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Li L, Ding P, Dong Y, Shen S, Lv X, Yu J, Li L, Chen J, Wang P, Han B, Xu T, Hu W. CG001, a C3b-targeted complement inhibitor, blocks 3 complement pathways: development and preclinical evaluation. Blood Adv 2024; 8:4181-4193. [PMID: 38865712 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2024012874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Excessively activated or dysregulated complement activation may contribute to the pathogenesis of a wide range of human diseases, thus leading to a surge in complement inhibitors. Herein, we developed a human-derived and antibody-like C3b-targeted fusion protein (CRIg-FH-Fc) x2, termed CG001, that could potently block all 3 complement pathways. Complement receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily (CRIg) and factor H (FH) bind to distinct sites in C3b and synergistically inhibit complement activation. CRIg occupancy in C3b prevents the recruitment of C3 and C5 substrates, whereas FH occupancy in C3b accelerates the decay of C3/C5 convertases and promotes the factor I-mediated degradation and inactivation of C3b. CG001 also showed therapeutic effects in alternative pathways-induced hemolytic mouse and classical pathways-induced mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis rat models. In the pharmacological/toxicological evaluation in rats and cynomolgus monkeys, CG001 displayed an antibody-like pharmacokinetic profile, a convincing complement inhibitory effect, and no observable toxic effects. Therefore, CG001 holds substantial potential for human clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peipei Ding
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Shupei Shen
- Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Lv
- ComGen Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yu
- ComGen Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Luying Li
- ComGen Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Chen
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pilin Wang
- Alphamab Co Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Alphamab Co Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiguo Hu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Schmidt CQ, Höchsmann B, Schrezenmeier H. The complement model disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Eur J Immunol 2024:e2350817. [PMID: 39101294 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
We describe initial, current, and future aspects of complement activation and inhibition in the rare hematological disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). PNH is a rare but severe hematological disorder characterized by complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis resulting in anemia and severe thrombosis. Insights into the complement-mediated pathophysiology ultimately led to regulatory approval of the first-in-class complement inhibitor, eculizumab, in 2007. This anti-complement C5 therapy resulted in the stabilization of many hematologic parameters and dramatically reduced the often fatal, coagulant-resistant thrombotic events. Despite the remarkable clinical success, a substantial proportion of PNH patients experience suboptimal clinical responses during anti-C5 therapy. We describe the identification and mechanistic dissection of four unexpected processes responsible for such suboptimal clinical responses: (1) pharmacokinetic and (2) pharmacodynamic intravascular breakthrough hemolysis, (3) continuing low-level residual intravascular hemolysis, and (4) extravascular hemolysis. Novel complement therapeutics mainly targeting different complement proteins proximal in the cascade attempt to address these remaining problems. With five approved complement inhibitors in the clinic and many more being evaluated in clinical trials, PNH remains one of the complement diseases with the highest intensity of clinical research. Mechanistically unexpected breakthrough events occur not only with C5 inhibitors but also with proximal pathway inhibitors, which require further mechanistic elaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Q Schmidt
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, University of Ulm Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Britta Höchsmann
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Baden-Württemberg-Hessen and University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hubert Schrezenmeier
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Baden-Württemberg-Hessen and University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Cole MA, Ranjan N, Gerber GF, Pan XZ, Flores-Guerrero D, Chaturvedi S, Sperati CJ, McCrae KR, Brodsky RA. Complement Biosensors Identify a Classical Pathway Stimulus in Complement-Mediated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596475. [PMID: 38854038 PMCID: PMC11160691 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Complement-mediated hemolytic uremic syndrome (CM-HUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by germline variants or acquired antibodies to complement proteins and regulators. Building upon our prior experience with the modified Ham (mHam) assay for ex vivo diagnosis of complementopathies, we have developed an array of cell-based complement "biosensors'' by selective removal of complement regulatory proteins (CD55 and CD59, CD46, or a combination thereof) in an autonomously bioluminescent HEK293 cell line. These biosensors can be used as a sensitive method for diagnosing CM-HUS and monitoring therapeutic complement blockade. Using specific complement pathway inhibitors, this model identifies IgM-driven classical pathway stimulus during both acute disease and in many patients during clinical remission. This provides a potential explanation for ~50% of CM-HUS patients who lack an alternative pathway "driving" variant and suggests at least a subset of CM-HUS is characterized by a breakdown of IgM immunologic tolerance. Key Points CM-HUS has a CP stimulus driven by polyreactive IgM, addressing the mystery of why 40% of CM-HUS lack complement specific variantsComplement biosensors and the bioluminescent mHam can be used to aid in diagnosis of CM-HUS and monitor complement inhibitor therapy.
