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Haynes JR, Whitmore CA, Behof WJ, Landman CA, Ong HH, Feld AP, Suero IC, Greer CB, Gore JC, Wijesinghe P, Matsubara JA, Wadzinski BE, Spiller BW, Pham W. Targeting soluble amyloid-beta oligomers with a novel nanobody. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16086. [PMID: 38992064 PMCID: PMC11239946 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66970-6] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The classical amyloid cascade hypothesis postulates that the aggregation of amyloid plaques and the accumulation of intracellular hyperphosphorylated Tau tangles, together, lead to profound neuronal death. However, emerging research has demonstrated that soluble amyloid-β oligomers (SAβOs) accumulate early, prior to amyloid plaque formation. SAβOs induce memory impairment and disrupt cognitive function independent of amyloid-β plaques, and even in the absence of plaque formation. This work describes the development and characterization of a novel anti-SAβO (E3) nanobody generated from an alpaca immunized with SAβO. In-vitro assays and in-vivo studies using 5XFAD mice indicate that the fluorescein (FAM)-labeled E3 nanobody recognizes both SAβOs and amyloid-β plaques. The E3 nanobody traverses across the blood-brain barrier and binds to amyloid species in the brain of 5XFAD mice. Imaging of mouse brains reveals that SAβO and amyloid-β plaques are not only different in size, shape, and morphology, but also have a distinct spatial distribution in the brain. SAβOs are associated with neurons, while amyloid plaques reside in the extracellular matrix. The results of this study demonstrate that the SAβO nanobody can serve as a diagnostic agent with potential theragnostic applications in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R Haynes
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Clayton A Whitmore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - William J Behof
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Charlotte A Landman
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Henry H Ong
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Andrew P Feld
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Isabelle C Suero
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Celeste B Greer
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - John C Gore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Printha Wijesinghe
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z3N9, Canada
| | - Joanne A Matsubara
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z3N9, Canada
| | - Brian E Wadzinski
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Benjamin W Spiller
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
| | - Wellington Pham
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA.
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Ruttenberg SM, Nowick JS. A turn for the worse: Aβ β-hairpins in Alzheimer's disease. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 105:117715. [PMID: 38615460 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117715] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers are a cause of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). These soluble aggregates of the Aβ peptide have proven difficult to study due to their inherent metastability and heterogeneity. Strategies to isolate and stabilize homogenous Aβ oligomer populations have emerged such as mutations, covalent cross-linking, and protein fusions. These strategies along with molecular dynamics simulations have provided a variety of proposed structures of Aβ oligomers, many of which consist of molecules of Aβ in β-hairpin conformations. β-Hairpins are intramolecular antiparallel β-sheets composed of two β-strands connected by a loop or turn. Three decades of research suggests that Aβ peptides form several different β-hairpin conformations, some of which are building blocks of toxic Aβ oligomers. The insights from these studies are currently being used to design anti-Aβ antibodies and vaccines to treat AD. Research suggests that antibody therapies designed to target oligomeric Aβ may be more successful at treating AD than antibodies designed to target linear epitopes of Aβ or fibrillar Aβ. Aβ β-hairpins are good epitopes to use in antibody development to selectively target oligomeric Aβ. This review summarizes the research on β-hairpins in Aβ peptides and discusses the relevance of this conformation in AD pathogenesis and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Ruttenberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, United States
| | - James S Nowick
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, United States.
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3
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Haynes JR, Whitmore CA, Behof WJ, Landman CA, Ong HH, Feld AP, Suero IC, Greer CB, Gore JC, Wijesinghe P, Matsubara JA, Wadzinski BE, Spiller BW, Pham W. TARGETING SOLUBLE AMYLOID-BETA OLIGOMERS WITH A NOVEL NANOBODY. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3944211. [PMID: 38559050 PMCID: PMC10980145 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3944211/v1] [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
The classical amyloid cascade hypothesis postulates that the aggregation of amyloid plaques and the accumulation of intracellular hyperphosphorylated Tau tangles, together, lead to profound neuronal death. However, emerging research has demonstrated that soluble amyloid-β oligomers (SAβOs) accumulate early, prior to amyloid plaque formation. SAβOs induce memory impairment and disrupt cognitive function independent of amyloid-β plaques, and even in the absence of plaque formation. This work describes the development and characterization of a novel anti-SAβO (E3) nanobody generated from an alpaca immunized with SAβO. In-vitro assays and in-vivo studies using 5XFAD mice indicate that the fluorescein (FAM)-labeled E3 nanobody recognizes both SAβOs and amyloid-β plaques. The E3 nanobody traverses across the blood-brain barrier and binds to amyloid species in the brain of 5XFAD mice. Imaging of mouse brains reveals that SAβO and amyloid-β plaques are not only different in size, shape, and morphology, but also have a distinct spatial distribution in the brain. SAβOs are associated with neurons, while amyloid plaques reside in the extracellular matrix. The results of this study demonstrate that the SAβO nanobody can serve as a diagnostic agent with potential theragnostic applications in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R. Haynes
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Clayton A. Whitmore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - William J. Behof
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Charlotte A. Landman
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Henry H. Ong
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew P. Feld
