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Tubau-Juni N, Hontecillas R, Leber AJ, Alva SS, Bassaganya-Riera J. Treating Autoimmune Diseases With LANCL2 Therapeutics: A Novel Immunoregulatory Mechanism for Patients With Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2024; 30:671-680. [PMID: 37934790 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izad258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 (LANCL2) therapeutics have gained increasing recognition as a novel treatment modality for a wide range of autoimmune diseases. Genetic ablation of LANCL2 in mice results in severe inflammatory phenotypes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and lupus. Pharmacological activation of LANCL2 provides therapeutic efficacy in mouse models of intestinal inflammation, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. Mechanistically, LANCL2 activation enhances regulatory CD4 + T cell (Treg) responses and downregulates effector responses in the gut. The stability and suppressive capacities of Treg cells are enhanced by LANCL2 activation through engagement of immunoregulatory mechanisms that favor mitochondrial metabolism and amplify IL-2/CD25 signaling. Omilancor, the most advanced LANCL2 immunoregulatory therapeutic in late-stage clinical development, is a phase 3 ready, first-in-class, gut-restricted, oral, once-daily, small-molecule therapeutic in clinical development for the treatment of UC and CD. In this review, we discuss this novel mechanism of mucosal immunoregulation and how LANCL2-targeting therapeutics could help address the unmet clinical needs of patients with autoimmune diseases, starting with IBD.
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2
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Harpur CM, West AC, Le Page MA, Lam M, Hodges C, Oseghale O, Gearing AJ, Tate MD. Naturally derived cytokine peptides limit virus replication and severe disease during influenza A virus infection. Clin Transl Immunology 2023; 12:e1443. [PMID: 36969366 PMCID: PMC10034483 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Novel host‐targeted therapeutics could treat severe influenza A virus (IAV) infections, with reduced risk of drug resistance. LAT8881 is a synthetic form of the naturally occurring C‐terminal fragment of human growth hormone. Acting independently of the growth hormone receptor, it can reduce inflammation‐induced damage and promote tissue repair in an animal model of osteoarthritis. LAT8881 has been assessed in clinical trials for the treatment of obesity and neuropathy and has an excellent safety profile. We investigated the potential for LAT8881, its metabolite LAT9991F and LAT7771 derived from prolactin, a growth hormone structural homologue, to treat severe IAV infection. Methods LAT8881, LAT9991F and LAT7771 were evaluated for their effects on cell viability and IAV replication in vitro, as well as their potential to limit disease in a preclinical mouse model of severe IAV infection. Results In vitro LAT8881 treatment enhanced cell viability, particularly in the presence of cytotoxic stress, which was countered by siRNA inhibition of host lanthionine synthetase C‐like proteins. Daily intranasal treatment of mice with LAT8881 or LAT9991F, but not LAT7771, from day 1 postinfection significantly improved influenza disease resistance, which was associated with reduced infectious viral loads, reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokines and increased abundance of protective alveolar macrophages. LAT8881 treatment in combination with the antiviral oseltamivir phosphate led to more pronounced reduction in markers of disease severity than treatment with either compound alone. Conclusion These studies provide the first evidence identifying LAT8881 and LAT9991F as novel host‐protective therapies that improve survival, limit viral replication, reduce local inflammation and curtail tissue damage during severe IAV infection. Evaluation of LAT8881 and LAT9991F in other infectious and inflammatory conditions of the airways is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Harpur
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious DiseasesHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVICAustralia
- Department of Molecular and Translational SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Alison C West
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious DiseasesHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVICAustralia
- Department of Molecular and Translational SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Mélanie A Le Page
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious DiseasesHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVICAustralia
- Department of Molecular and Translational SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Maggie Lam
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious DiseasesHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVICAustralia
- Department of Molecular and Translational SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Christopher Hodges
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious DiseasesHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVICAustralia
- Department of Molecular and Translational SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Osezua Oseghale
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious DiseasesHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVICAustralia
- Department of Molecular and Translational SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | | | - Michelle D Tate
