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Choi HS, Choi AY, Kopp JB, Winkler CA, Cho SK. Review of COVID-19 Therapeutics by Mechanism: From Discovery to Approval. J Korean Med Sci 2024; 39:e134. [PMID: 38622939 PMCID: PMC11018982 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e134] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The global research and pharmaceutical community rapidly mobilized to develop treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Existing treatments have been repurposed and new drugs have emerged. Here we summarize mechanisms and clinical trials of COVID-19 therapeutics approved or in development. Two reviewers, working independently, reviewed published data for approved COVID-19 vaccines and drugs, as well as developmental pipelines, using databases from the following organizations: United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Japanese Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), and ClinicalTrials.gov. In all, 387 drugs were found for initial review. After removing unrelated trials and drugs, 66 drugs were selected, including 17 approved drugs and 49 drugs under development. These drugs were classified into six categories: 1) drugs targeting the viral life cycle 2) Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Monoclonal Antibodies, 3) immunomodulators, 4) anti-coagulants, 5) COVID-19-induced neuropathy drugs, and 6) other therapeutics. Among the 49 drugs under development are the following: 6 drugs targeting the viral life cycle, 12 immunosuppression drugs, 2 immunostimulants, 2 HIF-PHD targeting drugs, 3 GM-CSF targeting drugs, 5 anti-coagulants, 2 COVID-19-induced neuropathy drugs, and 17 others. This review provides insight into mechanisms of action, properties, and indications for COVID-19 medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Sun Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - A Young Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jeffrey B Kopp
- Kidney Disease Section, Kidney Diseases, Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cheryl A Winkler
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Sung Kweon Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA.
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2
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Singer M, Torres A, Heinz CC, Weißmüller S, Staus A, Kistner S, Jakubczyk K, Häder T, Langohr P, Wartenberg-Demand A, Schüttrumpf J, Vincent JL, Welte T. The immunomodulating activity of trimodulin (polyvalent IgM, IgA, IgG solution): a post hoc analysis of the phase II CIGMA trial. Crit Care 2023; 27:436. [PMID: 37946226 PMCID: PMC10634136 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04719-9] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phase II CIGMA trial performed in 160 patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) found treatment with trimodulin (human polyvalent immunoglobulin [Ig]: ~ 23% IgM, ~ 21% IgA, ~ 56% IgG) was associated with a lower mortality in those patients with elevated baseline serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or subnormal IgM. METHODS In this post hoc analysis, the pharmacodynamic effects of trimodulin treatment (182.6 mg/kg/day for 5 days) were investigated on Ig replenishment, cellular markers of inflammation (absolute neutrophil [ANC] and lymphocyte [ALC] count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR]), and soluble markers of inflammation (procalcitonin [PCT] and CRP). The impact of these pharmacodynamic effects on mortality was also evaluated. RESULTS Compared with healthy subjects, baseline serum levels of IgM, IgG, and ALC were significantly lower, and ANC, NLR, PCT and CRP significantly higher in sCAP patients (p < 0.0001). Low Ig concentrations increased with trimodulin. Normalization of ANC (analysis of variance [ANOVA] p = 0.016) and PCT (ANOVA p = 0.027) was more rapid with trimodulin compared with placebo. These and other effects were more evident in patients with low baseline IgM levels. Normalization of PCT and CRP levels was both steadier and faster with trimodulin treatment. In patients with low baseline ALC, trimodulin was associated with a lower 28-day all-cause mortality rate (14.5% vs 32.1% in placebo, p = 0.043) and more ventilator-free days ([VFD]; median VFD: 3.5 vs 11 in placebo, p = 0.043). These numerical differences were greater if baseline IgM was also low (low ALC, low IgM: 8.1% mortality vs 34.1% placebo, p = 0.006; 3 VFD vs 15 VFD, p = 0.009, respectively). Results were consistent in patients with high baseline CRP (low ALC, high CRP: 10.9% mortality vs 34.1% placebo, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS This post hoc pharmacodynamic analysis of a blinded phase II trial suggests that trimodulin compensates for, and more rapidly modifies, the dysregulated inflammatory response seen in sCAP patients. Trimodulin was associated with significantly lower mortality and more VFD in subgroups with high CRP and low ALC. This effect was particularly marked in patients who also had low baseline IgM values. These findings require confirmation in prospective trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mervyn Singer
- Division of Medicine, Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Antoni Torres
