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Li X, Zhang W, Shu Y, Huo R, Zheng C, Qi Q, Fu P, Sun J, Wang Y, Wang Y, Lu J, Zhao X, Yin G, Wang Q, Hong J. Biparatopic anti-PCSK9 antibody enhances the LDL-uptake in HepG2 cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15331. [PMID: 38961200 PMCID: PMC11222478 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66290-9] [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: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target to reduce lipids. In 2020, we reported a chimeric camelid-human heavy chain antibody VHH-B11-Fc targeting PCSK9. Recently, it was verified that VHH-B11 binds one linear epitope in the PCSK9 hinge region. To enhance its druggability, we have developed a novel biparatopic B11-H2-Fc Ab herein. Thereinto, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) confirmed the epitope differences in binding-PCSK9 among VHH-B11, VHH-H2 and the approved Repatha. Additionally, SPR revealed the B11-H2-Fc exhibits an avidity of approximately 0.036 nM for PCSK9, representing a considerable increase compared to VHH-B11-Fc (~ 0.69 nM). Moreover, we found the Repatha and B11-H2-Fc exhibited > 95% PCSK9 inhibition efficiency compared to approximately 48% for the VHH-Fc at 7.4 nM (P < 0.0005). Further, we verified its biological activity using the human hepatoma cells G2 model, where the B11-H2-Fc exhibited almost 100% efficiency in PCSK9 inhibition at only 0.75 μM. The immunoblotting results of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) uptake assay also demonstrated the excellent performance of B11-H2-Fc on recovering the LDL-c receptor (LDLR), as strong as the Repatha (P > 0.05). These findings provide the first evidence of the efficacy of a novel Ab targeting PCSK9 in the field of lipid-lowering drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Public Health and Emergency Management, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Shu
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Rui Huo
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Chengyang Zheng
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Qi Qi
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Pengfei Fu
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Jie Sun
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Yuhuan Wang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Juxu Lu
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Xiangjie Zhao
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China
| | - Guoyou Yin
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China.
| | - Qingqing Wang
- Employment and Business Startup Service Center, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China.
| | - Jun Hong
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Ping Dingshan, 467036, China.
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Kehinde IO, Akawa O, Adewumi AT, Rabbad AH, Soliman MES. PCSK9 inhibitors as safer therapeutics for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD): Pharmacophore design and molecular dynamics analysis. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30581. [PMID: 38747499 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30581] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disorders are still challenging and are among the deadly diseases. As a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in particular, can be prevented primary and secondary by lipid-lowering medications. Therefore, insights are still needed into designing new drugs with minimal side effects. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) enzyme catalyses protein-protein interactions with low-density lipoprotein, making it a critical target for designing promising inhibitors compared to statins. Therefore, we screened for potential compounds using a redesigned PCSK9 conformational behaviour to search for a significantly extensive chemical library and investigated the inhibitory mechanisms of the final compounds using integrated computational methods, from ligand essential functional group screening to all-atoms MD simulations and MMGBSA-based binding free energy. The inhibitory mechanisms of the screened compounds compared with the standard inhibitor. K31 and K34 molecules showed stronger interactions for PCSK9, having binding energy (kcal/mol) of -33.39 and -63.51, respectively, against -27.97 of control. The final molecules showed suitable drug-likeness, non-mutagenesis, permeability, and high solubility values. The C-α atoms root mean square deviation and root mean square fluctuation of the bound-PCSK9 complexes showed stable and lower fluctuations compared to apo PCSK9. The findings present a model that unravels the mechanism by which the final molecules proposedly inhibit the PCSK9 function and could further improve the design of novel drugs against cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim O Kehinde
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Oluwole Akawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Adeniyi T Adewumi
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ali H Rabbad
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E S Soliman
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
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Fruchart Gaillard C, Ouadda ABD, Ciccone L, Girard E, Mikaeeli S, Evagelidis A, Le Dévéhat M, Susan-Resiga D, Lajeunesse EC, Nozach H, Ramos OHP, Thureau A, Legrand P, Prat A, Dive V, Seidah NG. Molecular interactions of PCSK9 with an inhibitory nanobody, CAP1 and HLA-C: Functional regulation of LDLR levels. Mol Metab 2022; 67:101662. [PMID: 36566984 PMCID: PMC9816786 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The liver-derived circulating PCSK9 enhances the degradation of the LDL receptor (LDLR) in endosomes/lysosomes. PCSK9 inhibition or silencing is presently used in clinics worldwide to reduce LDL-cholesterol, resulting in lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and possibly cancer/metastasis. The mechanism by which the PCSK9-LDLR complex is sorted to degradation compartments is not fully understood. We previously suggested that out of the three M1, M2 and M3 subdomains of the C-terminal Cys/His-rich-domain (CHRD) of PCSK9, only M2 is critical for the activity of extracellular of PCSK9 on cell surface LDLR. This likely implicates the binding of M2 to an unknown membrane-associated "protein X" that would escort