1
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Hu Y, Recouvreux MS, Haro M, Taylan E, Taylor-Harding B, Walts AE, Karlan BY, Orsulic S. INHBA(+) cancer-associated fibroblasts generate an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:35. [PMID: 38360876 PMCID: PMC10869703 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00523-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective targeting of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is hindered by the lack of specific biomarkers and a poor understanding of the mechanisms by which different populations of CAFs contribute to cancer progression. While the role of TGFβ in CAFs is well-studied, less attention has been focused on a structurally and functionally similar protein, Activin A (encoded by INHBA). Here, we identified INHBA(+) CAFs as key players in tumor promotion and immunosuppression. Spatiotemporal analyses of patient-matched primary, metastatic, and recurrent ovarian carcinomas revealed that aggressive metastatic tumors enriched in INHBA(+) CAFs were also enriched in regulatory T cells (Tregs). In ovarian cancer mouse models, intraperitoneal injection of the Activin A neutralizing antibody attenuated tumor progression and infiltration with pro-tumorigenic subsets of myofibroblasts and macrophages. Downregulation of INHBA in human ovarian CAFs inhibited pro-tumorigenic CAF functions. Co-culture of human ovarian CAFs and T cells revealed the dependence of Treg differentiation on direct contact with INHBA(+) CAFs. Mechanistically, INHBA/recombinant Activin A in CAFs induced the autocrine expression of PD-L1 through SMAD2-dependent signaling, which promoted Treg differentiation. Collectively, our study identified an INHBA(+) subset of immunomodulatory pro-tumoral CAFs as a potential therapeutic target in advanced ovarian cancers which typically show a poor response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Maria Sol Recouvreux
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Marcela Haro
- Women's Cancer Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Enes Taylan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Barbie Taylor-Harding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Ann E Walts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Beth Y Karlan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sandra Orsulic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA.
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2
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Al-Thuwaini TM, Albazi WJ, Al-Shuhaib MBS, Merzah LH, Mohammed RG, Rhadi FA, Abd Al-Hadi AB, Alkhammas AH. A Novel c.100C > G Mutation in the FST Gene and Its Relation With the Reproductive Traits of Awassi Ewes. Bioinform Biol Insights 2023; 17:11779322231170988. [PMID: 37153841 PMCID: PMC10159244 DOI: 10.1177/11779322231170988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive traits are affected by many factors, including ovarian function, hormones, and genetics. Genetic polymorphisms of candidate genes are associated with reproductive traits. Several candidate genes are associated with economic traits, including the follistatin (FST) gene. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate whether the genetic variations in the FST gene are associated with the reproductive traits in Awassi ewes. The genomic DNA was extracted from 109 twin ewes and 123 single-progeny ewes. Therefore, 4 sequence fragments from the FST gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (exon 2/240, exon 3/268, exon 4/254, and exon 5/266 bp, respectively). For a 254 bp amplicon, 3 genotypes were identified: CC, CG, and GG. Sequencing revealed a novel mutation in CG genotypes c.100C > G. The statistical analysis of c.100C > G showed an association with reproductive characteristics. Ewes carrying the c.100C > G had significantly (P ⩽ .01) lower litter sizes, twinning rates, lambing rates, and more days to lambing compared with CG and CC genotypes. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the c.100C > G single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is responsible for decreasing litter size. According to these results, the variant c.100C > G negatively affects the traits of interest and is associated with lower reproductive traits in Awassi sheep. As a result of this study, ewes carrying the c.100C > G SNP have lower litter size and are less prolific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahreer M Al-Thuwaini
- Department of Animal Production,
College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, Iraq
- Tahreer M Al-Thuwaini, Department of Animal
Production, College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, Babil,
Iraq. ;
| | - Wefak J Albazi
- Department of Physiology, College of
Veterinary Medicine, University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq
| | | | - Layth H Merzah
- Department of Animal Production,
College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, Iraq
| | - Rihab G Mohammed
- Department of Animal Production,
College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, Iraq
| | - Fadhil A Rhadi
- Department of Animal Production,
College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, Iraq
| | - Ali B Abd Al-Hadi
- Department of Animal Production,
College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, Iraq
| | - Ahmed H Alkhammas
- Department of Animal Production,
College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, Iraq
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3
