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Zeng L, Yang K, Wu Y, Yu G, Yan Y, Hao M, Song T, Li Y, Chen J, Sun L. Telitacicept: A novel horizon in targeting autoimmunity and rheumatic diseases. J Autoimmun 2024; 148:103291. [PMID: 39146891 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103291] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
BLyS and APRIL have the capability to bind to B cells within the body, allowing these cells to evade elimination when they should naturally be removed. While BLyS primarily plays a role in B cell development and maturation, APRIL is linked to B cell activation and the secretion of antibodies. Thus, in theory, inhibiting BLyS or APRIL could diminish the population of aberrant B cells that contribute to SLE and reduce disease activity in patients. Telitacicept functions by binding to and neutralizing the activities of both BLyS and APRIL, thus hindering the maturation and survival of plasma cells and fully developed B cells. The design of telitacicept is distinctive; it is not a monoclonal antibody but a TACI-Fc fusion protein generated through recombinant DNA technology. This fusion involves merging gene segments of the TACI protein, which can target BLyS/APRIL simultaneously, with the Fc gene segment of the human IgG protein. The TACI-Fc fusion protein exhibits the combined characteristics of both proteins. Currently utilized for autoimmune disease treatment, telitacicept is undergoing clinical investigations globally to assess its efficacy in managing various autoimmune conditions. This review consolidates information on the mechanistic actions, dosing regimens, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety profile of telitacicept-a dual-targeted biological agent. It integrates findings from prior experiments and pharmacokinetic analyses in the treatment of RA and SLE, striving to offer a comprehensive overview of telitacicept's research advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuting Zeng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China.
| | - Kailin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China; Psychosomatic laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Daqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daqing, China.
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Rheumatology, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ganpeng Yu
- People's Hospital of Ningxiang City, Ningxiang, China
| | - Yexing Yan
- Psychosomatic laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Daqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daqing, China
| | - Moujia Hao
- Psychosomatic laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Daqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daqing, China
| | - Tian Song
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Li
- School of Mathematics and Computational Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Hunan, China
| | - Junpeng Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Psychosomatic laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Daqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daqing, China; Tong Jiecheng Studio, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China.
| | - Lingyun Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Eslami M, Schuepbach-Mallepell S, Diana D, Willen L, Kowalczyk-Quintas C, Desponds C, Peter B, Vigolo M, Renevey F, Donzé O, Luther SA, Yalkinoglu Ö, Alouche N, Schneider P. Unique and redundant roles of mouse BCMA, TACI, BAFF, APRIL, and IL-6 in supporting antibody-producing cells in different tissues. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2404309121. [PMID: 38990948 PMCID: PMC11260164 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2404309121] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibody-producing plasma cells fuel humoral immune responses. They also contribute to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or IgA nephropathy. Interleukin-6 and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family ligands BAFF (B cell-activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) participate in plasma cell survival. BAFF binds to three receptors, BAFFR (BAFF receptor), TACI (transmembrane activator and CAML interactor), and BCMA (B cell maturation antigen), while APRIL binds to TACI, BCMA, and proteoglycans. However, which ligand-receptor pair(s) are required to maintain plasma cells in different body locations remains unknown. Here, by combining mouse genetic and pharmacological approaches, we found that plasma cells required BCMA and/or TACI but not BAFFR. BCMA responded exclusively to APRIL, while TACI responded to both BAFF and APRIL, identifying three self-sufficient ligand-receptor pairs for plasma cell maintenance: BAFF-TACI, APRIL-TACI, and APRIL-BCMA. Together, these actors accounted for 90% of circulating antibodies. In BAFF-ko mice, the reduction of plasma cells upon APRIL inhibition indicated that APRIL could function in the absence of BAFF-APRIL heteromers. No evidence was found that in the absence of BCMA and TACI, binding of APRIL to proteoglycans would help maintain plasma cells. IL-6, alone or together with BAFF and APRIL, supported mainly splenic plasmablasts and plasma cells and contributed to circulating IgG but not IgA levels. In conclusion, survival factors for plasma cells can vary with body location and with the antibody isotype that plasma cells produce. To efficiently target plasma cells, in particular IgA-producing ones, dual inhibition of BAFF and APRIL is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahya Eslami
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | | | - Daniela Diana
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | - Laure Willen
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | | | - Chantal Desponds
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Peter
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | - Michele Vigolo
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | - François Renevey
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | | | - Sanjiv A. Luther
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | - Özkan Yalkinoglu
- Clinical Pharmacology, Global Early Development, The Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt64293, Germany
| | - Nagham Alouche
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges1066, Switzerland
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Papachristodoulou E, Kyttaris VC. New and emerging therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Immunol 2024; 263:110200. [PMID: 38582250 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.110200] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis treatment is still based on non-specific immune suppression despite the first biological therapy for the disease having been approved more than a decade ago. Intense basic and translational research has uncovered a multitude of pathways that are actively being evaluated as treatment targets in SLE and lupus nephritis, with two new medications receiving FDA approval in the last 3 years. Herein we provide an overview of targeted therapies for SLE including medications targeting the B lymphocyte compartment, intracellular signaling, co-stimulation, and finally the interferons and other cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papachristodoulou
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vasileios C Kyttaris
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Eslami M, Willen D, Papasouliotis O, Schuepbach-Mallpell S, Willen L, Donzé O, Yalkinoglu Ö, Schneider P. Kinetics of free and ligand-bound atacicept in human serum. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1035556. [PMID: 36532058 PMCID: PMC9756848 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1035556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BAFF (B cell activation factor of the TNF family/B lymphocyte stimulator, BLyS) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) are targeted by atacicept, a decoy receptor consisting of the extracellular domain of TACI (transmembrane activator and calcium-modulator and cyclophilin (CAML) interactor) fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1. The purpose of the study was to characterize free and ligand-bound atacicept in humans. Total and active atacicept in serum of healthy volunteers receiving a single dose of subcutaneous atacicept or in patients treated weekly for one year were measured by ELISA, Western blot, or cell-based assays. Pharmacokinetics of free and bound atacicept were predicted based on total atacicept ELISA results. Persistence of complexes of purified atacicept bound to recombinant ligands was also monitored in mice. Results show that unbound or active atacicept in human serum exceeded 0.1 µg/ml for one week post administration, or throughout a 1-year treatment with weekly administrations. After a single administration of atacicept, endogenous BAFF bound to atacicept was detected after 8 h then increased about 100-fold within 2 to 4 weeks. Endogenous heteromers of BAFF and APRIL bound to atacicept also accumulated, but atacicept-APRIL complexes were not detected. In mice receiving intravenous injections of purified complexes pre-formed in vitro, atacicept-BAFF persisted longer (more than a week) than atacicept-APRIL (less than a day). Thus, only biologically inactive BAFF and BAFF-APRIL heteromers accumulate on atacicept in vivo. The measure of active atacicept provides further support for the once-weekly dosing regimen implemented in the clinical development of atacicept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahya Eslami
