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Wu X, Wang G, Zhao Z, Qian Z. In silico study on graphene quantum dots modified with various functional groups inhibiting α‑synuclein dimerization. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 667:723-730. [PMID: 38641462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.111] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with various functional groups are hypothesized to inhibit the α-synuclein (αS) dimerization, a crucial step in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. The potential of differently functionalized GQDs is systematically explored. EXPERIMENTS All-atom replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulations (accumulating to 75.6 μs) in explicit water were performed to study the dimerization of the αS non-amyloid component region and the influence of GQDs modified with various functional groups. Conformation ensemble, binding behavior, and free energy analysis were conducted. FINDINGS All studied GQDs inhibit β-sheet and backbone hydrogen bond formation in αS dimers, leading to looser oligomeric conformations. Charged GQDs severely impede the growth of extended β-sheets by providing extra contact surface. GQD binding primarily disrupts αS inter-peptide interactions through π-π stacking, CH-π interactions, and for charged GQDs, additionally through salt-bridge and hydrogen bonding interactions. GQD-COO- showed the most optimal inhibitory effect, binding mode, and intensity, which holds promise for the development of nanomedicines targeting amyloid aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, and School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, and School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ziqian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, and School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhenyu Qian
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, and School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China.
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2
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D'Brant L, Rugenstein N, Na SK, Miller MJ, Czajka TF, Trudeau N, Fitz E, Tomaszek L, Fisher ES, Mash E, Joy S, Lotz S, Borden S, Stevens K, Goderie SK, Wang Y, Bertucci T, Karch CM, Temple S, Butler DC. Fully Human Bifunctional Intrabodies Achieve Graded Reduction of Intracellular Tau and Rescue Survival of MAPT Mutation iPSC-derived Neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.28.596248. [PMID: 38854137 PMCID: PMC11160687 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.28.596248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Tau protein aggregation is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), spurring development of tau-lowering therapeutic strategies. Here, we report fully human bifunctional anti-tau-PEST intrabodies that bind the mid-domain of tau to block aggregation and degrade tau via the proteasome using the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) PEST degron. They effectively reduced tau protein in human iPSC-derived cortical neurons in 2D cultures and 3D organoids, including those with the disease-associated tau mutations R5L, N279K, R406W, and V337M. Anti-tau-hPEST intrabodies facilitated efficient ubiquitin-independent proteolysis, in contrast to tau-lowering approaches that rely on the cell's ubiquitination system. Importantly, they counteracted the proteasome impairment observed in V337M patient-derived cortical neurons and significantly improved neuronal survival. By serial mutagenesis, we created variants of the PEST degron that achieved graded levels of tau reduction. Moderate reduction was as effective as high reduction against tau V337M-induced neural cell death.
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3
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Jiang Y, Lin Y, Tetlow AM, Pan R, Ji C, Kong XP, Congdon EE, Sigurdsson EM. Single-domain antibody-based protein degrader for synucleinopathies. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:44. [PMID: 38816762 PMCID: PMC11140919 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain, leading to motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Currently, there are no known cures for synucleinopathies, and treatments mainly focus on symptom management. In this study, we developed a single-domain antibody (sdAb)-based protein degrader with features designed to enhance proteasomal degradation of α-syn. This sdAb derivative targets both α-syn and Cereblon (CRBN), a substrate-receptor for the E3-ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN, and thereby induces α-syn ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Our results indicate that this therapeutic candidate enhances proteasomal degradation of α-syn, in addition to the endogenous lysosomal degradation machinery. By promoting proteasomal degradation of α-syn, we improved clearance of α-syn in primary culture and mouse models of synucleinopathy. These findings indicate that our sdAb-based protein degrader is a promising therapeutic candidate for synucleinopathies. Considering that only a small percentage of antibodies enter the brain, more potent sdAbs with greater brain entry than whole antibodies could enhance clinical benefits of antibody-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Amber M Tetlow
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Ruimin Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Changyi Ji
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Xiang-Peng Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Erin E Congdon
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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4
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Jiang Y, Lin Y, Tetlow AM, Pan R, Ji C, Kong XP, Congdon EE, Sigurdsson EM. Single-Domain Antibody-Based Protein Degrader for Synucleinopathies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.11.584473. [PMID: 38558982 PMCID: PMC10979981 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.11.584473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain, leading to motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Currently, there are no known cures for synucleinopathies, and treatments mainly focus on symptom management. In this study, we developed a single-domain antibody (sdAb)-based protein degrader with features designed to enhance proteasomal degradation of α-syn. This sdAb derivative targets both α-syn and Cereblon (CRBN), a substrate-receptor for the E3-ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN, and thereby induces α-syn ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Our results indicate that this therapeutic candidate enhances proteasomal degradation of α-syn, in addition to the endogenous lysosomal degradation machinery. By promoting proteasomal degradation of α-syn, we improved clearance of α-syn in primary culture and mouse models of synucleinopathy. These findings indicate that our sdAb-based protein degrader is a promising therapeutic candidate for synucleinopathies. Considering that only a small percentage of antibodies enter the brain, more potent sdAbs with greater brain entry than whole antibodies could enhance clinical benefits of antibody-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Amber M Tetlow
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Ruimin Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Changyi Ji
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Xiang-Peng Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Erin E Congdon
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
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5
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Chatterjee D, D’Brant LY, Hiller BM, Marmion DJ, Sandoval IM, Luk KC, Manfredsson FP, Messer A, Kordower JH, Butler DC. ENGINEERED NANOBODIES WITH PROGRAMMABLE TARGET ANTIGEN PROTEOLYSIS (PTAP) FUSIONS REGULATE INTRACELLULAR ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN IN VITRO AND IN VIVO. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4088206. [PMID: 38585932 PMCID: PMC10996777 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4088206/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation and the formation of Lewy pathology (LP) is a foundational pathophysiological phenomenon in synucleinopathies. Delivering therapeutic single-chain and single-domain antibodies that bind pathogenic targets can disrupt intracellular aggregation. The fusion of antibody fragments to a negatively-charged proteasomal targeting motif (PEST) creates bifunctional constructs that enhance both solubility and turnover. With sequence-specific point mutations of PEST sequences that modulate proteasomal degradation efficiency, we report the creation of Programmable Target Antigen Proteolysis (PTAP) technology that can provide graded control over the levels of target antigens. We have previously demonstrated our lead anti-αSyn intrabody, VH14-PEST, is capable of reducing the pathological burden of synucleinopathy in vitro and in vivo. Here, we report a family of fully humanized VH14-PTAP constructs for controllable, therapeutic targeting of intracellular α-Syn. In cells, we demonstrate successful target engagement and efficacy of VH14-hPEST intrabodies, and validate proof-of-principle in human cells using 3D human organoids derived from PD-patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). In two synuclein-based rat models, PTAP intrabodies attenuated nigral αSyn pathology, preserved nigrostriatal dopaminergic tone, and slowed the propagation of αSyn pathology. These data demonstrate the potency of intracellular αSyn targeting as a method to alleviate pathology and highlight the potential clinical utility of PTAP intrabodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diptaman Chatterjee
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Lianna Y. D’Brant
- Regenerative Research Foundation, Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144
| | - Benjamin M. Hiller
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - David J. Marmion
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Ivette M. Sandoval
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013
| | - Kelvin C. Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19147
| | - Fredric P. Manfredsson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013
| | - Anne Messer
- Regenerative Research Foundation, Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Jeffrey H. Kordower
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - David C. Butler
- Regenerative Research Foundation, Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12208