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Ho G, Choo PC, Waragai M, Inoue S, Masliah E, Hashimoto M. Reconsideration of Alzheimer's Disease Therapy from a Viewpoint of Amyloidogenic Evolvability. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2022; 6:207-210. [PMID: 35591950 PMCID: PMC9108623 DOI: 10.3233/adr-210021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Presuming that Alzheimer's disease (AD) might represent an antagonistic pleiotropic phenomenon derived from the evolvability of multiple amyloidogenic proteins, targeting such proteins simultaneously could enhance therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, considering that amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapies during reproductive life stage might adversely decrease Aβ evolvability in an offspring's brain, the disease-modifying Aβ immunotherapies should be limited to post-reproductive time in lifespan. Thus, current Aβ immunotherapy strategies should be revised accordingly. Given that the "adiponectin paradox" might underlie both amyloidosis and cognitive dysfunction in aging brain, blocking activin signaling situated downstream of the adiponectin paradox might be an alternative strategy to prevent AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Ho
- PCND Neuroscience Research Institute, Poway, CA, USA
| | - Pei Chen Choo
- PCND Neuroscience Research Institute, Poway, CA, USA
| | - Masaaki Waragai
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Division of Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Makoto Hashimoto
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Dellas N, Liu J, Botham RC, Huisman GW. Adapting protein sequences for optimized therapeutic efficacy. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 64:38-47. [PMID: 33933937 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic proteins alleviate disease pathology by supplementing missing or defective native proteins, sequestering superfluous proteins, or by acting through designed non-natural mechanisms. Although therapeutic proteins often have the same amino acid sequence as their native counterpart, their maturation paths from expression to the site of physiological activity are inherently different, and optimizing protein sequences for properties that 100s of millions of years of evolution did not need to address presents an opportunity to develop better biological treatments. Because therapeutic proteins are inherently non-natural entities, optimization for their desired function should be considered analogous to that of small molecule drug candidates, which are optimized through expansive combinatorial variation by the medicinal chemist. Here, we review recent successes and challenges of protein engineering for optimized therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki Dellas
- Codexis Inc., 200 Penobscot Dr, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA.
| | - Joyce Liu
- Codexis Inc., 200 Penobscot Dr, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA
| | - Rachel C Botham
- Codexis Inc., 200 Penobscot Dr, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA
| | - Gjalt W Huisman
- Codexis Inc., 200 Penobscot Dr, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA
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5
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Antimyostatin Treatment in Health and Disease: The Story of Great Expectations and Limited Success. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030533. [PMID: 33802348 PMCID: PMC8001237 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past 20 years, myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle mass, has attracted attention as a potential therapeutic target in muscular dystrophies and other conditions. Preclinical studies have shown potential for increasing muscular mass and ameliorating the pathological features of dystrophic muscle by the inhibition of myostatin in various ways. However, hardly any clinical trials have proven to translate the promising results from the animal models into patient populations. We present the background for myostatin regulation, clinical and preclinical results and discuss why translation from animal models to patients is difficult. Based on this, we put the clinical relevance of future antimyostatin treatment into perspective.
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6
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Nguyen HQ, Iskenderian A, Ehmann D, Jasper P, Zhang Z, Rong H, Welty D, Narayanan R. Leveraging Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Approach into Development of Human Recombinant Follistatin Fusion Protein for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. CPT-PHARMACOMETRICS & SYSTEMS PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 9:342-352. [PMID: 32419339 PMCID: PMC7306616 DOI: 10.1002/psp4.12518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative understanding about the dynamics of drug-target interactions in biological systems is essential, especially in rare disease programs with small patient populations. Follistatin, by antagonism of myostatin and activin, which are negative regulators of skeletal muscle and inflammatory response, is a promising therapeutic target for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In this study, we constructed a quantitative systems pharmacology model for FS-EEE-Fc, a follistatin recombinant protein to investigate its efficacy from dual target binding, and, subsequently, to project its human efficacious dose. Based on model simulations, with an assumed efficacy threshold of 7-10% muscle volume increase, 3-5 mg/kg weekly dosing of FS-EEE-Fc is predicted to achieve meaningful clinical outcome. In conclusion, the study demonstrated an application of mechanism driven approach at early stage of a rare disease drug development to support lead compound optimization, enable human dose, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa Q Nguyen
- Shire HGT, Inc. (a Takeda company), Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - David Ehmann
- Shire HGT, Inc. (a Takeda company), Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul Jasper
- RES Group, Inc., Needham, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Haojing Rong
- Kymera Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Devin Welty
- Nuventra Pharma Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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7
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Reichel C, Gmeiner G, Thevis M. Detection of black market follistatin 344. Drug Test Anal 2020; 11:1675-1697. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Reichel