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Sonnentag SJ, Dopler A, Kleiner K, Garg BK, Mannes M, Späth N, Akilah A, Höchsmann B, Schrezenmeier H, Anliker M, Boyanapalli R, Huber-Lang M, Schmidt CQ. Triple-fusion protein (TriFu): A potent, targeted, enzyme-like inhibitor of all three complement activation pathways. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105784. [PMID: 38401844 PMCID: PMC11065761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105784] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The introduction of a therapeutic anti-C5 antibody into clinical practice in 2007 inspired a surge into the development of complement-targeted therapies. This has led to the recent approval of a C3 inhibitory peptide, an antibody directed against C1s and a full pipeline of several complement inhibitors in preclinical and clinical development. However, no inhibitor is available that efficiently inhibits all three complement initiation pathways and targets host cell surface markers as well as complement opsonins. To overcome this, we engineered a novel fusion protein combining selected domains of the three natural complement regulatory proteins decay accelerating factor, factor H and complement receptor 1. Such a triple fusion complement inhibitor (TriFu) was recombinantly expressed and purified alongside multiple variants and its building blocks. We analyzed these proteins for ligand binding affinity and decay acceleration activity by surface plasmon resonance. Additionally, we tested complement inhibition in several in vitro/ex vivo assays using standard classical and alternative pathway restricted hemolysis assays next to hemolysis assays with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria erythrocytes. A novel in vitro model of the alternative pathway disease C3 glomerulopathy was established to evaluate the potential of the inhibitors to stop C3 deposition on endothelial cells. Next to the novel engineered triple fusion variants which inactivate complement convertases in an enzyme-like fashion, stoichiometric complement inhibitors targeting C3, C5, factor B, and factor D were tested as comparators. The triple fusion approach yielded a potent complement inhibitor that efficiently inhibits all three complement initiation pathways while targeting to surface markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia J Sonnentag
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, University of Ulm Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Arthur Dopler
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, University of Ulm Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Katharina Kleiner
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, University of Ulm Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Marco Mannes
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Trauma Immunology, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nadja Späth
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, University of Ulm Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Amira Akilah
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, University of Ulm Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Britta Höchsmann
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Baden-Württemberg-Hessen and University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hubert Schrezenmeier
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Baden-Württemberg-Hessen and University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Markus Anliker
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Baden-Württemberg-Hessen and University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Markus Huber-Lang
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Trauma Immunology, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christoph Q Schmidt
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, University of Ulm Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany; Institute of Pharmacy, Biochemical Pharmacy Group, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
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Yao Y, Kang H, Cheng Y, Su X, Wang B. Inflammatory Progression in Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:844-855. [PMID: 37340745 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230619102723] [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: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is identified as a novel therapeutic strategy that offers short-term support to the metabolism of the heart and lungs in humans. Recently, the clinical centers, which provide ECMO has increased rapidly worldwide. The indications for the use of ECMO in daily clinical practice were broadened dynamically. However, even with the widespread adoption of ECMO, it still remains significant morbidity and mortality, and the underlying mechanisms are still not elucidated. Notably, one of the vital complications during ECMO was proposed as the inflammatory progression within the extracorporeal circulation. via the development of inflammatory response, patients with ECMO may further suffer from systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), posing serious risks to human health. Recently, growing evidence confirmed that through exposure of blood into the ECMO circuit could lead to the stimulation of the immune system which also facilitated the inflammatory response and systemic impaired. In the current review, the pathological development of inflammatory progression in patients with ECMO is well-listed. Furthermore, the relationship between immune-related activation and the development of inflammation is also summarized, which may further help us to decide the therapeutic strategies in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan'er Yao
- Department of Cardiology, the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Huiyuan Kang
- Department of Cardiology, the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xin Su
- Department of Cardiology, the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Haroon HB, Dhillon E, Farhangrazi ZS, Trohopoulos PN, Simberg D, Moghimi SM. Activation of the complement system by nanoparticles and strategies for complement inhibition. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 193:227-240. [PMID: 37949325 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.11.006] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The complement system is a multicomponent and multifunctional arm of the innate immune system. Complement contributes to non-specific host defence and maintains homeostasis through multifaceted processes and pathways, including crosstalk with the adaptive immune system, the contact (coagulation) and the kinin systems, and alarmin high-mobility group box 1. Complement is also present intracellularly, orchestrating a wide range of housekeeping and physiological processes in both immune and nonimmune cells, thus showing its more sophisticated roles beyond innate immunity, but its roles are still controversial. Particulate drug carriers and nanopharmaceuticals typically present architectures and surface patterns that trigger complement system in different ways, resulting in both beneficial and adverse responses depending on the extent of complement activation and regulation as well as pathophysiological circumstances. Here we consider the role of complement system and complement regulations in host defence and evaluate the mechanisms by which nanoparticles trigger and modulate complement responses. Effective strategies for the prevention of nanoparticle-mediated complement activation are introduced and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajira B Haroon