- Hospital Clínic, Servei de Pneumologia I Allèrgia Respiratòria, Catedràtic de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- IDIBAPS, ICREA, CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Corina C Heinz
- Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303, Dreieich, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Häder
- Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303, Dreieich, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Jean-Louis Vincent
- Department of Intensive Care, Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tobias Welte
- Klinik für Pneumologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Ivanov SM, Tarasova OA, Poroikov VV. Transcriptome-based analysis of human peripheral blood reveals regulators of immune response in different viral infections. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1199482. [PMID: 37795081 PMCID: PMC10546413 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1199482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction There are difficulties in creating direct antiviral drugs for all viruses, including new, suddenly arising infections, such as COVID-19. Therefore, pathogenesis-directed therapy is often necessary to treat severe viral infections and comorbidities associated with them. Despite significant differences in the etiopathogenesis of viral diseases, in general, they are associated with significant dysfunction of the immune system. Study of common mechanisms of immune dysfunction caused by different viral infections can help develop novel therapeutic strategies to combat infections and associated comorbidities. Methods To identify common mechanisms of immune functions disruption during infection by nine different viruses (cytomegalovirus, Ebstein-Barr virus, human T-cell leukemia virus type 1, Hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, Dengue virus, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2), we analyzed the corresponding transcription profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using the originally developed pipeline that include transcriptome data collection, processing, normalization, analysis and search for master regulators of several viral infections. The ten datasets containing transcription data from patients infected by nine viruses and healthy people were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus. The analysis of the data was performed by Genome Enhancer pipeline. Results We revealed common pathways, cellular processes, and master regulators for studied viral infections. We found that all nine viral infections cause immune activation, exhaustion, cell proliferation disruption, and increased susceptibility to apoptosis. Using network analysis, we identified PBMC receptors, representing proteins at the top of signaling pathways that may be responsible for the observed transcriptional changes and maintain the current functional state of cells. Discussion The identified relationships between some of them and virus-induced alteration of immune functions are new and have not been found earlier, e.g., receptors for autocrine motility factor, insulin, prolactin, angiotensin II, and immunoglobulin epsilon. Modulation of the identified receptors can be investigated as one of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of severe viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey M. Ivanov
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Bioinformatics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga A. Tarasova
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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4
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Bohländer F. A new hope? Possibilities of therapeutic IgA antibodies in the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1127339. [PMID: 37051237 PMCID: PMC10083398 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1127339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory lung diseases represent a persistent burden for patients and the global healthcare system. The combination of high morbidity, (partially) high mortality and limited innovations in the last decades, have resulted in a great demand for new therapeutics. Are therapeutic IgA antibodies possibly a new hope in the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases? Current research increasingly unravels the elementary functions of IgA as protector against infections and as modulator of overwhelming inflammation. With a focus on IgA, this review describes the pathological alterations in mucosal immunity and how they contribute to chronic inflammation in the most common inflammatory lung diseases. The current knowledge of IgA functions in the circulation, and particularly in the respiratory mucosa, are summarized. The interplay between neutrophils and IgA seems to be key in control of inflammation. In addition, the hurdles and benefits of therapeutic IgA antibodies, as well as the currently known clinically used IgA preparations are described. The data highlighted here, together with upcoming research strategies aiming at circumventing the current pitfalls in IgA research may pave the way for this promising antibody class in the application of inflammatory lung diseases.