- Doping Control Laboratory Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, A‐2444 Seibersdorf Austria
- European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping AgentsGerman Sport University Cologne Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6 50933 Cologne Germany
| | - Günter Gmeiner
- Doping Control Laboratory Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, A‐2444 Seibersdorf Austria
| | - Mario Thevis
- Institute of Biochemistry/Center for Preventive Doping ResearchGerman Sport University Cologne Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6 50933 Cologne Germany
- European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping AgentsGerman Sport University Cologne Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6 50933 Cologne Germany
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8
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Sinha R, Shukla P. Current Trends in Protein Engineering: Updates and Progress. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 20:398-407. [PMID: 30451109 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666181119120120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Proteins are one of the most important and resourceful biomolecules that find applications in health, industry, medicine, research, and biotechnology. Given its tremendous relevance, protein engineering has emerged as significant biotechnological intervention in this area. Strategic utilization of protein engineering methods and approaches has enabled better enzymatic properties, better stability, increased catalytic activity and most importantly, interesting and wide range applicability of proteins. In fact, the commercialization of engineered proteins have manifested in economically beneficial and viable solutions for industry and healthcare sector. Protein engineering has also evolved to become a powerful tool contributing significantly to the developments in both synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. The present review revisits the current trends in protein engineering approaches such as rational design, directed evolution, de novo design, computational approaches etc. and encompasses the recent progresses made in this field over the last few years. The review also throws light on advanced or futuristic protein engineering aspects, which are being explored for design and development of novel proteins with improved properties or advanced applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pratyoosh Shukla
- Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India
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9
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A sensitive antibody-free 2D-LC–MS/MS assay for the quantitation of myostatin in the serum of different species. Bioanalysis 2019; 11:957-970. [DOI: 10.4155/bio-2018-0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Myostatin (MSTN) is an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of muscle degeneration-related diseases and is being evaluated as a target engagement biomarker. Methods: A sensitive 2D-LC–MS/MS assay was developed to quantify MSTN in different animal species. Sample preparation involved SDS denaturation of serum proteins followed by tryptic digestion and peptide enrichment by SPE. Results: The assay was validated with LLOQ of 2.5 ng/ml in rat and monkey serum. The precision was within 13.7%, and the bias was within ±12.6% for all quality control samples in authentic matrices. Conclusion: This new assay was successfully applied to measure MSTN in mouse, rat, monkey and human serum. The total MSTN in rat and monkey serum was elevated following administration of an MSTN inhibitor.
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10
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Lodberg A, van der Eerden BCJ, Boers-Sijmons B, Thomsen JS, Brüel A, van Leeuwen JPTM, Eijken M. A follistatin-based molecule increases muscle and bone mass without affecting the red blood cell count in mice. FASEB J 2019; 33:6001-6010. [PMID: 30759349 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801969rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of the activin receptor signaling pathway (IASPs) have become candidate therapeutics for sarcopenia and bone remodeling disorders because of their ability to increase muscle and bone mass. However, IASPs utilizing activin type IIA and IIB receptors are also potent stimulators of erythropoiesis, a feature that may restrict their usage to anemic patients because of increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Based on the endogenous TGF-β superfamily antagonist follistatin (FST), a molecule in the IASP class, FSTΔHBS-mFc, was generated and tested in both ovariectomized and naive BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. In ovariectomized mice, FSTΔHBS-mFc therapy dose-dependently increased cancellous bone mass up to 42% and improved bone microstructural indices. For the highest dosage of FSTΔHBS-mFc (30 mg/kg, 2 times/wk), the increase in cancellous bone mass was similar to that observed with parathyroid hormone therapy (1-34, 80 µg/kg, 5 times/wk). Musculus quadriceps femoris mass dose-dependently increased up to 21% in ovariectomized mice. In both ovariectomized and naive mice, FSTΔHBS-mFc therapy did not influence red blood cell count or hematocrit or hemoglobin levels. If the results are reproduced, a human FSTΔHBS-mFc version could be applicable in patients with musculoskeletal conditions irrespective of hematocrit status.-Lodberg, A., van der Eerden, B. C. J., Boers-Sijmons, B., Thomsen, J. S., Brüel, A., van Leeuwen, J. P. T. M., Eijken, M. A follistatin-based molecule increases muscle and bone mass without affecting the red blood cell count in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lodberg
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Bianca Boers-Sijmons
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Annemarie Brüel
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Marco Eijken
- Department of Renal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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11