- School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Elisha Dhillon
- School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | | | | | - Dmitri Simberg
- Translational Bio-Nanosciences Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA; Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - S Moein Moghimi
- School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK; Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Chen JY, Zhang L, Yang M, Hughes ED, Freeman ZT, Saunders TL, Lin F. Development of a C3 Humanized Rat as a New Model for Evaluating Novel C3 Inhibitors. J Innate Immun 2023; 16:56-65. [PMID: 38035563 PMCID: PMC10786584 DOI: 10.1159/000534963] [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] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION C3 is central for all complement activation pathways, thus making it an attractive therapeutic target. Many C3-targeted agents are under extensive development with one already approved for clinical use. However, most, if not all, C3 inhibitors are human or nonhuman primate C3-specific, making evaluating their efficacies in vivo before a clinical trial extremely difficult and costly. METHODS We first studied the compatibility of human C3 in the rat complement system, then developed a C3 humanized rat using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We thoroughly characterized the resultant human C3 humanized rats and tested the treatment efficacy of an established primate-specific C3 inhibitor in a model of complement-mediated hemolysis in the C3 humanized rats. RESULTS We found that supplementing human C3 protein into the C3-deficient rat blood restored its complement activity, which was inhibited by rat factor H or compstatin, suggesting that human C3 is compatible to the rat complement system. The newly developed C3 humanized rats appeared healthy and expressed human but not rat C3 without detectable spontaneous C3 activation. More importantly, complement-mediated hemolysis in the C3 humanized rats was also inhibited by compstatin both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION The successfully developed C3 humanized rats provided a much-desired rodent model to evaluate novel C3 inhibitors in vivo as potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Y. Chen
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lingjun Zhang
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Maojing Yang
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Zachary T. Freeman
- Transgenic Animal Model Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thomas L. Saunders
- Transgenic Animal Model Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Capolla S, Colombo F, De Maso L, Mauro P, Bertoncin P, Kähne T, Engler A, Núñez L, Spretz R, Larsen G, Dal Bo M, Toffoli G, Macor P. Surface antibody changes protein corona both in human and mouse serum but not final opsonization and elimination of targeted polymeric nanoparticles. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:376. [PMID: 37838659 PMCID: PMC10576379 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02134-4] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanoparticles represent one of the most important innovations in the medical field. Among nanocarriers, polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) attracted much attention due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and capacity to increase efficacy and safety of encapsulated drugs. Another important improvement in the use of nanoparticles as delivery systems is the conjugation of a targeting agent that enables the nanoparticles to accumulate in a specific tissue. Despite these advantages, the clinical translation of therapeutic approaches based on nanoparticles is prevented by their interactions with blood proteins. In fact, the so-formed protein corona (PC) drastically alters the biological identity of the particles. Adsorbed activated proteins of the complement cascade play a pivotal role in the clearance of nanoparticles, making them more easily recognized by macrophages, leading to their rapid elimination from the bloodstream and limiting their efficacy. Since the mouse is the most used preclinical model for human disease, this work compared human and mouse PC formed on untargeted PNPs (uPNPs) and targeted PNPs (tPNPs), paying particular attention to complement activation. RESULTS Mouse and human serum proteins adsorbed differently to PNPs. The differences in the binding of mouse complement proteins are minimal, whereas human complement components strongly distinguish the two particles. This is probably due to the human origin of the Fc portion of the antibody used as targeting agent on tPNPs. tPNPs and uPNPs mainly activate complement via the classical and alternative pathways, respectively, but this pattern did not affect their binding and internalization in macrophages and only a limited consumption of the activity of the human complement system was documented. CONCLUSIONS The results clearly indicate the presence of complement proteins on PNPs surface but partially derived from an unspecific deposition rather than an effective complement activation. The presence of a targeting antibody favors the activation of the classical pathway, but its absence allows an increased activation of the alternative pathway. This results in similar opsonization of both PNPs and similar phagocytosis by macrophages, without an impairment of the activity of circulating complement system and, consequently, not enhancing the susceptibility to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Capolla
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) di Aviano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, 33081, Italy
| | - Federico Colombo
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM), Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri n. 5, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Luca De Maso
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri n. 5, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Prisca Mauro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri n. 5, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Paolo Bertoncin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri n. 5, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Thilo Kähne
- Institute of Exptl. Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Alexander Engler
- Institute of Exptl. Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Luis Núñez
- BioTarget Inc, Chicago, IL, USA
- Natural Science Department, Concordia University, 7400 Augusta St, River Forest, IL, 60305, USA
- LNK Chemsolutions LLC, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Ruben Spretz
- BioTarget Inc, Chicago, IL, USA
- LNK Chemsolutions LLC, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Gustavo Larsen
- BioTarget Inc, Chicago, IL, USA
- LNK Chemsolutions LLC, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Michele Dal Bo
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) di Aviano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, 33081, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) di Aviano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, 33081, Italy
| | - Paolo Macor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via L. Giorgieri n. 5, Trieste, 34127, Italy.