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Jurcau A, Simion A, Jurcau MC. Emerging antibody-based therapies for Huntington's disease: current status and perspectives for future development. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:299-312. [PMID: 38324338 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2314183] [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: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Being an inherited neurodegenerative disease with an identifiable genetic defect, Huntington's disease (HD) is a suitable candidate for early intervention, possibly even in the pre-symptomatic stage. Our recent advances in elucidating the pathogenesis of HD have revealed a series of novel potential therapeutic targets, among which immunotherapies are actively pursued in preclinical experiments. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the potential of antibody-based treatments targeting various epitopes (of mutant huntingtin as well as phosphorylated tau) that are currently evaluated in vitro and in animal experiments. The references used in this review were retrieved from the PubMed database, searching for immunotherapies in HD, and clinical trial registries were reviewed for molecules already evaluated in clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Antibody-based therapies have raised considerable interest in a series of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by deposition of aggregated of aberrantly folded proteins, HD included. Intrabodies and nanobodies can interact with mutant huntingtin inside the nervous cells. However, the conflicting results obtained with some of these intrabodies highlight the need for proper choice of epitopes and for developing animal models more closely mimicking human disease. Approval of these strategies will require a considerable financial and logistic effort on behalf of healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Jurcau
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
| | - Aurel Simion
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
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7
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Manoutcharian K, Gevorkian G. Recombinant Antibody Fragments for Immunotherapy of Parkinson's Disease. BioDrugs 2024; 38:249-257. [PMID: 38280078 PMCID: PMC10912140 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-024-00646-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Multiple genetic and environmental factors leading to progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SN) and consequent depletion of dopamine were described. Current clinical approaches, such as dopamine replacement or deep brain stimulation using surgically implanted probes, provide symptomatic relief but cannot modify disease progression. Therefore, disease-modifying therapeutic tools are urgently needed. Immunotherapy approaches, including passive transfer of protective antibodies and their fragments, have shown therapeutic efficacy in several animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. Recombinant antibody fragments are promising alternatives to conventional full-length antibodies. Modern computational approaches and molecular biology tools, directed evolution methodology, and the design of tissue-penetrating fusion peptides allowed for the development of recombinant antibody fragments with superior specificity and affinity, reduced immunogenicity, the capacity to target hidden epitopes and cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), higher solubility and stability, the ability to refold after heat denaturation, and inexpensive large-scale production. In addition, antibody fragments do not induce microglia Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated proinflammatory response and tissue damage in the central nervous system (CNS), because they lack the Fc portion of the immunoglobulin molecule. In the present review, we summarized data on recombinant antibody fragments evaluated as immunotherapeutics in preclinical models of PD and discussed their potential for developing therapeutic and preventive protocols for patients with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Manoutcharian
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Apartado Postal 70228, Cuidad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, DF, Mexico
| | - Goar Gevorkian
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Apartado Postal 70228, Cuidad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
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8
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Islam Z, Vaikath NN, Hmila I, El‐Agnaf OMA, Kolatkar PR. Structural insights into the unique recognition module between α-synuclein peptide and nanobody. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4875. [PMID: 38105512 PMCID: PMC10807187 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4875] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Nanobodies are single-domain fragments of antibodies with comparable specificity and affinity to antibodies. They are emerging as versatile tools in biology due to their relatively small size. Here, we report the crystal structure of a specific nanobody Nbα-syn01, bound to a 14 amino acid long peptide of α-synuclein (αSyn), a 140-residue protein whose aggregation is associated with Parkinson's disease. The complex structure exhibits a unique binding pattern where the αSyn peptide replaces the N-terminal region of nanobody. Recognition is mediated principally by extended main chain interaction of the αSyn peptide and specificity of the interaction lies in the central 48-52 region of αSyn peptide. Structure-guided truncation of Nbα-syn01 shows tighter binding to αSyn peptide and improved inhibition of α-synuclein aggregation. The structure of the truncated complex was subsequently determined and was indistinguishable to full length complex as the full-length form had no visible electron density for the N-terminal end. These findings reveal the molecular basis for a previously unobserved binding mode for nanobody recognition of α-synuclein, providing an explanation for the enhanced binding, and potential for an alternate framework for structure-based protein engineering of nanobodies to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyaul Islam
- Diabetes CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
| | - Nishant N. Vaikath
- Neurological Disorder Research CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
| | - Issam Hmila
- Neurological Disorder Research CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
| | - Omar M. A. El‐Agnaf
- Neurological Disorder Research CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
| | - Prasanna R. Kolatkar
- Diabetes CenterQatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar FoundationDohaQatar
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9
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Congdon EE, Ji C, Tetlow AM, Jiang Y, Sigurdsson EM. Tau-targeting therapies for Alzheimer disease: current status and future directions. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:715-736. [PMID: 37875627 PMCID: PMC10965012 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00883-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in older individuals. AD is characterized pathologically by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, with associated loss of synapses and neurons, which eventually results in dementia. Many of the early attempts to develop treatments for AD focused on Aβ, but a lack of efficacy of these treatments in terms of slowing disease progression led to a change of strategy towards targeting of tau pathology. Given that tau shows a stronger correlation with symptom severity than does Aβ, targeting of tau is more likely to be efficacious once cognitive decline begins. Anti-tau therapies initially focused on post-translational modifications, inhibition of tau aggregation and stabilization of microtubules. However, trials of many potential drugs were discontinued because of toxicity and/or lack of efficacy. Currently, the majority of tau-targeting agents in clinical trials are immunotherapies. In this Review, we provide an update on the results from the initial immunotherapy trials and an overview of new therapeutic candidates that are in clinical development, as well as considering future directions for tau-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Congdon
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Changyi Ji
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amber M Tetlow
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yixiang Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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10
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Kunz S, Durandy M, Seguin L, Feral CC. NANOBODY ® Molecule, a Giga Medical Tool in Nanodimensions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13229. [PMID: 37686035 PMCID: PMC10487883 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although antibodies remain the most widely used tool for biomedical research, antibody technology is not flawless. Innovative alternatives, such as Nanobody® molecules, were developed to address the shortcomings of conventional antibodies. Nanobody® molecules are antigen-binding variable-domain fragments derived from the heavy-chain-only antibodies of camelids (VHH) and combine the advantageous properties of small molecules and monoclonal antibodies. Nanobody® molecules present a small size (~15 kDa, 4 nm long and 2.5 nm wide), high solubility, stability, specificity, and affinity, ease of cloning, and thermal and chemical resistance. Recombinant production in microorganisms is cost-effective, and VHH are also building blocks for multidomain constructs. These unique features led to numerous applications in fundamental research, diagnostics, and therapy. Nanobody® molecules are employed as biomarker probes and, when fused to radioisotopes or fluorophores, represent ideal non-invasive in vivo imaging agents. They can be used as neutralizing agents, receptor-ligand antagonists, or in targeted vehicle-based drug therapy. As early as 2018, the first Nanobody®, Cablivi (caplacizumab), a single-domain antibody (sdAb) drug developed by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi for the treatment of adult patients with acquired thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP), was launched. Nanobody® compounds are ideal tools for further development in clinics for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kunz
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France; (S.K.); (M.D.); (L.S.)
- Department of Oncology, Sanofi Research Center, 94400 Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Manon Durandy
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France; (S.K.); (M.D.); (L.S.)
| | - Laetitia Seguin
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France; (S.K.); (M.D.); (L.S.)
| | - Chloe C. Feral
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France; (S.K.); (M.D.); (L.S.)
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11
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Tsitokana ME, Lafon PA, Prézeau L, Pin JP, Rondard P. Targeting the Brain with Single-Domain Antibodies: Greater Potential Than Stated So Far? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032632. [PMID: 36768953 PMCID: PMC9916958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for central nervous system diseases with therapeutic antibodies have been increasingly investigated over the last decades, leading to some approved monoclonal antibodies for brain disease therapies. The detection of biomarkers for diagnosis purposes with non-invasive antibody-based imaging approaches has also been explored in brain cancers. However, antibodies generally display a low capability of reaching the brain, as they do not efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier. As an alternative, recent studies have focused on single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that correspond to the antigen-binding fragment. While some reports indicate that the brain uptake of these small antibodies is still low, the number of studies reporting brain-penetrating sdAbs is increasing. In this review, we provide an overview of methods used to assess or evaluate brain penetration of sdAbs and discuss the pros and cons that could affect the identification of brain-penetrating sdAbs of therapeutic or diagnostic interest.