the complex to endosomes/lysosomes for degradation. We reported that a nanobody P1.40 binds the M1 and M3 domains of the CHRD and inhibits the function of PCSK9. It was also reported that the cytosolic adenylyl cyclase-associated protein 1 (CAP1) could bind M1 and M3 subdomains and enhance the activity of PCSK9. In this study, we determined the 3-dimensional structure of the CHRD-P1.40 complex to understand the intricate interplay between P1.40, CAP1 and PCSK9 and how they regulate LDLR degradation. METHODS X-ray diffraction of the CHRD-P1.40 complex was analyzed with a 2.2 Å resolution. The affinity and interaction of PCSK9 or CHRD with P1.40 or CAP1 was analyzed by atomic modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, bio-layer interferometry, expression in hepatic cell lines and immunocytochemistry to monitor LDLR degradation. The CHRD-P1.40 interaction was further analyzed by deep mutational scanning and binding assays to validate the role of predicted critical residues. Conformational changes and atomic models were obtained by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). RESULTS We demonstrate that PCSK9 exists in a closed or open conformation and that P1.40 favors the latter by binding key residues in the M1 and M3 subdomains of the CHRD. Our data show that CAP1 is well secreted by hepatic cells and binds extracellular PCSK9 at distinct residues in the M1 and M3 modules and in the acidic prodomain. CAP1 stabilizes the closed conformation of PCSK9 and prevents P1.40 binding. However, CAP1 siRNA only partially inhibited PCSK9 activity on the LDLR. By modeling the previously reported interaction between M2 and an R-X-E motif in HLA-C, we identified Glu567 and Arg549 as critical M2 residues binding HLA-C. Amazingly, these two residues are also required for the PCSK9-induced LDLR degradation. CONCLUSIONS The present study reveals that CAP1 enhances the function of PCSK9, likely by twisting the protein into a closed configuration that exposes the M2 subdomain needed for targeting the PCSK9-LDLR complex to degradation compartments. We hypothesize that "protein X", which is expected to guide the LDLR-PCSK9-CAP1 complex to these compartments after endocytosis into clathrin-coated vesicles, is HLA-C or a similar MHC-I family member. This conclusion is supported by the PCSK9 natural loss-of-function Q554E and gain-of-function H553R M2 variants, whose consequences are anticipated by our modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Fruchart Gaillard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ali Ben Djoudi Ouadda
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), affiliated to the University of Montreal, Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Lidia Ciccone
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, HelioBio group, l'Orme des Merisiers, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France; Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno, 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Emmanuelle Girard
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), affiliated to the University of Montreal, Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Sepideh Mikaeeli
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), affiliated to the University of Montreal, Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Alexandra Evagelidis
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), affiliated to the University of Montreal, Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Maïlys Le Dévéhat
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), affiliated to the University of Montreal, Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Delia Susan-Resiga
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), affiliated to the University of Montreal, Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Evelyne Cassar Lajeunesse
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Hervé Nozach
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Oscar Henrique Pereira Ramos
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Aurélien Thureau
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, HelioBio group, l'Orme des Merisiers, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Pierre Legrand
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, HelioBio group, l'Orme des Merisiers, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Annik Prat
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), affiliated to the University of Montreal, Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Vincent Dive
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SIMoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), affiliated to the University of Montreal, Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada.
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Development and characterization of a camelid derived antibody targeting a linear epitope in the hinge domain of human PCSK9 protein. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12211. [PMID: 35842473 PMCID: PMC9288512 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16453-3] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PCSK9 is an effective target for lowering LDL-c. Previously, a camelid-human chimeric heavy chain antibody VHH-B11-Fc targeting human PCSK9 was designed. It had a potent hypolipidemic effect. However, the nanobody VHH-B11 interacts with PCSK9 at low affinity, while camelid VHH exhibits some immunogenicity. Moreover, the interacting epitope is yet to be identified, although VHH-B11 was shown to have distinct hPCSK9-binding epitopes for Evolocumab. This might impede the molecule’s progress from bench to bedside. In the present study, we designed various configurations to improve the affinity of VHH-B11 with hPCSK9 (< 10 nM) that in turn enhanced the druggability of VHH-B11-Fc. Then, 17 amino acids were specifically mutated to increase the degree of humanization of the nanobody VHH-B11. Using phage display and sequencing technology, the linear epitope “STHGAGW” (amino acids 447–452) was identified in the hinge region of PCSK9 as the interacting site between VHH-B11-Fc and hPCSK9. Unlike the interaction epitope of Evolocumab, located in the catalytic region of PCSK9, the binding epitope of VHH-B11 is located in the hinge region of PCSK9, which is rarely reported. These findings indicated that a specific mechanism underlying this interaction needs to be explored.
