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Heiss J, Grün K, Singerer I, Tempel L, Matasci M, Jung C, Pfeil A, Schulze PC, Neri D, Franz M. Expression of Inflammatory Genes in Murine Lungs in a Model of Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension: Effects of an Antibody-Based Targeted Delivery of Interleukin-9. Adv Respir Med 2024; 92:27-35. [PMID: 38247549 PMCID: PMC10801467 DOI: 10.3390/arm92010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifactorial process driven by inflammation and pulmonary vascular remodeling. To target these two aspects of PH, we recently tested a novel treatment: Interleukin-9 (IL9) fused to F8, an antibody that binds to the extra-domain A of fibronectin (EDA+ Fn). As EDA+ Fn is not found in healthy adult tissue but is expressed during PH, IL9 is delivered specifically to the tissue affected by PH. We found that F8IL9 reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling and attenuated PH compared with sham-treated mice. PURPOSE To evaluate possible F8IL9 effects on PH-associated inflammatory processes, we analysed the expression of genes involved in pulmonary immune responses. METHODS We applied the monocrotaline (MCT) model of PH in mice (n = 44). Animals were divided into five experimental groups: sham-induced animals without PH (control, n = 4), MCT-induced PH without treatment (PH, n = 8), dual endothelin receptor antagonist treatment (dual ERA, n = 8), F8IL9 treatment (n = 12, 2 formats with n = 6 each), or with KSFIL9 treatment (KSFIL9, n = 12, 2 formats with n = 6 each, KSF: control antibody with irrelevant antigen specificity). After 28 days, a RT-PCR gene expression analysis of inflammatory response (84 genes) was performed in the lung. RESULTS Compared with the controls, 19 genes exhibited relevant (+2.5-fold) upregulation in the PH group without treatment. Gene expression levels in F8IL9-treated lung tissue were reduced compared to the PH group without treatment. This was the case especially for CCL20, CXCL5, C-reactive protein, pentraxin related (CRPPR), and Kininogen-1 (KNG1). CONCLUSION In accordance with the hypothesis stated above, F8IL9 treatment diminished the upregulation of some genes associated with inflammation in a PH animal model. Therefore, we hypothesize that IL9-based immunocytokine treatment will likely modulate various inflammatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Heiss
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (J.H.); (K.G.); (I.S.); (L.T.); (P.C.S.)
- Else Kröner Graduate School for Medical Students “JSAM”, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Katja Grün
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (J.H.); (K.G.); (I.S.); (L.T.); (P.C.S.)
| | - Isabell Singerer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (J.H.); (K.G.); (I.S.); (L.T.); (P.C.S.)
| | - Laura Tempel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (J.H.); (K.G.); (I.S.); (L.T.); (P.C.S.)
| | | | - Christian Jung
- Medical Faculty, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Pfeil
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - P. Christian Schulze
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (J.H.); (K.G.); (I.S.); (L.T.); (P.C.S.)
| | - Dario Neri
- Philochem AG, 8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (M.M.)
| | - Marcus Franz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (J.H.); (K.G.); (I.S.); (L.T.); (P.C.S.)