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Isabelle C. Suero
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Celeste B. Greer
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - John C. Gore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Printha Wijesinghe
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z3N9, Canada
| | - Joanne A. Matsubara
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z3N9, Canada
| | - Brian E. Wadzinski
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Benjamin W. Spiller
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Wellington Pham
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
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Fassler M, Benaim C, George J. A Single Chain Fragment Variant Binding Misfolded Alpha-Synuclein Exhibits Neuroprotective and Antigen-Specific Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233822. [PMID: 36497081 PMCID: PMC9739179 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alpha synuclein (αSyn) misfolding plays a requisite role in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies. Direct toxicity to neurons, triggering neuroinflammation as well as the spreading and seeding of αSyn pathology are essential pathogenetic underlying mechanisms. Immunotherapy in experimental Parkinson's disease (PD) has been shown to be consistently effective in preclinical models, yet the initial clinical trials with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) yielded marginal results if any. Aiming to overcome some of the limitation of this approach, we aimed to select an αSyn binding scFv antibody format and test it in multiple experimental PD in vivo models. METHODS We cloned the lead αSyn scFv based on preselection of human phage display libraries of human Fab. The selected of scFv targeting both oligomers and pre-formed fibrils (PFF) of αSyn were tested for their ability to protect neurons from triggered toxicity, influence their uptake to microglia, and accelerate misfolded αSyn degradation. The lead scFv- sMB08, was also tested for its ability to impact αSyn aggregation as well as spreading and seeding. RESULTS sMB08 was shown to protect neurons from misfolded αSyn mediated toxicity, promote its intracellular degradation, and to reduce its uptake by microglia. sMB08 exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, including its ability to attenuate adaptive αSyn autoimmunity and ameliorate proinflammatory cytokine expression in brains of mice stereotactically injected with PFF. Employing three experimental models of PD, intranasal treatment with sMB08 attenuated motoric dysfunction and achieved acceptable brain levels by pharmacokinetic analysis, leading to significant preservation of dopaminergic n neurons. CONCLUSION sMB08, a scFv targeting both αSyn oligomers and PFF, due to its small size facilitating paraneural brain penetration and avoidance of nonspecific inflammation, appears as an attractive approach to test in patients with PD by addressing the major mechanisms that mediate misfolded αSyn driven pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fassler
- Heart Center, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot 76100, Israel
- Cognyxx Ltd., Tel Aviv 6578317, Israel
| | - Clara Benaim
- Heart Center, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot 76100, Israel
- Cognyxx Ltd., Tel Aviv 6578317, Israel
| | - Jacob George
- Heart Center, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot 76100, Israel
- Cognyxx Ltd., Tel Aviv 6578317, Israel
- Correspondence: or
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Song C, Zhang T, Zhang Y. Conformational Essentials Responsible for Neurotoxicity of Aβ42 Aggregates Revealed by Antibodies against Oligomeric Aβ42. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27196751. [PMID: 36235284 PMCID: PMC9570743 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Soluble aggregation of amyloid β-peptide 1-42 (Aβ42) and deposition of Aβ42 aggregates are the initial pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The bipolar nature of Aβ42 molecule results in its ability to assemble into distinct oligomers and higher aggregates, which may drive some of the phenotypic heterogeneity observed in AD. Agents targeting Aβ42 or its aggregates, such as anti-Aβ42 antibodies, can inhibit the aggregation of Aβ42 and toxicity of Aβ42 aggregates to neural cells to a certain extent. However, the epitope specificity of an antibody affects its binding affinity for different Aβ42 species. Different antibodies target different sites on Aβ42 and thus elicit different neuroprotective or cytoprotective effects. In the present review, we summarize significant information reflected by anti-Aβ42 antibodies in different immunotherapies and propose an overview of the structure (conformation)-toxicity relationship of Aβ42 aggregates. This review aimed to provide a reference for the directional design of antibodies against the most pathogenic conformation of Aβ42 aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuli Song
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Yingjiu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
- School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
- Correspondence:
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6
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Wang J, Guo C, Meng Z, Zwan MD, Chen X, Seelow S, Lundström SL, Rodin S, Teunissen CE, Zubarev RA. Testing the link between isoaspartate and Alzheimer's disease etiology. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 19:1491-1502. [PMID: 35924765 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12735] [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: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Isoaspartate (isoAsp) is a damaging amino acid residue formed in proteins as a result of spontaneous deamidation. IsoAsp disrupts protein structures, making them prone to aggregation. Here we strengthened the link between isoAsp and Alzheimer's disease (AD) by novel approaches to isoAsp analysis in human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant blood protein and a major carrier of amyloid beta (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in blood. We discovered a reduced amount of anti-isoAsp antibodies (P < 0.0001), an elevated isoAsp level in HSA (P < 0.001), more HSA aggregates (P < 0.0001), and increased levels of free Aβ (P < 0.01) in AD blood compared to controls. We also found that deamidation significantly reduces HSA capacity to bind with Aβ and p-tau (P < 0.05). These suggest the presence in AD of a bottleneck in clearance of Aβ and p-tau, leading to their increased concentrations in the brain and facilitating their aggregations there.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jijing Wang
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cong Guo
- Department of Physics and International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaowei Meng
