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Devkota SR, Aryal P, Wilce MCJ, Payne RJ, Stone MJ, Bhusal RP. Structural basis of chemokine recognition by the class A3 tick evasin EVA-ACA1001. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4999. [PMID: 38723106 PMCID: PMC11081419 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Ticks produce chemokine-binding proteins, known as evasins, in their saliva to subvert the host's immune response. Evasins bind to chemokines and thereby inhibit the activation of their cognate chemokine receptors, thus suppressing leukocyte recruitment and inflammation. We recently described subclass A3 evasins, which, like other class A evasins, exclusively target CC chemokines but appear to use a different binding site architecture to control target selectivity among CC chemokines. We now describe the structural basis of chemokine recognition by the class A3 evasin EVA-ACA1001. EVA-ACA1001 binds to almost all human CC chemokines and inhibits receptor activation. Truncation mutants of EVA-ACA1001 showed that, unlike class A1 evasins, both the N- and C-termini of EVA-ACA1001 play minimal roles in chemokine binding. To understand the structural basis of its broad chemokine recognition, we determined the crystal structure of EVA-ACA1001 in complex with the human chemokine CCL16. EVA-ACA1001 forms backbone-backbone interactions with the CC motif of CCL16, a conserved feature of all class A evasin-chemokine complexes. A hydrophobic pocket in EVA-ACA1001, formed by several aromatic side chains and the unique disulfide bond of class A3 evasins, accommodates the residue immediately following the CC motif (the "CC + 1 residue") of CCL16. This interaction is shared with EVA-AAM1001, the only other class A3 evasins characterized to date, suggesting it may represent a common mechanism that accounts for the broad recognition of CC chemokines by class A3 evasins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankar Raj Devkota
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Pramod Aryal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Matthew C. J. Wilce
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Richard J. Payne
- School of ChemistryThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Martin J. Stone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Ram Prasad Bhusal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
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2
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Pierzynowska K, Morcinek-Orłowska J, Gaffke L, Jaroszewicz W, Skowron PM, Węgrzyn G. Applications of the phage display technology in molecular biology, biotechnology and medicine. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023:1-41. [PMID: 37270791 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2023.2219741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The phage display technology is based on the presentation of peptide sequences on the surface of virions of bacteriophages. Its development led to creation of sophisticated systems based on the possibility of the presentation of a huge variability of peptides, attached to one of proteins of bacteriophage capsids. The use of such systems allowed for achieving enormous advantages in the processes of selection of bioactive molecules. In fact, the phage display technology has been employed in numerous fields of biotechnology, as diverse as immunological and biomedical applications (in both diagnostics and therapy), the formation of novel materials, and many others. In this paper, contrary to many other review articles which were focussed on either specific display systems or the use of phage display in selected fields, we present a comprehensive overview of various possibilities of applications of this technology. We discuss an usefulness of the phage display technology in various fields of science, medicine and the broad sense of biotechnology. This overview indicates the spread and importance of applications of microbial systems (exemplified by the phage display technology), pointing to the possibility of developing such sophisticated tools when advanced molecular methods are used in microbiological studies, accompanied with understanding of details of structures and functions of microbial entities (bacteriophages in this case).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Weronika Jaroszewicz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Piotr M Skowron
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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3
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Swapping N-terminal regions among tick evasins reveals cooperative interactions influencing chemokine binding and selectivity. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102382. [PMID: 35973511 PMCID: PMC9478924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Class A tick evasins are natural chemokine-binding proteins that block the signaling of multiple chemokines from the CC subfamily through their cognate receptors, thus suppressing leukocyte recruitment and inflammation. Development of tick evasins as chemokine-targeted anti-inflammatory therapeutics requires an understanding of the factors controlling their chemokine recognition and selectivity. To investigate the role of the evasin N-terminal region for chemokine recognition, we prepared chimeric evasins by interchanging the N-terminal regions of four class A evasins, including a newly identified evasin, EVA-RPU02. We show through chemokine binding analysis of the parental and chimeric evasins that the N-terminal region is critical for chemokine binding affinity and selectivity. Notably, we found some chimeras were unable to bind certain cognate chemokine ligands of both parental evasins. Moreover, unlike any natural evasins characterized to date, some chimeras exhibited specific binding to a single chemokine. These results indicate that the evasin N terminus interacts cooperatively with the “body” of the evasin to enable optimum chemokine recognition. Furthermore, the altered chemokine selectivity of the chimeras validates the approach of engineering the N termini of evasins to yield unique chemokine recognition profiles.
