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McCall JL, Geldenhuys WJ, Robinson LJ, Witt MR, Gannett PM, Söderberg BCG, Blair HC, Soboloff J, Barnett JB. Preclinical evaluation of ELP-004 in mice. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2024; 12:e1230. [PMID: 38940379 PMCID: PMC11212004 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1230] [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: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This study provides a detailed understanding of the preclinical pharmacokinetics and metabolism of ELP-004, an osteoclast inhibitor in development for the treatment of bone erosion. Current treatments for arthritis, including biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, are not well-tolerated in a substantial subset of arthritis patients and are expensive; therefore, new treatments are needed. Pharmacokinetic parameters of ELP-004 were tested with intravenous, oral, and subcutaneous administration and found to be rapidly absorbed and distributed. We found that ELP-004 was non-mutagenic, did not induce chromosome aberrations, non-cardiotoxic, and had minimal off-target effects. Using in vitro hepatic systems, we found that ELP-004 is primarily metabolized by CYP1A2 and CYP2B6 and predicted metabolic pathways were identified. Finally, we show that ELP-004 inhibits osteoclast differentiation without suppressing overall T-cell function. These preclinical data will inform future development of an oral compound as well as in vivo efficacy studies in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. McCall
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell BiologyWest Virginia University School of MedicineMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- ExesaLibero Pharma, Inc.MorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Werner J. Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesWest Virginia University School of PharmacyMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Lisa J. Robinson
- Department of PathologyWest Virginia School of MedicineMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- Present address:
Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and ImmunologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Michelle R. Witt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell BiologyWest Virginia University School of MedicineMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- Department of PathologyWest Virginia School of MedicineMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Peter M. Gannett
- College of PharmacyNova Southeastern UniversityFt. LauderdaleFloridaUSA
| | - Björn C. G. Söderberg
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of ChemistryWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Harry C. Blair
- Departments of Pathology and Cell BiologyThe Pittsburgh VA Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Jonathan Soboloff
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine and Department of Cancer and Cellular BiologyLewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - John B. Barnett
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell BiologyWest Virginia University School of MedicineMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- ExesaLibero Pharma, Inc.MorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
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Bjørklund G, Đorđević AB, Hamdan H, Wallace DR, Peana M. Metal-induced autoimmunity in neurological disorders: A review of current understanding and future directions. Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103509. [PMID: 38159894 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmunity is a multifaceted disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, and metal exposure has been implicated as a potential catalyst, especially in autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system. Notably, metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum exhibit well-established neurotoxic effects, yet the precise mechanisms by which they elicit autoimmune responses in susceptible individuals remain unclear. Recent studies propose that metal-induced autoimmunity may arise from direct toxic effects on immune cells and tissues, coupled with indirect impacts on the gut microbiome and the blood-brain barrier. These effects can activate self-reactive T cells, prompting the production of autoantibodies, inflammatory responses, and tissue damage. Diagnosing metal-induced autoimmunity proves challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and a lack of reliable biomarkers. Treatment typically involves chelation therapy to eliminate excess metals and immunomodulatory agents to suppress autoimmune responses. Prevention strategies include lifestyle adjustments to reduce metal exposure and avoiding occupational and environmental risks. Prognosis is generally favorable with proper treatment; however, untreated cases may lead to autoimmune disorder progression and irreversible organ damage, particularly in the brain. Future research aims to identify genetic and environmental risk factors, enhance diagnostic precision, and explore novel treatment approaches for improved prevention and management of this intricate and debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | | | - Halla Hamdan
- Department of Pharmacology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - David R Wallace
- Department of Pharmacology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Massimiliano Peana
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy.
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McCall JL, Varney ME, Rice E, Dziadowicz SA, Hall C, Blethen KE, Hu G, Barnett JB, Martinez I. Prenatal Cadmium Exposure Alters Proliferation in Mouse CD4 + T Cells via LncRNA Snhg7. Front Immunol 2022; 12:720635. [PMID: 35087510 PMCID: PMC8786704 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.720635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Prenatal cadmium (Cd) exposure leads to immunotoxic phenotypes in the offspring affecting coding and non-coding genes. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are integral to T cell regulation. Here, we investigated the role of long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (lncSnhg7) in T cell proliferation. Methods RNA sequencing was used to analyze the expression of lncRNAs in splenic CD4+ T cells with and without CD3/CD28 stimulation. Next, T cells isolated from offspring exposed to control or Cd water throughout mating and gestation were analyzed with and without stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads. Quantitative qPCR and western blotting were used to detect RNA and protein levels of specific genes. Overexpression of a miR-34a mimic was achieved using nucleofection. Apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry and luminescence assays. Flow cytometry was also used to measure T cell proliferation in culture. Finally, lncSnhg7 was knocked down in splenic CD4+ T cells with lentivirus to assess its effect on proliferation. Results We identified 23 lncRNAs that were differentially expressed in stimulated versus unstimulated T cells, including lncSnhg7. LncSnhg7 and a downstream protein, GALNT7, are upregulated in T cells from offspring exposed to Cd during gestation. Overexpression of miR-34a, a regulator of lncSnhg7 and GALNT7, suppresses GALNT7 protein levels in primary T cells, but not in a mouse T lymphocyte cell line. The T cells isolated from Cd-exposed offspring exhibit increased proliferation after activation in vitro, but Treg suppression and CD4+ T cell apoptosis are not affected by prenatal Cd exposure. Knockdown on lncSnhg7 inhibits proliferation of CD4+ T cells. Conclusion Prenatal Cd exposure alters the expression of lncRNAs during T cell activation. The induction of lncSnhg7 is enhanced in splenic T cells from Cd offspring resulting in the upregulation of GALNT7 protein and increased proliferation following activation. miR-34a overexpression decreased GALNT7 expression and knockdown of lncSnhg7 inhibited proliferation suggesting that the lncSnhg7/miR-34a/GALNT7 is an important pathway in primary CD4+ T cells. These data highlight the need to understand the consequences of environmental exposures on lncRNA functions in non-cancerous cells as well as the effects in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. McCall
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Melinda E. Varney
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Emily Rice
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Sebastian A. Dziadowicz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Casey Hall
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Kathryn E. Blethen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Gangqing Hu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- Bioinformatics Core, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - John B. Barnett
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Ivan Martinez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
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