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marissa D Zwan
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Physics and International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sven Seelow
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susanna L Lundström
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sergey Rodin
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roman A Zubarev
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Department of Pharmacological & Technological Chemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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7
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Seifert O, Kontermann RE. GlycoTAIL and FlexiTAIL as Half-Life Extension Modules for Recombinant Antibody Fragments. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27103272. [PMID: 35630749 PMCID: PMC9143431 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103272] [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: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many therapeutic proteins are small in size and are rapidly cleared from circulation. Consequently, half-life extension strategies have emerged to improve pharmacokinetic properties, including fusion or binding to long-lasting serum proteins, chemical modifications with hydrophilic polymers such as PEGylation, or, more recently, fusion to PEG mimetic polypeptides. In the present study, two different PEG mimetic approaches, the GlycoTAIL and the FlexiTAIL, were applied to increase the hydrodynamic radius of antibody fragments of different sizes and valencies, including scFv, diabody, and scFv-EHD2 fusion proteins. The GlycoTAIL and FlexiTAIL sequences of varying lengths are composed of aliphatic and hydrophilic residues, with the GlycoTAIL furthermore comprising N-glycosylation sites. All modified proteins could be produced in a mammalian expression system without reducing stability and antigen binding, and all modified proteins exhibited a prolonged half-life and increased drug disposition in mice. The strongest effects were observed for proteins comprising a FlexiTAIL of 248 residues. Thus, the GlycoTAIL and FlexiTAIL sequences represent a flexible and modular system to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Seifert
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany;
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology (SRCSB), University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Roland E. Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany;
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology (SRCSB), University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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8
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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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9
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Gettemans J. Site-Specific Fluorescent Labeling, Single-Step Immunocytochemistry, and Delivery of Nanobodies into Living Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2446:373-393. [PMID: 35157284 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2075-5_19] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The smallest natural antibody fragments currently available are single-domain antibodies obtained from camelid species and sharks (variable new antigen receptors). These molecules consist of a single amino acid chain of ~120 amino acids that adopts a typical immunoglobulin fold. Single-domain antibodies (nanobodies) are monovalent and can be isolated from immunized animals, from naïve libraries, or from synthetic libraries. Importantly, their complete DNA sequences are readily obtained by default, which greatly facilitates their rapid manipulation for various applications. Here, a PCR-based protocol for inserting a sortase A recognition sequence at the carboxy-terminus of a nanobody is described. Subsequently, a sortase A-catalyzed biochemical reaction results in tagging of the nanobody with a short carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence that carries a non-canonical residue (propargyl glycine). This allows click chemistry to be performed with an azido-derivatized fluorophore, with the ensuing fluorescent nanobody being covalently and site-specifically labeled. The labeled nanobody can be used directly for immunocytochemistry, omitting the classical secondary antibody step. Also described are methods for delivery of fluorescent nanobodies into the cytoplasm of mammalian cells by photoporation, a very low-toxicity approach involving laser light and graphene quantum dots. The combined protocol embodies a novel route for studying protein function in living cells at high resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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10
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Sun ZT, Ma C, Li GJ, Zheng XY, Hao YT, Yang Y, Wang X. Application of Antibody Fragments Against Aβ With Emphasis on Combined Application With Nanoparticles in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:654611. [PMID: 33967797 PMCID: PMC8100690 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.654611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases and accumulating evidences suggest a key role of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in the pathogenesis of AD. According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, the imbalance of producing and clearing Aβ is the beginning of neurodegeneration and dementia. Consequently, immunotherapy becomes popular through using antibodies against Aβ. However, many studies of monoclonal antibodies were stopped because adverse effects appeared or there were no evident benefits observed. Some antibody fragments have many advantages over monoclonal antibodies, such as small sizes, lack of the crystallizable fraction (Fc) and so on. There are three main antibody fragments, including single chain variable fragments (scFvs), Fab fragments and single-domain antibody fragments. Nanoparticles can facilitate the entry of drug molecules across the blood-brain barrier, making them become excellent carriers. Various kinds of nanoparticles have been applied in the treatment of AD. The combination of nanoparticles and antibody fragments against amyloid-β can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In this review, we summarize the progress of antibody fragments against amyloid-β in AD, focusing on the combined application with nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ting Sun
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chi Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guang-Jian Li
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Zheng
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi-Tong Hao
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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