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4
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Schön MP. The tick and I: Parasite-host interactions between ticks and humans. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022; 20:818-853. [PMID: 35674196 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ticks, particularly hard ticks (Ixodidae), which are among the most important vectors of dangerous infectious agents, feed on their hosts for extended periods of time. With this lifestyle, numerous adaptations have evolved in ticks and their hosts, the pharmacological importance of which is increasingly being recognized. Many bioactive substances in tick saliva are being considered as the basis of new drugs. For example, components of tick cement can be developed into tissue adhesives or wound closures. Analgesic and antipruritic salivary components inhibit histamine or bradykinin, while other tick-derived molecules bind opioid or cannabinoid receptors. Tick saliva inhibits the extrinsic, intrinsic, or common pathway of blood coagulation with implications for the treatment of thromboembolic diseases. It contains vasodilating substances and affects wound healing. The broad spectrum of immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects of tick saliva, such as inhibition of chemokines or cellular immune responses, allows development of drugs against inflammation in autoimmune diseases and/or infections. Finally, modern vaccines against ticks can curb the spread of serious infections. The medical importance of the complex tick-host interactions is increasingly being recognized and translated into first clinical applications. Using selected examples, an overview of the mutual adaptations of ticks and hosts is given here, focusing on their significance to medical advance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
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5
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Schön MP. Die Zecke und ich: Parasiten-Wirt-Interaktionen zwischen Zecken und Menschen. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022; 20:818-855. [PMID: 35711058 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14821_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Schön
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
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6
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Structure-guided engineering of tick evasins for targeting chemokines in inflammatory diseases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2122105119. [PMID: 35217625 PMCID: PMC8892493 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122105119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory diseases collectively account for numerous deaths and morbidity worldwide. New treatment approaches are needed. A central feature of inflammatory diseases is the recruitment of leukocytes to the affected tissues, which is stimulated by secreted proteins called chemokines. Effective suppression of leukocyte recruitment could be achieved by simultaneously targeting multiple chemokines, a natural molecular strategy used by tick salivary proteins called evasins. Here, we describe the structural and molecular features of a tick evasin that control its ability to bind and block a limited set of chemokines. By modifying these features, we demonstrate that evasins can be engineered to alter the array of chemokines that they target. Thus, this study establishes a structure-based paradigm for the development of antiinflammatory therapeutics. As natural chemokine inhibitors, evasin proteins produced in tick saliva are potential therapeutic agents for numerous inflammatory diseases. Engineering evasins to block the desired chemokines and avoid off-target side effects requires structural understanding of their target selectivity. Structures of the class A evasin EVA-P974 bound to human CC chemokine ligands 7 and 17 (CCL7 and CCL17) and to a CCL8-CCL7 chimera reveal that the specificity of class A evasins for chemokines of the CC subfamily is defined by conserved, rigid backbone–backbone interactions, whereas the preference for a subset of CC chemokines is controlled by side-chain interactions at four hotspots in flexible structural elements. Hotspot mutations alter target preference, enabling inhibition of selected chemokines. The structure of an engineered EVA-P974 bound to CCL2 reveals an underlying molecular mechanism of EVA-P974 target preference. These results provide a structure-based framework for engineering evasins as targeted antiinflammatory therapeutics.
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7
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Stark LE, Guan W, Colvin ME, LiWang PJ. The binding and specificity of chemokine binding proteins, through the lens of experiment and computation. Biomed J 2021; 45:439-453. [PMID: 34311129 PMCID: PMC9421921 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2021.07.004] [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: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are small proteins that are critical for immune function, being primarily responsible for the activation and chemotaxis of leukocytes. As such, many viruses, as well as parasitic arthropods, have evolved systems to counteract chemokine function in order to maintain virulence, such as binding chemokines, mimicking chemokines, or producing analogs of transmembrane chemokine receptors that strongly bind their targets. The focus of this review is the large group of chemokine binding proteins (CBP) with an emphasis on those produced by mammalian viruses. Because many chemokines mediate inflammation, these CBP could possibly be used pharmaceutically as anti-inflammatory agents. In this review, we summarize the structural properties of a diverse set of CBP and describe in detail the chemokine binding properties of the poxvirus-encoded CBP called vCCI (viral CC Chemokine Inhibitor). Finally, we describe the current and emerging capabilities of combining computational simulation, structural analysis, and biochemical/biophysical experimentation to understand, and possibly re-engineer, protein–protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Stark
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Group, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343
| | - Wenyan Guan
- Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343
| | - Michael E Colvin
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Group, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343
| | - Patricia J LiWang
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Group, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343; Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, 5200 N. Lake Rd., Merced, CA 95343.