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12
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Kumar MS, Fowler-Magaw ME, Kulick D, Boopathy S, Gadd DH, Rotunno M, Douthwright C, Golebiowski D, Yusuf I, Xu Z, Brown RH, Sena-Esteves M, O’Neil AL, Bosco DA. Anti-SOD1 Nanobodies That Stabilize Misfolded SOD1 Proteins Also Promote Neurite Outgrowth in Mutant SOD1 Human Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416013. [PMID: 36555655 PMCID: PMC9784173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS-linked mutations induce aberrant conformations within the SOD1 protein that are thought to underlie the pathogenic mechanism of SOD1-mediated ALS. Although clinical trials are underway for gene silencing of SOD1, these approaches reduce both wild-type and mutated forms of SOD1. Here, we sought to develop anti-SOD1 nanobodies with selectivity for mutant and misfolded forms of human SOD1 over wild-type SOD1. Characterization of two anti-SOD1 nanobodies revealed that these biologics stabilize mutant SOD1 in vitro. Further, SOD1 expression levels were enhanced and the physiological subcellular localization of mutant SOD1 was restored upon co-expression of anti-SOD1 nanobodies in immortalized cells. In human motor neurons harboring the SOD1 A4V mutation, anti-SOD1 nanobody expression promoted neurite outgrowth, demonstrating a protective effect of anti-SOD1 nanobodies in otherwise unhealthy cells. In vitro assays revealed that an anti-SOD1 nanobody exhibited selectivity for human mutant SOD1 over endogenous murine SOD1, thus supporting the preclinical utility of anti-SOD1 nanobodies for testing in animal models of ALS. In sum, the anti-SOD1 nanobodies developed and presented herein represent viable biologics for further preclinical testing in human and mouse models of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Sundaram Kumar
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Megan E. Fowler-Magaw
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Daniel Kulick
- Department of Biology, Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Sivakumar Boopathy
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Del Hayden Gadd
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Melissa Rotunno
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Catherine Douthwright
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Diane Golebiowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Issa Yusuf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zuoshang Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Robert H. Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Alison L. O’Neil
- Department of Chemistry, Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Daryl A. Bosco
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(774)-445-3745; Fax: +1-(508)-856-6750
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13
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Zheng F, Pang Y, Li L, Pang Y, Zhang J, Wang X, Raes G. Applications of nanobodies in brain diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:978513. [PMID: 36426363 PMCID: PMC9679430 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.978513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies are antibody fragments derived from camelids, naturally endowed with properties like low molecular weight, high affinity and low immunogenicity, which contribute to their effective use as research tools, but also as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in a wide range of diseases, including brain diseases. Also, with the success of Caplacizumab, the first approved nanobody drug which was established as a first-in-class medication to treat acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, nanobody-based therapy has received increasing attention. In the current review, we first briefly introduce the characterization and manufacturing of nanobodies. Then, we discuss the issue of crossing of the brain-blood-barrier (BBB) by nanobodies, making use of natural methods of BBB penetration, including passive diffusion, active efflux carriers (ATP-binding cassette transporters), carrier-mediated influx via solute carriers and transcytosis (including receptor-mediated transport, and adsorptive mediated transport) as well as various physical and chemical methods or even more complicated methods such as genetic methods via viral vectors to deliver nanobodies to the brain. Next, we give an extensive overview of research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nanobodies in brain-related diseases, with emphasis on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and brain tumors. Thanks to the advance of nanobody engineering and modification technologies, nanobodies can be linked to toxins or conjugated with radionuclides, photosensitizers and nanoparticles, according to different requirements. Finally, we provide several perspectives that may facilitate future studies and whereby the versatile nanobodies offer promising perspectives for advancing our knowledge about brain disorders, as well as hopefully yielding diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yucheng Pang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Luyao Li
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuxing Pang
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Disease of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Geert Raes
- Research Group of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
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14
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Hmila I, Vaikath NN, Majbour NK, Erskine D, Sudhakaran IP, Gupta V, Ghanem SS, Islam Z, Emara MM, Abdesselem HB, Kolatkar PR, Achappa DK, Vinardell T, El‐Agnaf OMA. Novel engineered nanobodies specific for N‐terminal region of alpha‐synuclein recognize Lewy‐body pathology and inhibit
in‐vitro
seeded aggregation and toxicity. FEBS J 2022; 289:4657-4673. [PMID: 35090199 PMCID: PMC9545584 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nanobodies (Nbs), the single‐domain antigen‐binding fragments of dromedary heavy‐chain antibodies (HCAb), are excellent candidates as therapeutic and diagnostic tools in synucleinopathies because of their small size, solubility and stability. Here, we constructed an immune nanobody library specific to the monomeric form of alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn). Phage display screening of the library allowed the identification of a nanobody, Nbα‐syn01, specific for α‐syn. Unlike previously developed nanobodies, Nbα‐syn01 recognized the N‐terminal region which is critical for in vitro and in vivo aggregation and contains many point mutations involved in early PD cases. The affinity of the monovalent Nbα‐syn01 and the engineered bivalent format BivNbα‐syn01 measured by isothermal titration calorimetry revealed unexpected results where Nbα‐syn01 and its bivalent format recognized preferentially α‐syn fibrils compared to the monomeric form. Nbα‐syn01 and BivNbα‐syn01 were also able to inhibit α‐syn‐seeded aggregation in vitro and reduced α‐syn‐seeded aggregation and toxicity in cells showing their potential to reduce α‐syn pathology. Moreover, both nanobody formats were able to recognize Lewy‐body pathology in human post‐mortem brain tissue from PD and DLB cases. Additionally, we present evidence through structural docking that Nbα‐syn01 binds the N‐terminal region of the α‐syn aggregated form. Overall, these results highlight the potential of Nbα‐syn01 and BivNbα‐syn01 in developing into a diagnostic or a therapeutic tool for PD and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issam Hmila
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Nishant N. Vaikath
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Nour K. Majbour
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Daniel Erskine
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute Newcastle University UK
| | - Indulekha P. Sudhakaran
- 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
| | - Simona S. Ghanem
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Zeyaul Islam
- Diabetes Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Mohamed M. Emara
- Basic Medical Sciences Department College of Medicine QU Health Qatar University Doha Qatar
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit QU Health Qatar University Doha Qatar
| | - Houari B. Abdesselem
- Neurological Disorder Research Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - Prasanna R. Kolatkar
- Diabetes Center Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | | | - Tatiana Vinardell
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
- College of Health & Life Science Hamad Bin Khalifa University Qatar Foundation Doha Qatar
| | - 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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15
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α-Synuclein fibril-specific nanobody reduces prion-like α-synuclein spreading in mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4060. [PMID: 35853942 PMCID: PMC9296447 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31787-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic α-synuclein (α-syn) is a prion-like protein that drives the pathogenesis of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD). To target pathogenic α-syn preformed fibrils (PFF), here we designed extracellular disulfide bond-free synthetic nanobody libraries in yeast. Following selection, we identified a nanobody, PFFNB2, that can specifically recognize α-syn PFF over α-syn monomers. PFFNB2 cannot inhibit the aggregation of α-syn monomer, but can significantly dissociate α-syn fibrils. Furthermore, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-encoding EGFP fused to PFFNB2 (AAV-EGFP-PFFNB2) can inhibit PFF-induced α-syn serine 129 phosphorylation (pS129) in mouse primary cortical neurons, and prevent α-syn pathology spreading to the cortex in the transgenic mice expressing human wild type (WT) α-syn by intrastriatal-PFF injection. The pS129 immunoreactivity is negatively correlated with the expression of AAV-EGFP-PFFNB2. In conclusion, PFFNB2 holds a promise for mechanistic exploration and therapeutic development in α-syn-related pathogenesis.
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16
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Sahoo S, Padhy AA, Kumari V, Mishra P. Role of Ubiquitin-Proteasome and Autophagy-Lysosome Pathways in α-Synuclein Aggregate Clearance. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5379-5407. [PMID: 35699874 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02897-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Synuclein aggregation in neuronal cells is the primary underlying cause of synucleinopathies. Changes in gene expression patterns, structural modifications, and altered interactions with other cellular proteins often trigger aggregation of α-synuclein, which accumulates as oligomers or fibrils in Lewy bodies. Although fibrillar forms of α-synuclein are primarily considered pathological, recent studies have revealed that even the intermediate states of aggregates are neurotoxic, complicating the development of therapeutic interventions. Autophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways play a significant role in maintaining the soluble levels of α-synuclein inside cells; however, the heterogeneous nature of the aggregates presents a significant bottleneck to its degradation by these cellular pathways. With studies focused on identifying the proteins that modulate synuclein aggregation and clearance, detailed mechanistic insights are emerging about the individual and synergistic effects of these degradation pathways in regulating soluble α-synuclein levels. In this article, we discuss the impact of α-synuclein aggregation on autophagy-lysosome and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways and the therapeutic strategies that target various aspects of synuclein aggregation or degradation via these pathways. Additionally, we also highlight the natural and synthetic compounds that have shown promise in alleviating the cellular damage caused due to synuclein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhashree Sahoo
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Amrita Arpita Padhy
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Varsha Kumari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Parul Mishra
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India.