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Willen
- Clinical Pharmacology, Translational Medicine, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Orestis Papasouliotis
- Translational Medicine, Merck Institute for Pharmacometrics (an affiliate of Merck KGaA), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Laure Willen
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - Özkan Yalkinoglu
- Clinical Pharmacology, Translational Medicine, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland,*Correspondence: Pascal Schneider,
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Camviel N, Wolf B, Croce G, Gfeller D, Zoete V, Arber C. Both APRIL and antibody-fragment-based CAR T cells for myeloma induce BCMA downmodulation by trogocytosis and internalization. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005091. [PMID: 36323436 PMCID: PMC9639149 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on multiple myeloma (MM) produces fast but not long-lasting responses. Reasons for treatment failure are poorly understood. CARs simultaneously targeting two antigens may represent an alternative. Here, we (1) designed and characterized novel A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) based dual-antigen targeting CARs, and (2) investigated mechanisms of resistance to CAR T cells with three different BCMA-binding moieties (APRIL, single-chain-variable-fragment, heavy-chain-only). METHODS Three new APRIL-CARs were designed and characterized. Human APRIL-CAR T cells were evaluated for their cytotoxic function in vitro and in vivo, for their polyfunctionality, immune synapse formation, memory, exhaustion phenotype and tonic signaling activity. To investigate resistance mechanisms, we analyzed BCMA levels and cellular localization and quantified CAR T cell-target cell interactions by live microscopy. Impact on pathway activation and tumor cell proliferation was assessed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS APRIL-CAR T cells in a trimeric ligand binding conformation conferred fast but not sustained antitumor responses in vivo in mouse xenograft models. In vitro trimer-BBζ CAR T cells were more polyfunctional and formed stronger immune synapses than monomer-BBζ CAR T cells. After CAR T cell-myeloma cell contact, BCMA was rapidly downmodulated on target cells with all evaluated binding moieties. CAR T cells acquired BCMA by trogocytosis, and BCMA on MM cells was rapidly internalized. Since BCMA can be re-expressed during progression and persisting CAR T cells may not protect patients from relapse, we investigated whether non-functional CAR T cells play a role in tumor progression. While CAR T cell-MM cell interactions activated BCMA pathway, we did not find enhanced tumor growth in vitro or in vivo. CONCLUSION Antitumor responses with APRIL-CAR T cells were fast but not sustained. Rapid BCMA downmodulation occurred independently of whether an APRIL or antibody-based binding moiety was used. BCMA internalization mostly contributed to this effect, but trogocytosis by CAR T cells was also observed. Our study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying CAR T cell failure in MM when targeting BCMA and can inform the development of improved treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Camviel
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Benita Wolf
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giancarlo Croce
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Gfeller
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Zoete
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Arber
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Miao YR, Thakkar K, Cenik C, Jiang D, Mizuno K, Jia C, Li CG, Zhao H, Diep A, Xu Y, Zhang XE, Yang TTC, Liedtke M, Abidi P, Leung WS, Koong AC, Giaccia AJ. Developing high-affinity decoy receptors to treat multiple myeloma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213366. [PMID: 35881112 PMCID: PMC9428257 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease relapse and treatment-induced immunotoxicity pose significant clinical challenges for patients with hematological cancers. Here, we reveal distinctive requirements for neutralizing TNF receptor ligands APRIL and BAFF and their receptor activity in MM and DLBCL, impacting protein translation and production in MM cells and modulating the translation efficiency of the ATM interactor (ATMIN/ACSIZ). Therapeutically, we investigated the use of BCMA decoy receptor (sBCMA-Fc) as an inhibitor of APRIL and BAFF. While wild-type sBCMA-Fc effectively blocked APRIL signaling in MM, it lacked activity in DLBCL due to its weak BAFF binding. To expand the therapeutic utility of sBCMA-Fc, we engineered an affinity-enhanced mutant sBCMA-Fc fusion molecule (sBCMA-Fc V3) 4- and 500-fold stronger in binding to APRIL and BAFF, respectively. The mutant sBCMA-Fc V3 clone significantly enhanced antitumor activity against both MM and DLBCL. Importantly, we also demonstrated an adequate toxicity profile and on-target mechanism of action in nonhuman primate studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Rebecca Miao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Kaushik Thakkar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Can Cenik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Dadi Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Kazue Mizuno
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | | | - Caiyun Grace Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Hongjuan Zhao
- Department of Urology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Anh Diep
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Yu Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Xin Eric Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Michaela Liedtke
- Department of Medicine (Hematology), Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Parveen Abidi
- Department of Medicine (Hematology), Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Wing-Sze Leung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Albert C Koong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Amato J Giaccia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.,Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Protein and functional isoform levels and genetic variants of the BAFF and APRIL pathway components in systemic lupus erythematosus. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11219. [PMID: 35780200 PMCID: PMC9250527 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15549-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototype of an autoimmune disease. Belimumab, a monoclonal antibody targets BAFF, is the only biologic approved for SLE and active lupus nephritis. BAFF is a cytokine with a key-regulatory role in the B cell homeostasis, which acts by binding to three receptors: BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA. TACI and BCMA also bind APRIL. Many studies reported elevated soluble BAFF and APRIL levels in the sera of SLE patients, but other questions about the role of this system in the disease remain open. The study aimed to investigate the utility of the cytokine levels in serum and urine as biomarkers, the role of non-functional isoforms, and the association of gene variants with the disease. This case–control study includes a cohort (women, 18–60 years old) of 100 patients (48% with nephritis) and 100 healthy controls. We used ELISA assays to measure the cytokine concentrations in serum (sBAFF and sAPRIL) and urine (uBAFF and uAPRIL); TaqMan Gene Expression Assays to quantify the relative mRNA expression of ΔBAFF, βAPRIL, and εAPRIL, and next-generation sequencing to genotype the cytokine (TNFSF13 and TNFSF13B) and receptor (TNFRSF13B, TNFRSF17 and TNFRSF13C) genes. The statistical tests used were: Kruskal–Wallis (qualitative variables), the Spearman Rho coefficient (correlations), the Chi-square and SKAT (association of common and rare genetic variants, respectively). As expected, sBAFF and sAPRIL levels were higher in patients than in controls (p ≤ 0.001) but found differences between patient subgroups. sBAFF and sAPRIL significantly correlated only in patients with nephritis (rs = 0.67, p ≤ 0.001) and βAPRIL levels were lower in patients with nephritis (p = 0.04), and ΔBAFF levels were lower in patients with dsDNA antibodies (p = 0.04). Rare variants of TNFSF13 and TNFRSF13B and TNFSF13 p.Gly67Arg and TNFRSF13B p.Val220Ala were associated with SLE. Our study supports differences among SLE patient subgroups with diverse clinical features in the BAFF/APRIL pathway. In addition, it suggests the involvement of genetic variants in the susceptibility to the disease.