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Li Y, Liu Y, Duo M, Wu R, Jiang T, Li P, Wang Y, Cheng Z. Bioinformatic analysis and preliminary validation of potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19 infection in asthma patients. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:201. [PMID: 36575422 PMCID: PMC9793391 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-01010-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causes coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is also rapidly increasing worldwide, posing a significant challenge to human safety. Asthma is a risk factor for COVID-19, but the underlying molecular mechanisms of the asthma-COVID-19 interaction remain unclear. METHODS We used transcriptome analysis to discover molecular biomarkers common to asthma and COVID-19. Gene Expression Omnibus database RNA-seq datasets (GSE195599 and GSE196822) were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in asthma and COVID-19 patients. After intersecting the differentially expressed mRNAs, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to identify the common pathogenic molecular mechanism. Bioinformatic methods were used to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and identify key genes from the networks. An online database was used to predict interactions between transcription factors and key genes. The differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the GSE195599 and GSE196822 datasets were intersected to construct a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network. Interaction networks were constructed for key genes with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and oxidative stress-related proteins. The diagnostic efficacy of key genes in COVID-19 was verified with the GSE171110 dataset. The differential expression of key genes in asthma was verified with the GSE69683 dataset. An asthma cell model was established with interleukins (IL-4, IL-13 and IL-17A) and transfected with siRNA-CXCR1. The role of CXCR1 in asthma development was preliminarily confirmed. RESULTS By intersecting the differentially expressed genes for COVID-19 and asthma, 393 common DEGs were obtained. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the DEGs showed that they mainly affected inflammation-, cytokine- and immune-related functions and inflammation-related signaling pathways. By analyzing the PPI network, we obtained 10 key genes: TLR4, TLR2, MMP9, EGF, HCK, FCGR2A, SELP, NFKBIA, CXCR1, and SELL. By intersecting the differentially expressed lncRNAs for COVID-19 and asthma, 13 common differentially expressed lncRNAs were obtained. LncRNAs that regulated microRNAs (miRNAs) were mainly concentrated in intercellular signal transduction, apoptosis, immunity and other related functional pathways. The ceRNA network suggested that there were a variety of regulatory miRNAs and lncRNAs upstream of the key genes. The key genes could also bind a variety of RBPs and oxidative stress-related genes. The key genes also had good diagnostic value in the verification set. In the validation set, the expression of key genes was statistically significant in both the COVID-19 group and the asthma group compared with the healthy control group. CXCR1 expression was upregulated in asthma cell models, and interference with CXCR1 expression significantly reduced cell viability. CONCLUSIONS Key genes may become diagnostic and predictive biomarkers of outcomes in COVID-19 and asthma. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Ye Liu
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Mengjie Duo
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Ruhao Wu
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Tianci Jiang
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Pengfei Li
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Yu Wang
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Zhe Cheng
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
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Masso-Silva JA, Sakoulas G, Olay J, Groysberg V, Geriak M, Nizet V, Crotty Alexander LE, Meier A. Abrogation of neutrophil inflammatory pathways and potential reduction of neutrophil-related factors in COVID-19 by intravenous immunoglobulin. Front Immunol 2022; 13:993720. [PMID: 36341409 PMCID: PMC9632428 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.993720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenesis of lung injury in COVID-19 is not completely understood, leaving gaps in understanding how current treatments modulate the course of COVID-19. Neutrophil numbers and activation state in circulation have been found to correlate with COVID-19 severity, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been found in the lung parenchyma of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19. Targeting the pro-inflammatory functions of neutrophils may diminish lung injury in COVID-19 and ARDS. Neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy donors, treated ex vivo with dexamethasone, tocilizumab and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and NET formation, oxidative burst, and phagocytosis were assessed. Plasma from critically ill COVID-19 patients before and after clinical treatment with IVIG and from healthy donors was assessed for neutrophil activation-related proteins. While dexamethasone and tocilizumab did not affect PMA- and nigericin-induced NET production ex vivo, IVIG induced a dose-dependent abrogation of NET production in both activation models. IVIG also reduced PMA-elicited reactive oxygen species production, but did not alter phagocytosis. COVID-19 patients were found to have elevated levels of cell-free DNA, neutrophil elastase and IL-8 as compared to healthy controls. Levels of both cell-free DNA and neutrophil elastase were lower 5 days after 4 days of daily treatment with IVIG. The lack of impact of dexamethasone or tocilizumab on these neutrophil functions suggests that these therapeutic agents may not act through suppression of neutrophil functions, indicating that the door might still be open for the addition of a neutrophil modulator to the COVID-19 therapeutic repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Adrian Masso-Silva
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - George Sakoulas
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Jarod Olay
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Victoria Groysberg
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California (UC) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Matthew Geriak
- Department of Research, Sharp Healthcare, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Victor Nizet
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California (UC) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California (UC) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Laura E. Crotty Alexander