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17
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Landrieu I, Dupré E, Sinnaeve D, El Hajjar L, Smet-Nocca C. Deciphering the Structure and Formation of Amyloids in Neurodegenerative Diseases With Chemical Biology Tools. Front Chem 2022; 10:886382. [PMID: 35646824 PMCID: PMC9133342 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.886382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation into highly ordered, regularly repeated cross-β sheet structures called amyloid fibrils is closely associated to human disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, or systemic diseases like type II diabetes. Yet, in some cases, such as the HET-s prion, amyloids have biological functions. High-resolution structures of amyloids fibrils from cryo-electron microscopy have very recently highlighted their ultrastructural organization and polymorphisms. However, the molecular mechanisms and the role of co-factors (posttranslational modifications, non-proteinaceous components and other proteins) acting on the fibril formation are still poorly understood. Whether amyloid fibrils play a toxic or protective role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, such aberrant protein-protein interactions challenge the search of small-molecule drugs or immunotherapy approaches targeting amyloid formation. In this review, we describe how chemical biology tools contribute to new insights on the mode of action of amyloidogenic proteins and peptides, defining their structural signature and aggregation pathways by capturing their molecular details and conformational heterogeneity. Challenging the imagination of scientists, this constantly expanding field provides crucial tools to unravel mechanistic detail of amyloid formation such as semisynthetic proteins and small-molecule sensors of conformational changes and/or aggregation. Protein engineering methods and bioorthogonal chemistry for the introduction of protein chemical modifications are additional fruitful strategies to tackle the challenge of understanding amyloid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Landrieu
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Elian Dupré
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Davy Sinnaeve
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Léa El Hajjar
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Caroline Smet-Nocca
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
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18
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Menon S, Armstrong S, Hamzeh A, Visanji NP, Sardi SP, Tandon A. Alpha-Synuclein Targeting Therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease and Related Synucleinopathies. Front Neurol 2022; 13:852003. [PMID: 35614915 PMCID: PMC9124903 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.852003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (asyn) is a key pathogenetic factor in a group of neurodegenerative diseases generically known as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Although the initial triggers of pathology and progression are unclear, multiple lines of evidence support therapeutic targeting of asyn in order to limit its prion-like misfolding. Here, we review recent pre-clinical and clinical work that offers promising treatment strategies to sequester, degrade, or silence asyn expression as a means to reduce the levels of seed or substrate. These diverse approaches include removal of aggregated asyn with passive or active immunization or by expression of vectorized antibodies, modulating kinetics of misfolding with small molecule anti-aggregants, lowering asyn gene expression by antisense oligonucleotides or inhibitory RNA, and pharmacological activation of asyn degradation pathways. We also discuss recent technological advances in combining low intensity focused ultrasound with intravenous microbubbles to transiently increase blood-brain barrier permeability for improved brain delivery and target engagement of these large molecule anti-asyn biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Menon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sabrina Armstrong
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amir Hamzeh
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Naomi P. Visanji
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Anurag Tandon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Anurag Tandon
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19
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Braczynski AK, Sevenich M, Gering I, Kupreichyk T, Agerschou ED, Kronimus Y, Habib P, Stoldt M, Willbold D, Schulz JB, Bach JP, Falkenburger BH, Hoyer W. Alpha-Synuclein-Specific Naturally Occurring Antibodies Inhibit Aggregation In Vitro and In Vivo. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030469. [PMID: 35327661 PMCID: PMC8946620 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with motor and non-motor symptoms and characterized by aggregates of alpha-synuclein (αSyn). Naturally occurring antibodies (nAbs) are part of the innate immune system, produced without prior contact to their specific antigen, and polyreactive. The abundance of nAbs against αSyn is altered in patients with PD. In this work, we biophysically characterized nAbs against αSyn (nAbs-αSyn) and determined their biological effects. nAbs-αSyn were isolated from commercial intravenous immunoglobulins using column affinity purification. Biophysical properties were characterized using a battery of established in vitro assays. Biological effects were characterized in HEK293T cells transiently transfected with fluorescently tagged αSyn. Specific binding of nAbs-αSyn to monomeric αSyn was demonstrated by Dot blot, ELISA, and Surface Plasmon Resonance. nAbs-αSyn did not affect viability of HEK293T cells as reported by Cell Titer Blue and LDH Assays. nAbs-αSyn inhibited fibrillation of αSyn reported by the Thioflavin T aggregation assay. Altered fibril formation was confirmed with atomic force microscopy. In cells transfected with EGFP-tagged αSyn we observed reduced formation of aggresomes, perinuclear accumulations of αSyn aggregates. The results demonstrate that serum of healthy individuals contains nAbs that specifically bind αSyn and inhibit aggregation of αSyn in vitro. The addition of nAbs-αSyn to cultured cells affects intracellular αSyn aggregates. These findings help understanding the role of the innate immune systems for the pathogenesis of PD and suggest that systemic αSyn binding agents could potentially affect neuronal αSyn pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K. Braczynski
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Marc Sevenich
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
- Priavoid GmbH, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ian Gering
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Tatsiana Kupreichyk
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Emil D. Agerschou
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
| | - Yannick Kronimus
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Duisburg, Germany;
| | - Pardes Habib
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Stoldt
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Jörg B. Schulz
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
- JARA-Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, FZ Jülich and RWTH University, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Jan-Philipp Bach
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
| | - Björn H. Falkenburger
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (A.K.B.); (P.H.); (J.B.S.); (J.-P.B.)
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.H.F.); (W.H.)
| | - Wolfgang Hoyer
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (T.K.); (E.D.A.); (M.S.); (D.W.)
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany; (M.S.); (I.G.)
- Correspondence: (B.H.F.); (W.H.)
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20
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Wang J, Kang G, Yuan H, Cao X, Huang H, de Marco A. Research Progress and Applications of Multivalent, Multispecific and Modified Nanobodies for Disease Treatment. Front Immunol 2022; 12:838082. [PMID: 35116045 PMCID: PMC8804282 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.838082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant antibodies such as nanobodies are progressively demonstrating to be a valid alternative to conventional monoclonal antibodies also for clinical applications. Furthermore, they do not solely represent a substitute for monoclonal antibodies but their unique features allow expanding the applications of biotherapeutics and changes the pattern of disease treatment. Nanobodies possess the double advantage of being small and simple to engineer. This combination has promoted extremely diversified approaches to design nanobody-based constructs suitable for particular applications. Both the format geometry possibilities and the functionalization strategies have been widely explored to provide macromolecules with better efficacy with respect to single nanobodies or their combination. Nanobody multimers and nanobody-derived reagents were developed to image and contrast several cancer diseases and have shown their effectiveness in animal models. Their capacity to block more independent signaling pathways simultaneously is considered a critical advantage to avoid tumor resistance, whereas the mass of these multimeric compounds still remains significantly smaller than that of an IgG, enabling deeper penetration in solid tumors. When applied to CAR-T cell therapy, nanobodies can effectively improve the specificity by targeting multiple epitopes and consequently reduce the side effects. This represents a great potential in treating malignant lymphomas, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, multiple myeloma and solid tumors. Apart from cancer treatment, multispecific drugs and imaging reagents built with nanobody blocks have demonstrated their value also for detecting and tackling neurodegenerative, autoimmune, metabolic, and infectious diseases and as antidotes for toxins. In particular, multi-paratopic nanobody-based constructs have been developed recently as drugs for passive immunization against SARS-CoV-2 with the goal of impairing variant survival due to resistance to antibodies targeting single epitopes. Given the enormous research activity in the field, it can be expected that more and more multimeric nanobody molecules will undergo late clinical trials in the next future. Systematic Review Registration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiewen Wang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Shaoxing, Tianjin University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guangbo Kang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Shaoxing, Tianjin University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haibin Yuan
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Shaoxing, Tianjin University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaocang Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Shaoxing, Tianjin University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ario de Marco
- Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
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21
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Grosso Jasutkar H, Oh SE, Mouradian MM. Therapeutics in the Pipeline Targeting α-Synuclein for Parkinson's Disease. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:207-237. [PMID: 35017177 PMCID: PMC11034868 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the fastest growing neurologic disease in the world, yet no disease-modifying therapy is available for this disabling condition. Multiple lines of evidence implicate the protein α-synuclein (α-Syn) in the pathogenesis of PD, and as such, there is intense interest in targeting α-Syn for potential disease modification. α-Syn is also a key pathogenic protein in other synucleionpathies, most commonly dementia with Lewy bodies. Thus, therapeutics targeting this protein will have utility in these disorders as well. Here we discuss the various approaches that are being investigated to prevent and mitigate α-Syn toxicity in PD, including clearing its pathologic aggregates from the brain using immunization strategies, inhibiting its misfolding and aggregation, reducing its expression level, enhancing cellular clearance mechanisms, preventing its cell-to-cell transmission within the brain and perhaps from the periphery, and targeting other proteins associated with or implicated in PD that contribute to α-Syn toxicity. We also discuss the therapeutics in the pipeline that harness these strategies. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for the field in the discovery and development of therapeutics for disease modification in PD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, for which disease-modifying therapies remain a major unmet need. A large body of evidence points to α-synuclein as a key pathogenic protein in this disease as well as in dementia with Lewy bodies, making it of leading therapeutic interest. This review discusses the various approaches being investigated and progress made to date toward discovering and developing therapeutics that would slow and stop progression of these disabling diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Grosso Jasutkar
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Stephanie E Oh
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - M Maral Mouradian
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, New Jersey
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22
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Congdon EE, Jiang Y, Sigurdsson EM. Targeting tau only extracellularly is likely to be less efficacious than targeting it both intra- and extracellularly. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 126:125-137. [PMID: 34896021 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation of the tau protein is thought to be responsible for the neurodegeneration and subsequent functional impairments in diseases that are collectively named tauopathies. Alzheimer's disease is the most common tauopathy, but the group consists of over 20 different diseases, many of which have tau pathology as their primary feature. The development of tau therapies has mainly focused on preventing the formation of and/or clearing these aggregates. Of these, immunotherapies that aim to either elicit endogenous tau antibodies or deliver exogenous ones are the most common approach in clinical trials. While their mechanism of action can involve several pathways, both extra- and intracellular, pharmaceutical companies have primarily focused on antibody-mediated clearance of extracellular tau. As we have pointed out over the years, this is rather surprising because it is well known that most of pathological tau protein is found intracellularly. It has been repeatedly shown by several groups over the past decades that antibodies can enter neurons and that their cellular uptake can be enhanced by various means, particularly by altering their charge. Here, we will briefly describe the potential extra- and intracellular mechanisms involved in antibody-mediated clearance of tau pathology, discuss these in the context of recent failures of some of the tau antibody trials, and finally provide a brief overview of how the intracellular efficacy of tau antibodies can potentially be further improved by certain modifications that aim to enhance tau clearance via specific intracellular degradation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Congdon
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States.
| | - Yixiang Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States.