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious DiseasesHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVICAustralia
- Department of Molecular and Translational SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
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3
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3D microenvironment attenuates simulated microgravity-mediated changes in T cell transcriptome. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:508. [PMID: 36063234 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04531-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Human space travel and exploration are of interest to both the industrial and scientific community. However, there are many adverse effects of spaceflight on human physiology. In particular, there is a lack of understanding of the extent to which microgravity affects the immune system. T cells, key players of the adaptive immune system and long-term immunity, are present not only in blood circulation but also reside within the tissue. As of yet, studies investigating the effects of microgravity on T cells are limited to peripheral blood or traditional 2D cell culture that recapitulates circulating blood. To better mimic interstitial tissue, 3D cell culture has been well established for physiologically and pathologically relevant models. In this work, we utilize 2D cell culture and 3D collagen matrices to gain an understanding of how simulated microgravity, using a random positioning machine, affects both circulating and tissue-resident T cells. T cells were studied in both resting and activated stages. We found that 3D cell culture attenuates the effects of simulated microgravity on the T cells transcriptome and nuclear irregularities compared to 2D cell culture. Interestingly, simulated microgravity appears to have less effect on activated T cells compared to those in the resting stage. Overall, our work provides novel insights into the effects of simulated microgravity on circulating and tissue-resident T cells which could provide benefits for the health of space travellers.
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4
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Porier DL, Wilson SN, Auguste DI, Leber A, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Allen IC, Caswell CC, Budnick JA, Bassaganya-Riera J, Hontecillas R, Weger-Lucarelli J, Weaver SC, Auguste AJ. Enemy of My Enemy: A Novel Insect-Specific Flavivirus Offers a Promising Platform for a Zika Virus Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101142. [PMID: 34696250 PMCID: PMC8539214 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination remains critical for viral disease outbreak prevention and control, but conventional vaccine development typically involves trade-offs between safety and immunogenicity. We used a recently discovered insect-specific flavivirus as a vector in order to develop an exceptionally safe, flavivirus vaccine candidate with single-dose efficacy. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this platform, we created a chimeric Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine candidate, designated Aripo/Zika virus (ARPV/ZIKV). ZIKV has caused immense economic and public health impacts throughout the Americas and remains a significant public health threat. ARPV/ZIKV vaccination showed exceptional safety due to ARPV/ZIKV’s inherent vertebrate host-restriction. ARPV/ZIKV showed no evidence of replication or translation in vitro and showed no hematological, histological or pathogenic effects in vivo. A single-dose immunization with ARPV/ZIKV induced rapid and robust neutralizing antibody and cellular responses, which offered complete protection against ZIKV-induced morbidity, mortality and in utero transmission in immune-competent and -compromised murine models. Splenocytes derived from vaccinated mice demonstrated significant CD4+ and CD8+ responses and significant cytokine production post-antigen exposure. Altogether, our results further support that chimeric insect-specific flaviviruses are a promising strategy to restrict flavivirus emergence via vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L. Porier
- Department of Entomology, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (D.L.P.); (S.N.W.); (D.I.A.)
| | - Sarah N. Wilson
- Department of Entomology, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (D.L.P.); (S.N.W.); (D.I.A.)
| | - Dawn I. Auguste
- Department of Entomology, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (D.L.P.); (S.N.W.); (D.I.A.)
| | - Andrew Leber
- Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; (A.L.); (J.B.-R.); (R.H.)
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; (S.C.-O.); (I.C.A.); (C.C.C.); (J.A.B.); (J.W.-L.)
| | - Irving C. Allen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; (S.C.-O.); (I.C.A.); (C.C.C.); (J.A.B.); (J.W.-L.)
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Clayton C. Caswell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; (S.C.-O.); (I.C.A.); (C.C.C.); (J.A.B.); (J.W.-L.)
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - James A. Budnick
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; (S.C.-O.); (I.C.A.); (C.C.C.); (J.A.B.); (J.W.-L.)
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Josep Bassaganya-Riera
- Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; (A.L.); (J.B.-R.); (R.H.)
| | - Raquel Hontecillas
- Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; (A.L.); (J.B.-R.); (R.H.)
| | - James Weger-Lucarelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; (S.C.-O.); (I.C.A.); (C.C.C.); (J.A.B.); (J.W.-L.)