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Abstract
This article reviews the discovery of PCSK9, its structure-function characteristics, and its presently known and proposed novel biological functions. The major critical function of PCSK9 deduced from human and mouse studies, as well as cellular and structural analyses, is its role in increasing the levels of circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDLc), via its ability to enhance the sorting and escort of the cell surface LDL receptor (LDLR) to lysosomes. This implicates the binding of the catalytic domain of PCSK9 to the EGF-A domain of the LDLR. This also requires the presence of the C-terminal Cys/His-rich domain, its binding to the secreted cytosolic cyclase associated protein 1, and possibly another membrane-bound "protein X". Curiously, in PCSK9-deficient mice, an alternative to the downregulation of the surface levels of the LDLR by PCSK9 is taking place in the liver of female mice in a 17β-estradiol-dependent manner by still an unknown mechanism. Recent studies have extended our understanding of the biological functions of PCSK9, namely its implication in septic shock, vascular inflammation, viral infections (Dengue; SARS-CoV-2) or immune checkpoint modulation in cancer via the regulation of the cell surface levels of the T-cell receptor and MHC-I, which govern the antitumoral activity of CD8+ T cells. Because PCSK9 inhibition may be advantageous in these processes, the availability of injectable safe PCSK9 inhibitors that reduces by 50% to 60% LDLc above the effect of statins is highly valuable. Indeed, injectable PCSK9 monoclonal antibody or small interfering RNA could be added to current immunotherapies in cancer/metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM, affiliated to the University of Montreal), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Annik Prat
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM, affiliated to the University of Montreal), Montreal, QC, Canada
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Yokoyama T, Ando T, Takamori Y, Fuji D, Sato M, Vedi S, Yamamoto M, Kawakami T. In vitro display evolution of unnatural peptides spontaneously cyclized via intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitutions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:5237-5240. [PMID: 35388838 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc00584k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We report novel, ribosomally incorporatable, and intramolecularly cysteine-reactive fluorobenzoic acid-derived linkers for SELEX of mRNA-displayed unnatural peptides, which spontaneously cyclized via intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitutions forming thioethers. With this strategy we identified several novel PCSK9-binding peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Yokoyama
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Takehiro Ando
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Yukio Takamori
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Fuji
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Masashi Sato
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Santhana Vedi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Mizuki Yamamoto
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
| | - Takashi Kawakami
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
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7
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Deshycka R, Sudaryo V, Huang NJ, Xie Y, Smeding LY, Choi MK, Ploegh HL, Lodish HF, Pishesha N. Engineered red blood cells carrying PCSK9 inhibitors persistently lower LDL and prevent obesity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259353. [PMID: 34731223 PMCID: PMC8565730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Low plasma levels of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 (PCSK9) are associated with decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. PCSK9 binds to the epidermal growth factor-like repeat A (EGFA) domain of LDL receptors (LDLR), very low-density lipoprotein receptors (VLDLR), apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2), and lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and accelerates their degradation, thus acting as a key regulator of lipid metabolism. Antibody and RNAi-based PCSK9 inhibitor treatments lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular incidents in patients, but their high-cost hampers market penetration. We sought to develop a safe, long-term and one-time solution to treat hyperlipidemia. We created a cDNA encoding a chimeric protein in which the extracellular N- terminus of red blood cells (RBCs) specific glycophorin A was fused to the LDLR EGFA domain and introduced this gene into mouse bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Following transplantation into irradiated mice, the animals produced RBCs with the EGFA domain (EGFA-GPA RBCs) displayed on their surface. These animals showed significantly reduced plasma PCSK9 (66.5% decrease) and reduced LDL levels (40% decrease) for as long as 12 months post-transplantation. Furthermore, the EGFA- GPA mice remained lean for life and maintained normal body weight under a high-fat diet. Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy can generate red blood cells expressing an EGFA-glycophorin A chimeric protein as a practical and long-term strategy for treating chronic hyperlipidemia and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhogerry Deshycka
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Valentino Sudaryo
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Nai-Jia Huang
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Yushu Xie
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Liyan Y. Smeding
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Moon Kyung Choi
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Hidde L. Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Harvey F. Lodish
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Novalia Pishesha
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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8
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Seidah NG. The PCSK9 discovery, an inactive protease with varied functions in hypercholesterolemia, viral infections, and cancer. J Lipid Res 2021; 62:100130. [PMID: 34606887 PMCID: PMC8551645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2021.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2003, the sequences of mammalian proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) were reported. Radiolabeling pulse-chase analyses demonstrated that PCSK9 was synthesized as a precursor (proPCSK9) that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage in the endoplasmic reticulum into PCSK9, which is then secreted as an inactive enzyme in complex with its inhibitory prodomain. Its high mRNA expression in liver hepatocytes and its gene localization on chromosome 1p32, a third locus associated with familial hypercholesterolemia, other than LDLR or APOB, led us to identify three patient families expressing the PCSK9 variants S127R or F216L. Although Pcsk9 and Ldlr were downregulated in mice that were fed a cholesterol-rich diet, PCSK9 overexpression led to the degradation of the LDLR. This led to the demonstration that gain-of-function and loss-of-function variations in PCSK9 modulate its bioactivity, whereby PCSK9 binds the LDLR in a nonenzymatic fashion to induce its degradation in endosomes/lysosomes. PCSK9 was also shown to play major roles in targeting other receptors for degradation, thereby regulating various processes, including hypercholesterolemia and associated atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, viral infections, and immune checkpoint regulation in cancer. Injectable PCSK9 monoclonal antibody or siRNA is currently used in clinics worldwide to treat hypercholesterolemia and could be combined with current therapies in cancer/metastasis. In this review, we present the critical information that led to the discovery of PCSK9 and its implication in LDL-C metabolism. We further analyze the underlying functional mechanism(s) in the regulation of LDL-C, as well as the evolving novel roles of PCSK9 in both health and disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM, affiliated to the University of Montreal), 110 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.
