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Rizoska B, Zachrisson O, Appelkvist P, Boström E, Björklund M, Rachalski A, Gkanatsiou E, Kylefjord H, Söderberg L, Nygren P, Eriksson F, Ishikawa Y, Fukushima T, Koyama A, Osswald G, Lannfelt L, Möller C. Disease modifying effects of the amyloid-beta protofibril-selective antibody mAb158 in aged Tg2576 transgenic mice. Mol Cell Neurosci 2024; 130:103950. [PMID: 38901655 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2024.103950] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides, which aggregate to form neocortical plaques in Alzheimer's disease, exist in states that range from soluble monomers and oligomers/protofibrils to insoluble fibrillar amyloid. The present study evaluated the effects of mAb158, a mouse monoclonal antibody version of lecanemab that preferentially binds to soluble Aβ protofibrils, in aged transgenic mice (Tg2576) with Aβ pathology. Female Tg2576 mice (12 months old) received weekly intraperitoneal mAb158 (35 mg/kg) or vehicle for 4 weeks or for 18 weeks, with or without a subsequent 12-week off-treatment period. Aβ protofibril levels were significantly lower in mAb158-treated animals at both 4 and 18 weeks, while longer treatment duration (18 weeks) was required to observe significantly lower Aβ42 levels in insoluble brain fractions and lower Aβ plaque load. Following the off-treatment period, comparison of the vehicle- and mAb158-treated mice demonstrated that the Aβ protofibril levels, insoluble Aβ42 levels and Aβ plaque load remained significantly lower in mAb158-treated animals, as compared with age-matched controls. However, there was a significant increase of brain accumulation of both the Aβ protofibril levels, insoluble Aβ42 levels and Aβ plaque load after treatment cessation. Thus, repeated mAb158 treatment of aged Tg2576 mice first reduced Aβ protofibril levels within 4 weeks of treatment, which then was followed by a reduction of amyloid plaque pathology within 18 weeks of treatment. These effects were maintained 12 weeks after the final dose, indicating that mAb158 had a disease-modifying effect on the Aβ pathology in this mouse model. In addition, brain accumulation of both Aβ protofibril levels and amyloid pathology progressed after discontinuation of the treatment which supports the importance of continued treatment with mAb158 to maintain the effects on Aβ pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Emma Boström
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - My Björklund
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | - Patrik Nygren
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lars Lannfelt
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51 Stockholm, Sweden; Dept. of Public Health/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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2
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Gustavsson T, Herth MM, Sehlin D, Syvänen S. Indium-111 radiolabelling of a brain-penetrant Aβ antibody for SPECT imaging. Ups J Med Sci 2024; 129:10585. [PMID: 38863725 PMCID: PMC11165248 DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v129.10585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The development of bispecific antibodies that can traverse the blood-brain barrier has paved the way for brain-directed immunotherapy and when radiolabelled, immunoPET imaging. The objective of this study was to investigate how indium-111 (111In) radiolabelling with compatible chelators affects the brain delivery and peripheral biodistribution of the bispecific antibody RmAb158-scFv8D3, which binds to amyloid-beta (Aβ) and the transferrin receptor (TfR), in Aβ pathology-expressing tg-ArcSwe mice and aged-matched wild-type control mice. Methods Bispecific RmAb158-scFv8D3 (biAb) was radiolabelled with 111In using CHX-A"-DTPA, DOTA, or DOTA-tetrazine (DOTA-Tz). Affinity toward TfR and Aβ, as well as stability, was investigated in vitro. Mice were then intravenously administered with the three different radiolabelled biAb variants, and blood samples were collected for monitoring pharmacokinetics. Brain concentration was quantified after 2 and 72 h, and organ-specific retention was measured at 72 h by gamma counting. A subset of mice also underwent whole-body Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanning at 72 h after injection. Following post-mortem isolation, the brains of tg-ArcSwe and WT mice were sectioned, and the spatial distribution of biAb was further investigated with autoradiography. Results All three [111In]biAb variants displayed similar blood pharmacokinetics and brain uptake at 2 h after administration. Radiolabelling did not compromise affinity, and all variants showed good stability, especially the DOTA-Tz variant. Whole-body SPECT scanning indicated high liver, spleen, and bone accumulation of all [111In]biAb variants. Subsequent ex vivo measurement of organ retention confirmed SPECT data, with retention in the spleen, liver, and bone - with very high bone marrow retention. Ex vivo gamma measurement of brain tissue, isolated at 72 h post-injection, and ex vivo autoradiography showed that WT mice, despite the absence of Aβ, exhibited comparable brain concentrations of [111In]biAb as those found in the tg-ArcSwe brain. Conclusions The successful 111In-labelling of biAb with retained binding to TfR and Aβ, and retained ability to enter the brain, demonstrated that 111In can be used to generate radioligands for brain imaging. A high degree of [111In]biAb in bone marrow and intracellular accumulation in brain tissue indicated some off-target interactions or potential interaction with intrabrain TfR resulting in a relatively high non-specific background signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gustavsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthias M. Herth
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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3
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Bonvicini G, Bagawath Singh S, Nygren P, Xiong M, Syvänen S, Sehlin D, Falk R, Andersson KG. Comparing in vitro affinity measurements of antibodies to TfR1: Surface plasmon resonance versus on-cell affinity. Anal Biochem 2024; 686:115406. [PMID: 38006952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115406] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Despite years of utilizing the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) to transport large biomolecules into the brain, there is no consensus on how to optimally measure affinity to it. The aim of this study was to compare different methods for measuring the affinities of anti-TfR1 antibodies. Antibodies 15G11, OX26 and 8D3 are known to successfully carry large biologics across the blood-brain barrier in humans, rats, and mice, respectively. The affinity to their respective species of TfR1 was measured with different surface plasmon resonance setups in Biacore and an on-cell assay. When the antibody was captured and TfR1 was the analyte, the dissociation in Biacore was very slow. The dissociation was faster when the antibody was the analyte and TfR1 was the ligand. The Biacore setup with capture of N-terminal FLAG-tag TfR1 yielded the most similar apparent affinities as the cell assay. In conclusion, it is important to evaluate assay parameters including assay orientation, surface capture method, and antibody-format when comparing binding kinetics for TfR1 antibodies. Although it seems possible to determine relative affinities of TfR1 antibodies using the methods described here, both the FLAG-tag TfR1 capture setup and cell assays likely yield apparent affinities that are most translatable in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Bonvicini
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, SE-112 51, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Patrik Nygren
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, SE-112 51, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mengfei Xiong
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ronny Falk
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, SE-112 51, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ken G Andersson
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, SE-112 51, Stockholm, Sweden.
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4
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Pornnoppadol G, Bond LG, Lucas MJ, Zupancic JM, Kuo YH, Zhang B, Greineder CF, Tessier PM. Bispecific antibody shuttles targeting CD98hc mediate efficient and long-lived brain delivery of IgGs. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:361-372.e8. [PMID: 37890480 PMCID: PMC10922565 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The inability of antibodies to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a key limitation to their use in diverse applications. One promising strategy is to deliver IgGs using a bispecific BBB shuttle, which involves fusing an IgG to a second affinity ligand that engages a cerebrovascular endothelial target and facilitates transport across the BBB. Nearly all prior efforts have focused on shuttles that target transferrin receptor (TfR-1) despite inherent delivery and safety challenges. Here, we report bispecific antibody shuttles that engage CD98hc, the heavy chain of the large neutral amino acid transporter (LAT1), and efficiently transport IgGs into the brain. Notably, CD98hc shuttles lead to much longer-lived brain retention of IgGs than TfR-1 shuttles while enabling more specific targeting due to limited CD98hc engagement in the brain parenchyma, which we demonstrate for IgGs that either agonize a neuronal receptor (TrkB) or target other endogenous cell-surface proteins on neurons and astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghasidit Pornnoppadol
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Layne G Bond
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael J Lucas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jennifer M Zupancic
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yun-Huai Kuo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Boya Zhang
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Colin F Greineder
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Peter M Tessier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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5
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Pagnon de la Vega M, Syvänen S, Giedraitis V, Hooley M, Konstantinidis E, Meier SR, Rokka J, Eriksson J, Aguilar X, Spires-Jones TL, Lannfelt L, Nilsson LNG, Erlandsson A, Hultqvist G, Ingelsson M, Sehlin D. Altered amyloid-β structure markedly reduces gliosis in the brain of mice harboring the Uppsala APP deletion. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:22. [PMID: 38317196 PMCID: PMC10845526 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01734-x] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) into plaques is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Different amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutations cause early-onset AD by altering the production or aggregation properties of Aβ. We recently identified the Uppsala APP mutation (APPUpp), which causes Aβ pathology by a triple mechanism: increased β-secretase and altered α-secretase APP cleavage, leading to increased formation of a unique Aβ conformer that rapidly aggregates and deposits in the brain. The aim of this study was to further explore the effects of APPUpp in a transgenic mouse model (tg-UppSwe), expressing human APP with the APPUpp mutation together with the APPSwe mutation. Aβ pathology was studied in tg-UppSwe brains at different ages, using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. In vivo PET imaging with three different PET radioligands was conducted in aged tg-UppSwe mice and two other mouse models; tg-ArcSwe and tg-Swe. Finally, glial responses to Aβ pathology were studied in cell culture models and mouse brain tissue, using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Tg-UppSwe mice displayed increased β-secretase cleavage and suppressed α-secretase cleavage, resulting in AβUpp42 dominated diffuse plaque pathology appearing from the age of 5-6 months. The γ-secretase cleavage was not affected. Contrary to tg-ArcSwe and tg-Swe mice, tg-UppSwe mice were [11C]PiB-PET negative. Antibody-based PET with the 3D6 ligand visualized Aβ pathology in all models, whereas the Aβ protofibril selective mAb158 ligand did not give any signals in tg-UppSwe mice. Moreover, unlike the other two models, tg-UppSwe mice displayed a very faint glial response to the Aβ pathology. The tg-UppSwe mouse model thus recapitulates several pathological features of the Uppsala APP mutation carriers. The presumed unique structural features of AβUpp42 aggregates were found to affect their interaction with anti-Aβ antibodies and profoundly modify the Aβ-mediated glial response, which may be important aspects to consider for further development of AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Pagnon de la Vega
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vilmantas Giedraitis
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Monique Hooley
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Evangelos Konstantinidis
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Silvio R Meier
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johanna Rokka
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Division of Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- PET Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ximena Aguilar
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lars Lannfelt
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- BioArctic AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars N G Nilsson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Erlandsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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6
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Otzen DE. Antibodies and α-synuclein: What to target against Parkinson's Disease? BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2024; 1872:140943. [PMID: 37783321 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is strongly linked to the aggregation of the protein α-synuclein (α-syn), an intrinsically disordered protein. However, strategies to combat PD by targeting the aggregation of α-syn are challenged by the multiple types of aggregates formed both in vivo and in vitro, the potential influence of chemical modifications and the as yet unresolved question of which aggregate types (oligomeric or fibrillar) are most cytotoxic. Here I briefly review the social history of α-syn, the many efforts to raise antibodies against α-syn and the disappointing results of clinical trials based on such antibodies. Ultimately a thorough understanding of the molecular and mechanistic properties of mAbs towards aggregated species of α-syn is an essential prerequisite for any clinical trial, but this is missing in most cases. I highlight new microfluidic techniques which may address this need and call for a more concerted effort to standardize antibody studies as the basis to allow us to link molecular insights to clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK - 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