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8
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Handel TM, Dyer DP. Perspectives on the Biological Role of Chemokine:Glycosaminoglycan Interactions. J Histochem Cytochem 2020; 69:87-91. [PMID: 33285085 PMCID: PMC7838337 DOI: 10.1369/0022155420977971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Handel
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Douglas P Dyer
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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9
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Denisov SS, Ramírez-Escudero M, Heinzmann ACA, Ippel JH, Dawson PE, Koenen RR, Hackeng TM, Janssen BJC, Dijkgraaf I. Structural characterization of anti-CCL5 activity of the tick salivary protein evasin-4. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:14367-14378. [PMID: 32817341 PMCID: PMC7573271 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks, as blood-sucking parasites, have developed a complex strategy to evade and suppress host immune responses during feeding. The crucial part of this strategy is expression of a broad family of salivary proteins, called Evasins, to neutralize chemokines responsible for cell trafficking and recruitment. However, structural information about Evasins is still scarce, and little is known about the structural determinants of their binding mechanism to chemokines. Here, we studied the structurally uncharacterized Evasin-4, which neutralizes a broad range of CC-motif chemokines, including the chemokine CC-motif ligand 5 (CCL5) involved in atherogenesis. Crystal structures of Evasin-4 and E66S CCL5, an obligatory dimeric variant of CCL5, were determined to a resolution of 1.3–1.8 Å. The Evasin-4 crystal structure revealed an L-shaped architecture formed by an N- and C-terminal subdomain consisting of eight β-strands and an α-helix that adopts a substantially different position compared with closely related Evasin-1. Further investigation into E66S CCL5–Evasin-4 complex formation with NMR spectroscopy showed that residues of the N terminus are involved in binding to CCL5. The peptide derived from the N-terminal region of Evasin-4 possessed nanomolar affinity to CCL5 and inhibited CCL5 activity in monocyte migration assays. This suggests that Evasin-4 derivatives could be used as a starting point for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepan S Denisov
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mercedes Ramírez-Escudero
- Department of Crystal and Structural Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexandra C A Heinzmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes H Ippel
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Philip E Dawson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Rory R Koenen
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Tilman M Hackeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bert J C Janssen
- Department of Crystal and Structural Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Dijkgraaf
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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10
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Dyer DP. Understanding the mechanisms that facilitate specificity, not redundancy, of chemokine-mediated leukocyte recruitment. Immunology 2020; 160:336-344. [PMID: 32285441 PMCID: PMC7370109 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines (chemotactic cytokines) and their receptors are critical to recruitment and positioning of cells during development and the immune response. The chemokine system has long been described as redundant for a number of reasons, where multiple chemokine ligands can bind to multiple receptors and vice versa. This apparent redundancy has been thought to be a major reason for the failure of drugs targeting chemokines during inflammatory disease. We are now beginning to understand that chemokine biology is in fact based around a high degree of specificity, where each chemokine and receptor plays a particular role in the immune response. This specificity hypothesis is supported by a number of recent studies designed to address this problem. This review will detail these studies and the mechanisms that produce this specificity of function with an emphasis on the emerging role of chemokine–glycosaminoglycan interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas P Dyer
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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11
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Bhattacharya S, Kawamura A. Using evasins to target the chemokine network in inflammation. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2019; 119:1-38. [PMID: 31997766 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation, is driven by a network comprising cytokines, chemokines, their target receptors and leukocytes, and is a major pathologic mechanism that adversely affects organ function in diverse human diseases. Despite being supported by substantial target validation, no successful anti-chemokine therapeutic to treat inflammatory disease has yet been developed. This is in part because of the robustness of the chemokine network, which emerges from a large total chemokine load in disease, promiscuous expression of receptors on leukocytes, promiscuous and synergistic interactions between chemokines and receptors, and feedforward loops created by secretion of chemokines by leukocytes themselves. Many parasites, including viruses, helminths and ticks, evade the chemokine network by producing proteins that bind promiscuously to chemokines or their receptors. Evasins - three small glycoproteins identified in the saliva of the brown dog tick - bind multiple chemokines, and are active in several animal models of inflammatory disease. Over 50 evasin homologs have recently been identified from diverse tick species. Characterization of the chemokine binding patterns of evasins show that several have anti-chemokine activities that extend substantially beyond those previously described. These studies indicate that evasins function at the site of the tick bite by reducing total chemokine load. This not only reduces chemokine signaling to receptors, but also interrupts feedforward loops, thus disabling the chemokine network. Taking the lead from nature, a goal for the development of new anti-chemokine therapeutics would be to reduce the total chemokine load in disease. This could be achieved by administering appropriate evasin combinations or by smaller peptides that mimic evasin action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoumo Bhattacharya
- RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Akane Kawamura
- RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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12
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Bhusal RP, Eaton JRO, Chowdhury ST, Power CA, Proudfoot AEI, Stone MJ, Bhattacharya S. Evasins: Tick Salivary Proteins that Inhibit Mammalian Chemokines. Trends Biochem Sci 2019; 45:108-122. [PMID: 31679840 PMCID: PMC7322545 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous arachnids that parasitize mammals and other hosts, feeding on their blood. Ticks secrete numerous salivary factors that enhance host blood flow or suppress the host inflammatory response. The recruitment of leukocytes, a hallmark of inflammation, is regulated by chemokines, which activate chemokine receptors on the leukocytes. Ticks target this process by secreting glycoproteins called Evasins, which bind to chemokines and prevent leukocyte recruitment. This review describes the recent discovery of numerous Evasins produced by ticks, their classification into two structural and functional classes, and the efficacy of Evasins in animal models of inflammatory diseases. The review also proposes a standard nomenclature system for Evasins and discusses the potential of repurposing or engineering Evasins as therapeutic anti-inflammatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Prasad Bhusal
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - James R O Eaton
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine (RDM) Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Sayeeda T Chowdhury
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Christine A Power
- Biopharm Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK
| | | | - Martin J Stone
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Shoumo Bhattacharya
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine (RDM) Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.
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13
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Denisov SS, Ippel JH, Heinzmann ACA, Koenen RR, Ortega-Gomez A, Soehnlein O, Hackeng TM, Dijkgraaf I. Tick saliva protein Evasin-3 modulates chemotaxis by disrupting CXCL8 interactions with glycosaminoglycans and CXCR2. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:12370-12379. [PMID: 31235521 PMCID: PMC6699855 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are a group of chemotaxis proteins that regulate cell trafficking and play important roles in immune responses and inflammation. Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that secrete numerous immune-modulatory agents in their saliva to evade host immune responses. Evasin-3 is a small salivary protein that belongs to a class of chemokine-binding proteins isolated from the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Evasin-3 has been shown to have a high affinity for chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL8 and to diminish inflammation in mice. In the present study, solution NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the structure of Evasin-3 and its CXCL8–Evasin-3 complex. Evasin-3 is found to disrupt the glycosaminoglycan-binding site of CXCL8 and inhibit the interaction of CXCL8 with CXCR2. Structural data were used to design two novel CXCL8-binding peptides. The linear tEv3 17–56 and cyclic tcEv3 16–56 dPG Evasin-3 variants were chemically synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis. The affinity of these newly synthesized variants to CXCL8 was measured by surface plasmon resonance biosensor analysis. The Kd values of tEv3 17–56 and tcEv3 16–56 dPG were 27 and 13 nm, respectively. Both compounds effectively inhibited CXCL8-induced migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The present results suggest utility of synthetic Evasin-3 variants as scaffolds for designing and fine-tuning new chemokine-binding agents that suppress immune responses and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepan S Denisov
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Maastricht, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes H Ippel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Maastricht, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexandra C A Heinzmann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Maastricht, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rory R Koenen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Maastricht, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Almudena Ortega-Gomez
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig Maximilian University, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Soehnlein
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig Maximilian University, 80336, Munich, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research, 13316, Berlin, Germany; Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80802 Munich, Germany; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tilman M Hackeng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Maastricht, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Dijkgraaf
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Maastricht, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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14