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9
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Brousseau ME, Clairmont KB, Spraggon G, Flyer AN, Golosov AA, Grosche P, Amin J, Andre J, Burdick D, Caplan S, Chen G, Chopra R, Ames L, Dubiel D, Fan L, Gattlen R, Kelly-Sullivan D, Koch AW, Lewis I, Li J, Liu E, Lubicka D, Marzinzik A, Nakajima K, Nettleton D, Ottl J, Pan M, Patel T, Perry L, Pickett S, Poirier J, Reid PC, Pelle X, Seepersaud M, Subramanian V, Vera V, Xu M, Yang L, Yang Q, Yu J, Zhu G, Monovich LG. Identification of a PCSK9-LDLR disruptor peptide with in vivo function. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 29:249-258.e5. [PMID: 34547225 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by promoting hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation. Therapeutic antibodies that disrupt PCSK9-LDLR binding reduce LDL-C concentrations and cardiovascular disease risk. The epidermal growth factor precursor homology domain A (EGF-A) of the LDLR serves as a primary contact with PCSK9 via a flat interface, presenting a challenge for identifying small molecule PCSK9-LDLR disruptors. We employ an affinity-based screen of 1013in vitro-translated macrocyclic peptides to identify high-affinity PCSK9 ligands that utilize a unique, induced-fit pocket and partially disrupt the PCSK9-LDLR interaction. Structure-based design led to molecules with enhanced function and pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., 13PCSK9i). In mice, 13PCSK9i reduces plasma cholesterol levels and increases hepatic LDLR density in a dose-dependent manner. 13PCSK9i functions by a unique, allosteric mechanism and is the smallest molecule identified to date with in vivo PCSK9-LDLR disruptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret E Brousseau
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Kevin B Clairmont
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Glen Spraggon
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Alec N Flyer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Andrei A Golosov
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Philipp Grosche
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jakal Amin
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jerome Andre
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Debra Burdick
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shari Caplan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Guanjing Chen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Raj Chopra
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lisa Ames
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Diana Dubiel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Li Fan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Raphael Gattlen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dawn Kelly-Sullivan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alexander W Koch
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ian Lewis
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jingzhou Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Eugene Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Danuta Lubicka
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Andreas Marzinzik
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katsumasa Nakajima
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David Nettleton
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Johannes Ottl
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Meihui Pan
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tajesh Patel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lauren Perry
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Stephanie Pickett
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Poirier
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Patrick C Reid
- PeptiDream, Inc., KOL Building, Room 405, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Xavier Pelle
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mohindra Seepersaud
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Vanitha Subramanian
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Victoria Vera
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mei Xu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lihua Yang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Qing Yang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jinghua Yu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Guoming Zhu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lauren G Monovich
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street and 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Yeoh SG, Sum JS, Lai JY, W Isa WYH, Lim TS. Potential of Phage Display Antibody Technology for Cardiovascular Disease Immunotherapy. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2021; 15:360-380. [PMID: 34467463 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-021-10169-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. CVD includes coronary artery diseases such as angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke. "Lipid hypothesis" which is also known as the cholesterol hypothesis proposes the linkage of plasma cholesterol level with the risk of developing CVD. Conventional management involves the use of statins to reduce the serum cholesterol levels as means for CVD prevention or treatment. The regulation of serum cholesterol levels can potentially be regulated with biological interventions like monoclonal antibodies. Phage display is a powerful tool for the development of therapeutic antibodies with successes over the recent decade. Although mainly for oncology, the application of monoclonal antibodies as immunotherapeutic agents could potentially be expanded to CVD. This review focuses on the concept of phage display for antibody development and discusses the potential target antigens that could potentially be beneficial for serum cholesterol management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Ghee Yeoh
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Jia Siang Sum
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Jing Yi Lai
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - W Y Haniff W Isa
- School of Medical Sciences, Department of Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Theam Soon Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia.
- Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia.
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11
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Tombling BJ, Zhang Y, Huang YH, Craik DJ, Wang CK. The emerging landscape of peptide-based inhibitors of PCSK9. Atherosclerosis 2021; 330:52-60. [PMID: 34246818 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.06.903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a clinically validated target for treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to its involvement in cholesterol metabolism. Although approved monoclonal antibodies (alirocumab and evolocumab) that inhibit PCSK9 function are very effective in lowering cholesterol, their limitations, including high treatment costs, have so far prohibited widespread use. Accordingly, there is great interest in alternative drug modalities to antibodies. Like antibodies, peptides are valuable therapeutics due to their high target potency and specificity. Furthermore, being smaller than antibodies means they have access to more drug administration options, are less likely to induce adverse immunogenic responses, and are better suited to affordable production. This review surveys the current peptide-based landscape aimed towards PCSK9 inhibition, covering pre-clinical to patented drug candidates and comparing them to current cholesterol lowering therapeutics. Classes of peptides reported to be inhibitors include nature-inspired disulfide-rich peptides, combinatorially derived cyclic peptides, and peptidomimetics. Their functional activities have been validated in biophysical and cellular assays, and in some cases pre-clinical mouse models. Recent efforts report peptides with potent sub-nanomolar binding affinities to PCSK9, which highlights their potential to achieve antibody-like potency. Studies are beginning to address pharmacokinetic properties of PCSK9-targeting peptides in more detail. We conclude by highlighting opportunities to investigate their biological effects in pre-clinical models of cardiovascular disease. The anticipation concerning the PCSK9-targeting peptide landscape is accelerating and it seems likely that a peptide-based therapeutic for treating PCSK9-mediated hypercholesterolemia may be clinically available in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Yuhui Zhang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia.