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7
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Schlein E, Andersson KG, Dallas T, Syvänen S, Sehlin D. Reducing neonatal Fc receptor binding enhances clearance and brain-to-blood ratio of TfR-delivered bispecific amyloid-β antibody. MAbs 2024; 16:2339337. [PMID: 38634473 PMCID: PMC11028011 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2339337] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent development of amyloid-β (Aβ)-targeted immunotherapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have highlighted the need for accurate diagnostic methods. Antibody-based positron emission tomography (PET) ligands are well suited for this purpose as they can be directed toward the same target as the therapeutic antibody. Bispecific, brain-penetrating antibodies can achieve sufficient brain concentrations, but their slow blood clearance remains a challenge, since it prolongs the time required to achieve a target-specific PET signal. Here, two antibodies were designed based on the Aβ antibody bapineuzumab (Bapi) - one monospecific IgG (Bapi) and one bispecific antibody with an antigen binding fragment (Fab) of the transferrin receptor (TfR) antibody 8D3 fused to one of the heavy chains (Bapi-Fab8D3) for active, TfR-mediated transport into the brain. A variant of each antibody was designed to harbor a mutation to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) binding domain, to increase clearance. Blood and brain pharmacokinetics of radiolabeled antibodies were studied in wildtype (WT) and AD mice (AppNL-G-F). The FcRn mutation substantially reduced blood half-life of both Bapi and Bapi-Fab8D3. Bapi-Fab8D3 showed high brain uptake and the brain-to-blood ratio of its FcRn mutated form was significantly higher in AppNL-G-F mice than in WT mice 12 h after injection and increased further up to 168 h. Ex vivo autoradiography showed specific antibody retention in areas with abundant Aβ pathology. Taken together, these results suggest that reducing FcRn binding of a full-sized bispecific antibody increases the systemic elimination and could thereby drastically reduce the time from injection to in vivo imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Schlein
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Tiffany Dallas
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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8
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Zielinski M, Peralta Reyes FS, Gremer L, Schemmert S, Frieg B, Schäfer LU, Willuweit A, Donner L, Elvers M, Nilsson LNG, Syvänen S, Sehlin D, Ingelsson M, Willbold D, Schröder GF. Cryo-EM of Aβ fibrils from mouse models find tg-APP ArcSwe fibrils resemble those found in patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:2073-2080. [PMID: 37973869 PMCID: PMC10689242 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01484-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The use of transgenic mice displaying amyloid-β (Aβ) brain pathology has been essential for the preclinical assessment of new treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease. However, the properties of Aβ in such mice have not been systematically compared to Aβ in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Here, we determined the structures of nine ex vivo Aβ fibrils from six different mouse models by cryogenic-electron microscopy. We found novel Aβ fibril structures in the APP/PS1, ARTE10 and tg-SwDI models, whereas the human type II filament fold was found in the ARTE10, tg-APPSwe and APP23 models. The tg-APPArcSwe mice showed an Aβ fibril whose structure resembles the human type I filament found in patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease. A detailed assessment of the Aβ fibril structure is key to the selection of adequate mouse models for the preclinical development of novel plaque-targeting therapeutics and positron emission tomography imaging tracers in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Zielinski
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- JuStruct, Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | | | - Lothar Gremer
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
- JuStruct, Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Sarah Schemmert
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Frieg
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- JuStruct, Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Luisa U Schäfer
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- JuStruct, Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Lili Donner
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Margitta Elvers
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lars N G Nilsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
- JuStruct, Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Gunnar F Schröder
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
- JuStruct, Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
- Physics Department, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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9
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Cools R, Kerkhofs K, Leitao RCF, Bormans G. Preclinical Evaluation of Novel PET Probes for Dementia. Semin Nucl Med 2023; 53:599-629. [PMID: 37149435 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.03.004] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The development of novel PET imaging agents that selectively bind specific dementia-related targets can contribute significantly to accurate, differential and early diagnosis of dementia causing diseases and support the development of therapeutic agents. Consequently, in recent years there has been a growing body of literature describing the development and evaluation of potential new promising PET tracers for dementia. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of novel dementia PET probes under development, classified by their target, and pinpoints their preclinical evaluation pathway, typically involving in silico, in vitro and ex/in vivo evaluation. Specific target-associated challenges and pitfalls, requiring extensive and well-designed preclinical experimental evaluation assays to enable successful clinical translation and avoid shortcomings observed for previously developed 'well-established' dementia PET tracers are highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy Cools
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kobe Kerkhofs
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; NURA, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Renan C F Leitao
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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10
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Faresjö R, Sehlin D, Syvänen S. Age, dose, and binding to TfR on blood cells influence brain delivery of a TfR-transported antibody. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:34. [PMID: 37170266 PMCID: PMC10173660 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00435-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) mediated brain delivery of antibodies could become important for increasing the efficacy of emerging immunotherapies in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, age, dose, binding to TfR1 on blood cells, and pathology could influence the TfR1-mediated transcytosis of TfR1-binders across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The aim of the study was, therefore, to investigate the impact of these factors on the brain delivery of a bispecific TfR1-transported Aβ-antibody, mAb3D6-scFv8D3, in comparison with the conventional antibody mAb3D6. METHODS Young (3-5 months) and aged (17-20 months) WT and tg-ArcSwe mice (AD model) were injected with 125I-labeled mAb3D6-scFv8D3 or mAb3D6. Three different doses were used in the study, 0.05 mg/kg (low dose), 1 mg/kg (high dose), and 10 mg/kg (therapeutic dose), with equimolar doses for mAb3D6. The dose-corrected antibody concentrations in whole blood, blood cells, plasma, spleen, and brain were evaluated at 2 h post-administration. Furthermore, isolated brains were studied by autoradiography, nuclear track emulsion, and capillary depletion to investigate the intrabrain distribution of the antibodies, while binding to blood cells was studied in vitro using blood isolated from young and aged mice. RESULTS The aged WT and tg-ArcSwe mice showed significantly lower brain concentrations of TfR-binding [125I]mAb3D6-scFv8D3 and higher concentrations in the blood cell fraction compared to young mice. For [125I]mAb3D6, no significant differences in blood or brain delivery were observed between young and aged mice or between genotypes. A low dose of [125I]mAb3D6-scFv8D3 was associated with increased relative parenchymal delivery, as well as increased blood cell distribution. Brain concentrations and relative parenchymal distribution of [125I]mAb3D6-scFv8D6 did not differ between tg-ArcSwe and WT mice at this early time point but were considerably increased compared to those observed for [125I]mAb3D6. CONCLUSION Age-dependent differences in blood and brain concentrations were observed for the bispecific antibody mAb3D6-scFv8D3 but not for the conventional Aβ antibody mAb3D6, indicating an age-related effect on TfR1-mediated brain delivery. The lowest dose of [125I]mAb3D6-scFv8D3 was associated with higher relative BBB penetration but, at the same time, a higher distribution to blood cells. Overall, Aβ-pathology did not influence the early brain distribution of the bispecific antibody. In summary, age and bispecific antibody dose were important factors determining brain delivery, while genotype was not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Faresjö
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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11
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Gustavsson T, Metzendorf NG, Wik E, Roshanbin S, Julku U, Chourlia A, Nilsson P, Andersson KG, Laudon H, Hultqvist G, Syvänen S, Sehlin D. Long-term effects of immunotherapy with a brain penetrating Aβ antibody in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:90. [PMID: 37131196 PMCID: PMC10152635 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01236-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-directed immunotherapy is a promising strategy to target amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, we compared the therapeutic efficacy of the Aβ protofibril targeting antibody RmAb158 with its bispecific variant RmAb158-scFv8D3, which enters the brain by transferrin receptor-mediated transcytosis. METHODS AppNL-G-F knock-in mice received RmAb158, RmAb158-scFv8D3, or PBS in three treatment regimens. First, to assess the acute therapeutic effect, a single antibody dose was given to 5 months old AppNL-G-F mice, with evaluation after 3 days. Second, to assess the antibodies' ability to halt the progression of Aβ pathology, 3 months old AppNL-G-F mice received three doses during a week, with evaluation after 2 months. Reduction of RmAb158-scFv8D3 immunogenicity was explored by introducing mutations in the antibody or by depletion of CD4+ T cells. Third, to study the effects of chronic treatment, 7-month-old AppNL-G-F mice were CD4+ T cell depleted and treated with weekly antibody injections for 8 weeks, including a final diagnostic dose of [125I]RmAb158-scFv8D3, to determine its brain uptake ex vivo. Soluble Aβ aggregates and total Aβ42 were quantified with ELISA and immunostaining. RESULTS Neither RmAb158-scFv8D3 nor RmAb158 reduced soluble Aβ protofibrils or insoluble Aβ1-42 after a single injection treatment. After three successive injections, Aβ1-42 was reduced in mice treated with RmAb158, with a similar trend in RmAb158-scFv8D3-treated mice. Bispecific antibody immunogenicity was somewhat reduced by directed mutations, but CD4+ T cell depletion was used for long-term therapy. CD4+ T cell-depleted mice, chronically treated with RmAb158-scFv8D3, showed a dose-dependent increase in blood concentration of the diagnostic [125I]RmAb158-scFv8D3, while concentration was low in plasma and brain. Chronic treatment did not affect soluble Aβ aggregates, but a reduction in total Aβ42 was seen in the cortex of mice treated with both antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Both RmAb158 and its bispecific variant RmAb158-scFv8D3 achieved positive effects of long-term treatment. Despite its ability to efficiently enter the brain, the benefit of using the bispecific antibody in chronic treatment was limited by its reduced plasma exposure, which may be a result of interactions with TfR or the immune system. Future research will focus in new antibody formats to further improve Aβ immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gustavsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Elin Wik
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sahar Roshanbin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Julku
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Per Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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12
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Pornnoppadol G, Bond LG, Lucas MJ, Zupancic JM, Kuo YH, Zhang B, Greineder CF, Tessier PM. Bispecific antibody shuttles targeting CD98hc mediate efficient and long-lived brain delivery of IgGs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.29.538811. [PMID: 37162883 PMCID: PMC10168297 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.29.538811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The inability of antibodies and other biologics to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a key limitation to their use in diagnostic, imaging, and therapeutic applications. One promising strategy is to deliver IgGs using a bispecific BBB shuttle, which involves fusing an IgG with a second affinity ligand that engages a cerebrovascular endothelial target and facilitates transport across the BBB. Nearly all prior efforts have focused on the transferrin receptor (TfR-1) as the prototypical endothelial target despite inherent delivery and safety challenges. Here we report bispecific antibody shuttles that engage CD98hc (also known as 4F2 and SLC3A2), the heavy chain of the large neutral amino acid transporter (LAT1), and efficiently transport IgGs into the brain parenchyma. Notably, CD98hc shuttles lead to much longer-lived brain retention of IgGs than TfR-1 shuttles while enabling more specific brain targeting due to limited CD98hc engagement in the brain parenchyma. We demonstrate the broad utility of the CD98hc shuttles by reformatting three existing IgGs as CD98hc bispecific shuttles and delivering them to the mouse brain parenchyma that either agonize a neuronal receptor (TrkB) or target other endogenous antigens on specific types of brain cells (neurons and astrocytes).