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Albert J. Auguste
- Department of Entomology, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (D.L.P.); (S.N.W.); (D.I.A.)
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Correspondence:
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5
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First-in-class topical therapeutic omilancor ameliorates disease severity and inflammation through activation of LANCL2 pathway in psoriasis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19827. [PMID: 34615968 PMCID: PMC8494925 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99349-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis (PsO) is a complex immune-mediated disease that afflicts 100 million people. Omilancor is a locally-acting, small molecule that selectively activates the Lanthionine Synthetase C-like 2 (LANCL2) pathway, resulting in immunoregulatory effects at the intersection of immunity and metabolism. Topical omilancor treatment in an imiquimod-induced mouse model of PsO ameliorates disease severity, epidermal hyperplasia and acanthosis. Further, pharmacological activation of LANCL2 results in significant downregulation of proinflammatory markers including local reduction of IL17, and infiltration of proinflammatory cell subsets. These therapeutic effects were further validated in an IL-23 PsO model. This model reported increased preservation of homeostatic skin structure, accompanied by a decreased infiltration of proinflammatory T cell subsets. In CD4+ T cells and Th17 cells, the LANCL2 pathway regulates proinflammatory cytokine production, proliferation and glucose metabolism. Metabolically, the loss of Lancl2 resulted in increased glycolytic rates, lactate production and upregulated enzymatic activity of hexokinase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Inhibition of LDH activity abrogated the increased proliferation rate in Lancl2-/- CD4+ T cells. Additionally, topical omilancor treatment decreased the metabolic upregulation in keratinocytes, keratinocyte hyperproliferation and expression of inflammatory markers. Omilancor is a promising topical, LANCL2-targeting therapeutic candidate for the treatment of PsO and other dermatology indications.
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6
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Bassaganya-Riera J, Berry EM, Blaak EE, Burlingame B, le Coutre J, van Eden W, El-Sohemy A, German JB, Knorr D, Lacroix C, Muscaritoli M, Nieman DC, Rychlik M, Scholey A, Serafini M. Goals in Nutrition Science 2020-2025. Front Nutr 2021; 7:606378. [PMID: 33665201 PMCID: PMC7923694 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2020.606378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Five years ago, with the editorial board of Frontiers in Nutrition, we took a leap of faith to outline the Goals for Nutrition Science - the way we see it (1). Now, in 2020, we can put ourselves to the test and take a look back. Without a doubt we got it right with several of the key directions. To name a few, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Food and Nutrition are part of the global public agenda, and the SDGs contribute to the structuring of international science and research. Nutritional Science has become a critical element in strengthening work on the SDGs, and the development of appropriate methodologies is built on the groundwork of acquiring and analyzing big datasets. Investigation of the Human Microbiome is providing novel insight on the interrelationship between nutrition, the immune system and disease. Finally, with an advanced definition of the gut-brain-axis we are getting a glimpse into the potential for Nutrition and Brain Health. Various milestones have been achieved, and any look into the future will have to consider the lessons learned from Covid-19 and the sobering awareness about the frailty of our food systems in ensuring global food security. With a view into the coming 5 years from 2020 to 2025, the editorial board has taken a slightly different approach as compared to the previous Goals article. A mind map has been created to outline the key topics in nutrition science. Not surprisingly, when looking ahead, the majority of scientific investigation required will be in the areas of health and sustainability. Johannes le Coutre, Field Chief Editor, Frontiers in Nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Bassaganya-Riera
- Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory (NIMML) Institute, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Elliot M Berry
- Braun School of Public Health, Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ellen E Blaak
- Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Johannes le Coutre
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Willem van Eden
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ahmed El-Sohemy
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J Bruce German
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Dietrich Knorr
- Institute of Food Technology and Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christophe Lacroix
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Muscaritoli
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - David C Nieman
- Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Kannapolis, NC, United States
| | - Michael Rychlik
- Technical University of Munich, Analytical Food Chemistry, Freising, Germany
| | - Andrew Scholey
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mauro Serafini
