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Cao Z, Garcia MJ, Sklar LA, Wandinger-Ness A, Fan Z. A Flow Cytometry-Based High-Throughput Technique for Screening Integrin-Inhibitory Drugs. J Vis Exp 2024:10.3791/64401. [PMID: 38372326 PMCID: PMC11172413 DOI: 10.3791/64401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
This protocol aims to establish a method for identifying small molecular antagonists of β2 integrin activation, utilizing conformational-change-reporting antibodies and high-throughput flow cytometry. The method can also serve as a guide for other antibody-based high-throughput screening methods. β2 integrins are leukocyte-specific adhesion molecules that are crucial in immune responses. Neutrophils rely on integrin activation to exit the bloodstream, not only to fight infections but also to be involved in multiple inflammatory diseases. Controlling β2 integrin activation presents a viable approach for treating neutrophil-associated inflammatory diseases. In this protocol, a monoclonal antibody, mAb24, which specifically binds to the high-affinity headpiece of β2 integrins, is utilized to quantify β2 integrin activation on isolated primary human neutrophils. N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) is used as a stimulus to activate neutrophil β2 integrins. A high-throughput flow cytometer capable of automatically running 384-well plate samples was used in this study. The effects of 320 chemicals on β2 integrin inhibition are assessed within 3 h. Molecules that directly target β2 integrins or target molecules in the G protein-coupled receptor-initiated integrin inside-out activation signaling pathway can be identified through this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Cao
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, UConn Health
| | - Matthew J Garcia
- Center for Molecular Discovery, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
| | - Larry A Sklar
- Center for Molecular Discovery, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center; Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center; Autophagy, Inflammation, & Metabolism (AIM) Center, University of New Mexico
| | - Angela Wandinger-Ness
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center; Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
| | - Zhichao Fan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, UConn Health;
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Mancuso RV, Schneider G, Hürzeler M, Gut M, Zurflüh J, Breitenstein W, Bouitbir J, Reisen F, Atz K, Ehrhardt C, Duthaler U, Gygax D, Schmidt AG, Krähenbühl S, Weitz-Schmidt G. Allosteric targeting resolves limitations of earlier LFA-1 directed modalities. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 211:115504. [PMID: 36921634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Integrins are a family of cell surface receptors well-recognized for their therapeutic potential in a wide range of diseases. However, the development of integrin targeting medications has been impacted by unexpected downstream effects, reflecting originally unforeseen interference with the bidirectional signalling and cross-communication of integrins. We here selected one of the most severely affected target integrins, the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, αLβ2, CD11a/CD18), as a prototypic integrin to systematically assess and overcome these known shortcomings. We employed a two-tiered ligand-based virtual screening approach to identify a novel class of allosteric small molecule inhibitors targeting this integrin's αI domain. The newly discovered chemical scaffold was derivatized, yielding potent bis-and tris-aryl-bicyclic-succinimides which inhibit LFA-1 in vitro at low nanomolar concentrations. The characterisation of these compounds in comparison to earlier LFA-1 targeting modalities established that the allosteric LFA-1 inhibitors (i) are devoid of partial agonism, (ii) selectively bind LFA-1 versus other integrins, (iii) do not trigger internalization of LFA-1 itself or other integrins and (iv) display oral availability. This profile differentiates the new generation of allosteric LFA-1 inhibitors from previous ligand mimetic-based LFA-1 inhibitors and anti-LFA-1 antibodies, and is projected to support novel immune regulatory regimens selectively targeting the integrin LFA-1. The rigorous computational and experimental assessment schedule described here is designed to be adaptable to the preclinical discovery and development of novel allosterically acting compounds targeting integrins other than LFA-1, providing an exemplary approach for the early characterisation of next generation integrin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo V Mancuso
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Molecular Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel
| | - Gisbert Schneider
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland; ETH Singapore SEC Ltd, Singapore
| | - Marianne Hürzeler
- School of Life Sciences FHNW, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Martin Gut
- School of Life Sciences FHNW, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Zurflüh
- School of Life Sciences FHNW, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Werner Breitenstein
- School of Life Sciences FHNW, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Jamal Bouitbir
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Felix Reisen
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland; ETH Singapore SEC Ltd, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Atz
- ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland; ETH Singapore SEC Ltd, Singapore
| | | | - Urs Duthaler
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Gygax
- School of Life Sciences FHNW, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | | | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
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Moreau JM, Gouirand V, Rosenblum MD. T-Cell Adhesion in Healthy and Inflamed Skin. JID INNOVATIONS 2021; 1:100014. [PMID: 35024681 PMCID: PMC8669513 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2021.100014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The diverse populations of tissue-resident and transitory T cells present in the skin share a common functional need to enter, traverse, and interact with their environment. These processes are largely dependent on the regulated expression of adhesion molecules, such as selectins and integrins, which mediate bidirectional interactions between immune cells and skin stroma. Dysregulation and engagement of adhesion pathways contribute to ectopic T-cell activity in tissues, leading to the initiation and/or exacerbation of chronic inflammation. In this paper, we review how the molecular interactions supported by adhesion pathways contribute to T-cell dynamics and function in the skin. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning T-cell adhesion in inflammatory skin disorders will facilitate the development of novel tissue-specific therapeutic strategies.
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Key Words
- AD, atopic dermatitis
- BM, basement membrane
- DC, dendritic cell
- DETC, dendritic epidermal γδ T cell
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- HF, hair follicle
- JC, John Cunningham
- LAD, leukocyte adhesion deficiency
- PML, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
- Th, T helper
- Treg, regulatory T cell
- Trm, tissue-resident memory
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. Moreau
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Victoire Gouirand
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael D. Rosenblum
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Mancuso RV, Casper J, Schmidt AG, Krähenbühl S, Weitz‐Schmidt G. Anti-αLβ2 antibodies reveal novel endocytotic cross-modulatory functionality. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:2696-2711. [PMID: 31985813 PMCID: PMC7236072 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Antibodies targeting cell surface receptors are considered to enable highly selective therapeutic interventions for immune disorders and cancer. Their biological profiles are found, generally, to represent the net effects of antibody-target interactions. The former therapeutic anti-integrin αLβ2 antibody efalizumab seems to defeat this paradigm by eliciting, via mechanisms currently unknown, much broader effects than would be predicted based on its target specificity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To elucidate the mechanisms behind these broad effects, we investigated in primary human lymphocytes in vitro the effects of anti-αLβ2 antibodies on the expression of αLβ2 as well as unrelated α4 integrins, in comparison to Fab fragments and small-molecule inhibitors. KEY RESULTS We demonstrate that anti-αLβ2 mAbs directly induce the internalization of α4 integrins. The endocytotic phenomenon is a direct consequence of their antibody nature. It is inhibited when monovalent Fab fragments or small-molecule inhibitors are used. It is independent of crosslinking via anti-Fc mAbs and of αLβ2 activation. The cross-modulatory effect is unidirectional and not observed in a similar fashion with the α4 integrin antibody natalizumab. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The present study identifies endocytotic cross-modulation as a hitherto unknown non-canonical functionality of anti-αLβ2 antibodies. This cross-modulation has the potential to fundamentally alter an antibody's benefit risk profile, as evident with efalizumab. The newly described phenomenon may be of relevance to other therapeutic antibodies targeting cluster-forming receptors. Thus, pharmacologists should be cognizant of this action when investigating such antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo V. Mancuso
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Jens Casper
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT)BaselSwitzerland
| | - Gabriele Weitz‐Schmidt
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- AlloCyte Pharmaceuticals AGBaselSwitzerland
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