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13
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Morrison JI, Petrovic A, Metzendorf NG, Rofo F, Yilmaz CU, Stenler S, Laudon H, Hultqvist G. Standardized Preclinical In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Mouse Assay Validates Endocytosis-Dependent Antibody Transcytosis Using Transferrin-Receptor-Mediated Pathways. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:1564-1576. [PMID: 36808999 PMCID: PMC9997753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) creates a nigh-on impenetrable obstacle for large macromolecular therapeutics that need to be delivered to the brain milieu to treat neurological disorders. To overcome this, one of the strategies used is to bypass the barrier with what is referred to as a "Trojan Horse" strategy, where therapeutics are designed to use endogenous receptor-mediated pathways to piggyback their way through the BBB. Even though in vivo methodologies are commonly used to test the efficacy of BBB-penetrating biologics, comparable in vitro BBB models are in high demand, as they benefit from being an isolated cellular system devoid of physiological factors that can on occasion mask the processes behind BBB transport via transcytosis. We have developed an in vitro BBB model (In-Cell BBB-Trans assay) based on the murine cEND cells that help delineate the ability of modified large bivalent IgG antibodies conjugated to the transferrin receptor binder scFv8D3 to cross an endothelial monolayer grown on porous cell culture inserts (PCIs). Following the administration of bivalent antibodies into the endothelial monolayer, a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is used to determine the concentration in the apical (blood) and basolateral (brain) chambers of the PCI system, allowing for the evaluation of apical recycling and basolateral transcytosis, respectively. Our results show that antibodies conjugated to scFv8D3 transcytose at considerably higher levels compared to unconjugated antibodies in the In-Cell BBB-Trans assay. Interestingly, we are able to show that these results mimic in vivo brain uptake studies using identical antibodies. In addition, we are able to transversely section PCI cultured cells, allowing for the identification of receptors and proteins that are likely involved in the transcytosis of the antibodies. Furthermore, studies using the In-Cell BBB-Trans assay revealed that transcytosis of the transferrin-receptor-targeting antibodies is dependent on endocytosis. In conclusion, we have designed a simple, reproducible In-Cell BBB-Trans assay based on murine cells that can be used to rapidly determine the BBB-penetrating capabilities of transferrin-receptor-targeting antibodies. We believe that the In-Cell BBB-Trans assay can be used as a powerful, preclinical screening platform for therapeutic neurological pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie I Morrison
- Institutionen för Farmaci, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala 752 37, Sweden
| | - Alex Petrovic
- Institutionen för Farmaci, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala 752 37, Sweden
| | | | - Fadi Rofo
- Institutionen för Farmaci, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala 752 37, Sweden
| | - Canan U Yilmaz
- Institutionen för Farmaci, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala 752 37, Sweden
| | - Sofia Stenler
- Institutionen för Farmaci, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala 752 37, Sweden
| | | | - Greta Hultqvist
- Institutionen för Farmaci, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala 752 37, Sweden
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14
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Wang J, Jin C, Zhou J, Zhou R, Tian M, Lee HJ, Zhang H. PET molecular imaging for pathophysiological visualization in Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 50:765-783. [PMID: 36372804 PMCID: PMC9852140 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05999-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia worldwide. The exact etiology of AD is unclear as yet, and no effective treatments are currently available, making AD a tremendous burden posed on the whole society. As AD is a multifaceted and heterogeneous disease, and most biomarkers are dynamic in the course of AD, a range of biomarkers should be established to evaluate the severity and prognosis. Positron emission tomography (PET) offers a great opportunity to visualize AD from diverse perspectives by using radiolabeled agents involved in various pathophysiological processes; PET imaging technique helps to explore the pathomechanisms of AD comprehensively and find out the most appropriate biomarker in each AD phase, leading to a better evaluation of the disease. In this review, we discuss the application of PET in the course of AD and summarized radiolabeled compounds with favorable imaging characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- grid.412465.0Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China ,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China
| | - Chentao Jin
- grid.412465.0Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China
| | - Jinyun Zhou
- grid.412465.0Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China
| | - Rui Zhou
- grid.412465.0Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China
| | - Mei Tian
- grid.412465.0Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China ,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China
| | - Hyeon Jeong Lee
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XCollege of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310014 Zhejiang China
| | - Hong Zhang
- grid.412465.0Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China ,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XCollege of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310014 Zhejiang China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XKey Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310014 Zhejiang China
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15
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Rofo F, Metzendorf NG, Saubi C, Suominen L, Godec A, Sehlin D, Syvänen S, Hultqvist G. Blood-brain barrier penetrating neprilysin degrades monomeric amyloid-beta in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:180. [PMID: 36471433 PMCID: PMC9720954 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01132-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggregation of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in the brain is one of the key pathological events in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reducing Aβ levels in the brain by enhancing its degradation is one possible strategy to develop new therapies for AD. Neprilysin (NEP) is a membrane-bound metallopeptidase and one of the major Aβ-degrading enzymes. The secreted soluble form of NEP (sNEP) has been previously suggested as a potential protein-therapy degrading Aβ in AD. However, similar to other large molecules, peripherally administered sNEP is unable to reach the brain due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). METHODS To provide transcytosis across the BBB, we recombinantly fused the TfR binding moiety (scFv8D3) to either sNEP or a previously described variant of NEP (muNEP) suggested to have higher degradation efficiency of Aβ compared to other NEP substrates, but not per se to degrade Aβ more efficiently. To provide long blood half-life, an Fc-based antibody fragment (scFc) was added to the designs, forming sNEP-scFc-scFv8D3 and muNEP-scFc-scFv8D3. The ability of the mentioned recombinant proteins to degrade Aβ was first evaluated in vitro using synthetic Aβ peptides followed by sandwich ELISA. For the in vivo studies, a single injection of 125-iodine-labelled sNEP-scFc-scFv8D3 and muNEP-scFc-scFv8D3 was intravenously administered to a tg-ArcSwe mouse model of AD, using scFc-scFv8D3 protein that lacks NEP as a negative control. Different ELISA setups were applied to quantify Aβ concentration of different conformations, both in brain tissues and blood samples. RESULTS When tested in vitro, sNEP-scFc-scFv8D3 retained sNEP enzymatic activity in degrading Aβ and both constructs efficiently degraded arctic Aβ. When intravenously injected, sNEP-scFc-scFv8D3 demonstrated 20 times higher brain uptake compared to sNEP. Both scFv8D3-fused NEP proteins significantly reduced aggregated Aβ levels in the blood of tg-ArcSwe mice, a transgenic mouse model of AD, following a single intravenous injection. In the brain, monomeric and oligomeric Aβ were significantly reduced. Both scFv8D3-fused NEP proteins displayed a fast clearance from the brain. CONCLUSION A one-time injection of a BBB-penetrating NEP shows the potential to reduce, the likely most toxic, Aβ oligomers in the brain in addition to monomers. Also, Aβ aggregates in the blood were reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Rofo
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Biomedicinskt Centrum BMC, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nicole G. Metzendorf
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Biomedicinskt Centrum BMC, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Cristina Saubi
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Biomedicinskt Centrum BMC, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Laura Suominen
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Biomedicinskt Centrum BMC, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ana Godec
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Biomedicinskt Centrum BMC, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Greta Hultqvist
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Biomedicinskt Centrum BMC, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
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16
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Meier SR, Sehlin D, Syvänen S. Passive and receptor mediated brain delivery of an anti-GFAP nanobody. Nucl Med Biol 2022; 114-115:121-127. [PMID: 35487832 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Antibody-based constructs, engineered to enter the brain using transferrin receptor (TfR) mediated transcytosis, have been successfully used as PET radioligands for imaging of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in preclinical studies. However, these radioligands have been large and associated with long circulation times, i.e. non-optimal properties for neuroPET radioligands. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo brain delivery of the radiolabeled nanobody VHH-E9 that binds to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressed by reactive astrocytes, without and with fusion to a TfR binding moiety, as potential tools to detect neuroinflammation. METHODS Three protein constructs were recombinantly expressed: 1) The GFAP specific nanobody VHH-E9, 2) VHH-E9 fused to a single chain variable fragment of the TfR binding antibody 8D3 (scFv8D3) and 3) scFv8D3 alone. Brain delivery of the constructs was investigated at 2 h post injection. Binding to GFAP was studied with autoradiography while in vivo brain retention of [125I]VHH-E9 and [125I]VHH-E9-scFv8D3 was further investigated at 8 h, 24 h and 48 h in wild-type (WT), and at the same time points in transgenic mice (ArcSwe) that in addition to Aβ pathology also display neuroinflammation. RESULTS At 2 h after administration, [125I]VHH-E9-scFv8D3 and [125I]scFv8D3 displayed 3-fold higher brain concentrations than [125I]VHH-E9. In vitro autoradiography showed distinct binding of both [125I]VHH-E9-scFv8D3 and [125I]VHH-E9 to regions with abundant GFAP in ArcSwe mice. However, in vivo, there was no difference in brain concentrations between WT and ArcSwe at any of the studied time points. CONCLUSIONS Fused to scFv8D3, VHH-E9 displayed increased brain delivery. When radiolabeled and applied on brain sections, the bispecific construct was able to discriminate between WT and ArcSwe mice, but in vivo brain uptake and retention over time did not differ between WT and ArcSwe mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio R Meier
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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17