- Functional Food and Metabolic Stress Prevention Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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7
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Gil C, Ginex T, Maestro I, Nozal V, Barrado-Gil L, Cuesta-Geijo MÁ, Urquiza J, Ramírez D, Alonso C, Campillo NE, Martinez A. COVID-19: Drug Targets and Potential Treatments. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12359-12386. [PMID: 32511912 PMCID: PMC7323060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Currently, humans are immersed in a pandemic caused by the emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which threatens public health worldwide. To date, no drug or vaccine has been approved to treat the severe disease caused by this coronavirus, COVID-19. In this paper, we will focus on the main virus-based and host-based targets that can guide efforts in medicinal chemistry to discover new drugs for this devastating disease. In principle, all CoV enzymes and proteins involved in viral replication and the control of host cellular machineries are potentially druggable targets in the search for therapeutic options for SARS-CoV-2. This Perspective provides an overview of the main targets from a structural point of view, together with reported therapeutic compounds with activity against SARS-CoV-2 and/or other CoVs. Also, the role of innate immune response to coronavirus infection and the related therapeutic options will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tiziana Ginex
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Maestro
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Nozal
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Barrado-Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Cuesta-Geijo
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Urquiza
- Department of Biotechnology,
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y
Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA),
Ctra. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid,
Spain
| | - David Ramírez
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas,
Universidad Autónoma de Chile,
Llano Subercaseaux 2801- piso 6, 7500912 Santiago,
Chile
| | - Covadonga Alonso
- Department of Biotechnology,
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y
Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA),
Ctra. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid,
Spain
| | - Nuria E. Campillo
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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8
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Lérias JR, Paraschoudi G, de Sousa E, Martins J, Condeço C, Figueiredo N, Carvalho C, Dodoo E, Castillo-Martin M, Beltrán A, Ligeiro D, Rao M, Zumla A, Maeurer M. Microbes as Master Immunomodulators: Immunopathology, Cancer and Personalized Immunotherapies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 7:362. [PMID: 32039196 PMCID: PMC6989410 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The intricate interplay between the immune system and microbes is an essential part of the physiological homeostasis in health and disease. Immunological recognition of commensal microbes, such as bacterial species resident in the gut or lung as well as dormant viral species, i.e., cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in combination with a balanced immune regulation, is central to achieve immune-protection. Emerging evidence suggests that immune responses primed to guard against commensal microbes may cause unexpected pathological outcomes, e.g., chronic inflammation and/or malignant transformation. Furthermore, translocation of immune cells from one anatomical compartment to another, i.e., the gut-lung axis via the lymphatics or blood has been identified as an important factor in perpetrating systemic inflammation, tissue destruction, as well as modulating host-protective immune responses. We present in this review immune response patterns to pathogenic as well as non-pathogenic microbes and how these immune-recognition profiles affect local immune responses or malignant transformation. We discuss personalized immunological therapies which, directly or indirectly, target host biological pathways modulated by antimicrobial immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana R. Lérias
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Eric de Sousa
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Martins
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Condeço
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno Figueiredo
- Digestive Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlos Carvalho
- Digestive Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Antonio Beltrán
- Department of Pathology, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dário Ligeiro
- Lisbon Centre for Blood and Transplantation, Instituto Português do Sangue e Transplantação, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Martin Rao
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
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9