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Alturaiki W, Mubarak A, Mir SA, Afridi A, Premanathan M, Mickymaray S, Vijayakumar R, Alsagaby SA, Almalki SG, Alghofaili F, Alnemare AK, Flanagan BF. Plasma levels of BAFF and APRIL are elevated in patients with asthma in Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:7455-7459. [PMID: 34867050 PMCID: PMC8626297 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
B-cell activation factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are members of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily of cytokines and can induce B cell activation, differentiation, and antibody production via interaction with their receptors, including transmembrane activator, calcium modulator, and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI), B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), and B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R). Herein, we assessed the plasma protein levels of BAFF and APRIL in patients with asthma to determine whether their expression is correlated with total IgE production and examined the surface expression of BAFF/APRIL receptors on B cells. Blood samples were collected from 47 patients with controlled asthma symptoms and 20 healthy normal controls, and plasma levels of APRIL, BAFF, and total IgE protein were quantified by corresponding ELISA assays. Furthermore, lymphocytes were isolated and B cells were analyzed for the presence of BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI receptors using flow cytometry. Our results showed that IgE, BAFF, and APRIL plasma levels were markedly increased in patients with asthma compared with healthy controls. Moreover, expression of BAFF-R and BCMA, but not that of TACI, was significantly increased in patients with asthma compared with healthy controls. Overall, the findings suggest BAFF and APRIL as key mediators of asthma, and determination of their plasma levels may be useful in monitoring asthma symptoms and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Alturaiki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman Mubarak
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sajad Ahmad Mir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Alzulfi General Hospital, Alzulfi 11932, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adnan Afridi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Alzulfi General Hospital, Alzulfi 11932, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariappan Premanathan
- Department of Biology, College of Science in Zulfi, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suresh Mickymaray
- Department of Biology, College of Science in Zulfi, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rajendran Vijayakumar
- Department of Biology, College of Science in Zulfi, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suliman A Alsagaby
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami G Almalki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fayez Alghofaili
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad K Alnemare
- Otolaryngology Department, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Brian F Flanagan
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK
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Zhang Y, Tian J, Xiao F, Zheng L, Zhu X, Wu L, Zhao C, Wang S, Rui K, Zou H, Lu L. B cell-activating factor and its targeted therapy in autoimmune diseases. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2021; 64:57-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Czaja AJ. Review article: targeting the B cell activation system in autoimmune hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2021; 54:902-922. [PMID: 34506662 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The B cell activation system, consisting of B cell activating factor and a proliferation-inducing ligand, may have pathogenic effects in autoimmune hepatitis. AIMS To describe the biological actions of the B cell activation system, indicate its possible role in autoimmune diseases, and evaluate its prospects as a therapeutic target in autoimmune hepatitis METHODS: English abstracts were identified in PubMed by multiple search terms. Full length articles were selected for review, and secondary and tertiary bibliographies were developed. RESULTS The B cell activating factor is crucial for the maturation and survival of B cells, and it can co-stimulate T cell activation, proliferation, and survival. It can also modulate the immune response by inducing interleukin 10 production by regulatory B cells. A proliferation-inducing ligand modulates and diversifies the antibody response by inducing class-switch recombination in B cells. It can also increase the proliferation, survival, and antigen activation of T cells. These immune stimulatory actions can be modulated by inducing proliferation of regulatory T cells. The B cell activation system has been implicated in diverse autoimmune diseases, and therapeutic blockade is a management strategy now being evaluated in autoimmune hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS The B cell activation system has profound effects on B and T cell function in autoimmune diseases. Blockade therapy is being actively evaluated in autoimmune hepatitis. Clarification of the critical pathogenic components of the B cell activation system will improve the targeting, efficacy, and safety of blockade therapy in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
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Liu W, Maben Z, Wang C, Lindquist KC, Li M, Rayannavar V, Lopez Armenta I, Nager A, Pascua E, Dominik PK, Oyen D, Wang H, Roach RC, Allan CM, Mosyak L, Chaparro-Riggers J. Structural delineation and phase-dependent activation of the costimulatory CD27:CD70 complex. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101102. [PMID: 34419446 PMCID: PMC8484739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CD27 is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor, which stimulates lymphocytes and promotes their differentiation upon activation by TNF ligand CD70. Activation of the CD27 receptor provides a costimulatory signal to promote T cell, B cell, and NK cell activity to facilitate antitumor and anti-infection immunity. Aberrant increased and focused expression of CD70 on many tumor cells renders CD70 an attractive therapeutic target for direct tumor killing. However, despite their use as drug targets to treat cancers, the molecular basis and atomic details of CD27 and CD70 interaction remain elusive. Here we report the crystal structure of human CD27 in complex with human CD70. Analysis of our structure shows that CD70 adopts a classical TNF ligand homotrimeric assembly to engage CD27 receptors in a 3:3 stoichiometry. By combining structural and rational mutagenesis data with reported disease-correlated mutations, we identified the key amino acid residues of CD27 and CD70 that control this interaction. We also report increased potency for plate-bound CD70 constructs compared with solution-phase ligand in a functional activity to stimulate T-cells in vitro. These findings offer new mechanistic insight into this critical costimulatory interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hui Wang
- Pfizer, Inc, La Jolla, California, USA
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12
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Production of Multi-Subtype Influenza Virus-Like Particles by Molecular Fusion with BAFF or APRIL for Vaccine Development. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 33185873 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1130-2_10] [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
Virus-like particle (VLP) technology is an alternative platform for developing vaccines to combat seasonal and pandemic influenza. Influenza VLPs are non-infectious nanoparticles that can elicit effective vaccine immunogenicity in hosts. B-cell-activating factor (BAFF, or BLyS) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of cytokines. Both BAFF and APRIL are homotrimers that interact with homotrimeric receptors. Here, we report a method of the production of influenza VLPs by molecular incorporation with BAFF or APRIL homotrimers to interact with their receptors. We engineered the VLPs by direct fusion of BAFF or APRIL to the transmembrane anchored domain of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene. We also describe procedures for the production of BAFF-VLPs containing H5H7 and H1H5H7 for multi-subtype vaccine development.