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Wuensche TE, Stergiou N, Mes I, Verlaan M, Schreurs M, Kooijman EJM, Janssen B, Windhorst AD, Jensen A, Asuni AA, Bang-Andersen B, Beaino W, Dongen GAMS, Vugts DJ. Advancing 89Zr-immuno-PET in neuroscience with a bispecific anti-amyloid-beta monoclonal antibody - The choice of chelator is essential. Theranostics 2022; 12:7067-7079. [PMID: 36276653 PMCID: PMC9576608 DOI: 10.7150/thno.73509] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The accelerated approval of the monoclonal antibody (mAb) aducanumab as a treatment option for Alzheimer's Disease and the continued discussions about its efficacy have shown that a better understanding of immunotherapy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is needed. 89Zr-immuno-PET could be a suitable tool to open new avenues for the diagnosis of CNS disorders, monitoring disease progression, and assessment of novel therapeutics. Herein, three different 89Zr-labeling strategies and direct radioiodination with 125I of a bispecific anti-amyloid-beta aducanumab derivate, consisting of aducanumab with a C-terminal fused anti-transferrin receptor binding single chain Fab fragment derived from 8D3 (Adu-8D3), were compared ex vivo and in vivo with regard to brain uptake and target engagement in an APP/PS1 Alzheimer's disease mouse model and wild type animals. Methods: Adu-8D3 and a negative control antibody, based on the HIV specific B12 antibody also carrying C-terminal fused 8D3 scFab (B12-8D3), were each conjugated with NCS-DFO, NCS-DFO*, or TFP-N-suc-DFO-Fe-ester, followed by radiolabeling with 89Zr. 125I was used as a substitute for 124I for labeling of both antibodies. 30 µg of radiolabeled mAb, corresponding to approximately 6 MBq 89Zr or 2.5 MBq 125I, were injected per mouse. PET imaging was performed 1, 3 and 7 days post injection (p.i.). All mice were sacrificed on day 7 p.i. and subjected to ex vivo biodistribution and brain autoradiography. Immunostaining on brain tissue was performed after autoradiography for further validation. Results:Ex vivo biodistribution revealed that the brain uptake of [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-NCS-Adu-8D3 (2.19 ±0.12 %ID/g) was as high as for its 125I-analog (2.21 ±0.15 %ID/g). [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS-Adu-8D3 and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-N-suc-Adu-8D3 showed significantly lower uptake (< 0.65 %ID/g), being in the same range as for the 89Zr-labeled controls (B12-8D3). Autoradiography of [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-NCS-Adu-8D3 and [125I]I-Adu-8D3 showed an amyloid-beta related granular uptake pattern of radioactivity. In contrast, the [89Zr]Zr-DFO-conjugates and the control antibody groups did not show any amyloid-beta related uptake pattern, indicating that DFO is inferior for 89Zr-immuno-PET imaging of the brain in comparison to DFO* for Adu-8D3. This was confirmed by day 7 PET images showing only amyloid-beta related brain uptake for [89Zr]Zr-DFO*-NCS-Adu-8D3. In wild type animals, such an uptake was not observed. Immunostaining showed a co-localization of all administered Adu-8D3 conjugates with amyloid-beta plaques. Conclusion: We successfully demonstrated that 89Zr-immuno-PET is suitable for imaging and quantifying amyloid-beta specific brain uptake using a bispecific aducanumab brain shuttling antibody, Adu-8D3, but only when using the novel chelator DFO*, and not DFO, for labeling with 89Zr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Wuensche
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Natascha Stergiou
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Mes
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariska Verlaan
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maxime Schreurs
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Esther J M Kooijman
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Janssen
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert D Windhorst
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Allan Jensen
- H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2500 Valby, Denmark
| | | | | | - Wissam Beaino
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guus A M S Dongen
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Danielle J Vugts
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, dept Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain imaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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Lopes van den Broek S, Shalgunov V, García Vázquez R, Beschorner N, Bidesi NSR, Nedergaard M, Knudsen GM, Sehlin D, Syvänen S, Herth MM. Pretargeted Imaging beyond the Blood–Brain Barrier—Utopia or Feasible? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15101191. [PMID: 36297303 PMCID: PMC9612205 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101191] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pretargeting is a promising nuclear imaging technique that allows for the usage of antibodies (Abs) with enhanced imaging contrast and reduced patient radiation burden. It is based on bioorthogonal chemistry with the tetrazine ligation—a reaction between trans-cyclooctenes (TCOs) and tetrazines (Tzs)—currently being the most popular reaction due to its high selectivity and reactivity. As Abs can be designed to bind specifically to currently ‘undruggable’ targets such as protein isoforms or oligomers, which play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases, pretargeted imaging beyond the BBB is highly sought after, but has not been achieved yet. A challenge in this respect is that large molecules such as Abs show poor brain uptake. Uptake can be increased by receptor mediated transcytosis; however, it is largely unknown if the achieved brain concentrations are sufficient for pretargeted imaging. In this study, we investigated whether the required concentrations are feasible to reach. As a model Ab, we used the bispecific anti-amyloid beta (Aβ) anti-transferrin receptor (TfR) Ab 3D6scFv8D3 and conjugated it to a different amount of TCOs per Ab and tested different concentrations in vitro. With this model in hand, we estimated the minimum required TCO concentration to achieve a suitable contrast between the high and low binding regions. The estimation was carried out using pretargeted autoradiography on brain sections of an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Biodistribution studies in wild-type (WT) mice were used to correlate how different TCO/Ab ratios alter the brain uptake. Pretargeted autoradiography showed that increasing the number of TCOs as well as increasing the TCO-Ab concentration increased the imaging contrast. A minimum brain concentration of TCOs for pretargeting purposes was determined to be 10.7 pmol/g in vitro. Biodistribution studies in WT mice showed a brain uptake of 1.1% ID/g using TCO-3D6scFv8D3 with 6.8 TCO/Ab. According to our estimations using the optimal parameters, pretargeted imaging beyond the BBB is not a utopia. Necessary brain TCO concentrations can be reached and are in the same order of magnitude as required to achieve sufficient contrast. This work gives a first estimate that pretargeted imaging is indeed possible with antibodies. This could allow the imaging of currently ‘undruggable’ targets and therefore be crucial to monitor (e.g., therapies for intractable neurodegenerative diseases).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Lopes van den Broek
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vladimir Shalgunov
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rocío García Vázquez
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Natalie Beschorner
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Natasha S. R. Bidesi
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte M. Knudsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Rudbeck Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, University of Uppsala, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Rudbeck Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, University of Uppsala, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matthias M. Herth
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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19
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Rofo F, Meier SR, Metzendorf NG, Morrison JI, Petrovic A, Syvänen S, Sehlin D, Hultqvist G. A Brain-Targeting Bispecific-Multivalent Antibody Clears Soluble Amyloid-Beta Aggregates in Alzheimer's Disease Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1588-1602. [PMID: 35939261 PMCID: PMC9606191 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01283-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers and protofibrils are suggested to be the most neurotoxic Aβ species in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hence, antibodies with strong and selective binding to these soluble Aβ aggregates are of therapeutic potential. We have recently introduced HexaRmAb158, a multivalent antibody with additional Aβ-binding sites in the form of single-chain fragment variables (scFv) on the N-terminal ends of Aβ protofibril selective antibody (RmAb158). Due to the additional binding sites and the short distance between them, HexaRmAb158 displayed a slow dissociation from protofibrils and strong binding to oligomers in vitro. In the current study, we aimed at investigating the therapeutic potential of this antibody format in vivo using mouse models of AD. To enhance BBB delivery, the transferrin receptor (TfR) binding moiety (scFv8D3) was added, forming the bispecific-multivalent antibody (HexaRmAb158-scFv8D3). The new antibody displayed a weaker TfR binding compared to the previously developed RmAb158-scFv8D3 and was less efficiently transcytosed in a cell-based BBB model. HexaRmAb158 detected soluble Aβ aggregates derived from brains of tg-ArcSwe and AppNL-G-F mice more efficiently compared to RmAb158. When intravenously injected, HexaRmAb158-scFv8D3 was actively transported over the BBB into the brain in vivo. Brain uptake was marginally lower than that of RmAb158-scFv8D3, but significantly higher than observed for conventional IgG antibodies. Both antibody formats displayed similar brain retention (72 h post injection) and equal capacity in clearing soluble Aβ aggregates in tg-ArcSwe mice. In conclusion, we demonstrate a bispecific-multivalent antibody format capable of passing the BBB and targeting a wide-range of sizes of soluble Aβ aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Rofo
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Silvio R Meier
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Jamie I Morrison
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alex Petrovic
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Greta Hultqvist
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden.
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20
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The glymphatic system: implications for drugs for central nervous system diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:763-779. [PMID: 35948785 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00500-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, evidence for a fluid clearance pathway in the central nervous system known as the glymphatic system has grown. According to the glymphatic system concept, cerebrospinal fluid flows directionally through the brain and non-selectively clears the interstitium of metabolic waste. Importantly, the glymphatic system may be modulated by particular drugs such as anaesthetics, as well as by non-pharmacological factors such as sleep, and its dysfunction has been implicated in central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer disease. Although the glymphatic system is best described in rodents, reports using multiple neuroimaging modalities indicate that a similar transport system exists in the human brain. Here, we overview the evidence for the glymphatic system and its role in disease and discuss opportunities to harness the glymphatic system therapeutically; for example, by improving the effectiveness of intrathecally delivered drugs.
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21
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Roshanbin S, Julku U, Xiong M, Eriksson J, Masliah E, Hultqvist G, Bergström J, Ingelsson M, Syvänen S, Sehlin D. Reduction of αSYN Pathology in a Mouse Model of PD Using a Brain-Penetrating Bispecific Antibody. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071412. [PMID: 35890306 PMCID: PMC9318263 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy targeting aggregated alpha-synuclein (αSYN) is a promising approach for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, brain penetration of antibodies is hampered by their large size. Here, RmAbSynO2-scFv8D3, a modified bispecific antibody that targets aggregated αSYN and binds to the transferrin receptor for facilitated brain uptake, was investigated to treat αSYN pathology in transgenic mice. Ex vivo analyses of the blood and brain distribution of RmAbSynO2-scFv8D3 and the unmodified variant RmAbSynO2, as well as in vivo analyses with microdialysis and PET, confirmed fast and efficient brain uptake of the bispecific format. In addition, intravenous administration was shown to be superior to intraperitoneal injections in terms of brain uptake and distribution. Next, aged female αSYN transgenic mice (L61) were administered either RmAbSynO2-scFv8D3, RmAbSynO2, or PBS intravenously three times over five days. Levels of TBS-T soluble aggregated αSYN in the brain following treatment with RmAbSynO2-scFv8D3 were decreased in the cortex and midbrain compared to RmAbSynO2 or PBS controls. Taken together, our results indicate that facilitated brain uptake of αSYN antibodies can improve treatment of αSYN pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Roshanbin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (U.J.); (M.X.); (J.B.); (M.I.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Ulrika Julku
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (U.J.); (M.X.); (J.B.); (M.I.); (S.S.)
| | - Mengfei Xiong
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (U.J.); (M.X.); (J.B.); (M.I.); (S.S.)