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23
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Silva-Pilipich N, Smerdou C, Vanrell L. A Small Virus to Deliver Small Antibodies: New Targeted Therapies Based on AAV Delivery of Nanobodies. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091956. [PMID: 34576851 PMCID: PMC8465657 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091956] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies are camelid-derived single-domain antibodies that present some advantages versus conventional antibodies, such as a smaller size, and higher tissue penetrability, stability, and hydrophilicity. Although nanobodies can be delivered as proteins, in vivo expression from adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors represents an attractive strategy. This is due to the fact that AAV vectors, that can provide long-term expression of recombinant genes, have shown an excellent safety profile, and can accommodate genes for one or several nanobodies. In fact, several studies showed that AAV vectors can provide sustained nanobody expression both locally or systemically in preclinical models of human diseases. Some of the pathologies addressed with this technology include cancer, neurological, cardiovascular, infectious, and genetic diseases. Depending on the indication, AAV-delivered nanobodies can be expressed extracellularly or inside cells. Intracellular nanobodies or “intrabodies” carry out their function by interacting with cell proteins involved in disease and have also been designed to help elucidate cellular mechanisms by interfering with normal cell processes. Finally, nanobodies can also be used to retarget AAV vectors, when tethered to viral capsid proteins. This review covers applications in which AAV vectors have been used to deliver nanobodies, with a focus on their therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Correspondence: (C.S.); (L.V.); Tel.: +34-948194700 (C.S.); +508-29021505 (L.V.); Fax: +34-948194717 (C.S.)
| | - Lucía Vanrell
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad ORT Uruguay, Mercedes 1237, Montevideo 11100, Uruguay
- Nanogrow Biotech, CIE BIO Incubator, Mercedes 1237, Montevideo 11100, Uruguay
- Correspondence: (C.S.); (L.V.); Tel.: +34-948194700 (C.S.); +508-29021505 (L.V.); Fax: +34-948194717 (C.S.)
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24
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Chen YH, Yu SJ, Wu KJ, Wang YS, Tsai HM, Liao LW, Chen S, Hsieh W, Chen H, Hsu SC, Chen ML, Hoffer BJ, Wang Y. Downregulation of α-Synuclein Protein Levels by an Intracellular Single-Chain Antibody. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2021; 10:573-590. [PMID: 32176654 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-191787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulation of α-synuclein (αSyn) in the dopaminergic neurons is a common pathology seen in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Overproduction of αSyn potentiates the formation of oligomeric αSyn aggregates and enhances dopaminergic neuron degeneration. Downregulating intracellular monomeric αSyn prevents the formation of αSyn oligomers and is a potential therapeutic strategy to attenuate the progression of PD. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of gene delivery of αSyn-specific single-chain antibodies in vitro and in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS The plasmids for αSyn and selective antibodies (NAC32, D10, and VH14) were constructed and were transfected to HEK293 and SH-SY5Y cells. Co-expression of αSyn with NAC32, but not D10 or VH14, profoundly downregulated αSyn protein, but not αSyn mRNA levels in these cells. The interaction of αSyn and NAC32 antibody was next examined in vivo. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-αSyn combined with AAV-NAC32 or AAV-sc6H4 (a negative control virus) were stereotactically injected into the substantia nigra of adult rats. AAV-NAC32 significantly reduced AAV-encoded αSyn levels in the substantia nigra and striatum and increased tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the striatum. Also, in the animals injected with AAV-NAC32 alone, endogenous αSyn protein levels were significantly downregulated in the substantia nigra. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that AAV-mediated gene transfer of NAC32 is a feasible approach for reducing the expression of target αSyn protein in brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Hsiang Chen
- Department of Life Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Seong-Jin Yu
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Jen Wu
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Syuan Wang
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Ho-Min Tsai
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Wen Liao
- Department of Life Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shuchun Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Engineering, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wei Hsieh
- Department of Life Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Hsi Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ching Hsu
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,PhD Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Mao-Liang Chen
- Department of Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzy Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Barry J Hoffer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yun Wang
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
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25
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Masroor A, Chandel TI, Malik S, Mateen QN, Uversky VN, Khan RH. Evaluation of ThT augmentation and RLS inner filter effect caused by highly fluorescent coumarin derivative and establishing it as true inhibitor of amyloid fibrillation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 709:108981. [PMID: 34214556 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Screening of inhibitors that slow down or suppress amyloid fibrils formation relies on some simple but sensitive spectroscopy techniques. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay is one of the most common, amyloid specific and sensitive method. However, if an inhibitor is itself fluorescent in the ThT fluorescence range, its screening becomes complicated and require complementary assays. One of such molecules, 6, 7-dihydroxycoumarin (6, 7-DHC, also known as aesculetin, esculetin, and cichorigenin) is fluorescent in the ThT emission range and absorbs in the ThT excitation range. Therefore, it can produce a subtractive effect attributed to primary inner filter effect and/or additive effect due to its self-fluorescence in ThT assay. Our study shows that 6, 7-DHC produces an additive effect in ThT fluorescence, which is minimized at high concentration of ThT and decrease in ThT fluorescence is solely due to its inhibitory effect against HSA fibrillation. These ThT fluorescence-based results are verified through other complementary assays, such as Rayleigh and dynamic light scattering and amyloid-specific Congo red binding assay. Furthermore, hydrophobicity reduction is studied through Nile red (NR) and kinetics through far-UV circular dichroism (far-UV CD) in place of the most commonly employed ThT assay owing to extremely high fluorescence of 6, 7-DHC during initial incubation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiman Masroor
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Tajalli Ilm Chandel
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Sadia Malik
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Qazi Noorul Mateen
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Biology and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Rizwan Hasan Khan
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
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26
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Sandoval IM, Marmion DJ, Meyers KT, Manfredsson FP. Gene Therapy to Modulate Alpha-Synuclein in Synucleinopathies. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2021; 11:S189-S197. [PMID: 34092656 PMCID: PMC8543271 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-212679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The protein alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a key contributor to the etiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with aggregation, trans-neuronal spread, and/or depletion of α-Syn being viewed as crucial events in the molecular processes that result in neurodegeneration. The exact succession of pathological occurrences that lead to neuronal death are still largely unknown and are likely to be multifactorial in nature. Despite this unknown, α-Syn dose and stability, autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction, and inflammation, amongst other cellular impairments, have all been described as participatory events in the neurodegenerative process. To that end, in this review we discuss the logical points for gene therapy to intervene in α-Syn-mediated disease and review the preclinical body of work where gene therapy has been used, or could conceptually be used, to ameliorate α-Syn induced neurotoxicity. We discuss gene therapy in the traditional sense of modulating gene expression, as well as the use of viral vectors and nanoparticles as methods to deliver other therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivette M Sandoval
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - David J Marmion
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Kimberly T Meyers
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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27
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Castonguay AM, Gravel C, Lévesque M. Treating Parkinson's Disease with Antibodies: Previous Studies and Future Directions. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2021; 11:71-92. [PMID: 33104039 PMCID: PMC7990466 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-202221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder mainly characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Degenerating neurons contain abnormal aggregates called Lewy bodies, that are predominantly composed of the misfolded and/or mutated alpha-synuclein protein. Post-translational modifications, cellular stress, inflammation and gene mutations are thought to trigger its pathological misfolding and aggregation. With alpha-synuclein pathology being strongly associated with dopaminergic neuronal toxicity, strategies aimed to reduce its burden are expected to be beneficial in slowing disease progression. Moreover, multiple sources of evidence suggest a cell-to-cell transmission of pathological alpha-synuclein in a prion-like manner. Therefore, antibodies targeting extra- or intracellular alpha-synuclein could be efficient in limiting the aggregation and transmission. Several active and passive immunization strategies have been explored to target alpha-synuclein. Here, we summarize immunotherapeutic approaches that were tested in pre-clinical or clinical studies in the last two decades in an attempt to treat Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Castonguay
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Claude Gravel
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Lévesque
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC, Canada
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28
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Wagner TR, Rothbauer U. Nanobodies Right in the Middle: Intrabodies as Toolbox to Visualize and Modulate Antigens in the Living Cell. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10121701. [PMID: 33371447 PMCID: PMC7767433 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In biomedical research, there is an ongoing demand for new technologies to elucidate disease mechanisms and develop novel therapeutics. This requires comprehensive understanding of cellular processes and their pathophysiology based on reliable information on abundance, localization, post-translational modifications and dynamic interactions of cellular components. Traceable intracellular binding molecules provide new opportunities for real-time cellular diagnostics. Most prominently, intrabodies derived from antibody fragments of heavy-chain only antibodies of camelids (nanobodies) have emerged as highly versatile and attractive probes to study and manipulate antigens within the context of living cells. In this review, we provide an overview on the selection, delivery and usage of intrabodies to visualize and monitor cellular antigens in living cells and organisms. Additionally, we summarize recent advances in the development of intrabodies as cellular biosensors and their application to manipulate disease-related cellular processes. Finally, we highlight switchable intrabodies, which open entirely new possibilities for real-time cell-based diagnostics including live-cell imaging, target validation and generation of precisely controllable binding reagents for future therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R. Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany;