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13
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Zhang P, Huang L, Zhang E, Yuan C, Yang Q. Oral administration of Bacillus subtilis promotes homing of CD3 + T cells and IgA-secreting cells to the respiratory tract in piglets. Res Vet Sci 2021; 136:310-317. [PMID: 33756379 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Oral probiotics are used to induce immune responses in the intestines to protect against infection. However, oral probiotics may also affect immune responses in other mucosal tissues such as in the respiratory tract. To examine this possibility, we explored the potential of immunocytes to home to the respiratory system after oral administration of Bacillus subtilis. The results showed that B. subtilis could promote intestinal development and not cause pathological changes in the respiratory tract. Following the oral administration with B. subtilis, the number of IgA-secreting cells and CD3+ T cells not only significantly increased in the intestinal tracts but also in respiratory tracts (P < 0.01). Moreover, the levels of secretory IgA were significantly higher in the trachea, lungs, ileum, and jejunum after oral B. subtilis administration than in the control groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-5, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, B cell activating factor, and IgA-inducing protein increased following B. subtilis administration (P < 0.01) in the trachea, lungs, ileum, and jejunum. These data suggest that B. subtilis administration regulates the immune response not only in the intestine but also in the respiratory tract of piglets. Our work highlights a potentially new strategy for promoting respiratory mucosal immunity and may contribute to the design of vaccines with B. subtilis as a mucosal adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghao Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Lulu Huang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - En Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Chen Yuan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Qian Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang 1, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China.
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14
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Marcisz M, Huard B, Lipska AG, Samsonov SA. Further analyses of APRIL/APRIL-Receptor/Glycosaminoglycan interactions by biochemical assays linked to computational studies. Glycobiology 2021; 31:772-786. [PMID: 33682874 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. APRIL is quite unique in this superfamily for at least for two reasons: i) it binds to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) via its positively charged N-terminus; ii) one of its signaling receptor, the transmembrane activator CAML interactor (TACI) was also reported to bind GAGs. Here, as provided by biochemical evidences with the use of an APRIL deletion mutant linked to computational studies, APRIL-GAG interaction involved other regions than the APRIL N-terminus. Preferential interaction of APRIL with heparin followed by chondroitin sulfate E were confirmed by in silico analysis. Both computational and experimental approaches did not reveal heparan sulfate binding to TACI. Together, computational results corroborated experiments contributing with atomistic details to the knowledge on this biologically relevant trimolecular system. Additionally, a high-throughput rigorous analysis of the free energy calculations data was performed to critically evaluate the applied computational methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Marcisz
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.,Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, ul. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bertrand Huard
- TIMC-IMAG, university Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS UMR 5525, La Tronche, France
| | - Agnieszka G Lipska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sergey A Samsonov
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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15
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Kucka K, Wajant H. Receptor Oligomerization and Its Relevance for Signaling by Receptors of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:615141. [PMID: 33644033 PMCID: PMC7905041 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.615141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
With the exception of a few signaling incompetent decoy receptors, the receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) are signaling competent and engage in signaling pathways resulting in inflammation, proliferation, differentiation, and cell migration and also in cell death induction. TNFRSF receptors (TNFRs) become activated by ligands of the TNF superfamily (TNFSF). TNFSF ligands (TNFLs) occur as trimeric type II transmembrane proteins but often also as soluble ligand trimers released from the membrane-bound form by proteolysis. The signaling competent TNFRs are efficiently activated by the membrane-bound TNFLs. The latter recruit three TNFR molecules, but there is growing evidence that this is not sufficient to trigger all aspects of TNFR signaling; rather, the formed trimeric TNFL–TNFR complexes have to cluster secondarily in the cell-to-cell contact zone for full TNFR activation. With respect to their response to soluble ligand trimers, the signaling competent TNFRs can be subdivided into two groups. TNFRs of one group, designated as category I TNFRs, are robustly activated by soluble ligand trimers. The receptors of a second group (category II TNFRs), however, failed to become properly activated by soluble ligand trimers despite high affinity binding. The limited responsiveness of category II TNFRs to soluble TNFLs can be overcome by physical linkage of two or more soluble ligand trimers or, alternatively, by anchoring the soluble ligand molecules to the cell surface or extracellular matrix. This suggests that category II TNFRs have a limited ability to promote clustering of trimeric TNFL–TNFR complexes outside the context of cell–cell contacts. In this review, we will focus on three aspects on the relevance of receptor oligomerization for TNFR signaling: (i) the structural factors which promote clustering of free and liganded TNFRs, (ii) the signaling pathway specificity of the receptor oligomerization requirement, and (iii) the consequences for the design and development of TNFR agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin Kucka
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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16
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Eslami M, Meinl E, Eibel H, Willen L, Donzé O, Distl O, Schneider H, Speiser DE, Tsiantoulas D, Yalkinoglu Ö, Samy E, Schneider P. BAFF 60-mer, and Differential BAFF 60-mer Dissociating Activities in Human Serum, Cord Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:577662. [PMID: 33240880 PMCID: PMC7677505 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.577662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
B cell activation factor of the TNF family (BAFF/BLyS), an essential B cell survival factor of which circulating levels are elevated in several autoimmune disorders, is targeted in the clinic for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The soluble form of BAFF can exist as 3-mer, or as 60-mer that results from the ordered assembly of twenty 3-mers and that can be obtained from naturally cleaved membrane-bound BAFF or made as a recombinant protein. However, which forms of soluble BAFF exist and act in humans is unclear. In this study, BAFF 3-mer and 60-mer in biological fluids were characterized for size, activity and response to specific stimulators or inhibitors of BAFF. Human cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from patients with multiple sclerosis and adult human sera contained exclusively BAFF 3-mer in these assays, also when BAFF concentrations were moderately SLE or highly (BAFFR-deficient individual) increased. Human sera, but not CSF, contained a high molecular weight, saturable activity that dissociated preformed recombinant BAFF 60-mer into 3-mer. This activity was lower in cord blood. Cord blood displayed BAFF levels 10-fold higher than in adults and consistently contained a fair proportion of active high molecular weight BAFF able to dissociate into 3-mer but not endowed with all properties of recombinant BAFF 60-mer. If BAFF 60-mer is produced in humans, it is dissociated, or at least attenuated in the circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahya Eslami
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Edgar Meinl
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hermann Eibel
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laure Willen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - Ottmar Distl
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Holm Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniel E Speiser
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Özkan Yalkinoglu
- Clinical Pharmacology, Quantitative Pharmacology, Translational Medicine, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Eileen Samy
- Business of Merck KGaA, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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17
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Alturaiki W. The roles of B cell activation factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) in allergic asthma. Immunol Lett 2020; 225:25-30. [PMID: 32522667 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Allergic asthma, which is the most common type of asthma, is mediated by the IgE response, and B cells are key drivers of allergic inflammation in the lungs. B cell activation factor (BAFF) and proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) are members of the TNF superfamily. BAFF and APRIL interact with three receptors, namely the B cell activation factor receptor (BAFF-r), B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), and transmembrane activator; calcium modulator; and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI). The interaction of BAFF and APRIL with their receptors induces B cell activation, differentiation, and antibody production. BAFF and APRIL are produced by airway epithelial cells during the response to allergens or infectious agents, and have shown to induce local IgE production, thus establishing allergic inflammation in the airways. BAFF can maintain in inflamed airways during infection and can inhibit regulatory T cells (Tregs), thereby promoting allergic inflammation in the airways. This review aims to outline current knowledge about BAFF/APRIL systems in humans as well as in murine models of allergic asthma. The precise role of BAFF and APRIL and their receptors in allergic asthma remains unclear. Therefore, further studies are required to identify and elucidate their roles in enhancing IgE production and activating immune cells that drive the Th2 effector response and initiate allergic inflammation in asthma. Targeting BAFF/APRIL or their cognate receptors may offer a novel therapeutic approach in asthma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Alturaiki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia.