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12
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Tombling BJ, Lammi C, Lawrence N, Gilding EK, Grazioso G, Craik DJ, Wang CK. Bioactive Cyclization Optimizes the Affinity of a Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Peptide Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2020; 64:2523-2533. [PMID: 33356222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are regarded as promising next-generation therapeutics. However, an analysis of over 1000 bioactive peptide candidates suggests that many have underdeveloped affinities and could benefit from cyclization using a bridging linker sequence. Until now, the primary focus has been on the use of inert peptide linkers. Here, we show that affinity can be significantly improved by enriching the linker with functional amino acids. We engineered a peptide inhibitor of PCSK9, a target for clinical management of hypercholesterolemia, to demonstrate this concept. Cyclization linker optimization from library screening produced a cyclic peptide with ∼100-fold improved activity over the parent peptide and efficiently restored low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor levels and cleared extracellular LDL. The linker forms favorable interactions with PCSK9 as evidenced by thermodynamics, structure-activity relationship (SAR), NMR, and molecular dynamics (MD) studies. This PCSK9 inhibitor is one of many peptides that could benefit from bioactive cyclization, a strategy that is amenable to broad application in pharmaceutical design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Tombling
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Carmen Lammi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Edward K Gilding
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Giovanni Grazioso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
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13
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Ando T, Yamamoto M, Yokoyama T, Horiuchi D, Kawakami T. In vitro selection generates RNA aptamer that antagonizes PCSK9-LDLR interaction and recovers cellular LDL uptake. J Biosci Bioeng 2020; 131:326-332. [PMID: 33177004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) induces low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor (LDLR) degradation, increasing plasma LDL-cholesterol levels and causing hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, inhibition of PCSK9-LDLR interaction is an attractive therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia treatment. In this study, we have identified a novel RNA aptamer that binds specifically to PCSK9 by in vitro selection, also known as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The binding kinetics of the PCSK9-binding RNA aptamer was measured by biolayer interferometry assay, showing that the aptamer has higher affinity compared to PCSK9-LDLR interaction. Competitive inhibition assay using chemiluminescence detection revealed that the RNA aptamer inhibits PCSK9-LDLR interaction. In cellular LDL-uptake assays with HepG2 cells, the RNA aptamer recovered LDL uptake in the PCSK9-treated cells, demonstrating its anti-PCSK9 antagonistic activity. These results indicated that the PCSK9-binding RNA aptamer has the potential to be an affinity reagent for PCSK9 protein analysis and a therapeutic reagent for hypercholesterolemia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Ando
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Mizuki Yamamoto
- Department of Integrated Applied Life Science, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Takumi Yokoyama
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Daisuke Horiuchi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Takashi Kawakami
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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14
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Seidah NG, Prat A, Pirillo A, Catapano AL, Norata GD. Novel strategies to target proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9: beyond monoclonal antibodies. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 115:510-518. [PMID: 30629143 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvz003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the role of proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) in the regulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in 2003, a paradigm shift in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia has occurred. The PCSK9 secreted into the circulation is a major downregulator of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) protein, as it chaperones it to endosomes/lysosomes for degradation. Humans with loss-of-function of PCSK9 exhibit exceedingly low levels of LDL-C and are protected from atherosclerosis. As a consequence, innovative strategies to modulate the levels of PCSK9 have been developed. Since 2015 inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (evolocumab and alirocumab) are commercially available. When subcutaneously injected every 2-4 weeks, they trigger a ∼60% LDL-C lowering and a 15% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events. Another promising approach consists of a liver-targetable specific PCSK9 siRNA which results in ∼50-60% LDL-C lowering that lasts up to 6 months (Phases II-III clinical trials). Other strategies under consideration include: (i) antibodies targeting the C-terminal domain of PCSK9, thereby inhibiting the trafficking of PCSK9-LDLR to lysosomes; (ii) small molecules that either prevent PCSK9 binding to the LDLR, its trafficking to lysosomes or its secretion from cells; (iii) complete silencing of PCSK9 by CRISPR-Cas9 strategies; (iv) PCSK9 vaccines that inhibit the activity of circulating PCSK9. Time will tell whether other strategies can be as potent and safe as monoclonal antibodies to lower LDL-C levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM; Affiliated to the University of Montreal), Montreal, QC H2W1R7, Canada
| | - Annik Prat
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM; Affiliated to the University of Montreal), Montreal, QC H2W1R7, Canada
| | - Angela Pirillo
- Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis, E. Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberico Luigi Catapano
- IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Danilo Norata
- Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis, E. Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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15
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Li X, Wang M, Zhang X, Liu C, Xiang H, Huang M, Ma Y, Gao X, Jiang L, Liu X, Li B, Hou Y, Zhang X, Yang S, Yang N. The novel llama-human chimeric antibody has potent effect in lowering LDL-c levels in hPCSK9 transgenic rats. Clin Transl Med 2020; 9:16. [PMID: 32056048 PMCID: PMC7018876 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-020-0265-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The advent of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)-inhibiting drugs have provided an effective, but extremely expensive treatment for the management of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Our aim was to explore a cost-effective application of camelid anti-PCSK9 single domain antibodies (sdAbs), which are high variable regions of the camelid heavy chain antibodies (VHHs), as a human PCSK9 (hPCSK9) inhibitor. One female llama was immunized with hPCSK9. Screening of high affinity anti-PCSK9 VHHs was carried out based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. We reported a lysate kinetic analysis method improving the screening efficiency. To increase the serum half-life and targeting properties, the constant region fragment of the human immunoglobulin gamma sub-type 4 (IgG4 Fc) was incorporated to form a novel llama-human chimeric molecule (VHH-hFc). RESULTS The PCSK9 inhibiting effects of the VHH proteins were analyzed in two human liver hepatocellular cells (HepG2 and Huh7) and in the hPCSK9 transgenic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model. The hPCSK9 antagonistic potency of the bivalent VHH-hFc exceeded the monovalent VHH (P < 0.001) in hepatocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, the llama-human chimeric VHH-Fc protein had a similar reduction (~ 40%) of the LDL-c and total cholesterol when compared to the approved evolocumab in transgenic SD rat model, but with low cost. More surprisingly, the chimeric heavy chain antibodies could be persevered for 3 months at room temperature with little loss of the affinity. CONCLUSIONS Due to the high yield and low cost of Pichia pastoris, lipid-lowering effect and strong stability, the llama-human chimeric antibody (VHH-Fc) offers a potent therapeutic candidate for the control of the serum lipid level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Meiniang Wang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Xinhua Zhang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Chuxin Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Haitao Xiang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Mi Huang
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
- BGI-Hubei, BGI-Shenzhen, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yingying Ma
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
- BGI-Hubei, BGI-Shenzhen, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xiaoyan Gao
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
- BGI-Hubei, BGI-Shenzhen, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Xiaopan Liu
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Bo Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Yong Hou
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Xiuqing Zhang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Shuang Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
| | - Naibo Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
- Complete Genomics, Inc., 2904 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA, 95134, USA.