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Leber A, Hontecillas R, Zoccoli-Rodriguez V, Ehrich M, Davis J, Chauhan J, Bassaganya-Riera J. Nonclinical Toxicology and Toxicokinetic Profile of an Oral Lanthionine Synthetase C-Like 2 (LANCL2) Agonist, BT-11. Int J Toxicol 2019; 38:96-109. [PMID: 30791754 DOI: 10.1177/1091581819827509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BT-11 is an orally active, gut-restricted investigational therapeutic targeting the lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 pathway with lead indications in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD), 2 manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In 5 mouse models of IBD, BT-11 is effective at oral doses of 8 mg/kg. BT-11 was also efficacious at nanomolar concentrations in primary human samples from patients with UC and CD. BT-11 was tested under Good Laboratory Practice conditions in 90-day repeat-dose general toxicity studies in rats and dogs, toxicokinetics, respiratory, cardiovascular and central nervous system safety pharmacology, and genotoxicity studies. Oral BT-11 did not cause any clinical signs of toxicity, biochemical or hematological changes, or macroscopic or microscopic changes to organs in 90-day repeat-dose toxicity studies in rats and dogs at doses up to 1,000 mg/kg/d. Oral BT-11 resulted in low systemic exposure in both rats (area under the curve exposure from t = 0 to t = 8 hours [AUC0-8] of 216 h × ng/mL) and dogs (650 h × ng/mL) and rapid clearance with an average half-life of 3 hours. BT-11 did not induce changes in respiratory function, electrocardiogram parameters, or behavior with single oral doses of 1,000 mg/kg/d. There was no evidence of mutagenic or genotoxic potential for BT-11 up to tested limit doses using an Ames test, chromosomal aberration assay in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, or micronucleus assay in rats. Therefore, nonclinical studies show BT-11 to be a safe and well-tolerated oral therapeutic with potential as a potent immunometabolic therapy for UC and CD with no-observed adverse effect level >1,000 mg/kg in in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marion Ehrich
- 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jennifer Davis
- 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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10
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Leber A, Hontecillas R, Zoccoli-Rodriguez V, Chauhan J, Bassaganya-Riera J. Oral Treatment with BT-11 Ameliorates Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Enhancing Regulatory T Cell Responses in the Gut. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:2095-2104. [PMID: 30760618 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an expanding autoimmune disease afflicting millions that remains difficult to treat due to the accumulation of multiple immunological changes. BT-11 is an investigational new drug for IBD that is orally active, gut restricted, and targets the lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 immunometabolic pathway. CD25+ FOXP3+ CD4+ T cells are increased locally within the colon of BT-11-treated mice in Citrobacter rodentium and IL-10-/- mouse models of colitis. The maintained efficacy of BT-11 in the absence of IL-10 combined with the loss of efficacy when direct cell-cell interactions are prevented suggest that the regulatory T cell (Treg)-related elements of suppression are cell contact-mediated. When PD-1 is inhibited, both in vitro and in vivo, the efficacy of BT-11 is reduced, validating this assertion. The depletion of CD25+ cells in vivo abrogated the retention of therapeutic efficacy postdiscontinuation of treatment, indicating that Tregs are implicated in the maintenance of tolerance mediated by BT-11. Furthermore, the involvement of CD25 suggested a role of BT-11 in IL-2 signaling. Cotreatment with BT-11 and IL-2 greatly enhances the differentiation of CD25+ FOXP3+ cells from naive CD4+ T cells relative to either alone. BT-11 enhances phosphorylation of STAT5, providing a direct linkage to the regulation of FOXP3 transcription. Notably, when STAT5 is inhibited, the effects of BT-11 on the differentiation of Tregs are blocked. BT-11 effectively enhances the IL-2/STAT5 signaling axis to induce the differentiation and stability of CD25+ FOXP3+ cells in the gastrointestinal mucosa to support immunoregulation and immunological tolerance in IBD.
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Li CC, Wang XJ, Wang HCR. Repurposing host-based therapeutics to control coronavirus and influenza virus. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:726-736. [PMID: 30711575 PMCID: PMC7108273 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drug repositioning is a cost- and time-efficient approach for new indications. Targeting host machineries, used by viruses, could develop broad-spectrum antivirals. Repurposing existing drugs could efficiently identify antiviral agents.
The development of highly effective antiviral agents has been a major objective in virology and pharmaceutics. Drug repositioning has emerged as a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative approach to traditional drug discovery and development. This new shift focuses on the repurposing of clinically approved drugs and promising preclinical drug candidates for the therapeutic development of host-based antiviral agents to control diseases caused by coronavirus and influenza virus. Host-based antiviral agents target host cellular machineries essential for viral infections or innate immune responses to interfere with viral pathogenesis. This review discusses current knowledge, prospective applications and challenges in the repurposing of clinically approved and preclinically studied drugs for newly indicated antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Cui Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| | - Hwa-Chain Robert Wang
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
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