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Ellwanger JH, Chies JAB. Host immunogenetics in tick-borne encephalitis virus infection-The CCR5 crossroad. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:729-741. [PMID: 30879988 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The human Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection is a complex event encompassing factors derived from the virus itself, the vectors, the final host, and the environment as well. Classically, genetic traits stand out among the human factors that modify the susceptibility and progression of infectious diseases. However, and although this is a changing scenario, studies evaluating the genetic factors that affect the susceptibility specifically to TBEV infection and TBEV-related diseases are still scarce. There are already some interesting pieces of evidence showing that some genes and polymorphisms have a real impact on TBEV infection. Also, the inflammatory processes involving tick-human interactions began to be understood in greater detail. This review focuses on the immunogenetic and inflammatory aspects concerning tick-host interactions, TBEV infections, and tick-borne encephalitis. Of note, it has been described that polymorphisms in CD209, GSTM1, IL-10, IL-28B, MMP9, OAS2, OAS3, and TLR3 have a statistically significant impact on TBEV infection. Besides, CCR5, its ligands, and the CCR5Δ32 genetic variant seem to have a very important influence on the infection and its immune responses. Taking this information into consideration, a special discussion regarding the effects of CCR5 on TBEV infection and tick-borne encephalitis will be presented. Emerging topics (such as exosomes, evasins, and CCR5 blockers) involving immunological and inflammatory aspects of TBEV-human interactions will also be addressed. Lastly, the current picture of TBEV infection and the importance to address the TBEV-associated problems through the One Health perspective will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Henrique Ellwanger
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Artur Bogo Chies
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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15
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Eaton JRO, Alenazi Y, Singh K, Davies G, Geis-Asteggiante L, Kessler B, Robinson CV, Kawamura A, Bhattacharya S. The N-terminal domain of a tick evasin is critical for chemokine binding and neutralization and confers specific binding activity to other evasins. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:6134-6146. [PMID: 29487134 PMCID: PMC5912465 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick chemokine-binding proteins (evasins) are an emerging class of biologicals that target multiple chemokines and show anti-inflammatory activities in preclinical disease models. Using yeast surface display, we identified a CCL8-binding evasin, P672, from the tick Rhipicephalus pulchellus We found that P672 binds CCL8 and eight other CC-class chemokines with a Kd < 10 nm and four other CC chemokines with a Kd between 10 and 100 nm and neutralizes CCL3, CCL3L1, and CCL8 with an IC50 < 10 nm The CC chemokine-binding profile was distinct from that of evasin 1 (EVA1), which does not bind CCL8. We also show that P672's binding activity can be markedly modulated by the location of a StrepII-His purification tag. Combining native MS and bottom-up proteomics, we further demonstrated that P672 is glycosylated and forms a 1:1 complex with CCL8, disrupting CCL8 homodimerization. Homology modeling of P672 using the crystal structure of the EVA1 and CCL3 complex as template suggested that 44 N-terminal residues of P672 form most of the contacts with CCL8. Replacing the 29 N-terminal residues of EVA1 with the 44 N-terminal residues of P672 enabled this hybrid evasin to bind and neutralize CCL8, indicating that the CCL8-binding properties of P672 reside, in part, in its N-terminal residues. This study shows that the function of certain tick evasins can be manipulated simply by adding a tag. We conclude that homology modeling helps identify regions with transportable chemokine-binding functions within evasins, which can be used to construct hybrid evasins with altered properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R O Eaton
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
- the Department of Chemistry, and
| | - Yara Alenazi
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
| | - Kamayani Singh
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
| | - Graham Davies
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
| | | | - Benedikt Kessler
- the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | | | - Akane Kawamura
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
- the Department of Chemistry, and
| | - Shoumo Bhattacharya
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine,
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16
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Miller MC, Mayo KH. Chemokines from a Structural Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18102088. [PMID: 28974038 PMCID: PMC5666770 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18102088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are a family of small, highly conserved cytokines that mediate various biological processes, including chemotaxis, hematopoiesis, and angiogenesis, and that function by interacting with cell surface G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). Because of their significant involvement in various biological functions and pathologies, chemokines and their receptors have been the focus of therapeutic discovery for clinical intervention. There are several sub-families of chemokines (e.g., CXC, CC, C, and CX3C) defined by the positions of sequentially conserved cysteine residues. Even though all chemokines also have a highly conserved, three-stranded β-sheet/α-helix tertiary structural fold, their quarternary structures vary significantly with their sub-family. Moreover, their conserved tertiary structures allow for subunit swapping within and between sub-family members, thus promoting the concept of a “chemokine interactome”. This review is focused on structural aspects of CXC and CC chemokines, their functional synergy and ability to form heterodimers within the chemokine interactome, and some recent developments in structure-based chemokine-targeted drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Miller
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Kevin H Mayo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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17