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16
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Essalmani R, Weider E, Marcinkiewicz J, Chamberland A, Susan-Resiga D, Roubtsova A, Seidah NG, Prat A. A single domain antibody against the Cys- and His-rich domain of PCSK9 and evolocumab exhibit different inhibition mechanisms in humanized PCSK9 mice. Biol Chem 2019; 399:1363-1374. [PMID: 30044755 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0194] [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: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secreted protein that binds and escorts the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) into the lysosomal degradation pathway. Prescribed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PCSK9 prevent its binding to the LDLR, and result in ~60% lower LDL cholesterol (LDLc) levels. Although efficient, mAbs are expensive. Hence other PCSK9 inhibitors are needed. For screening purpose, we developed C57BL/6J mice expressing the human PCSK9 gene under the control of its own promoter, but lacking endogenous mouse PCSK9. All lines recapitulate the endogenous PCSK9 expression pattern. The Tg2 line that expresses physiological levels of human PCSK9 (hPCSK9) was selected to characterize the inhibitory properties of a previously reported single domain antibody (sdAb), PKF8-mFc, which binds the C-terminal domain of PCSK9. Upon intraveinous injection of 10 mg/kg, PKF8-mFc and the mAb evolocumab neutralized ~50% and 100% of the hPCSK9 impact on total cholesterol (TC) levels, respectively, but PKF8-mFc had a more sustained effect. PKF8-mFc barely affected hPCSK9 levels, whereas evolocumab promoted a 4-fold increase 3 days post-injection, suggesting very different inhibitory mechanisms. The present study also shows that the new transgenic mice are well suited to screen a variety of hPCSK9 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Essalmani
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated to the Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave. West, Montreal H2W 1R7, QC, Canada
| | - Elodie Weider
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated to the Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave. West, Montreal H2W 1R7, QC, Canada
| | - Jadwiga Marcinkiewicz
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated to the Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave. West, Montreal H2W 1R7, QC, Canada
| | - Ann Chamberland
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated to the Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave. West, Montreal H2W 1R7, QC, Canada
| | - Delia Susan-Resiga
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated to the Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave. West, Montreal H2W 1R7, QC, Canada
| | - Anna Roubtsova
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated to the Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave. West, Montreal H2W 1R7, QC, Canada
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated to the Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave. West, Montreal H2W 1R7, QC, Canada
| | - Annik Prat
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated to the Université de Montréal, 110 Pine Ave. West, Montreal H2W 1R7, QC, Canada
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17
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Identification of a Helical Segment within the Intrinsically Disordered Region of the PCSK9 Prodomain. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:885-903. [PMID: 30653992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a key regulator of lipid metabolism by degrading liver LDL receptors. Structural studies have provided molecular details of PCSK9 function. However, the N-terminal acidic stretch of the PCSK9 prodomain (Q31-T60) has eluded structural investigation, since it is in a disordered state. The interest in this region is intensified by the presence of human missense mutations associated with low and high LDL-c levels (E32K, D35Y, and R46L, respectively), as well as two posttranslationally modified sites, sulfated Y38 and phosphorylated S47. Herein we show that a segment within this region undergoes disorder-to-order transition. Experiments with acidic stretch-derived peptides demonstrated that the folding is centered at the segment Y38-L45, which adopts an α-helix as determined by NMR analysis of free peptides and by X-ray crystallography of peptides in complex with antibody 6E2 (Ab6E2). In the Fab6E2-peptide complexes, the structured region features a central 2 1/4-turn α-helix and encompasses up to 2/3 of the length of the acidic stretch, including the missense mutations and posttranslationally modified sites. Experiments with helix-breaking proline substitutions in peptides and in PCSK9 protein indicated that Ab6E2 specifically recognizes the helical conformation of the acidic stretch. Therefore, the observed quantitative binding of Ab6E2 to native PCSK9 from various cell lines suggests that the disorder-to-order transition is a true feature of PCSK9 and not limited to peptides. Because the helix provides a constrained spatial orientation of the missense mutations and the posttranslationally modified residues, it is probable that their biological functions take place in the context of an ordered conformational state.