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18
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Kyaw T, Toh BH, Bobik A. Evolving BAFF targeted therapies for preventing acute myocardial infarctions and ischemic strokes. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:7-12. [DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1708325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tin Kyaw
- Vascular Biology and Atherosclerosis laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ban-Hock Toh
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Alex Bobik
- Vascular Biology and Atherosclerosis laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 Mediate the IgA Immune Response Induced by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Infect Immun 2019; 88:IAI.00697-19. [PMID: 31611272 PMCID: PMC6921651 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00697-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
IgA plays an important role in mucosal immunity against infectious pathogens; however, the molecular mechanism of IgA secretion in response to infection remains largely unknown, particularly in Mycoplasma spp. In this study, we found that the levels of IgA in the peripheral blood serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, trachea, hilar lymph nodes, and lung tissues of pigs increased significantly after infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. IgA plays an important role in mucosal immunity against infectious pathogens; however, the molecular mechanism of IgA secretion in response to infection remains largely unknown, particularly in Mycoplasma spp. In this study, we found that the levels of IgA in the peripheral blood serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, trachea, hilar lymph nodes, and lung tissues of pigs increased significantly after infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Furthermore, IgA and CD11c were detected in the lungs and hilar lymph nodes by immunohistochemical analysis, and colocalization of these two markers indicates that CD11c+ cells play an important role in IgA mucosal immunity induced by M. hyopneumoniae. To investigate the regulatory mechanism of IgA, we separated mouse dendritic cells (DCs) from different tissues and mouse macrophages from the lungs and then cultured mouse B cells together with either DCs or macrophages in vitro. In the mouse lung-DC/B (LDC/B) cell coculture, IgA secretion was increased significantly after the addition of whole-cell lysates of M. hyopneumoniae. The expression of both Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 was also upregulated, as determined by mRNA and protein expression analyses, whereas no obvious change in the expression of TLR3 and TLR7 was detected. Moreover, the IgA level decreased to the same as the control group when TLR2 or TLR4 was inhibited instead of TLR8 or TLR7/9. In conclusion, M. hyopneumoniae can stimulate the response of IgA through TLR2 and TLR4 in a mouse LDC/B cell coculture model, and the coculture model is an ideal tool for studying the IgA response mechanism, particularly that with Mycoplasma spp.
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20
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Kowalczyk-Quintas C, Willen D, Willen L, Golob M, Schuepbach-Mallepell S, Peter B, Eslami M, Vigolo M, Broly H, Samy E, Yalkinoglu Ö, Schneider P. No interactions between heparin and atacicept, an antagonist of B cell survival cytokines. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:4019-4033. [PMID: 31355456 PMCID: PMC6811742 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose The TNF family ligands, B cell activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF, also known as B lymphocyte stimulator, BLyS) and a proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL), share the transmembrane activator and calcium‐modulator and cyclophilin ligand (CAML)‐interactor (TACI) as one of their common receptors. Atacicept, a chimeric recombinant TACI/IgG1‐Fc fusion protein, inhibits both ligands. TACI and APRIL also bind to proteoglycans and to heparin that is structurally related to proteoglycans. It is unknown whether the portion of TACI contained in atacicept can bind directly to proteoglycans, or indirectly via APRIL, and whether this could interfere with the anti‐coagulant properties of heparin. Experimental Approach Binding of atacicept and APRIL to proteoglycan‐positive cells was measured by FACS. Activities of heparin and atacicept were measured with activated factor Xa inhibition and cell‐based assays. Effects of heparin on circulating atacicept was monitored in mice. Key Results Atacicept did not bind to proteoglycan‐positive cells, but when complexed to APRIL could do so indirectly via APRIL. Multimers of atacicept obtained after exposure to cysteine or BAFF 60‐mer bound directly to proteoglycans. Atacicept alone, or in complex with APRIL, or in a multimeric form did not interfere with heparin activity in vitro. Conversely, heparin did not influence inhibition of BAFF and APRIL by atacicept and did not change circulating levels of atacicept. Conclusions and Implications Lack of detectable interference of APRIL‐bound or free atacicept on heparin activity makes it unlikely that atacicept at therapeutic doses will interfere with the function of heparin in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Willen
- Clinical Pharmacology, Quantitative Pharmacology, Global Early Development, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Laure Willen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Golob
- Clinical Pharmacology, Quantitative Pharmacology, Global Early Development, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Benjamin Peter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Mahya Eslami
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Michele Vigolo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Hervé Broly
- Biotech Process Sciences, Merck KGaA, Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland
| | - Eileen Samy
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Özkan Yalkinoglu
- Clinical Pharmacology, Quantitative Pharmacology, Global Early Development, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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21
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Wollacott AM, Robinson LN, Ramakrishnan B, Tissire H, Viswanathan K, Shriver Z, Babcock GJ. Structural prediction of antibody-APRIL complexes by computational docking constrained by antigen saturation mutagenesis library data. J Mol Recognit 2019; 32:e2778. [DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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22
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Marín-Rosales M, Cruz A, Salazar-Camarena DC, Santillán-López E, Espinoza-García N, Muñoz-Valle JF, Ramírez-Dueñas MG, Oregón-Romero E, Orozco-Barocio G, Palafox-Sánchez CA. High BAFF expression associated with active disease in systemic lupus erythematosus and relationship with rs9514828C>T polymorphism in TNFSF13B gene. Clin Exp Med 2019; 19:183-190. [DOI: 10.1007/s10238-019-00549-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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23
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Hong JY, Chen TH, Chen YJ, Liu CC, Jan JT, Wu SC. Highly immunogenic influenza virus-like particles containing B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) for multi-subtype vaccine development. Antiviral Res 2019; 164:12-22. [PMID: 30738089 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particle (VLP) technology is an attractive platform for the development of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. Influenza VLPs can be obtained by the overexpression of HA, M1, NA, and/or M2 viral proteins in insect, mammalian, or plant cells. In this study, we reported to obtain highly immunogenic influenza VLPs by molecular incorporation with B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) or proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL). Since BAFF and APRIL act as homotrimers to interact with their receptors, we engineered the VLPs by direct fusion of BAFF or APRIL to the transmembrane anchored domain of H5HA gene. Results showed that immunizations with the HA-transmembrane anchored BAFF- or APRIL-VLPs only formulated in alum but not MPL adjuvant elicited significantly higher IgG titers in sera. However, only the BAFF-VLPs formulated in alum adjuvant elicited more broadly neutralizing antibodies against the homologous and two heterologous H5N1 clade/subclade viruses and conferred protective immunity against live virus challenges. As the multi-subtype influenza vaccines containing a variety of HA subtypes can confer broader protective immunity, we also obtained multi-subtype H5H7 BAFF-VLPs and H1H5H7 BAFF-VLPs and demonstrated that these multi-subtype BAFF-VLPs were able to induce the production of neutralizing antibodies against multiple HA subtypes. Our findings provided useful information for the development of highly immunogenic, multi-subtype influenza VLP vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo-Yu Hong
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Hsuan Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jou Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chyi Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Tsrong Jan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Suh-Chin Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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24
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The role of APRIL - A proliferation inducing ligand - In autoimmune diseases and expectations from its targeting. J Autoimmun 2018; 95:179-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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25
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Kowalczyk-Quintas C, Chevalley D, Willen L, Jandus C, Vigolo M, Schneider P. Inhibition of Membrane-Bound BAFF by the Anti-BAFF Antibody Belimumab. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2698. [PMID: 30524439 PMCID: PMC6256835 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