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
- PET Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Division of Neuroscience and Laboratory of Neurogenetics, NIA-NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
| | - Greta Hultqvist
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Joakim Bergström
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (U.J.); (M.X.); (J.B.); (M.I.); (S.S.)
| | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (U.J.); (M.X.); (J.B.); (M.I.); (S.S.)
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 1M8, Canada
- Department of Medicine and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1M8, Canada
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (U.J.); (M.X.); (J.B.); (M.I.); (S.S.)
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (U.J.); (M.X.); (J.B.); (M.I.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (D.S.)
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22
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Transferrin Receptor Binding BBB-Shuttle Facilitates Brain Delivery of Anti-Aβ-Affibodies. Pharm Res 2022; 39:1509-1521. [PMID: 35538266 PMCID: PMC9246779 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03282-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Affibodies targeting amyloid-beta (Aβ) could potentially be used as therapeutic and diagnostic agents in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Affibodies display suitable characteristics for imaging applications such as high stability and a short biological half-life. The aim of this study was to explore brain delivery and retention of Aβ protofibril-targeted affibodies in wild-type (WT) and AD transgenic mice and to evaluate their potential as imaging agents. Two affibodies, Z5 and Z1, were fused with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) shuttle single-chain variable fragment scFv8D3. In vitro binding of 125I-labeled affibodies with and without scFv8D3 was evaluated by ELISA and autoradiography. Brain uptake and retention of the affibodies at 2 h and 24 h post injection was studied ex vivo in WT and transgenic (tg-Swe and tg-ArcSwe) mice. At 2 h post injection, [125I]I-Z5 and [125I]I-Z1 displayed brain concentrations of 0.37 ± 0.09% and 0.46 ± 0.08% ID/g brain, respectively. [125I]I-scFv8D3-Z5 and [125I]I-scFv8D3-Z1 showed increased brain concentrations of 0.53 ± 0.16% and 1.20 ± 0.35%ID/g brain. At 24 h post injection, brain retention of [125I]I-Z1 and [125I]I-Z5 was low, while [125I]I-scFv8D3-Z1 and [125I]I-scFv8D3-Z5 showed moderate brain retention, with a tendency towards higher retention of [125I]I-scFv8D3-Z5 in AD transgenic mice. Nuclear track emulsion autoradiography showed greater parenchymal distribution of [125I]I-scFv8D3-Z5 and [125I]I-scFv8D3-Z1 compared with the affibodies without scFv8D3, but could not confirm specific affibody accumulation around Aβ deposits. Affibody-scFv8D3 fusions displayed increased brain and parenchymal delivery compared with the non-fused affibodies. However, fast brain washout and a suboptimal balance between Aβ and mTfR1 affinity resulted in low intrabrain retention around Aβ deposits.
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23
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Syvänen S, Meier SR, Roshanbin S, Xiong M, Faresjö R, Gustavsson T, Bonvicini G, Schlein E, Aguilar X, Julku U, Eriksson J, Sehlin D. PET Imaging in Preclinical Anti-Aβ Drug Development. Pharm Res 2022; 39:1481-1496. [PMID: 35501533 PMCID: PMC9246809 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03277-z] [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: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET), a medical imaging technique allowing for studies of the living human brain, has gained an important role in clinical trials of novel drugs against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). For example, PET data contributed to the conditional approval in 2021 of aducanumab, an antibody directed towards amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates, by showing a dose-dependent reduction in brain amyloid after treatment. In parallel to clinical studies, preclinical studies in animal models of Aβ pathology may also benefit from PET as a tool to detect target engagement and treatment effects of anti-Aβ drug candidates. PET is associated with a high level of translatability between species as similar, non-invasive protocols allow for longitudinal rather than cross-sectional studies and can be used both in a preclinical and clinical setting. This review focuses on the use of preclinical PET imaging in genetically modified animals that express human Aβ, and its present and potential future role in the development of drugs aimed at reducing brain Aβ levels as a therapeutic strategy to halt disease progression in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Silvio R Meier
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sahar Roshanbin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mengfei Xiong
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Faresjö
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tobias Gustavsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gillian Bonvicini
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.,BioArctic AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Schlein
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ximena Aguilar
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Julku
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,PET Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
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24
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Markowicz-Piasecka M, Markiewicz A, Darłak P, Sikora J, Adla SK, Bagina S, Huttunen KM. Current Chemical, Biological, and Physiological Views in the Development of Successful Brain-Targeted Pharmaceutics. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:942-976. [PMID: 35391662 PMCID: PMC9294128 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01228-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges with successful pharmaceutical treatments of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is the delivery of drugs into their target sites with appropriate concentrations. For example, the physically tight blood-brain barrier (BBB) effectively blocks compounds from penetrating into the brain, also by the action of metabolizing enzymes and efflux transport mechanisms. However, many endogenous compounds, including both smaller compounds and macromolecules, like amino acids, sugars, vitamins, nucleosides, hormones, steroids, and electrolytes, have their peculiar internalization routes across the BBB. These delivery mechanisms, namely carrier-mediated transport and receptor-mediated transcytosis have been utilized to some extent in brain-targeted drug development. The incomplete knowledge of the BBB and the smaller than a desirable number of chemical tools have hindered the development of successful brain-targeted pharmaceutics. This review discusses the recent advancements achieved in the field from the point of medicinal chemistry view and discusses how brain drug delivery can be improved in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Markowicz-Piasecka
- Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agata Markiewicz
- Students Research Group, Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Patrycja Darłak
- Students Research Group, Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Sikora
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Santosh Kumar Adla
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1C, POB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 542/2, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sreelatha Bagina
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Finland Oy, Neulaniementie 4, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kristiina M. Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1C, POB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
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25
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Alzghool OM, van Dongen G, van de Giessen E, Schoonmade L, Beaino W. α-Synuclein Radiotracer Development and In Vivo Imaging: Recent Advancements and New Perspectives. Mov Disord 2022; 37:936-948. [PMID: 35289424 PMCID: PMC9310945 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synucleinopathies including idiopathic Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple systems atrophy share overlapping symptoms and pathological hallmarks. Selective neurodegeneration and Lewy pathology are the main hallmarks of α-synucleinopathies. Currently, there is no imaging biomarker suitable for a definitive early diagnosis of α-synucleinopathies. Although dopaminergic deficits detected with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers can support clinical diagnosis by confirming the presence of dopaminergic neurodegeneration, dopaminergic imaging cannot visualize the preceding disease process, nor distinguish α-synucleinopathies from tauopathies with dopaminergic neurodegeneration, especially at early symptomatic disease stage when clinical presentation is often overlapping. Aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn) could be a suitable imaging biomarker in α-synucleinopathies, because αSyn aggregation and therefore, Lewy pathology is evidently an early driver of α-synucleinopathies pathogenesis. Additionally, several antibodies and small molecule compounds targeting aggregated αSyn are in development for therapy. However, there is no way to directly measure if or how much they lower the levels of aggregated αSyn in the brain. There is clearly a paramount diagnostic and therapeutic unmet medical need. To date, aggregated αSyn and Lewy pathology inclusion bodies cannot be assessed ante-mortem with SPECT or PET imaging because of the suboptimal binding characteristics and/or physicochemical properties of current radiotracers. The aim of this narrative review is to highlight the suitability of aggregated αSyn as an imaging biomarker in α-synucleinopathies, the current limitations with and lessons learned from αSyn radiotracer development, and finally to propose antibody-based ligands for imaging αSyn aggregates as a complementary tool rather than an alternative to small molecule ligands. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obada M Alzghool
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tracer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Guus van Dongen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tracer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elsmarieke van de Giessen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tracer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Schoonmade
- Medical Library, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wissam Beaino
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tracer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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26
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Roshanbin S, Xiong M, Hultqvist G, Söderberg L, Zachrisson O, Meier S, Ekmark-Lewén S, Bergström J, Ingelsson M, Sehlin D, Syvänen S. In vivo imaging of alpha-synuclein with antibody-based PET. Neuropharmacology 2022; 208:108985. [PMID: 35149134 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.108985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The protein alpha-synuclein (αSYN) plays a central role in synucleinopathies such as Parkinsons's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Presently, there are no selective αSYN positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands that do not also show affinity to amyloid-beta (Aβ). We have previously shown that radiolabeled antibodies, engineered to enter the brain via the transferrin receptor (TfR), is a promising approach for PET imaging of intrabrain targets. In this study, we used this strategy to visualize αSYN in the living mouse brain. Five bispecific antibodies, binding to both the murine TfR and αSYN were generated and radiolabeled with iodine-125 or iodine-124. All bispecific antibodies bound to αSYN and mTfR before and after radiolabelling in an ELISA assay, and bound to brain sections prepared from αSYN overexpressing mice as well as human PD- and MSA subjects, but not control tissues in autoradiography. Brain concentrations of the bispecific antibodies were between 26-63 times higher than the unmodified IgG format 2 h post-injection, corresponding to about 1.5% of the injected dose per gram brain tissue. Additionally, intrastriatal αSYN fibrils were visualised with PET in an αSYN deposition mouse model with one of the bispecific antibodies, [124I]RmAbSynO2-scFv8D3. However, PET images acquired in αSYN transgenic mice with verified brain pathology injected with [124I]RmAbSynO2-scFv8D3 and [124I]RmAb48-scFv8D3 showed no increase in antibody retention compared to WT mice. Despite successful imaging of deposited extracellular αSYN using a brain-penetrating antibody-based radioligand with no cross-specificity towards Aβ, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates challenges in imaging intracellular αSYN inclusions present in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Roshanbin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Mengfei Xiong
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Greta Hultqvist
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Silvio Meier
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Ekmark-Lewén
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joakim Bergström
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Medicine and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Bajracharya R, Caruso AC, Vella LJ, Nisbet RM. Current and Emerging Strategies for Enhancing Antibody Delivery to the Brain. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:2014. [PMID: 34959296 PMCID: PMC8709416 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For the treatment of neurological diseases, achieving sufficient exposure to the brain parenchyma is a critical determinant of drug efficacy. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions to tightly control the passage of substances between the bloodstream and the central nervous system, and as such poses a major obstacle that must be overcome for therapeutics to enter the brain. Monoclonal antibodies have emerged as one of the best-selling treatment modalities available in the pharmaceutical market owing to their high target specificity. However, it has been estimated that only 0.1% of peripherally administered antibodies can cross the BBB, contributing to the low success rate of immunotherapy seen in clinical trials for the treatment of neurological diseases. The development of new strategies for antibody delivery across the BBB is thereby crucial to improve immunotherapeutic efficacy. Here, we discuss the current strategies that have been employed to enhance antibody delivery across the BBB. These include (i) focused ultrasound in combination with microbubbles, (ii) engineered bi-specific antibodies, and (iii) nanoparticles. Furthermore, we discuss emerging strategies such as extracellular vesicles with BBB-crossing properties and vectored antibody genes capable of being encapsulated within a BBB delivery vehicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinie Bajracharya
- Clem Jones Centre for Aging Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Alayna C. Caruso
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (A.C.C.); (L.J.V.)
| | - Laura J. Vella
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (A.C.C.); (L.J.V.)