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18
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Seidah NG, Chrétien M, Mbikay M. The ever-expanding saga of the proprotein convertases and their roles in body homeostasis: emphasis on novel proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin number 9 functions and regulation. Curr Opin Lipidol 2018; 29:144-150. [PMID: 29342010 DOI: 10.1097/mol.0000000000000484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The nine members of the proprotein convertase family play major physiological roles during development and in the adult, and their dysregulation leads to various diseases. The primary objective of this article is to review recent findings on the clinical importance of some of these convertases concentrating mostly on PCSK9, the ninth member of the convertase family. This includes the transcriptional and translational regulation of PCSK9, its ability to enhance the degradation of LDL receptor (LDLR), and the implication of PCSK9 in inflammation and sepsis. RECENT FINDINGS PCSK9 levels are upregulated by E2F1 and reduced by specific miRNAs and by Annexin A2 that bind the 3' end of its mRNA. The implication of the LDLR in the clearance of pathogenic bacterial debris in mice and human puts in perspective a new role for PCSK9 in the regulation of sepsis. The specific implication of the LDLR in the clearance of Lp(a) is now confirmed by multiple studies of PCSK9 inhibition in human cohorts. SUMMARY Emerging data suggest that PCSK9 can be regulated at the transcriptional and translational levels by specific factors and miRNAs. The identification of a novel pocket in the catalytic domain of PCSK9 represents a harbinger for a new class of small inhibitor drugs. The implication of the LDLR in reducing the effects of bacterially induced sepsis has been supported by both human and mouse data. Outcome studies confirmed the clinical importance of reducing PCSK9 levels. The present review puts in perspective new developments in the PCSK9 biology and its regulation of the LDLR. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COL/A17.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michel Chrétien
- Laboratory of Functional Endoproteolysis, Montreal Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Majambu Mbikay
- Laboratory of Functional Endoproteolysis, Montreal Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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19
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Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. Characterization of Proprotein Convertases and Their Involvement in Virus Propagation. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122180 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
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20
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Gupta N, Sharma N, Mathur SK, Chandra R, Nimesh S. Advancement in nanotechnology-based approaches for the treatment and diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 46:188-197. [PMID: 29265888 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2017.1417863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases have been the major cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world accounting for more than 80% of the deaths from heart attacks and strokes. Hypercholesterolemia, an autosomal disorder of lipoprotein metabolism is one of the foremost causes of CVDs. An increased level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the plasma results in the rise of incidence rates in disease patients. Several conventional and combinational therapies have been proposed for lowering the LDL-C levels in the blood. These therapeutic agents are designed to target some crucial molecules that participates in the lipid metabolism such as apolipoprotein B, HMGCoA reductase, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9, etc. Although these therapies are effective but are associated with certain side effects. This article presents an overview on different conventional and nanotechnology-based approaches for the treatment and diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia. Numerous nanomaterial-based therapies including polymeric nanoparticles, cationic lipids, liposomes, dendrimers and inorganic nanoparticles have been discussed in lowering the cholesterol level along with recent advancement in diagnosis and imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Gupta
- a Department of Biotechnology , The IIS University , Jaipur , India
| | - Nikita Sharma
- b Department of Biotechnology , Central University of Rajasthan , Ajmer , India
| | - Sandeep K Mathur
- c Department of Endocrinology , SMS Medical College and Hospitals , Jaipur , India
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- d Department of Chemistry , University of Delhi , Delhi , India
| | - Surendra Nimesh
- b Department of Biotechnology , Central University of Rajasthan , Ajmer , India
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21
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Pirro M, Bianconi V, Francisci D, Schiaroli E, Bagaglia F, Sahebkar A, Baldelli F. Hepatitis C virus and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9: a detrimental interaction to increase viral infectivity and disrupt lipid metabolism. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:3150-3161. [PMID: 28722331 PMCID: PMC5706572 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
From viral binding to the hepatocyte surface to extracellular virion release, the replication cycle of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) intersects at various levels with lipid metabolism; this leads to a derangement of the lipid profile and to increased viral infectivity. Accumulating evidence supports the crucial regulatory role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in lipoprotein metabolism. Notably, a complex interaction between HCV and PCSK9 has been documented. Indeed, either increased or reduced circulating PCSK9 levels have been observed in HCV patients; this discrepancy might be related to several confounders, including HCV genotype, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection and the ambiguous HCV‐mediated influence on PCSK9 transcription factors. On the other hand, PCSK9 may itself influence HCV infectivity, inasmuch as the expression of different hepatocyte surface entry proteins and receptors is regulated by PCSK9. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence about the complex interaction between HCV and liver lipoprotein metabolism, with a specific focus on PCSK9. The underlying assumption of this review is that the interconnections between HCV and PCSK9 may be central to explain viral infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Pirro
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Vanessa Bianconi
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiaroli
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesco Bagaglia
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Franco Baldelli
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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22
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Physiological and therapeutic regulation of PCSK9 activity in cardiovascular disease. Basic Res Cardiol 2017; 112:32. [PMID: 28439730 PMCID: PMC5403857 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-017-0619-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease is the main cause of death worldwide and is accelerated by increased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a potent circulating regulator of LDL-C through its ability to induce degradation of the LDL receptor (LDLR) in the lysosome of hepatocytes. Only in the last few years, a number of breakthroughs in the understanding of PCSK9 biology have been reported illustrating how PCSK9 activity is tightly regulated at several levels by factors influencing its transcription, secretion, or by extracellular inactivation and clearance. Two humanized antibodies directed against the LDLR-binding site in PCSK9 received approval by the European and US authorities and additional PCSK9 directed therapeutics are climbing up the phases of clinical trials. The first outcome data of the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab reported a significant reduction in the composite endpoint (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) and further outcome data are awaited. Meanwhile, it became evident that PCSK9 has (patho)physiological roles in several cardiovascular cells. In this review, we summarize and discuss the recent biological and clinical data on PCSK9, the regulation of PCSK9, its extra-hepatic activities focusing on cardiovascular cells, molecular concepts to target PCSK9, and finally briefly summarize the data of recent clinical studies.