B cell activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF, also known as BLyS), a cytokine that regulates homeostasis of peripheral B cells, is elevated in the circulation of patients with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). BAFF is synthetized as a membrane-bound protein that can be processed to a soluble form after cleavage at a furin consensus sequence, a site that in principle can be recognized by any of the several proteases of the pro-protein convertase family. Belimumab is a human antibody approved for the treatment of SLE, often cited as specific for the soluble form of BAFF. Here we show in different experimental systems, including in a monocytic cell line (U937) that naturally expresses BAFF, that belimumab binds to membrane-bound BAFF with similar EC50 as the positive control atacicept, which is a decoy receptor for both BAFF and the related cytokine APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand). In U937 cells, binding of both reagents was only detectable in furin-deficient U937 cells, showing that furin is the main BAFF processing protease in these cells. In CHO cells expressing membrane-bound BAFF lacking the stalk region, belimumab inhibited the activity of membrane-bound BAFF less efficiently than atacicept, while in furin-deficient U937 cells, belimumab inhibited membrane-bound BAFF and residual soluble BAFF as efficiently as atacicept. These reagents did not activate complement or antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity upon binding to membrane-bound BAFF in vitro. In conclusion, our data show that belimumab can inhibit membrane-bound BAFF, and that BAFF in U937 cells is processed by furin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dehlia Chevalley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laure Willen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Camilla Jandus
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michele Vigolo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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26
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Smulski CR, Eibel H. BAFF and BAFF-Receptor in B Cell Selection and Survival. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2285. [PMID: 30349534 PMCID: PMC6186824 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The BAFF-receptor (BAFFR) is encoded by the TNFRSF13C gene and is one of the main pro-survival receptors in B cells. Its function is impressively documented in humans by a homozygous deletion within exon 2, which leads to an almost complete block of B cell development at the stage of immature/transitional B cells. The resulting immunodeficiency is characterized by B-lymphopenia, agammaglobulinemia, and impaired humoral immune responses. However, different from mutations affecting pathway components coupled to B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling, BAFFR-deficient B cells can still develop into IgA-secreting plasma cells. Therefore, BAFFR deficiency in humans is characterized by very few circulating B cells, very low IgM and IgG serum concentrations but normal or high IgA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian R Smulski
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Eibel
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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27
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Wallach D. The Tumor Necrosis Factor Family: Family Conventions and Private Idiosyncrasies. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2018; 10:cshperspect.a028431. [PMID: 28847899 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a028431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) cytokine family and the TNF/nerve growth factor (NGF) family of their cognate receptors together control numerous immune functions, as well as tissue-homeostatic and embryonic-development processes. These diverse functions are dictated by both shared and distinct features of family members, and by interactions of some members with nonfamily ligands and coreceptors. The spectra of their activities are further expanded by the occurrence of the ligands and receptors in both membrane-anchored and soluble forms, by "re-anchoring" of soluble forms to extracellular matrix components, and by signaling initiation via intracellular domains (IDs) of both receptors and ligands. Much has been learned about shared features of the receptors as well as of the ligands; however, we still have only limited knowledge of the mechanistic basis for their functional heterogeneity and for the differences between their functions and those of similarly acting cytokines of other families.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wallach
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel
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28
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Shin W, Lee HT, Lim H, Lee SH, Son JY, Lee JU, Yoo KY, Ryu SE, Rhie J, Lee JY, Heo YS. BAFF-neutralizing interaction of belimumab related to its therapeutic efficacy for treating systemic lupus erythematosus. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1200. [PMID: 29572471 PMCID: PMC5865148 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03620-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BAFF, a member of the TNF superfamily, has been recognized as a good target for autoimmune diseases. Belimumab, an anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody, was approved by the FDA for use in treating systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the molecular basis of BAFF neutralization by belimumab remains unclear. Here our crystal structure of the BAFF-belimumab Fab complex shows the precise epitope and the BAFF-neutralizing mechanism of belimumab, and demonstrates that the therapeutic activity of belimumab involves not only antagonizing the BAFF-receptor interaction, but also disrupting the formation of the more active BAFF 60-mer to favor the induction of the less active BAFF trimer through interaction with the flap region of BAFF. In addition, the belimumab HCDR3 loop mimics the DxL(V/L) motif of BAFF receptors, thereby binding to BAFF in a similar manner as endogenous BAFF receptors. Our data thus provides insights for the design of new drugs targeting BAFF for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woori Shin
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Tae Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejin Lim
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyung Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Young Son
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Un Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Young Yoo
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Eon Ryu
- Department of Bio Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaejun Rhie
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Yeon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Seok Heo
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
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29
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Vigolo M, Chambers MG, Willen L, Chevalley D, Maskos K, Lammens A, Tardivel A, Das D, Kowalczyk-Quintas C, Schuepbach-Mallepell S, Smulski CR, Eslami M, Rolink A, Hummler E, Samy E, Fomekong Nanfack Y, Mackay F, Liao M, Hess H, Jiang X, Schneider P. A loop region of BAFF controls B cell survival and regulates recognition by different inhibitors. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1199. [PMID: 29572442 PMCID: PMC5865128 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03323-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The B cell survival factor (TNFSF13B/BAFF) is often elevated in autoimmune diseases and is targeted in the clinic for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. BAFF contains a loop region designated the flap, which is dispensable for receptor binding. Here we show that the flap of BAFF has two functions. In addition to facilitating the formation of a highly active BAFF 60-mer as shown previously, it also converts binding of BAFF to TNFRSF13C (BAFFR) into a signaling event via oligomerization of individual BAFF-BAFFR complexes. Binding and activation of BAFFR can therefore be targeted independently to inhibit or activate the function of BAFF. Moreover, structural analyses suggest that the flap of BAFF 60-mer temporarily prevents binding of an anti-BAFF antibody (belimumab) but not of a decoy receptor (atacicept). The observed differences in profiles of BAFF inhibition may confer distinct biological and clinical efficacies to these therapeutically relevant inhibitors. BAFF is an important cytokine for B cell survival, and is a therapeutic target for autoimmune disorders. Here the authors show that a 'flap' region of BAFF converts BAFFR binding events into survival signals and, with structural data, that this ‘flap’ differentially modulates binding of drugs such as belimumab or atacicept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Vigolo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Melissa G Chambers
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Laure Willen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Dehlia Chevalley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Maskos
- Proteros Biostructures GmbH, 82152, Planegg, Germany
| | | | - Aubry Tardivel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Dolon Das
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Cristian R Smulski
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Mahya Eslami
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Antonius Rolink
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Edith Hummler
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eileen Samy
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | | | - Fabienne Mackay
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Maofu Liao
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Xuliang Jiang
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland.