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Rebecca M. Nisbet
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (A.C.C.); (L.J.V.)
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Li R, Ren M, Yu Y. Anti-PrP monoclonal antibody as a novel treatment for neurogenesis in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e2365. [PMID: 34672433 PMCID: PMC8613428 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common degenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment, memory decline, and language disorder for which there is no effective treatment. Neurogenesis has been indicated in AD and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Targeting this pathway is a new idea for the treatment of the disease. A recent study reveals that the cellular prion protein (PrP), a receptor for Aβ oligomers, regulates neurogenesis, and its elevated expression is related to cell differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of 6D11 (PrP monoclonal antibody) via neurogenesis promotion in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and Aβ-induced cell model of AD. METHODS In the present study, 9-month-old male APP/PS1 mice were injected with 6D11. Then, the Morris water maze was used to examine the spatial learning and memory abilities of the mice in both groups, and immunostained was used to assess the level of Aβ, neurogenesis, and neural stem cells (NSCs) differentiation. RESULTS 6D11 attenuated cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, which was accompanied by a decrease of the deposition of Aβ. In addition, 6D11 treatment promoted differentiation of the existing hippocampal cells to neurons. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirmed that 6D11 has a therapeutic effect in APP/PS1 transgenic AD mouse model and Aβ-induced AD cell model, and the effect exerted via increase of neurogenesis and cell differentiation by transduction of Aβ peptide signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruolin Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, 89 Guhuai Road, Jining, Shandong, 272029, China
| | - Ming Ren
- Department of neurology, Shanghai blue cross brain hospital, 2880 Qixin Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201101, China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28th Fuxing Road, Haidian district, Beijing, 100048, China
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Nimmo JT, Kelly L, Verma A, Carare RO, Nicoll JAR, Dodart JC. Amyloid-β and α-Synuclein Immunotherapy: From Experimental Studies to Clinical Trials. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:733857. [PMID: 34539340 PMCID: PMC8441015 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.733857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body diseases are the most common causes of neurodegeneration and dementia. Amyloid-beta (Aβ) and alpha-synuclein (αSyn) are two key proteins involved in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases. Immunotherapy aims to reduce the harmful effects of protein accumulation by neutralising toxic species and facilitating their removal. The results of the first immunisation trial against Aβ led to a small percentage of meningoencephalitis cases which revolutionised vaccine design, causing a shift in the field of immunotherapy from active to passive immunisation. While the vast majority of immunotherapies have been developed for Aβ and tested in Alzheimer’s disease, the field has progressed to targeting other proteins including αSyn. Despite showing some remarkable results in animal models, immunotherapies have largely failed final stages of clinical trials to date, with the exception of Aducanumab recently licenced in the US by the FDA. Neuropathological findings translate quite effectively from animal models to human trials, however, cognitive and functional outcome measures do not. The apparent lack of translation of experimental studies to clinical trials suggests that we are not obtaining a full representation of the effects of immunotherapies from animal studies. Here we provide a background understanding to the key concepts and challenges involved in therapeutic design. This review further provides a comprehensive comparison between experimental and clinical studies in Aβ and αSyn immunotherapy and aims to determine the possible reasons for the disconnection in their outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqui Taryn Nimmo
- Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Kelly
- Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ajay Verma
- Yumanity Therapeutics, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roxana O Carare
- Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - James A R Nicoll
- Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Mak S, Li W, Fu H, Luo J, Cui W, Hu S, Pang Y, Carlier PR, Tsim KW, Pi R, Han Y. Promising tacrine/huperzine A-based dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for neurodegenerative disorders: From relieving symptoms to modifying diseases through multitarget. J Neurochem 2021; 158:1381-1393. [PMID: 33930191 PMCID: PMC8458250 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, are devastating diseases in the elderly world, which are closely associated with progressive neuronal loss induced by a variety of genetic and/or environmental factors. Unfortunately, currently available treatments for neurodegenerative disorders can only relieve the symptoms but not modify the pathological processes. Over the past decades, our group by collaborating with Profs. Yuan-Ping Pang and Paul R. Carlier has developed three series of homo/hetero dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitors derived from tacrine and/or huperzine A. The representative dimers bis(3)-Cognitin (B3C), bis(12)-hupyridone, and tacrine(10)-hupyridone might possess disease-modifying effects through the modulation of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors, the activation of myocyte enhancer factor 2D gene transcription, and the promotion of neurotrophic factor secretion. In this review, we summarize that the representative dimers, such as B3C, provide neuroprotection against a variety of neurotoxins via multiple targets, including the inhibitions of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor with pathological-activated potential, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and β-amyloid cascades synergistically. More importantly, B3C might offer disease-modifying potentials by activating myocyte enhancer factor 2D transcription, inducing neuritogenesis, and promoting the expressions of neurotrophic factors in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, the novel dimers might offer synergistic disease-modifying effects, proving that dimerization might serve as one of the strategies to develop new generation of therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinghung Mak
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenming Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hongjun Fu
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronic Brain Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jialie Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wei Cui
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Shengquan Hu
- Shenzhen Institute of Geriatrics, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanping Pang
- Mayo Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Karl Wahkeung Tsim
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rongbiao Pi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Han
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Wide-Ranging Effects on the Brain Proteome in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Following Treatment with a Brain-Targeting Somatostatin Peptide. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2529-2541. [PMID: 34170117 PMCID: PMC8291608 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Alzheimer’s
disease is the most common neurodegenerative
disorder characterized by the pathological aggregation of amyloid-β
(Aβ) peptide. A potential therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer’s
disease is to enhance Aβ degradation by increasing the activity
of Aβ-degrading enzymes, including neprilysin. The somatostatin
(SST) peptide has been identified as an activator of neprilysin. Recently,
we demonstrated the ability of a brain-penetrating SST peptide (SST-scFv8D3)
to increase neprilysin activity and membrane-bound Aβ42 degradation
in the hippocampus of mice overexpressing the Aβ-precursor protein
with the Swedish mutation (APPswe). Using LC–MS, we further
evaluated the anti-Alzheimer’s disease effects of SST-scFv8D3.
Following a triple intravenous injection of SST-scFv8D3, the LC–MS
analysis of the brain proteome revealed that the majority of downregulated
proteins consisted of mitochondrial proteins regulating fatty acid
oxidation, which are otherwise upregulated in APPswe mice compared
to wild-type mice. Moreover, treatment with SST-scFv8D3 significantly
increased hippocampal levels of synaptic proteins regulating cell
membrane trafficking and neuronal development. Finally, hippocampal
concentrations of growth-regulated α (KC/GRO) chemokine and
degradation of neuropeptide-Y were elevated after SST-scFv8D3 treatment.
In summary, our results demonstrate a multifaceted effect profile
in regulating mitochondrial function and neurogenesis following treatment
with SST-scFv8D3, further suggesting the development of Alzheimer’s
disease therapies based on SST peptides.
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Faresjö R, Bonvicini G, Fang XT, Aguilar X, Sehlin D, Syvänen S. Brain pharmacokinetics of two BBB penetrating bispecific antibodies of different size. Fluids Barriers CNS 2021; 18:26. [PMID: 34078410 PMCID: PMC8170802 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-021-00257-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transferrin receptor (TfR1) mediated enhanced brain delivery of antibodies have been studied extensively in preclinical settings. However, the brain pharmacokinetics, i.e. brain entry, distribution and elimination are still not fully understood for this class of antibodies. The overall aim of the study was to compare the brain pharmacokinetics of two BBB-penetrating bispecific antibodies of different size (210 vs 58 kDa). Specifically, we wanted to investigate if the faster systemic clearance of the smaller non-IgG antibody di-scFv3D6-8D3, in comparison with the IgG-based bispecific antibody mAb3D6-scFv8D3, was also reflected in the brain. Methods Wild-type (C57/Bl6) mice were injected with 125I-iodinated ([125I]) mAb3D6-scFv8D3 (n = 46) or [125I]di-scFv3D6-8D3 (n = 32) and euthanized 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, or 24 h post injection. Ex vivo radioactivity in whole blood, peripheral organs and brain was measured by γ-counting. Ex vivo autoradiography and nuclear track emulsion were performed on brain sections to investigate brain and parenchymal distribution. Capillary depletion was carried out at 2, 6, and 24 h after injection of [125I]mAb3D6-scFv8D3 (n = 12) or [125I]di-scFv3D6-8D3 (n = 12), to estimate the relative levels of radiolabelled antibody in brain capillaries versus brain parenchyma. In vitro binding kinetics for [125I]mAb3D6-scFv8D3 or [125I]di-scFv3D6-8D3 to murine TfR were determined by LigandTracer. Results [125I]di-scFv3D6-8D3 showed faster elimination from blood, lower brain Cmax, and Tmax, a larger parenchymal-to-capillary concentration ratio, and a net elimination from brain at an earlier time point after injection compared with the larger [125I]mAb3D6-scFv8D3. However, the elimination rate from brain did not differ between the antibodies. The study also indicated that [125I]di-scFv3D6-8D3 displayed lower avidity than [125I]mAb3D6-scFv8D3 towards TfR1 in vitro and potentially in vivo, at least at the BBB. Conclusion A smaller size and lower TfR1 avidity are likely important for fast parenchymal delivery, while elimination of brain-associated bispecific antibodies may not be dependent on these characteristics. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12987-021-00257-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Faresjö
- Department of Public Healt and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gillian Bonvicini
- Department of Public Healt and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.,BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaotian T Fang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, Yale PET Center, 801 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Ximena Aguilar
- Department of Public Healt and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Healt and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Healt and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Pinpointing Brain TREM2 Levels in Two Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Imaging Biol 2021; 23:665-675. [PMID: 33620643 PMCID: PMC8410720 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01591-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is expressed by brain microglia. Microglial activation, as observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as in transgenic mice expressing human amyloid-beta, appears to increase soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) levels in CSF and brain. In this study, we used two different transgenic mouse models of AD pathology and investigated the potential of TREM2 to serve as an in vivo biomarker for microglial activation in AD. PROCEDURES We designed and generated a bispecific antibody based on the TREM2-specific monoclonal antibody mAb1729, fused to a single-chain variable fragment of the transferrin receptor binding antibody 8D3. The 8D3-moiety enabled transcytosis of the whole bispecific antibody across the blood-brain barrier. The bispecific antibody was radiolabeled with I-125 (ex vivo) or I-124 (PET) and administered to transgenic AD and wild-type (WT) control mice. Radioligand retention in the brain of transgenic animals was compared to WT mice by isolation of brain tissue at 24 h or 72 h, or with in vivo PET at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Intrabrain distribution of radiolabeled mAb1729-scFv8D3CL was further studied by autoradiography, while ELISA was used to determine TREM2 brain concentrations. RESULTS Transgenic animals displayed higher total exposure, calculated as the AUC based on SUV determined at 24h, 48h, and 72h post injection, of PET radioligand [124I]mAb1729-scFv8D3CL than WT mice. However, differences were not evident in single time point PET images or SUVs. Ex vivo autoradiography confirmed higher radioligand concentrations in cortex and thalamus in transgenic mice compared to WT, and TREM2 levels in brain homogenates were considerably higher in transgenic mice compared to WT. CONCLUSION Antibody-based radioligands, engineered to enter the brain, may serve as PET radioligands to follow changes of TREM2 in vivo, but antibody formats with faster systemic clearance to increase the specific signal in relation to that from blood in combination with antibodies showing higher affinity for TREM2 must be developed to further progress this technique for in vivo use.