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Physiology, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Angela Meier
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care, UCSD, La Jolla, CA, United States
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López-Martínez R, Albaiceta GM, Amado-Rodríguez L, Cuesta-Llavona E, Gómez J, García-Clemente M, Vázquez-Coto D, Alvarez V, Coto E. The FCGR2Ars1801274 polymorphism was associated with the risk of death among COVID-19 patients. Clin Immunol 2022; 236:108954. [PMID: 35149195 PMCID: PMC8824710 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.108954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Polymorphisms of Fcγ receptors have been associated with variable responses to infections. We determined the association of functional polymorphisms rs1801274 in the FCGR2A and rs396991 in the FCGR3A with COVID-19 severity. This study involved 453 patients with severe COVID-19, in which the FCGR2A rs1801274 G-allele (131-Arg) was significantly associated with death (p = 0.02, OR = 1.47). This effect was independent of age and increased IL6 and D-Dimer levels. This study suggests that the FCGR2A gene might be associated with the risk of death among COVID-19 patients. Our study has several limitations, mainly the limited number of patients and the inclusion of a single population. It is thus necessary to confirm this result in larger cohorts from different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillermo M Albaiceta
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Cardiológicos, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado deAsturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain; Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; CIBER-Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Laura Amado-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Cardiológicos, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado deAsturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain; CIBER-Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Elías Cuesta-Llavona
- Genética Molecular, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado deAsturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan Gómez
- Genética Molecular, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado deAsturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Marta García-Clemente
- Neumología, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado deAsturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Victoria Alvarez
- Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado deAsturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eliecer Coto
- Genética Molecular, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado deAsturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain; Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
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Zhang J, Zhang H, Sun L. Therapeutic antibodies for COVID-19: is a new age of IgM, IgA and bispecific antibodies coming? MAbs 2022; 14:2031483. [PMID: 35220888 PMCID: PMC8890389 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2022.2031483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Early humoral immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are dominated by IgM and IgA antibodies, which greatly contribute to virus neutralization at mucosal sites. Given the essential roles of IgM and IgA in the control and elimination of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the mucosal immunity could be exploited for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. However, almost all neutralizing antibodies that are authorized for emergency use and under clinical development are IgG antibodies, and no vaccine has been developed to boost mucosal immunity for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition to IgM and IgA, bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) combine specificities of two antibodies in one molecule, representing an important alternative to monoclonal antibody cocktails. Here, we summarize the latest advances in studies on IgM, IgA and bsAbs against SARS-CoV-2. The current challenges and future directions in vaccine design and antibody-based therapeutics are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Pathogens and Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107China
| | - Han Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China, 650118
| | - Litao Sun
- Department of Pathogens and Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107China
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Wiebe F, Handtke S, Wesche J, Schnarre A, Palankar R, Wolff M, Jahn K, Voß F, Weißmüller S, Schüttrumpf J, Greinacher A, Hammerschmidt S. Polyvalent immunoglobulin preparations inhibit pneumolysin-induced platelet destruction. Thromb Haemost 2021; 122:1147-1158. [PMID: 34918314 PMCID: PMC9385248 DOI: 10.1055/a-1723-1880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Platelets play an important role in the development and progression of respiratory distress. Functional platelets are known to seal inflammatory endothelial gaps and loss of platelet function has been shown to result in loss of integrity of pulmonary vessels. This leads to fluid accumulation in the pulmonary interstitium, eventually resulting in respiratory distress.
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is one of the major pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia. Previously, we have shown that its major toxin pneumolysin forms pores in platelet membranes and renders them nonfunctional. In vitro, this process was inhibited by polyvalent intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs). In this study, we compared the efficacy of a standard IVIG preparation (IVIG, 98% immunoglobulin G [IgG]; Privigen, CSL Behring, United States) and an IgM/IgA-enriched immunoglobulin preparation (21% IgA, 23% IgM, 56% IgG; trimodulin, Biotest AG, Germany) to inhibit pneumolysin-induced platelet destruction. Platelet destruction and functionality were assessed by flow cytometry, intracellular calcium release, aggregometry, platelet viability, transwell, and flow chamber assays. Overall, both immunoglobulin preparations efficiently inhibited pneumolysin-induced platelet destruction. The capacity to antagonize pneumolysin mainly depended on the final IgG content. As both polyvalent immunoglobulin preparations efficiently prevent pneumolysin-induced platelet destruction and maintain platelet function in vitro, they represent promising candidates for clinical studies on supportive treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia to reduce progression of respiratory distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Wiebe