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23
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He NY, Li Q, Wu CY, Ren Z, Gao Y, Pan LH, Wang MM, Wen HY, Jiang ZS, Tang ZH, Liu LS. Lowering serum lipids via PCSK9-targeting drugs: current advances and future perspectives. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2017; 38:301-311. [PMID: 28112180 PMCID: PMC5342665 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2016.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), also known as neural apoptosis regulated convertase (NARC1), is a key modulator of cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 increases the serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by escorting low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs) from the membrane of hepatic cells into lysosomes, where the LDLRs are degraded. Owing to the importance of PCSK9 in lipid metabolism, considerable effort has been made over the past decade in developing drugs targeting PCSK9 to lower serum lipid levels. Nevertheless, some problems and challenges remain. In this review we first describes the structure and function of PCSK9 and its gene polymorphisms. We then discuss the various designs of pharmacological targets of PCSK9, including those that block the binding of PCSK9 to hepatic LDLRs (mimetic peptides, adnectins, and monoclonal antibodies), inhibit PCSK9 expression (the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 platform, small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, and small interfering RNAs), and interfere with PCSK9 secretion. Finally, this review highlights future challenges in this field, including safety concerns associated with PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, the limited utility of PCSK9 inhibitors in the central nervous system, and the cost-effectiveness of PCSK9 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-ya He
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Qing Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Chun-yan Wu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Zhong Ren
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Ya Gao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Li-hong Pan
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Mei-mei Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Hong-yan Wen
- Medical College, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Zhi-sheng Jiang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Zhi-han Tang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Lu-shan Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
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24
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Klouwer FCC, Koster J, Ferdinandusse S, Waterham HR. Peroxisomal abnormalities in the immortalized human hepatocyte (IHH) cell line. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 147:537-541. [PMID: 28013369 PMCID: PMC5359384 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1532-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The immortalized human hepatocyte (IHH) cell line is increasingly used for studies related to liver metabolism, including hepatic glucose, lipid, lipoprotein and triglyceride metabolism, and the effect of therapeutic interventions. To determine whether the IHH cell line is a good model to investigate hepatic peroxisomal metabolism, we measured several peroxisomal parameters in IHH cells and, for comparison, HepG2 cells and primary skin fibroblasts. This revealed a marked plasmalogen deficiency and a deficient fatty acid α-oxidation in the IHH cells, due to a defect of PEX7, a cytosolic receptor protein required for peroxisomal import of a subset of peroxisomal proteins. These abnormalities have consequences for the lipid homeostasis of these cells and thus should be taken into account for the interpretation of data previously generated by using this cell line and when considering using this cell line for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke C C Klouwer
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janet Koster
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sacha Ferdinandusse
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans R Waterham
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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25
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Susan-Resiga D, Girard E, Kiss RS, Essalmani R, Hamelin J, Asselin MC, Awan Z, Butkinaree C, Fleury A, Soldera A, Dory YL, Baass A, Seidah NG. The Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9-resistant R410S Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Mutation: A NOVEL MECHANISM CAUSING FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA. J Biol Chem 2016; 292:1573-1590. [PMID: 27998977 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.769430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by severely elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Herein, we identified an FH patient presenting novel compound heterozygote mutations R410S and G592E of the LDL receptor (LDLR). The patient responded modestly to maximum rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe therapy, even in combination with a PCSK9 monoclonal antibody injection. Using cell biology and molecular dynamics simulations, we aimed to define the underlying mechanism(s) by which these LDLR mutations affect LDL metabolism and lead to hypercholesterolemia. Our data showed that the LDLR-G592E is a class 2b mutant, because it mostly failed to exit the endoplasmic reticulum and was degraded. Even though LDLR-R410S and LDLR-WT were similar in levels of cell surface and total receptor and bound equally well to LDL or extracellular PCSK9, the LDLR-R410S was resistant to exogenous PCSK9-mediated degradation in endosomes/lysosomes and showed reduced LDL internalization and degradation relative to LDLR-WT. Evidence is provided for a tighter association of LDL with LDLR-R410S at acidic pH, a reduced LDL delivery to late endosomes/lysosomes, and an increased release in the medium of the bound/internalized LDL, as compared with LDLR-WT. These data suggested that LDLR-R410S recycles loaded with its LDL-cargo. Our findings demonstrate that LDLR-R410S represents an LDLR loss-of-function through a novel class 8 FH-causing mechanism, thereby rationalizing the observed phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Susan-Resiga
- From the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Emmanuelle Girard
- From the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Robert Scott Kiss
- the Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 2M1, Canada
| | - Rachid Essalmani
- From the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Josée Hamelin
- From the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Asselin
- From the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Zuhier Awan
- From the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Chutikarn Butkinaree
- From the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Alexandre Fleury
- the Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Armand Soldera
- the Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Yves L Dory
- the Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Alexis Baass
- Nutrition, Metabolism, and Atherosclerosis Clinic, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, affiliated with University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- From the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada.
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26
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Seidah NG, Abifadel M, Prost S, Boileau C, Prat A. The Proprotein Convertases in Hypercholesterolemia and Cardiovascular Diseases: Emphasis on Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9. Pharmacol Rev 2016; 69:33-52. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.116.012989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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27
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Ly K, Essalmani R, Desjardins R, Seidah NG, Day R. An Unbiased Mass Spectrometry Approach Identifies Glypican-3 as an Interactor of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) and Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:24676-24687. [PMID: 27758865 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.746883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanism of LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation mediated by the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been extensively studied; however, many steps within this process remain unclear and still require characterization. Recent studies have shown that PCSK9 lacking its Cys/His-rich domain can still promote LDLR internalization, but the complex does not reach the lysosome suggesting the presence of an additional interaction partner(s). In this study we carried out an unbiased screening approach to identify PCSK9-interacting proteins in the HepG2 cells' secretome using co-immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry analyses. Several interacting proteins were identified, including glypican-3 (GPC3), phospholipid transfer protein, matrilin-3, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, fibrinogen-like 1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. We then validated these interactions by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Furthermore, functional validation was examined by silencing each candidate protein in HepG2 cells using short hairpin RNAs to determine their effect on LDL uptake and LDLR levels. Only GPC3 and phospholipid transfer protein silencing in HepG2 cells significantly increased LDL uptake in these cells and displayed higher total LDLR protein levels compared with control cells. Moreover, our study provides the first evidence that GPC3 can modulate the PCSK9 extracellular activity as a competitive binding partner to the LDLR in HepG2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kévin Ly
- From the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H5N4 and
| | - Rachid Essalmani
- the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated with Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- From the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H5N4 and
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Affiliated with Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- From the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H5N4 and.
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