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Tuebingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Rothbauer
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany;
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Tuebingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-7121-5153-0415; Fax: +49-7121-5153-0816
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29
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Soetens E, Ballegeer M, Saelens X. An Inside Job: Applications of Intracellular Single Domain Antibodies. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10121663. [PMID: 33322697 PMCID: PMC7764588 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sera of camelid species contain a special kind of antibody that consists only of heavy chains. The variable antigen binding domain of these heavy chain antibodies can be expressed as a separate entity, called a single domain antibody that is characterized by its small size, high solubility and oftentimes exceptional stability. Because of this, most single domain antibodies fold correctly when expressed in the reducing environment of the cytoplasm, and thereby retain their antigen binding specificity. Single domain antibodies can thus be used to target a broad range of intracellular proteins. Such intracellular single domain antibodies are also known as intrabodies, and have proven to be highly useful tools for basic research by allowing visualization, disruption and even targeted degradation of intracellular proteins. Furthermore, intrabodies can be used to uncover prospective new therapeutic targets and have the potential to be applied in therapeutic settings in the future. In this review we provide a brief overview of recent advances in the field of intracellular single domain antibodies, focusing on their use as research tools and potential therapeutic applications. Special attention is given to the available methods that allow delivery of single domain antibodies into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Soetens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marlies Ballegeer
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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30
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Gettemans J, De Dobbelaer B. Transforming nanobodies into high-precision tools for protein function analysis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2020; 320:C195-C215. [PMID: 33264078 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00435.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Single-domain antibodies, derived from camelid heavy antibodies (nanobodies) or shark variable new antigen receptors, have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their extremely versatile nature and the opportunities they offer for downstream modification. Discovered more than three decades ago, these 120-amino acid (∼15-kDa) antibody fragments are known to bind their target with high specificity and affinity. Key features of nanobodies that make them very attractive include their single-domain nature, small size, and affordable high-level expression in prokaryotes, and their cDNAs are routinely obtained in the process of their isolation. This facilitates and stimulates new experimental approaches. Hence, it allows researchers to formulate new answers to complex biomedical questions. Through elementary PCR-based technologies and chemical modification strategies, their primary structure can be altered almost at leisure while retaining their specificity and biological activity, transforming them into highly tailored tools that meet the increasing demands of current-day biomedical research. In this review, various aspects of camelid nanobodies are expounded, including intracellular delivery in recombinant format for manipulation of, i.e., cytoplasmic targets, their derivatization to improve nanobody orientation as a capturing device, approaches to reversibly bind their target, their potential as protein-silencing devices in cells, the development of strategies to transfer nanobodies through the blood-brain barrier and their application in CAR-T experimentation. We also discuss some of their disadvantages and conclude with future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Brian De Dobbelaer
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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31
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Antibody Fragments as Tools for Elucidating Structure-Toxicity Relationships and for Diagnostic/Therapeutic Targeting of Neurotoxic Amyloid Oligomers. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238920. [PMID: 33255488 PMCID: PMC7727795 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of amyloid protein aggregates in tissues is the basis for the onset of diseases known as amyloidoses. Intriguingly, many amyloidoses impact the central nervous system (CNS) and usually are devastating diseases. It is increasingly apparent that neurotoxic soluble oligomers formed by amyloidogenic proteins are the primary molecular drivers of these diseases, making them lucrative diagnostic and therapeutic targets. One promising diagnostic/therapeutic strategy has been the development of antibody fragments against amyloid oligomers. Antibody fragments, such as fragment antigen-binding (Fab), scFv (single chain variable fragments), and VHH (heavy chain variable domain or single-domain antibodies) are an alternative to full-length IgGs as diagnostics and therapeutics for a variety of diseases, mainly because of their increased tissue penetration (lower MW compared to IgG), decreased inflammatory potential (lack of Fc domain), and facile production (low structural complexity). Furthermore, through the use of in vitro-based ligand selection, it has been possible to identify antibody fragments presenting marked conformational selectivity. In this review, we summarize significant reports on antibody fragments selective for oligomers associated with prevalent CNS amyloidoses. We discuss promising results obtained using antibody fragments as both diagnostic and therapeutic agents against these diseases. In addition, the use of antibody fragments, particularly scFv and VHH, in the isolation of unique oligomeric assemblies is discussed as a strategy to unravel conformational moieties responsible for neurotoxicity. We envision that advances in this field may lead to the development of novel oligomer-selective antibody fragments with superior selectivity and, hopefully, good clinical outcomes.
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32
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Paul A, Huber A, Rand D, Gosselet F, Cooper I, Gazit E, Segal D. Naphthoquinone–Dopamine Hybrids Inhibit α‐Synuclein Aggregation, Disrupt Preformed Fibrils, and Attenuate Aggregate‐Induced Toxicity. Chemistry 2020; 26:16486-16496. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.202003374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashim Paul
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Adi Huber
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Daniel Rand
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer Ramat Gan 52621 Israel
| | - Fabien Gosselet
- UR 2465 Blood-brain barrier Laboratory (LBHE) Artois University 62300 Lens France
| | - Itzik Cooper
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer Ramat Gan 52621 Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
- Sagol Interdisciplinary School of Neuroscience Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
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33
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Zhang C, Ötjengerdes RM, Roewe J, Mejias R, Marschall ALJ. Applying Antibodies Inside Cells: Principles and Recent Advances in Neurobiology, Virology and Oncology. BioDrugs 2020; 34:435-462. [PMID: 32301049 PMCID: PMC7391400 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-020-00419-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To interfere with cell function, many scientists rely on methods that target DNA or RNA due to the ease with which they can be applied. Proteins are usually the final executors of function but are targeted only indirectly by these methods. Recent advances in targeted degradation of proteins based on proteolysis-targeting chimaeras (PROTACs), ubiquibodies, deGradFP (degrade Green Fluorescent Protein) and other approaches have demonstrated the potential of interfering directly at the protein level for research and therapy. Proteins can be targeted directly and very specifically by antibodies, but using antibodies inside cells has so far been considered to be challenging. However, it is possible to deliver antibodies or other proteins into the cytosol using standard laboratory equipment. Physical methods such as electroporation have been demonstrated to be efficient and validated thoroughly over time. The expression of intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) inside cells is another way to interfere with intracellular targets at the protein level. Methodological strategies to target the inside of cells with antibodies, including delivered antibodies and expressed antibodies, as well as applications in the research areas of neurobiology, viral infections and oncology, are reviewed here. Antibodies have already been used to interfere with a wide range of intracellular targets. Disease-related targets included proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (α-synuclein), Alzheimer's disease (amyloid-β) or Huntington's disease (mutant huntingtin [mHtt]). The applications of intrabodies in the context of viral infections include targeting proteins associated with HIV (e.g. HIV1-TAT, Rev, Vif, gp41, gp120, gp160) and different oncoviruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Epstein-Barr virus, and they have been used to interfere with various targets related to different processes in cancer, including oncogenic pathways, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis or neo-antigens (e.g. p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 [HER2], signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 [STAT3], RAS-related RHO-GTPase B (RHOB), cortactin, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 [VEGFR2], Ras, Bcr-Abl). Interfering at the protein level allows questions to be addressed that may remain unanswered using alternative methods. This review addresses why direct targeting of proteins allows unique insights, what is currently feasible in vitro, and how this relates to potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Zhang
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rina M Ötjengerdes
- Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julian Roewe
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain TumorImmunology (D170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebeca Mejias
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrea L J Marschall
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Brunswick, Germany.
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Engineered Extracellular Vesicles/Exosomes as a New Tool against Neurodegenerative Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12060529. [PMID: 32526949 PMCID: PMC7357062 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12060529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are commonly generated by intracellular accumulation of misfolded/aggregated mutated proteins. These abnormal protein aggregates impair the functions of mitochondria and induce oxidative stress, thereby resulting in neuronal cell death. In turn, neuronal damage induces chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration. Thus, reducing/eliminating these abnormal protein aggregates is a priority for any anti-neurodegenerative therapeutic approach. Although several antibodies against mutated neuronal proteins have been already developed, how to efficiently deliver them inside the target cells remains an unmet issue. Extracellular vesicles/exosomes incorporating intrabodies against the pathogenic products would be a tool for innovative therapeutic approaches. In this review/perspective article, we identify and describe the major molecular targets associated with neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the antibodies already developed against them. Finally, we propose a novel targeting strategy based on the endogenous engineering of extracellular vesicles/exosomes constitutively released by cells of the central nervous system.
