signaling molecules associated with cholinergic damage in young and aged rats: Environmental enrichment as potential therapeutic agent. Neurobiol Aging 2011; 32:470-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2009.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2008] [Revised: 03/16/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Skiniotis G, Lupardus PJ, Martick M, Walz T, Garcia KC. Structural organization of a full-length gp130/LIF-R cytokine receptor transmembrane complex. Mol Cell 2008; 31:737-48. [PMID: 18775332 PMCID: PMC2607196 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2008.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2008] [Revised: 07/17/2008] [Accepted: 08/14/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
gp130 is a shared receptor for at least nine cytokines and can signal either as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor (LIF-R). Here, we biophysically and structurally characterize the full-length, transmembrane form of a quaternary cytokine receptor complex consisting of gp130, LIF-R, the cytokine Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF), and its alpha receptor (CNTF-Ralpha). Thermodynamic analysis indicates that, unlike the cooperative assembly of the symmetric gp130/Interleukin-6/IL-6Ralpha hexameric complex, CNTF/CNTF-Ralpha heterodimerizes gp130 and LIF-R via noncooperative energetics to form an asymmetric 1:1:1:1 complex. Single particle electron microscopic analysis of the full-length gp130/LIF-R/CNTF-Ralpha/CNTF quaternary complex elucidates an asymmetric structural arrangement, in which the receptor extracellular and transmembrane segments join as a continuous, rigid unit, poised to sensitively transduce ligand engagement to the membrane-proximal intracellular signaling regions. These studies also enumerate the organizing principles for assembly of the "tall" class of gp130 family cytokine receptor complexes including LIF, IL-27, IL-12, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Skiniotis
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Effects of interleukin-6, leukemia inhibitory factor, and ciliary neurotrophic factor on the proliferation and differentiation of adult human myoblasts. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2008; 28:113-24. [PMID: 18240017 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-007-9247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2007] [Accepted: 11/17/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Our previous studies have demonstrated that ciliary neurotrophic factor, a member of the interleukin-6-type cytokine superfamily, could inhibit the differentiation of myoblasts into mature myotubes at a certain concentration. In this study, another two members, interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor, together with ciliary neurotrophic factor were tested their roles in the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts derived from the adult human skeletal muscles, in order to confirm that these cytokines might be a new type of regulatory factors on the myoblasts. The results showed that the effects of interleukin-6, leukemia inhibitory factor, and ciliary neurotrophic factor on the proliferation and differentiation of adult human myoblasts were different. Leukemia inhibitory factor in the dose of 10 ng/ml could accelerate the cell proliferation. Leukemia inhibitory factor in the dose of 10 or 50 ng/ml and ciliary neurotrophic factor in the dose of 10 or 50 ng/ml could inhibit the myoblast differentiation. The inhibition mechanism might be that leukemia inhibitory factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor inhibited the expressions of transcription factor MyoD/myf5, which could regulate the myoblast differentiation. This study will provide the experimental and theoretic foundations for the basic and clinical researches about human myoblasts.
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Hemendinger R, Wang J, Malik S, Persinski R, Copeland J, Emerich D, Gores P, Halberstadt C, Rosenfeld J. Sertoli cells improve survival of motor neurons in SOD1 transgenic mice, a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Neurol 2005; 196:235-43. [PMID: 16242126 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2005] [Revised: 06/24/2005] [Accepted: 07/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cell replacement therapy has been widely suggested as a treatment for multiple diseases including motor neuron disease. A variety of donor cells have been tested for treatment including isolated preparations from bone marrow and embryonic spinal cord. Another cell source, Sertoli cells, have been successfully used in models of diabetes, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. The ability of these cells to secrete cytoprotective proteins and their role as 'nurse cells' supporting the function of other cell types in the testes suggest their potential use as neuroprotective cells. The current study examines the ability of Sertoli cells injected into the parenchyma of the spinal cord to protect motor neurons in a mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Seventy transgenic mice expressing the mutant (G93A) human Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) received a unilateral spinal injection of Sertoli-enriched testicular cells into the L4-L5 ventral horn (1 x 10(5) cells total) prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. The animals were euthanized at the end stage of the disease. Histological and morphometric analyses of the transplant site were performed. A significant increase in the number of surviving ChAT positive motor neurons was found ipsilateral to the injection compared with contralateral and uninjected spinal cord. The ipsilateral increase in motor neuron density was dependent upon proximity to the injection site. Sections rostral or caudal to the injection site did not display a similar difference in motor neuron density. Implantation of a Sertoli-cell-enriched preparation has a significant neuroprotective benefit to vulnerable motor neurons in the SOD1 transgenic model. The therapeutic benefit may be the result of secreted neurotrophic factors present at a critical stage of motor neuron degeneration in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richelle Hemendinger
- Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS-MDA Center, Division of Neurology, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
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Sun Y, März P, Otten U, Ge J, Rose-John S. The effect of gp130 stimulation on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in primary hippocampal neurons. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2002; 295:532-9. [PMID: 12150983 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(02)00706-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Primary hippocampal neurons from newborn rats treated with glutamate showed clear excitotoxicity. This excitotoxicity could be reversed by treatment of the cells with cytokines of the interleukin-6 family. Stimulation of gp130 on hippocampal neurons resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and activation of p42 and p44 MAP kinases. Receptors for the interleukin-6 type cytokines are active in membrane bound and soluble form. To address the question whether the neurotrophic effect of interleukin-6 type cytokines requires soluble cytokine receptors we used fusion proteins of interleukin-6 coupled to the soluble interleukin-6 receptor and ciliary neurotrophic factor coupled to the soluble ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor. Ciliary neurotrophic factor was as active as the cytokine-receptor fusion protein, indicating that hippocampal neurons express ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor on the cell surface. In contrast, interleukin-6 was only active at very high concentrations whereas the fusion protein of interleukin-6 coupled to the soluble interleukin-6 receptor (Hyper-IL-6) exhibited high neurotrophic activity at the same concentrations as ciliary neurotrophic factor. These data indicate that interleukin-6 receptor expression is very low on hippocampal neurons and that gp130 stimulation can be used to rescue hippocampal neurons from excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, PR China
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