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Schmidt CQ, Smith RJH. Protein therapeutics and their lessons: Expect the unexpected when inhibiting the multi-protein cascade of the complement system. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:376-401. [PMID: 36398537 PMCID: PMC9852015 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13164] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Over a century after the discovery of the complement system, the first complement therapeutic was approved for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). It was a long-acting monoclonal antibody (aka 5G1-1, 5G1.1, h5G1.1, and now known as eculizumab) that targets C5, specifically preventing the generation of C5a, a potent anaphylatoxin, and C5b, the first step in the eventual formation of membrane attack complex. The enormous clinical and financial success of eculizumab across four diseases (PNH, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), myasthenia gravis (MG), and anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)) has fueled a surge in complement therapeutics, especially targeting diseases with an underlying complement pathophysiology for which anti-C5 therapy is ineffective. Intensive research has also uncovered challenges that arise from C5 blockade. For example, PNH patients can still face extravascular hemolysis or pharmacodynamic breakthrough of complement suppression during complement-amplifying conditions. These "side" effects of a stoichiometric inhibitor like eculizumab were unexpected and are incompatible with some of our accepted knowledge of the complement cascade. And they are not unique to C5 inhibition. Indeed, "exceptions" to the rules of complement biology abound and have led to unprecedented and surprising insights. In this review, we will describe initial, present and future aspects of protein inhibitors of the complement cascade, highlighting unexpected findings that are redefining some of the mechanistic foundations upon which the complement cascade is organized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Q. Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmacology of Natural Products and Clinical Pharmacology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Richard J. H. Smith
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Complement inhibition at the level of C3 or C5: mechanistic reasons for ongoing terminal pathway activity. Blood 2021; 137:443-455. [PMID: 33507296 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking the terminal complement pathway with the C5 inhibitor eculizumab has revolutionized the clinical management of several complement-mediated diseases and has boosted the clinical development of new inhibitors. Data on the C3 inhibitor Compstatin and the C5 inhibitors eculizumab and Coversin reported here demonstrate that C3/C5 convertases function differently from prevailing concepts. Stoichiometric C3 inhibition failed to inhibit C5 activation and lytic activity during strong classical pathway activation, demonstrating a "C3 bypass" activation of C5. We show that, instead of C3b, surface-deposited C4b alone can also recruit and prime C5 for consecutive proteolytic activation. Surface-bound C3b and C4b possess similar affinities for C5. By demonstrating that the fluid phase convertase C3bBb is sufficient to cleave C5 as long as C5 is bound on C3b/C4b-decorated surfaces, we show that surface fixation is necessary only for the C3b/C4b opsonins that prime C5 but not for the catalytic convertase unit C3bBb. Of note, at very high C3b densities, we observed membrane attack complex formation in absence of C5-activating enzymes. This is explained by a conformational activation in which C5 adopts a C5b-like conformation when bound to densely C3b-opsonized surfaces. Stoichiometric C5 inhibitors failed to prevent conformational C5 activation, which explains the clinical phenomenon of residual C5 activity documented for different inhibitors of C5. The new insights into the mechanism of C3/C5 convertases provided here have important implications for the development and therapeutic use of complement inhibitors as well as the interpretation of former clinical and preclinical data.
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Dong X, He B, Jiang D, Yu C, Zhu B, Qi H. Proteome analysis reveals the important roles of protease during tenderization of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus using iTRAQ. Food Res Int 2020; 131:108632. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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