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Gerdes C, Waal N, Offner T, Fornasiero EF, Wender N, Verbarg H, Manzini I, Trenkwalder C, Mollenhauer B, Strohäker T, Zweckstetter M, Becker S, Rizzoli SO, Basmanav FB, Opazo F. A nanobody-based fluorescent reporter reveals human α-synuclein in the cell cytosol. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2729. [PMID: 32483166 PMCID: PMC7264335 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16575-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation and spreading of α-Synuclein (αSyn) are hallmarks of several neurodegenerative diseases, thus monitoring human αSyn (hαSyn) in animal models or cell cultures is vital for the field. However, the detection of native hαSyn in such systems is challenging. We show that the nanobody NbSyn87, previously-described to bind hαSyn, also shows cross-reactivity for the proteasomal subunit Rpn10. As such, when the NbSyn87 is expressed in the absence of hαSyn, it is continuously degraded by the proteasome, while it is stabilized when it binds to hαSyn. Here, we exploit this feature to design a new Fluorescent Reporter for hαSyn (FluoReSyn) by fusing NbSyn87 to fluorescent proteins, which results in fluorescence signal fluctuations depending on the presence and amounts of intracellular hαSyn. We characterize this biosensor in cells and tissues to finally reveal the presence of transmittable αSyn in human cerebrospinal fluid, demonstrating the potential of FluoReSyn for clinical research and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Gerdes
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Natalia Waal
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Offner
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Physiology and Molecular Biomedicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Cellular Biophysics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eugenio F Fornasiero
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nora Wender
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hannes Verbarg
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Manzini
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Physiology and Molecular Biomedicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Cellular Biophysics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Claudia Trenkwalder
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik, Klinikstraße 16, 34128, Kassel, Germany
| | - Brit Mollenhauer
- Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik, Klinikstraße 16, 34128, Kassel, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Timo Strohäker
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Von-Siebold-Str. 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Von-Siebold-Str. 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Becker
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Fitnat Buket Basmanav
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
- Campus Laboratory for Advanced Imaging, Microscopy and Spectroscopy, University of Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felipe Opazo
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), University Medical Center Göttingen, D-37073, Göttingen, Germany.
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Chen Y, Peng F, Su T, Yang H, Qiu F. Direct Identification of Amyloid Peptide Fragments in Human α-Synuclein Based on Consecutive Hydrophobic Amino Acids. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:11677-11686. [PMID: 32478258 PMCID: PMC7254785 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c00979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Formation of amyloid fibrils by misfolding
α-synuclein is
a characteristic feature of Parkinson’s disease, but the exact
molecular mechanism of this process has long been an unresolved mystery.
Identification of critical amyloid peptide fragments from α-synuclein
may hold the key to decipher this mystery. Focusing on consecutive
hydrophobic amino acids (CHAA) in the protein sequence, in this study
we proposed a sequence-based strategy for direct identification of
amyloid peptide fragments in α-synuclein. We picked out three
CHAA fragments (two hexapeptides and one tetrapeptide) from α-synuclein
and studied their amyloidogenic property. The thioflavin-T binding
test, transmission electron microscopy, Congo red staining, and Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that although only hexapeptides
could undergo amyloid aggregation on their own, extended peptide fragments
based on any of the three peptides could form typical amyloid fibrils.
Primary amyloidogenic fragments based on the three peptides showed
synergetic aggregation behavior and could accelerate the aggregation
of full-length α-synuclein. It was proved that hydrophobic interaction
played a predominant role for the aggregation of these peptides and
full-length α-synuclein. A central alanine-to-lysine substitution
in each hydrophobic fragment completely eliminated the peptides’
amyloidogenic property, and alanine-to-lysine substitutions at corresponding
sites in full-length α-synuclein also decreased the protein’s
amyloidogenic potency. These findings suggested that CHAA fragments
were potentially amyloidogenic and played an important role for the
aggregation of α-synuclein. The identification of these fragments
might provide helpful information for eventually clarifying the molecular
mechanism of α-synuclein aggregation. On the other hand, our
study suggested that the CHAA fragment might be a simple motif for
direct sequence-based identification of amyloid peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhu Chen
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Periodical Press of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fei Peng
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tao Su
- West China-Washington Mitochondria and Metabolism Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, MOH, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Feng Qiu
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Teil M, Arotcarena ML, Faggiani E, Laferriere F, Bezard E, Dehay B. Targeting α-synuclein for PD Therapeutics: A Pursuit on All Fronts. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10030391. [PMID: 32138193 PMCID: PMC7175302 DOI: 10.3390/biom10030391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is characterized both by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions called Lewy Bodies. These Lewy Bodies contain the aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) protein, which has been shown to be able to propagate from cell to cell and throughout different regions in the brain. Due to its central role in the pathology and the lack of a curative treatment for PD, an increasing number of studies have aimed at targeting this protein for therapeutics. Here, we reviewed and discussed the many different approaches that have been studied to inhibit α-syn accumulation via direct and indirect targeting. These analyses have led to the generation of multiple clinical trials that are either completed or currently active. These clinical trials and the current preclinical studies must still face obstacles ahead, but give hope of finding a therapy for PD with time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Teil
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Marie-Laure Arotcarena
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Emilie Faggiani
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Florent Laferriere
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Benjamin Dehay
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence:
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38
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Optimizing intracellular antibodies (intrabodies/nanobodies) to treat neurodegenerative disorders. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 134:104619. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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39
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Uchański T, Pardon E, Steyaert J. Nanobodies to study protein conformational states. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2020; 60:117-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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40
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Chatterjee D, Kordower JH. Immunotherapy in Parkinson’s disease: Current status and future directions. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 132:104587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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41
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Longhena F, Faustini G, Brembati V, Pizzi M, Bellucci A. The good and bad of therapeutic strategies that directly target α-synuclein. IUBMB Life 2019; 72:590-600. [PMID: 31693290 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of either neuronal/axonal or glial insoluble proteinaceous aggregates mainly composed of α-synuclein (α-syn). Among them, the most common disorders are Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and some forms of familial parkinsonism. Both α-syn fibrils and oligomers have been found to exert toxic effects on neurons or oligodendroglial cells, can activate neuroinflammatory responses, and mediate the spreading of α-syn pathology. This poses the question of which is the most toxic α-syn species. What is worst, α-syn appears as a very peculiar protein, exerting multiple physiological functions in neurons, especially at synapses, but without acquiring a stable tertiary structure. Its conformation is particularly plastic, and the protein can exist in a natively unfolded state (mainly in solution), partially α-helical folded state (when it interacts with biological membranes), or oligomeric state (tetramers or dimers with debated functional profile). The extent of α-syn expression impinges on the resilience of neuronal cells, as multiplications of its gene locus, or overexpression, can cause neurodegeneration and onset of motor phenotype. For these reasons, one of the main challenges in the field of synucleinopathies, which still nowadays can only be managed by symptomatic therapies, has been the development of strategies aimed at reducing α-syn levels, oligomer formation, fibrillation, or cell-to-cell transmission. This review resumes the therapeutic approaches that have been proposed or are under development to counteract α-syn pathology by direct targeting of this protein and discuss their pros and cons in relation to the current state-of-the-art α-syn biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Longhena
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Viviana Brembati
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina Pizzi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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42
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Wang Z, Gao G, Duan C, Yang H. Progress of immunotherapy of anti-α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 115:108843. [PMID: 31055236 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss of neurons and abnormal protein accumulation, including amyloid (A)β and tau in Alzheimer's disease and Lewy bodies and α-synuclein (α-syn) in Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent evidence suggests that adaptive immunity plays an important role in PD, and that anti-α-syn antibodies can be used as therapy in neurodegenerative diseases; monoclonal antibodies were shown to inhibit α-syn propagation and aggregation in PD models and patients. In this review, we summarize the different pathological states of α-syn, including gene mutations, truncation, phosphorylation, and the high molecular weight form, and describe the specific antibodies that recognize the α-syn monomer or oligomer, some of which have been tested in clinic trials. We also discuss future research directions and potential targets in PD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Wang
- Department of Neurobiology School of Basic Medical Sciences, Center of Parkinson Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Key Laboratory for Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Department of Neurobiology School of Basic Medical Sciences, Center of Parkinson Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Key Laboratory for Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Chunli Duan
- Department of Neurobiology School of Basic Medical Sciences, Center of Parkinson Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Key Laboratory for Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurobiology School of Basic Medical Sciences, Center of Parkinson Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Key Laboratory for Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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43
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Bélanger K, Iqbal U, Tanha J, MacKenzie R, Moreno M, Stanimirovic D. Single-Domain Antibodies as Therapeutic and Imaging Agents for the Treatment of CNS Diseases. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8020027. [PMID: 31544833 PMCID: PMC6640712 DOI: 10.3390/antib8020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibodies have become one of the most successful therapeutics for a number of oncology and inflammatory diseases. So far, central nervous system (CNS) indications have missed out on the antibody revolution, while they remain 'hidden' behind several hard to breach barriers. Among the various antibody modalities, single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) may hold the 'key' to unlocking the access of antibody therapies to CNS diseases. The unique structural features of sdAbs make them the smallest monomeric antibody fragments suitable for molecular targeting. These features are of particular importance when developing antibodies as modular building blocks for engineering CNS-targeting therapeutics and imaging agents. In this review, we first introduce the characteristic properties of sdAbs compared to traditional antibodies. We then present recent advances in the development of sdAbs as potential therapeutics across brain barriers, including their use for the delivery of biologics across the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barriers, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and molecular imaging of brain targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasandra Bélanger