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Hayward J, Sanchez J, Perry A, Huang C, Rodriguez Valle M, Canals M, Payne RJ, Stone MJ. Ticks from diverse genera encode chemokine-inhibitory evasin proteins. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:15670-15680. [PMID: 28778927 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.807255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To prolong residence on their hosts, ticks secrete many salivary factors that target host defense molecules. In particular, the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus has been shown to produce three salivary glycoproteins named "evasins," which bind to host chemokines, thereby inhibiting the recruitment of leukocytes to the location of the tick bite. Using sequence similarity searches, we have identified 257 new putative evasin sequences encoded by the genomes or salivary or visceral transcriptomes of numerous hard ticks, spanning the genera Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Ixodes of the Ixodidae family. Nine representative sequences were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, and eight of the nine candidates exhibited high-affinity binding to human chemokines. Sequence alignments enabled classification of the evasins into two subfamilies: C8 evasins share a conserved set of eight Cys residues (four disulfide bonds), whereas C6 evasins have only three of these disulfide bonds. Most of the identified sequences contain predicted secretion leader sequences, N-linked glycosylation sites, and a putative site of tyrosine sulfation. We conclude that chemokine-binding evasin proteins are widely expressed among tick species of the Ixodidae family, are likely to play important roles in subverting host defenses, and constitute a valuable pool of anti-inflammatory proteins for potential future therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Hayward
- From the Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Julie Sanchez
- From the Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Andrew Perry
- the Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Cheng Huang
- From the Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Manuel Rodriguez Valle
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, and
| | - Richard J Payne
- the School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Martin J Stone
- From the Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
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18
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Škrlec K, Pucer Janež A, Rogelj B, Štrukelj B, Berlec A. Evasin-displaying lactic acid bacteria bind different chemokines and neutralize CXCL8 production in Caco-2 cells. Microb Biotechnol 2017; 10:1732-1743. [PMID: 28736998 PMCID: PMC5658612 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are key signals in the immune system and play an important role as proinflammatory mediators in the pathology of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, making them an important target for therapy. Recombinant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were engineered to bind CC and CXC chemokines by displaying chemokine‐binding proteins evasin‐1, evasin‐3 and evasin‐4 on their surface. Evasin genes were cloned into lactococcal surface display vector and overexpressed in L. lactis NZ9000 and NZ9000ΔhtrA in fusion with secretion signal and surface anchor. Evasin‐displaying bacteria removed from 15% to 90% of 11 different chemokines from the solution as determined with ELISA and Luminex multiplexing assays, whereby L. lactis NZ9000ΔhtrA proved more efficient. Lactobacillus salivarius ATCC 11741 was coated with L. . lactis‐expressed evasin fusion protein, and its ability to bind chemokines was also confirmed. Evasin‐3‐displaying L. lactis removed 76.0% of IL‐1β‐induced CXCL8 from the supernatant of Caco‐2 epithelial cells. It also prevented secretion of CXCL8 from Caco‐2 cells in a time‐dependent manner when added before induction with IL‐1β. Evasin‐displaying LAB have the ability to bind multiple chemokines simultaneously and exert synergistic activity. This innovative treatment approach therefore has the potential for mucosal therapy of inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Škrlec
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Graduate School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anja Pucer Janež
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Biomedical Research Institute (BRIS), Puhova 10, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Borut Štrukelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Berlec
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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19
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Yeast surface display identifies a family of evasins from ticks with novel polyvalent CC chemokine-binding activities. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4267. [PMID: 28655871 PMCID: PMC5487423 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04378-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokines function via G-protein coupled receptors in a robust network to recruit immune cells to sites of inflammation. Due to the complexity of this network, targeting single chemokines or receptors has not been successful in inflammatory disease. Dog tick saliva contains polyvalent CC-chemokine binding peptides termed evasins 1 and 4, that efficiently disrupt the chemokine network in models of inflammatory disease. Here we develop yeast surface display as a tool for functionally identifying evasins, and use it to identify 10 novel polyvalent CC-chemokine binding evasin-like peptides from salivary transcriptomes of eight tick species in Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma genera. These evasins have unique binding profiles compared to evasins 1 and 4, targeting CCL2 and CCL13 in addition to other CC-chemokines. Evasin binding leads to neutralisation of chemokine function including that of complex chemokine mixtures, suggesting therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory disease. We propose that yeast surface display is a powerful approach to mine potential therapeutics from inter-species protein interactions that have arisen during evolution of parasitism in ticks.