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Rofo F, Ugur Yilmaz C, Metzendorf N, Gustavsson T, Beretta C, Erlandsson A, Sehlin D, Syvänen S, Nilsson P, Hultqvist G. Enhanced neprilysin-mediated degradation of hippocampal Aβ42 with a somatostatin peptide that enters the brain. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:789-804. [PMID: 33391505 PMCID: PMC7738863 DOI: 10.7150/thno.50263] [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: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Aggregation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide is one of the main neuropathological events in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neprilysin is the major enzyme degrading Aβ, with its activity enhanced by the neuropeptide somatostatin (SST). SST levels are decreased in the brains of AD patients. The poor delivery of SST over the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and its extremely short half-life of only 3 min limit its therapeutic significance. Methods: We recombinantly fused SST to a BBB transporter binding to the transferrin receptor. Using primary neuronal cultures and neuroblastoma cell lines, the ability of the formed fusion protein to activate neprilysin was studied. SST-scFv8D3 was administered to mice overexpressing the Aβ-precursor protein (AβPP) with the Swedish mutation (APPswe) as a single injection or as a course of three injections over a 72 h period. Levels of neprilysin and Aβ were quantified using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Distribution of SST-scFv8D3 in the brain, blood and peripheral organs was studied by radiolabeling with iodine-125. Results: The construct, SST-scFv8D3, exhibited 120 times longer half-life than SST alone, reached the brain in high amounts when injected intravenously and significantly increased the brain concentration of neprilysin in APPswe mice. A significant decrease in the levels of membrane-bound Aβ42 was detected in the hippocampus and the adjacent cortical area after only three injections. Conclusion: With intravenous injections of our BBB permeable SST peptide, we were able to significantly increase the levels neprilysin, an effect that was followed by a significant and selective degradation of membrane-bound Aβ42 in the hippocampus. Being that membrane-bound Aβ triggers neuronal toxicity and the hippocampus is the central brain area in the progression of AD, the study has illuminated a new potential treatment paradigm with a promising safety profile targeting only the disease affected areas.
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Syvänen S, Fang XT, Faresjö R, Rokka J, Lannfelt L, Olberg DE, Eriksson J, Sehlin D. Fluorine-18-Labeled Antibody Ligands for PET Imaging of Amyloid-β in Brain. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4460-4468. [PMID: 33236886 PMCID: PMC7747219 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are attractive as radioligands due to their outstanding specificity and high affinity, but their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits their use for CNS targets. To enhance brain distribution, amyloid-β (Aβ) antibodies were fused to a transferrin receptor (TfR) antibody fragment, enabling receptor mediated transport across the BBB. The aim of this study was to label these bispecific antibodies with fluorine-18 and use them for Aβ PET imaging. Bispecific antibody ligands RmAb158-scFv8D3 and Tribody A2, both targeting Aβ and TfR, were functionalized with trans-cyclooctene (TCO) groups and conjugated with 18F-labeled tetrazines through an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction performed at ambient temperature. 18F-labeling did not affect antibody binding in vitro, and initial brain uptake was high. Conjugates with the first tetrazine variant ([18F]T1) displayed high uptake in bone, indicating extensive defluorination, a problem that was resolved with the second and third tetrazine variants ([18F]T2 and [18F]T3). Although the antibody ligands' half-life in blood was too long to optimally match the physical half-life of fluorine-18 (t1/2 = 110 min), [18F]T3-Tribody A2 PET seemed to discriminate transgenic mice (tg-ArcSwe) with Aβ deposits from wild-type mice 12 h after injection. This study demonstrates that 18F-labeling of bispecific, brain penetrating antibodies is feasible and, with further optimization, could be used for CNS PET imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
| | - Xiaotian T Fang
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, Yale PET Center, New Haven 06520, Connecticut United States
| | - Rebecca Faresjö
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
| | - Johanna Rokka
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
| | - Lars Lannfelt
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
- BioArctic AB, Stockholm 112 51, Sweden
| | - Dag E Olberg
- Norsk medisinsk syklotronsenter AS, Oslo Postboks 4950, Norway
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo 0424, Norway
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Division of Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 23, Sweden
- PET Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
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Cognitive Impairment in the 3xTg-AD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease is Affected by Aβ-ImmunoTherapy and Cognitive Stimulation. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12100944. [PMID: 33023109 PMCID: PMC7601886 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) include behavioral alterations and cognitive impairment. These functional phenotypes early occur in triple-transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice. Specifically, behavioral alterations are first detected when mice are at around 2.5 months old and cognitive impairment in between 3- and 5-month-old mice. In this work, the effect of chronic Aβ-immunotherapy on behavioral and cognitive abilities was tested by monthly administering the antibody fragment scFv-h3D6 to 3xTg-AD female mice from 5 to 9 months of age. An untreated group was used as a reference, as well as to attain some information on the effect of training during the longitudinal study. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)-like symptoms were already evident in 5-month-old mice, in the form of neophobia and anxious-like behavior. The exploratory activity decreased over the longitudinal study, not only for 3xTgAD mice but also for the corresponding non-transgenic mice (NTg). Learning abilities of 3xTg-AD mice were not seriously compromised but an impairment in long-term spatial memory was evident at 5 months of age. Interestingly, scFv-h3D6-treatment affected the cognitive impairment displayed by 5-month-old 3xTg-AD mice. It is worth noting that training also reduced cognitive impairment of 3xTg-AD mice over the longitudinal study, suggesting that to properly quantify the isolated therapeutic potential of any drug on cognition using this model it is convenient to perform a prompt, age-matched study rather than a longitudinal study. In addition, a combination of both training and Aβ-immunotherapy could constitute a possible approach to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
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Gustavsson T, Syvänen S, O'Callaghan P, Sehlin D. SPECT imaging of distribution and retention of a brain-penetrating bispecific amyloid-β antibody in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2020; 9:37. [PMID: 32951598 PMCID: PMC7504681 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-020-00214-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) immunotherapy with antibodies targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) has been extensively explored in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to study the long-term brain distribution of two radiolabeled monoclonal Aβ antibody variants - RmAb158, the recombinant murine version of BAN2401, which has recently demonstrated amyloid removal and reduced cognitive decline in AD patients, and the bispecific RmAb158-scFv8D3, which has been engineered for enhanced brain uptake via transferrin receptor-mediated transcytosis. METHODS A single intravenous injection of iodine-125 (125I)-labeled RmAb158-scFv8D3 or RmAb158 was administered to AD transgenic mice (tg-ArcSwe). In vivo single-photon emission computed tomography was used to investigate brain retention and intrabrain distribution of the antibodies over a period of 4 weeks. Activity in blood and brain tissue was measured ex vivo and autoradiography was performed in combination with Aβ and CD31 immunostaining to investigate the intrabrain distribution of the antibodies and their interactions with Aβ. RESULTS Despite faster blood clearance, [125I]RmAb158-scFv8D3 displayed higher brain exposure than [125I]RmAb158 throughout the study. The brain distribution of [125I]RmAb158-scFv8D3 was more uniform and coincided with parenchymal Aβ pathology, while [125I]RmAb158 displayed a more scattered distribution pattern and accumulated in central parts of the brain at later times. Ex vivo autoradiography indicated greater vascular escape and parenchymal Aβ interactions for [125I]RmAb158-scFv8D3, whereas [125I]RmAb158 displayed retention and Aβ interactions in lateral ventricles. CONCLUSIONS The high brain uptake and uniform intrabrain distribution of RmAb158-scFv8D3 highlight the benefits of receptor-mediated transcytosis for antibody-based brain imaging. Moreover, it suggests that the alternative transport route of the bispecific antibody contributes to improved efficacy of brain-directed immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gustavsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Paul O'Callaghan
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Roda AR, Montoliu-Gaya L, Serra-Mir G, Villegas S. Both Amyloid-β Peptide and Tau Protein Are Affected by an Anti-Amyloid-β Antibody Fragment in Elderly 3xTg-AD Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6630. [PMID: 32927795 PMCID: PMC7554787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia worldwide. According to the amyloid hypothesis, the early accumulation of the Aβ-peptide triggers tau phosphorylation, synaptic dysfunction, and eventually neuronal death leading to cognitive impairment, as well as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. ScFv-h3D6 is a single-chain variable fragment that has already shown its ability to diminish the amyloid burden in 5-month-old 3xTg-AD mice. However, tau pathology is not evident at this early stage of the disease in this mouse model. In this study, the effects of scFv-h3D6 on Aβ and tau pathologies have been assessed in 22-month-old 3xTg-AD mice. Briefly, 3xTg-AD female mice were treated for 2 weeks with scFv-h3D6 and compared with 3xTg-AD and non-transgenic (NTg) mice treated with PBS. The treatment with scFv-h3D6 was unequivocally effective in reducing the area of Aβ staining. Furthermore, a tendency for a reduction in tau levels was also observed after treatment that points to the interplay between Aβ and tau pathologies. The pro-inflammatory state observed in the 3xTg-AD mice did not progress after scFv-h3D6 treatment. In addition, the treatment did not alter the levels of apolipoprotein E or apolipoprotein J. Thus, a 2-week treatment with scFv-h3D6 was able to reduce AD-like pathology in elderly 3xTg-AD female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro R. Roda
- Protein Design and Immunotherapy Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.R.R.); (L.M.-G.); (G.S.-M.)
| | - Laia Montoliu-Gaya
- Protein Design and Immunotherapy Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.R.R.); (L.M.-G.); (G.S.-M.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 431 41 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Gabriel Serra-Mir
- Protein Design and Immunotherapy Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.R.R.); (L.M.-G.); (G.S.-M.)
| | - Sandra Villegas
- Protein Design and Immunotherapy Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.R.R.); (L.M.-G.); (G.S.-M.)