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Umar Iqbal
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Jamshid Tanha
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Roger MacKenzie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Maria Moreno
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Danica Stanimirovic
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
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44
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Paul A, Zhang BD, Mohapatra S, Li G, Li YM, Gazit E, Segal D. Novel Mannitol-Based Small Molecules for Inhibiting Aggregation of α-Synuclein Amyloids in Parkinson's Disease. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:16. [PMID: 30968030 PMCID: PMC6438916 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aggregation of the amyloidogenic protein α-synuclein (α-Syn) into toxic oligomers and mature fibrils is the major pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Small molecules that inhibit α-Syn aggregation thus may be useful therapeutics for PD. Mannitol and naphthoquinone-tryptophan (NQTrp) have been shown in the past to inhibit α-Syn aggregation by different mechanisms. Herein, we tested whether the conjugation of Mannitol and NQTrp may result in enhance efficacy toward α-Syn. The molecules were conjugated either by a click linker or via a PEG linker. The effect of the conjugate molecules on α-Syn aggregation in vitro was monitored using Thioflavin T fluorescence assay, circular dichroism, transmission electron microscopy, and Congo red birefringence assay. One of the conjugate molecules was found to be more effective than the two parent molecules and as effective as a mixture of the two. The conjugate molecules attenuated the disruptive effect of α-Syn on artificial membrane of Large Unilamellar Vesicles as monitored by dye leakage assay. The conjugates were found to be have low cytotoxicity and reduced toxicity of α-Syn toward SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. These novel designed entities can be attractive scaffold for the development of therapeutic agents for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashim Paul
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bo-Dou Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Satabdee Mohapatra
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gao Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Institute of Parkinson Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ehud Gazit
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol Interdisciplinary School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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45
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Martinelli AHS, Lopes FC, John EBO, Carlini CR, Ligabue-Braun R. Modulation of Disordered Proteins with a Focus on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Other Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061322. [PMID: 30875980 PMCID: PMC6471803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not have rigid 3D structures, showing changes in their folding depending on the environment or ligands. Intrinsically disordered proteins are widely spread in eukaryotic genomes, and these proteins participate in many cell regulatory metabolism processes. Some IDPs, when aberrantly folded, can be the cause of some diseases such as Alzheimer′s, Parkinson′s, and prionic, among others. In these diseases, there are modifications in parts of the protein or in its entirety. A common conformational variation of these IDPs is misfolding and aggregation, forming, for instance, neurotoxic amyloid plaques. In this review, we discuss some IDPs that are involved in neurodegenerative diseases (such as beta amyloid, alpha synuclein, tau, and the “IDP-like” PrP), cancer (p53, c-Myc), and diabetes (amylin), focusing on the structural changes of these IDPs that are linked to such pathologies. We also present the IDP modulation mechanisms that can be explored in new strategies for drug design. Lastly, we show some candidate drugs that can be used in the future for the treatment of diseases caused by misfolded IDPs, considering that cancer therapy has more advanced research in comparison to other diseases, while also discussing recent and future developments in this area of research. Therefore, we aim to provide support to the study of IDPs and their modulation mechanisms as promising approaches to combat such severe diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne H S Martinelli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology & Department of Biophysics, Biosciences Institute-IB, (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda C Lopes
- Center for Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Elisa B O John
- Center for Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Célia R Carlini
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 91410-000, RS, Brazil.
- Brain Institute-InsCer, Laboratory of Neurotoxins, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre CEP 90050-170, RS, Brazil.
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Chatterjee D, Bhatt M, Butler D, De Genst E, Dobson CM, Messer A, Kordower JH. Proteasome-targeted nanobodies alleviate pathology and functional decline in an α-synuclein-based Parkinson's disease model. NPJ PARKINSONS DISEASE 2018; 4:25. [PMID: 30155513 PMCID: PMC6105584 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-018-0062-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutics designed to target α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation may be critical in halting the progression of pathology in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Nanobodies are single-domain antibody fragments that bind with antibody specificity, but allow readier genetic engineering and delivery. When expressed intracellularly as intrabodies, anti-α-syn nanobodies fused to a proteasome-targeting proline, aspartate or glutamate, serine, and threonine (PEST) motif can modulate monomeric concentrations of target proteins. Here we aimed to validate and compare the in vivo therapeutic potential of gene therapy delivery of two proteasome-directed nanobodies selectively targeting α-syn in a synuclein overexpression-based PD model: VH14*PEST (non-amyloid component region) and NbSyn87*PEST (C-terminal region). Stereotaxic injections of adeno-associated viral 5-α-syn (AAV5-α-syn) into the substantia nigra (SN) were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats that were sorted into three cohorts based on pre-operative behavioral testing. Rats were treated with unilateral SN injections of vectors for VH14*PEST, NbSyn87*PEST, or injected with saline 3 weeks post lesion. Post-mortem assessments of the SN showed that both nanobodies markedly reduced the level of phosphorylated Serine-129 α-syn labeling relative to saline-treated animals. VH14*PEST showed considerable maintenance of striatal dopaminergic tone in comparison to saline-treated and NbSyn87*PEST-treated animals as measured by tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (optical density), DAT immunoreactivity (optical density), and dopamine concentration (high-performance liquid chromatography). Microglial accumulation and inflammatory response, assessed by stereological counts of Iba-1-labeled cells, was modestly increased in NbSyn87*PEST-injected rats but not in VH14*PEST-treated or saline-treated animals. Modest behavioral rescue was also observed, although there was pronounced variability among individual animals. These data validate in vivo therapeutic efficacy of vector-delivered intracellular nanobodies targeting α-syn misfolding and aggregation in synucleinopathies such as PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diptaman Chatterjee
- 1Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL c60612 USA
| | - Mansi Bhatt
- 1Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL c60612 USA
| | - David Butler
- 2Neural Stem Cell Institute, Regenerative Research Foundation, Rensselaer, NY 12144 USA.,3Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12208 USA
| | - Erwin De Genst
- 4Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW UK
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- 4Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW UK
| | - Anne Messer
- 2Neural Stem Cell Institute, Regenerative Research Foundation, Rensselaer, NY 12144 USA.,3Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12208 USA
| | - Jeffrey H Kordower
- 1Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL c60612 USA.,5Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 USA
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O'Hara DM, Kalia SK, Kalia LV. Emerging disease-modifying strategies targeting α-synuclein for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:3080-3089. [PMID: 29722028 PMCID: PMC6031880 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder. It arises as a result of neuronal cell death in specific brain regions, notably the substantia nigra pars compacta, and is characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein in these brain regions. Current pharmacological therapies alleviate the motor symptoms of the disease and are particularly effective in the early stages of the disease. Ongoing drug development efforts focus on disease-modifying strategies that aim to halt or slow disease progression. In this review, we explore a number of emerging disease-modifying strategies with a focus on direct and indirect targeting of α-synuclein dysfunction. We summarize newer classes of small molecules and biological agents intended to attenuate protein aggregation or to target enzymes that may increase the degradation of the pathogenic forms of α-synuclein. Finally, we discuss emerging strategies that are demonstrating the potential for disease modification at the preclinical stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren M O'Hara
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western HospitalUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - Suneil K Kalia
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western HospitalUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of SurgeryUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Lorraine V Kalia
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western HospitalUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
- Division of Neurology, Department of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Toronto Western HospitalUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
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Zhao W, Pferdehirt L, Segatori L. Quantitatively Predictable Control of Cellular Protein Levels through Proteasomal Degradation. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:540-552. [PMID: 29061039 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Protein function is typically studied and engineered by modulating protein levels within the complex cellular environment. To achieve fast, targeted, and predictable control of cellular protein levels without genetic manipulation of the target, we developed a technology for post-translational depletion based on a bifunctional molecule (NanoDeg) consisting of the antigen-binding fragment from the Camelidae species heavy-chain antibody (nanobody) fused to a degron signal that mediates degradation through the proteasome. We provide proof-of-principle demonstration of targeted degradation using a nanobody against the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Guided by predictive modeling, we show that customizing the NanoDeg rate of synthesis, rate of degradation, and mode of degradation enables quantitative and predictable control over the target's levels. Integrating the GFP-specific NanoDeg within a genetic circuit based on stimulus-dependent GFP output results in enhanced dynamic range and resolution of the output signal. By providing predictable control over cellular proteins' levels, the NanoDeg system could be readily used for a variety of systems-level analyses of cellular protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Lara Pferdehirt
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Laura Segatori
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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Xu L, Bhattacharya S, Thompson D. The fold preference and thermodynamic stability of α-synuclein fibrils is encoded in the non-amyloid-β component region. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:4502-4512. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp08321a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The strain-dependent synucleinopathies may be partially imprinted in the fold-dependent thermodynamic properties of non-amyloid-β component (NAC) fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xu
- Department of Physics
- Bernal Institute
- University of Limerick
- Ireland
| | | | - Damien Thompson
- Department of Physics
- Bernal Institute
- University of Limerick
- Ireland
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50
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