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20
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Bonvin P, Power CA, Proudfoot AEI. Evasins: Therapeutic Potential of a New Family of Chemokine-Binding Proteins from Ticks. Front Immunol 2016; 7:208. [PMID: 27375615 PMCID: PMC4894869 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood-sucking parasites, such as ticks, remain attached to their hosts for relatively long periods of time in order to obtain their blood meal without eliciting an immune response. One mechanism used to avoid rejection is the inhibition of the recruitment of immune cells, which can be achieved by a class of chemokine-binding proteins (CKBPs) known as Evasins. We have identified three distinct Evasins produced by the salivary glands of the common brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. They display different selectivities for chemokines, the first two identified show a narrow selectivity profile, while the third has a broader binding spectrum. The Evasins showed efficacy in animal models of inflammatory disease. Here, we will discuss the potential of their development for therapeutic use, addressing both the advantages and disadvantages that this entails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Bonvin
- Geneva Research Centre, Merck Serono S.A., Geneva, Switzerland; Research Department, Novimmune S.A., Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
| | | | - Amanda E I Proudfoot
- Geneva Research Centre, Merck Serono S.A., Geneva, Switzerland; Research Department, Novimmune S.A., Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
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21
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Mutagenesis by Phage Display. Methods Enzymol 2016. [PMID: 26921947 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Chemokines are small chemoattractant proteins involved in the recruitment of leukocytes to the site of inflammation. Due to their prominent role in the inflammatory process, chemokine inhibitors have been developed by parasites to remain undetected not only by the host immune system but also by various laboratories to develop anti-inflammatory compounds. Taking advantage of the small size of natural chemokine-binding proteins, we report here several methods to facilitate their characterization using phage display to identify the chemokine-binding site and to modulate the selectivity of such inhibitors. Interestingly, these methods could be adapted to display the natural inhibitors of other cytokines or even cytokines on phage surface.
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22
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Ferreras L, Sheerin NS, Kirby JA, Ali S. Mechanisms of Renal Graft Chronic Injury and Progression to Interstitial Fibrosis. CURRENT TRANSPLANTATION REPORTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40472-015-0069-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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23
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Proudfoot AEI, Bonvin P, Power CA. Targeting chemokines: Pathogens can, why can't we? Cytokine 2015; 74:259-67. [PMID: 25753743 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2015.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chemoattractant cytokines, or chemokines, are the largest sub-family of cytokines. About 50 distinct chemokines have been identified in humans. Their principal role is to stimulate the directional migration of leukocytes, which they achieve through activation of their receptors, following immobilization on cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Chemokine receptors belong to the G protein-coupled 7-transmembrane receptor family, and hence their identification brought great promise to the pharmaceutical industry, since this receptor class is the target for a large percentage of marketed drugs. Unfortunately, the development of potent and efficacious inhibitors of chemokine receptors has not lived up to the early expectations. Several approaches to targeting this system will be described here, which have been instrumental in establishing paradigms in chemokine biology. Whilst drug discovery programs have not yet elucidated how to make successful drugs targeting the chemokine system, it is now known that certain parasites have evolved anti-chemokine strategies in order to remain undetected by their hosts. What can we learn from them?
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda E I Proudfoot
- Geneva Research Centre, Merck Serono S.A., 9 chemin des Mines, 1202 Genève and NovImmune S.A., 14 chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Pauline Bonvin
- Geneva Research Centre, Merck Serono S.A., 9 chemin des Mines, 1202 Genève and NovImmune S.A., 14 chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Christine A Power
- Geneva Research Centre, Merck Serono S.A., 9 chemin des Mines, 1202 Genève, Switzerland.
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