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Do TM, Capdevila C, Pradier L, Blanchard V, Lopez-Grancha M, Schussler N, Steinmetz A, Beninga J, Boulay D, Dugay P, Verdier P, Aubin N, Dargazanli G, Chaves C, Genet E, Lossouarn Y, Loux C, Michoux F, Moindrot N, Chanut F, Gury T, Eyquem S, Valente D, Bergis O, Rao E, Lesuisse D. Tetravalent Bispecific Tandem Antibodies Improve Brain Exposure and Efficacy in an Amyloid Transgenic Mouse Model. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 19:58-77. [PMID: 33005703 PMCID: PMC7502788 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Most antibodies display very low brain exposure due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) preventing their entry into brain parenchyma. Transferrin receptor (TfR) has been used previously to ferry antibodies to the brain by using different formats of bispecific constructs. Tetravalent bispecific tandem immunoglobulin Gs (IgGs) (TBTIs) containing two paratopes for both TfR and protofibrillar forms of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide were constructed and shown to display higher brain penetration than the parent anti-Aβ antibody. Additional structure-based mutations on the TfR paratopes further increased brain exposure, with maximal enhancement up to 13-fold in wild-type mice and an additional 4–5-fold in transgenic (Tg) mice harboring amyloid plaques, the main target of our amyloid antibody. Parenchymal target engagement of extracellular amyloid plaques was demonstrated using in vivo and ex vivo fluorescence imaging as well as histological methods. The best candidates were selected for a chronic study in an amyloid precursor protein (APP) Tg mouse model showing efficacy at reducing brain amyloid load at a lower dose than the corresponding monospecific antibody. TBTIs represent a promising format for enhancing IgG brain penetration using a symmetrical construct and keeping bivalency of the payload antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan-Minh Do
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | | | - Laurent Pradier
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | | | | | | | - Anke Steinmetz
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi, Vitry-Sur-Seine, France
| | | | - Denis Boulay
- Translational In vivo Models, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | - Philippe Dugay
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | - Patrick Verdier
- Translational Medicine and Early Development, Sanofi, Alfortville, France
| | - Nadine Aubin
- Translational In vivo Models, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | | | - Catarina Chaves
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | - Elisabeth Genet
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | - Yves Lossouarn
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Sanofi, Alfortville, France
| | | | | | - Nicolas Moindrot
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | - Franck Chanut
- Pathology Department, Sanofi, Vitry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Thierry Gury
- Pathology Department, Sanofi, Vitry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Stéphanie Eyquem
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | - Delphine Valente
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Sanofi, Alfortville, France
| | - Olivier Bergis
- Translational In vivo Models, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | - Ercole Rao
- Biologics Research, Sanofi, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Dominique Lesuisse
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi, Chilly Mazarin, France
- Corresponding author:
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40
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Sehlin D, Stocki P, Gustavsson T, Hultqvist G, Walsh FS, Rutkowski JL, Syvänen S. Brain delivery of biologics using a cross‐species reactive transferrin receptor 1 VNAR shuttle. FASEB J 2020; 34:13272-13283. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000610rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dag Sehlin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Pawel Stocki
- Ossianix, Inc. Stevenage UK
- Ossianix, Inc. Philadelphia PA USA
| | - Tobias Gustavsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Greta Hultqvist
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Frank S. Walsh
- Ossianix, Inc. Stevenage UK
- Ossianix, Inc. Philadelphia PA USA
| | | | - Stina Syvänen
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
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41
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Ono K, Tsuji M. Protofibrils of Amyloid-β are Important Targets of a Disease-Modifying Approach for Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030952. [PMID: 32023927 PMCID: PMC7037706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by unique pathological hallmarks in the brain, including plaques composed of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein. Genetic studies, biochemical data, and animal models have suggested that Aβ is responsible for the pathogenesis of AD (i.e., the amyloid hypothesis). Indeed, Aβ molecules tend to aggregate, forming oligomers, protofibrils, and mature fibrils. However, while these Aβ species form amyloid plaques of the type implicated in AD neurodegeneration, recent clinical trials designed to reduce the production of Aβ and/or the plaque burden have not demonstrated clinical efficacy. In addition, recent studies using synthetic Aβ peptides, cell culture models, Arctic transgenic mice, and human samples of AD brain tissues have suggested that the pre-fibrillar forms of Aβ, particularly Aβ protofibrils, may be the most critical species, compared with extracellular fibrillar forms. We recently reported that protofibrils of Aβ1-42 disturbed membrane integrity by inducing reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation, resulting in decreased membrane fluidity, intracellular calcium dysregulation, depolarization, and synaptic toxicity. Therefore, the therapeutic reduction of protofibrils may prevent the progression of AD by ameliorating neuronal damage and cognitive dysfunction through multiple mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenjiro Ono
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Neurology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-3784-8710
| | - Mayumi Tsuji
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo 142-8666, Japan;
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42
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Lendahl U, Nilsson P, Betsholtz C. Emerging links between cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases-a special role for pericytes. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e48070. [PMID: 31617312 PMCID: PMC6831996 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases cause considerable human suffering, and therapy options for these two disease categories are limited or non-existing. It is an emerging notion that neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases are linked in several ways, and in this review, we discuss the current status regarding vascular dysregulation in neurodegenerative disease, and conversely, how cerebrovascular diseases are associated with central nervous system (CNS) degeneration and dysfunction. The emerging links between neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases are reviewed with a particular focus on pericytes-important cells that ensheath the endothelium in the microvasculature and which are pivotal for blood-brain barrier function and cerebral blood flow. Finally, we address how novel molecular and cellular insights into pericytes and other vascular cell types may open new avenues for diagnosis and therapy development for these important diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urban Lendahl
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and SocietyDivision of NeurogeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchKarolinska InstitutetSolnaSweden
- Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC)HuddingeSweden
| | - Per Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and SocietyDivision of NeurogeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchKarolinska InstitutetSolnaSweden
| | - Christer Betsholtz
- Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC)HuddingeSweden
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and PathologyRudbeck LaboratoryUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
- Department of MedicineKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
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43
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Vander Zanden CM, Chi EY. Passive Immunotherapies Targeting Amyloid Beta and Tau Oligomers in Alzheimer's Disease. J Pharm Sci 2019; 109:68-73. [PMID: 31647950 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is historically difficult to treat, in part because of the inaccessible nature of brain pathology. Amyloid beta and tau proteins drive pathology by forming toxic oligomers that eventually deposit as insoluble amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Recent clinical studies suggest that effective drugs must specifically target oligomers, not native monomers or insoluble fibrils. Passive immunotherapy is a promising pharmaceutical strategy used to specifically target these oligomers in situ. Using the specificity of antibodies coupled with the natural power of the body's immune response, this treatment provides an opportunity for safe clearance of pathogenic protein species from the brain. Passive immunotherapies against amyloid beta and tau oligomers have progressed to clinical trials, with many currently in progress. Biochemical studies of antibody-oligomer complexes have helped identify previously unknown toxic epitopes, thus providing knowledge to the AD field as a whole. This mini-review focuses on the efforts to develop passive immunotherapy treatments for AD and discusses the knowledge gained from recent failures and clinical trials in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal M Vander Zanden
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918.
| | - Eva Y Chi
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
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44
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Johnsen KB, Burkhart A, Thomsen LB, Andresen TL, Moos T. Targeting the transferrin receptor for brain drug delivery. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 181:101665. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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45
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Engineered antibodies: new possibilities for brain PET? Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019; 46:2848-2858. [PMID: 31342134 PMCID: PMC6879437 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-019-04426-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Almost 50 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Development of disease-modifying therapies would benefit from reliable, non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) biomarkers for early diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and assessment of therapeutic effects. Traditionally, PET ligands have been based on small molecules that, with the right properties, can penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and visualize targets in the brain. Recently a new class of PET ligands based on antibodies have emerged, mainly in applications related to cancer. While antibodies have advantages such as high specificity and affinity, their passage across the BBB is limited. Thus, to be used as brain PET ligands, antibodies need to be modified for active transport into the brain. Here, we review the development of radioligands based on antibodies for visualization of intrabrain targets. We focus on antibodies modified into a bispecific format, with the capacity to undergo transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1)-mediated transcytosis to enter the brain and access pathological proteins, e.g. amyloid-beta. A number of such antibody ligands have been developed, displaying differences in brain uptake, pharmacokinetics, and ability to bind and visualize the target in the brain of transgenic mice. Potential pathological changes related to neurodegeneration, e.g. misfolded proteins and neuroinflammation, are suggested as future targets for this novel type of radioligand. Challenges are also discussed, such as the temporal match of radionuclide half-life with the ligand’s pharmacokinetic profile and translation to human use. In conclusion, brain PET imaging using bispecific antibodies, modified for receptor-mediated transcytosis across the BBB, is a promising method for specifically visualizing molecules in the brain that are difficult to target with traditional small molecule ligands.
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Vaikath NN, Hmila I, Gupta V, Erskine D, Ingelsson M, El-Agnaf OMA. Antibodies against alpha-synuclein: tools and therapies. J Neurochem 2019; 150:612-625. [PMID: 31055836 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy are characterized by the abnormal accumulation and propagation of α-synuclein (α-syn) pathology in the central and peripheral nervous system as Lewy bodies or glial cytoplasmic inclusions. Several antibodies against α-syn have been developed since it was first detected as the major component of Lewy bodies and glial cytoplasmic inclusions. Over the years, researchers have generated specific antibodies that alleviate the accumulation of intracellular aggregated α-syn and associated pathology in cellular and preclinical models of synucleinopathies. So far, antibodies have been the first choice as tools for research and diagnosis and currently, a wide variety of antibody fragments have been developed as an alternative to full-length antibodies for increasing its therapeutic usefulness. Recently, conformation specific antibody-based approaches have been found to be promising as therapeutic strategies, both to block α-syn aggregation and ameliorate the resultant cytotoxicity, and as diagnostic tools. In this review, we summarize different α-syn specific antibodies and provide their usefulness in tackling synucleinopathies. This article is part of the Special Issue "Synuclein".
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant N Vaikath
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Issam Hmila
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Vijay Gupta
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Daniel Erskine
- Institute of Neuroscience, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Omar M A El-Agnaf
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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47
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Gustafsson S, Gustavsson T, Roshanbin S, Hultqvist G, Hammarlund-Udenaes M, Sehlin D, Syvänen S. Blood-brain barrier integrity in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease with or without acute 3D6 immunotherapy. Neuropharmacology 2018; 143:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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