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30
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Samy E, Wax S, Huard B, Hess H, Schneider P. Targeting BAFF and APRIL in systemic lupus erythematosus and other antibody-associated diseases. Int Rev Immunol 2017; 36:3-19. [PMID: 28215100 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2016.1276903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The B cell-stimulating molecules, BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand), are critical factors in the maintenance of the B cell pool and humoral immunity. In addition, BAFF and APRIL are involved in the pathogenesis of a number of human autoimmune diseases, with elevated levels of these cytokines detected in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), IgA nephropathy, Sjögren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. As such, both molecules are rational targets for new therapies in B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, and several inhibitors of BAFF or BAFF and APRIL together have been investigated in clinical trials. These include the BAFF/APRIL dual inhibitor, atacicept, and the BAFF inhibitor, belimumab, which is approved as an add-on therapy for patients with active SLE. Post hoc analyses of these trials indicate that baseline serum levels of BAFF and BAFF/APRIL correlate with treatment response to belimumab and atacicept, respectively, suggesting a role for the two molecules as predictive biomarkers. It will, however, be important to refine future testing to identify active forms of BAFF and APRIL in the circulation, as well as to distinguish between homotrimer and heteromer configurations. In this review, we discuss the rationale for dual BAFF/APRIL inhibition versus single BAFF inhibition in autoimmune disease, by focusing on the similarities and differences between the physiological and pathogenic roles of the two molecules. A summary of the preclinical and clinical data currently available is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Samy
- a EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. , Billerica , Massachusetts , USA
| | - Stephen Wax
- a EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. , Billerica , Massachusetts , USA
| | - Bertrand Huard
- b Institute for Advanced Biosciences , University Grenoble Alpes , INSERM U1209, Grenoble , France
| | | | - Pascal Schneider
- d Department of Biochemistry , University of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
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31
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Haley SL, Tzvetkov EP, Lytle AG, Alugupalli KR, Plummer JR, McGettigan JP. APRIL:TACI axis is dispensable for the immune response to rabies vaccination. Antiviral Res 2017; 144:130-137. [PMID: 28619678 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There is significant need to develop a single-dose rabies vaccine to replace the current multi-dose rabies vaccine regimen and eliminate the requirement for rabies immune globulin in post-exposure settings. To accomplish this goal, rabies virus (RABV)-based vaccines must rapidly activate B cells to secrete antibodies which neutralize pathogenic RABV before it enters the CNS. Increased understanding of how B cells effectively respond to RABV-based vaccines may improve efforts to simplify post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimens. Several studies have successfully employed the TNF family cytokine a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) as a vaccine adjuvant. APRIL binds to the receptors TACI and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-expressed by B cells in various stages of maturation-with high affinity. We discovered that RABV-infected primary murine B cells upregulate APRIL ex vivo. Cytokines present at the time of antigen exposure affect the outcome of vaccination by influencing T and B cell activation and GC formation. Therefore, we hypothesized that the presence of APRIL at the time of RABV-based vaccine antigen exposure would support the generation of protective antibodies against RABV glycoprotein (G). In an effort to improve the response to RABV vaccination, we constructed and characterized a live recombinant RABV-based vaccine vector which expresses murine APRIL (rRABV-APRIL). Immunogenicity testing in mice demonstrated that expressing APRIL from the RABV genome does not impact the primary antibody response against RABV G compared to RABV alone. In order to evaluate the necessity of APRIL for the response to rabies vaccination, we compared the responses of APRIL-deficient and wild-type mice to immunization with rRABV. APRIL deficiency does not affect the primary antibody response to vaccination. Furthermore, APRIL expression by the vaccine did not improve the generation of long-lived antibody-secreting plasma cells (PCs) as serum antibody levels were equivalent in response to rRABV-APRIL and the vector eight weeks after immunization. Moreover, APRIL is dispensable for the long-lived antibody-secreting PC response to rRABV vaccination as anti-RABV G IgG levels were similar in APRIL-deficient and wild-type mice six months after vaccination. Mice lacking the APRIL receptor TACI demonstrated primary anti-RABV G antibody responses similar to wild-type mice following immunization with the vaccine vector indicating that this response is independent of TACI-mediated signals. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that APRIL and associated TACI signaling is dispensable for the immune response to RABV-based vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L Haley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Evgeni P Tzvetkov
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Andrew G Lytle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kishore R Alugupalli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Joseph R Plummer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - James P McGettigan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Jefferson Vaccine Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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32
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Haselmayer P, Vigolo M, Nys J, Schneider P, Hess H. A mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus responds better to soluble TACI than to soluble BAFFR, correlating with depletion of plasma cells. Eur J Immunol 2017; 47:1075-1085. [PMID: 28383107 PMCID: PMC5518279 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201746934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The TNF family cytokines B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) support plasma cell survival. It is known that inhibitors of BAFF only (BAFFR-Fc) or BAFF and APRIL (TACI-Fc) administered early enough in an NZB/NZW F1 mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ameliorate clinical outcomes, pointing to a pathogenic role of BAFF. In the present study, TACI-Fc administrated at a later stage of disease, after onset of autoimmunity, decreased the number of bone marrow plasma cells and slowed down further formation of autoantibodies. TACI-Fc prevented renal damage during a 12-week treatment period regardless of autoantibody levels, while BAFFR-Fc did not despite a similar BAFF-blocking activity in vivo. TACI-Fc also decreased established plasma cells in a T-dependent hapten/carrier immunization system better than single inhibitors of BAFF or APRIL, and sometimes better than combined single inhibitors with at least equivalent BAFF and APRIL inhibitory activities. These results indicate that TACI-Fc can prevent symptoms of renal damage in a mouse model of SLE when BAFFR-Fc cannot, and point to a plasticity of plasma cells for survival factors. Targeting plasma cells with TACI-Fc might be beneficial to prevent autoantibody-mediated damages in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Haselmayer