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan Handtke
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Wesche
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Annabel Schnarre
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Raghavendra Palankar
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martina Wolff
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kristin Jahn
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Universität Greifswald Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Franziska Voß
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Universität Greifswald Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Schüttrumpf
- Department of Research & Development, Biotest AG, Dreieich, Germany
| | - Andreas Greinacher
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Universität Greifswald Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Greifswald, Germany
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10
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Bohländer F, Weißmüller S, Riehl D, Gutscher M, Schüttrumpf J, Faust S. The Functional Role of IgA in the IgM/IgA-Enriched Immunoglobulin Preparation Trimodulin. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1828. [PMID: 34944644 PMCID: PMC8698729 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In comparison to human immunoglobulin (Ig) G, antibodies of IgA class are not well investigated. In line with this, the functional role of the IgA component in IgM/IgA-enriched immunoglobulin preparations is also largely unknown. In recent years, powerful anti-pathogenic and immunomodulatory properties of human serum IgA especially on neutrophil function were unraveled. Therefore, the aim of our work is to investigate functional aspects of the trimodulin IgA component, a new plasma-derived polyvalent immunoglobulin preparation containing ~56% IgG, ~23% IgM and ~21% IgA. The functional role of IgA was investigated by analyzing the interaction of IgA with FcαRI, comparing trimodulin with standard intravenous IgG (IVIG) preparation and investigating Fc receptor (FcR)-dependent functions by excluding IgM-mediated effects. Trimodulin demonstrated potent immunomodulatory, as well as anti-pathogenic effects in our neutrophil model (neutrophil-like HL-60 cells). The IgA component of trimodulin was shown to induce a strong FcαRI-dependent inhibitory immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAMi) signaling, counteract lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and mediate phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus. The fine-tuned balance between immunomodulatory and anti-pathogenic effects of trimodulin were shown to be dose-dependent. Summarized, our data demonstrate the functional role of IgA in trimodulin, highlighting the importance of this immunoglobulin class in immunoglobulin therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bohländer
- Department of Analytical Development and Validation, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany; (F.B.); (D.R.); (M.G.)
| | - Sabrina Weißmüller
- Department of Translational Research, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany;
| | - Dennis Riehl
- Department of Analytical Development and Validation, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany; (F.B.); (D.R.); (M.G.)
| | - Marcus Gutscher
- Department of Analytical Development and Validation, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany; (F.B.); (D.R.); (M.G.)
| | - Jörg Schüttrumpf
- Corporate R&D, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany;
| | - Stefanie Faust
- Department of Analytical Development and Validation, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany; (F.B.); (D.R.); (M.G.)
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Schmidt C, Weißmüller S, Bohländer F, Germer M, König M, Staus A, Wartenberg-Demand A, Heinz CC, Schüttrumpf J. The Dual Role of a Polyvalent IgM/IgA-Enriched Immunoglobulin Preparation in Activating and Inhibiting the Complement System. Biomedicines 2021; 9:817. [PMID: 34356880 PMCID: PMC8301464 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the complement system is important for efficient clearance of a wide variety of pathogens via opsonophagocytosis, or by direct lysis via complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). However, in severe infections dysregulation of the complement system contributes to hyperinflammation. The influence of the novel IgM/IgA-enriched immunoglobulin preparation trimodulin on the complement pathway was investigated in in vitro opsonophagocytosis, binding and CDC assays. Immunoglobulin levels before and after trimodulin treatment were placed in relation to complement assessments in humans. In vitro, trimodulin activates complement and induces opsonophagocytosis, but also interacts with opsonins C3b, C4b and anaphylatoxin C5a in a concentration-dependent manner. This was not observed for standard intravenous IgG preparation (IVIg). Accordingly, trimodulin, but not IVIg, inhibited the downstream CDC pathway and target cell lysis. If applied at a similar concentration range in healthy subjects, trimodulin treatment resulted in C3 and C4 consumption in a concentration-dependent manner, which was extended in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia. Complement consumption is found to be dependent on underlying immunoglobulin levels, particularly IgM, pinpointing their regulative function in humans. IgM/IgA provide a balancing effect on the complement system. Trimodulin may enhance phagocytosis and opsonophagocytosis in patients with severe infections and prevent excessive pathogen lysis and release of harmful anaphylatoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Schmidt
- Department of Translational Research, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany; (C.S.); (M.K.)
| | - Sabrina Weißmüller
- Department of Translational Research, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany; (C.S.); (M.K.)
| | - Fabian Bohländer
- Department of Analytical Development and Validation, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany;
| | - Matthias Germer
- Preclinical Research, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany;
| | - Martin König
- Department of Translational Research, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany; (C.S.); (M.K.)
| | - Alexander Staus
- Corporate Biostatistics, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany;
| | - Andrea Wartenberg-Demand
- Corporate Clinical Research & Development, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany;
| | - Corina C. Heinz
- Clinical Strategy & Development, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany;
| | - Jörg Schüttrumpf
- Corporate R&D, Biotest AG, Landsteinerstraße 5, 63303 Dreieich, Germany;
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