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Castonguay R, Lachey J, Wallner S, Strand J, Liharska K, Watanabe AE, Cannell M, Davies MV, Sako D, Troy ME, Krishnan L, Mulivor AW, Li H, Keates S, Alexander MJ, Pearsall RS, Kumar R. Follistatin-288-Fc Fusion Protein Promotes Localized Growth of Skeletal Muscle. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 368:435-445. [PMID: 30563942 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.252304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Follistatin is an endogenous glycoprotein that promotes growth and repair of skeletal muscle by sequestering inhibitory ligands of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily and may therefore have therapeutic potential for neuromuscular diseases. Here, we sought to determine the suitability of a newly engineered follistatin fusion protein (FST288-Fc) to promote localized, rather than systemic, growth of skeletal muscle by capitalizing on the intrinsic heparin-binding ability of the follistatin-288 isoform. As determined by surface plasmon resonance and cell-based assays, FST288-Fc binds to activin A, activin B, myostatin (growth differentiation factor GDF8), and GDF11 with high affinity and neutralizes their activity in vitro. Intramuscular administration of FST288-Fc in mice induced robust, dose-dependent growth of the targeted muscle but not of surrounding or contralateral muscles, in contrast to the systemic effects of a locally administered fusion protein incorporating activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB-Fc). Furthermore, systemic administration of FST288-Fc in mice did not alter muscle mass or body composition as determined by NMR, which again contrasts with the pronounced systemic activity of ActRIIB-Fc when administered by the same route. Subsequent analysis revealed that FST288-Fc in the circulation undergoes rapid proteolysis, thereby restricting its activity to individual muscles targeted by intramuscular administration. These results indicate that FST288-Fc can produce localized growth of skeletal muscle in a targeted manner with reduced potential for undesirable systemic effects. Thus, FST288-Fc and similar agents may be beneficial in the treatment of disorders with muscle atrophy that is focal, asymmetric, or otherwise heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Huiming Li
- Acceleron Pharma, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Ravi Kumar
- Acceleron Pharma, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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12
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Iskenderian A, Liu N, Deng Q, Huang Y, Shen C, Palmieri K, Crooker R, Lundberg D, Kastrapeli N, Pescatore B, Romashko A, Dumas J, Comeau R, Norton A, Pan J, Rong H, Derakhchan K, Ehmann DE. Myostatin and activin blockade by engineered follistatin results in hypertrophy and improves dystrophic pathology in mdx mouse more than myostatin blockade alone. Skelet Muscle 2018; 8:34. [PMID: 30368252 PMCID: PMC6204036 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-018-0180-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myostatin antagonists are being developed as therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy due to their strong hypertrophic effects on skeletal muscle. Engineered follistatin has the potential to combine the hypertrophy of myostatin antagonism with the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of activin A antagonism. METHODS Engineered follistatin was administered to C57BL/6 mice for 4 weeks, and muscle mass and myofiber size was measured. In the mdx model, engineered follistatin was dosed for 12 weeks in two studies comparing to an Fc fusion of the activin IIB receptor or an anti-myostatin antibody. Functional measurements of grip strength and tetanic force were combined with tissue analysis for markers of necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis to evaluate improvement in dystrophic pathology. RESULTS In wild-type and mdx mice, dose-dependent increases in muscle mass and quadriceps myofiber size were observed for engineered follistatin. In mdx, increases in grip strength and tetanic force were combined with improvements in muscle markers for necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Improvements in dystrophic pathology were greater for engineered follistatin than the anti-myostatin antibody. CONCLUSIONS Engineered follistatin generated hypertrophy and anti-fibrotic effects in the mdx model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Iskenderian
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nan Liu
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Qingwei Deng
- Research, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yan Huang
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Chuan Shen
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Palmieri
- Research, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert Crooker
- Research, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dianna Lundberg
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Niksa Kastrapeli
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Brian Pescatore
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alla Romashko
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John Dumas
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert Comeau
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Angela Norton
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jing Pan
- Discovery Therapeutics, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Haojing Rong
- Nonclinical Development, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Katayoun Derakhchan
- Nonclinical Development, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, USA.,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David E Ehmann
- Research, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA. .,Drug Discovery, Shire, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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