- Department of Immunopharmacology, Immunology Translational Innovation Platform, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Michele Vigolo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Josquin Nys
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Henry Hess
- Department of Immunopharmacology, Immunology Translational Innovation Platform, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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33
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Smulski CR, Kury P, Seidel LM, Staiger HS, Edinger AK, Willen L, Seidl M, Hess H, Salzer U, Rolink AG, Rizzi M, Schneider P, Eibel H. BAFF- and TACI-Dependent Processing of BAFFR by ADAM Proteases Regulates the Survival of B Cells. Cell Rep 2017; 18:2189-2202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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34
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Podzus J, Kowalczyk-Quintas C, Schuepbach-Mallepell S, Willen L, Staehlin G, Vigolo M, Tardivel A, Headon D, Kirby N, Mikkola ML, Schneider H, Schneider P. Ectodysplasin A in Biological Fluids and Diagnosis of Ectodermal Dysplasia. J Dent Res 2016; 96:217-224. [PMID: 28106506 DOI: 10.1177/0022034516673562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family ligand ectodysplasin A (EDA) is produced as 2 full-length splice variants, EDA1 and EDA2, that bind to EDA receptor (EDAR) and X-linked EDA receptor (XEDAR/EDA2R), respectively. Inactivating mutations in Eda or Edar cause hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED), a condition characterized by malformations of the teeth, hair and glands, with milder deficiencies affecting only the teeth. EDA acts early during the development of ectodermal appendages-as early as the embryonic placode stage-and plays a role in adult appendage function. In this study, the authors measured EDA in serum, saliva and dried blood spots. The authors detected 3- to 4-fold higher levels of circulating EDA in cord blood than in adult sera. A receptor binding-competent form of EDA1 was the main form of EDA but a minor fraction of EDA2 was also found in fetal bovine serum. Sera of EDA-deficient patients contained either background EDA levels or low levels of EDA that could not bind to recombinant EDAR. The serum of a patient with a V262F missense mutation in Eda, which caused a milder form of X-linked HED (XLHED), contained low levels of EDA capable of binding to EDAR. In 2 mildly affected carriers, intermediate levels of EDA were detected, whereas a severely affected carrier had no active EDA in the serum. Small amounts of EDA were also detectable in normal adult saliva. Finally, EDA could be measured in spots of wild-type adult or cord blood dried onto filter paper at levels significantly higher than that measured in EDA-deficient blood. Measurement of EDA levels combined with receptor-binding assays might be of relevance to aid in the diagnosis of total or partial EDA deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Podzus
- 1 Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - C Kowalczyk-Quintas
- 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - L Willen
- 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - G Staehlin
- 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - M Vigolo
- 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - A Tardivel
- 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - D Headon
- 3 Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - N Kirby
- 4 Edimer Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA
| | - M L Mikkola
- 5 Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - H Schneider
- 1 Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - P Schneider
- 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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35
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Kowalczyk-Quintas C, Schuepbach-Mallepell S, Vigolo M, Willen L, Tardivel A, Smulski CR, Zheng TS, Gommerman J, Hess H, Gottenberg JE, Mackay F, Donzé O, Schneider P. Antibodies That Block or Activate Mouse B Cell Activating Factor of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Family (BAFF), Respectively, Induce B Cell Depletion or B Cell Hyperplasia. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:19826-34. [PMID: 27451394 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.725929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
B cell activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF), also known as B lymphocyte stimulator, is a ligand required for the generation and maintenance of B lymphocytes. In this study, the ability of different monoclonal antibodies to recognize, inhibit, or activate mouse BAFF was investigated. One of them, a mouse IgG1 named Sandy-2, prevented the binding of BAFF to all of its receptors, BAFF receptor, transmembrane activator and calcium modulating ligand interactor, and B cell maturation antigen, at a stoichiometric ratio; blocked the activity of mouse BAFF on a variety of cell-based reporter assays; and antagonized the prosurvival action of BAFF on primary mouse B cells in vitro A single administration of Sandy-2 in mice induced B cell depletion within 2 weeks, down to levels close to those observed in BAFF-deficient mice. This depletion could then be maintained with a chronic treatment. Sandy-2 and a previously described rat IgG1 antibody, 5A8, also formed a pair suitable for the sensitive detection of endogenous circulating BAFF by ELISA or using a homogenous assay. Interestingly, 5A8 and Sandy-5 displayed activities opposite to that of Sandy-2 by stimulating recombinant BAFF in vitro and endogenous BAFF in vivo These tools will prove useful for the detection and functional manipulation of endogenous mouse BAFF and provide an alternative to the widely used BAFF receptor-Fc decoy receptor for the specific depletion of BAFF in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michele Vigolo
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Laure Willen
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Aubry Tardivel
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Cristian R Smulski
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - Jennifer Gommerman
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | | | | | - Fabienne Mackay
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia, and
| | - Olivier Donzé
- Adipogen Life Sciences, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Schneider
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland,
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36
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Maskos K, Lammens A, Tan SL, Hess H, Palinsky W, Schneider P, Jiang X. Data for the crystal structure of APRIL-BAFF-BAFF heterotrimer. Data Brief 2016; 6:438-44. [PMID: 26870754 PMCID: PMC4712316 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2015.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The TNF family ligands B cell activation factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) modulate B cell function by forming homotrimers and heterotrimers. To determine the structure of a heterotrimer of BAFF and APRIL, these ligands were expressed as a single chain protein in HEK 293 cells, purified by affinity and size exclusion chromatographies, and crystallized. Crystals belonging to the orthorhombic crystal system with a space group of C2221 diffracted to 2.43 Å. Initial structural solution was obtained by the molecular replacement method, and the structure was further refined to an R factor of 0.179 and free R factor of 0.234. The atomic coordinates and structure factors have been deposited into the Protein Data Bank (accession code 4ZCH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Maskos
- Proteros Biostructures GmbH, D-82152 Planegg, Germany
| | | | - Seng-Lai Tan
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821, U.S.A
| | | | | | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Xuliang Jiang
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821, U.S.A
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