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Heiss J, Grün K, Tempel L, Matasci M, Schrepper A, Schwarzer M, Bauer R, Förster M, Berndt A, Jung C, Schulze PC, Neri D, Franz M. Targeted Interleukin-9 delivery in pulmonary hypertension: Comparison of immunocytokine formats and effector cell study. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e13907. [PMID: 36377348 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is accompanied by pulmonary vascular remodelling. By targeted delivery of Interleukin-9 (IL9) via the immunocytokine F8IL9, beneficial effects could be demonstrated in a mouse model of PH. This study aimed to compare two immunocytokine formats (single-chain Fv and full IgG) and to identify potential target cells of IL9. METHODS The Monocrotaline mouse model of PH (PH, n = 12) was chosen to evaluate the treatment effects of F8IL9F8 (n = 12) and F8IgGIL9 (n = 6) compared with sham-induced animals (control, n = 10), the dual endothelin receptor antagonist Macitentan (MAC, n = 12) or IL9-based immunocytokines with irrelevant antigen specificity (KSFIL9KSF, n = 12; KSFIgGIL9 n = 6). Besides comparative validation of treatment effects, the study was focused on the detection and quantification of mast cells (MCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). RESULTS There was a significantly elevated systolic right ventricular pressure (104 ± 36 vs. 45 ± 17 mmHg) and an impairment of right ventricular echocardiographic parameters (RVbasal: 2.52 ± 0.25 vs. 1.94 ± 0.13 mm) in untreated PH compared with controls (p < 0.05). Only the groups treated with F8IL9, irrespective of the format, showed consistent beneficial effects (p < 0.05). Moreover, F8IL9F8 but not F8IgGIL9 treatment significantly reduced lung tissue damage compared with untreated PH mice (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in Tregs in F8IL9-treated compared with control animals, the untreated PH and the MAC group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Beneficial treatment effects of targeted IL9 delivery in a preclinical model of PH could be convincingly validated. IL9-mediated recruitment of Tregs into lung tissue might play a crucial role in the induction of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative mechanisms potentially contributing to a novel disease-modifying concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Heiss
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany.,Else Kröner Graduate School for Medical Students "JSAM", Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Katja Grün
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Laura Tempel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Andrea Schrepper
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Schwarzer
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Reinhard Bauer
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Förster
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Berndt
- Section Pathology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Jung
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Marcus Franz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
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Rybchenko VS, Aliev TK, Panina AA, Kirpichnikov MP, Dolgikh DA. Targeted Cytokine Delivery for Cancer Treatment: Engineering and Biological Effects. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020336. [PMID: 36839658 PMCID: PMC9960319 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-tumor properties of several cytokines have already been investigated in multiple experiments and clinical trials. However, those studies evidenced substantial toxicities, even at low cytokine doses, and the lack of tumor specificity. These factors significantly limit clinical applications. Due to their high specificity and affinity, tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies or their antigen-binding fragments are capable of delivering fused cytokines to tumors and, therefore, of decreasing the number and severity of side effects, as well as of enhancing the therapeutic index. The present review surveys the actual antibody-cytokine fusion protein (immunocytokine) formats, their targets, mechanisms of action, and anti-tumor and other biological effects. Special attention is paid to the formats designed to prevent the off-target cytokine-receptor interactions, potentially inducing side effects. Here, we describe preclinical and clinical data and the efficacy of the antibody-mediated cytokine delivery approach, either as a single therapy or in combination with other agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav S Rybchenko
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Teimur K Aliev
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Panina
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail P Kirpichnikov
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Dolgikh
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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Yélamos J. Current innovative engineered antibodies. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 369:1-43. [PMID: 35777861 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Antibody engineering has developed very intensively since the invention of the hybridoma technology in 1975, and it now can generate therapeutic agents with high specificity and reduced adverse effects. Indeed, antibodies have become one of the most innovative therapeutic agents in recent years, with some landing in the top 10 bestselling pharmaceutical drugs. New antibodies are being approved every year, in different formats and for treating various illnesses, including cancer, autoimmune inflammatory diseases, metabolic diseases and infectious diseases. In this review, I summarize current progress in innovative engineered antibodies. Overall, this progress has led to the approval by regulatory authorities of more than 100 antibody-based molecules, with many others at various stages of clinical development, indicating the high growth potential of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Yélamos
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Unidad Asociada IIBB-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
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Zhu YC, Liang B, Gu N. Cellular and Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Ventricular Remodeling. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:753095. [PMID: 34926607 PMCID: PMC8671630 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.753095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ventricular remodeling is related to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, immune system, and various cytokines involved in inflammation, apoptosis, and cell signal regulation. Accumulated studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can significantly inhibit the process of ventricular remodeling, which may be related to the mechanism mentioned above. Here, we conducted a system overview to critically review the cellular and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine on ventricular remodeling. We mainly searched PubMed for basic research about the anti-ventricular remodeling of traditional Chinese medicine in 5 recent years, and then objectively summarized these researches. We included more than 25 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines including Qi-Li-Qian-Xin, Qi-Shen-Yi-Qi Pill, Xin-Ji-Er-Kang Formula, and Yi-Qi-Wen-Yang Decoction, and found that they can inhibit ventricular remodeling effectively through multi-components and multi-action targets, which are promoting the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Chun Zhu
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Liang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Gu
- Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Engineered antibody fusion proteins for targeted disease therapy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:1064-1081. [PMID: 34706833 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Since the FDA approval of the first therapeutic antibody 35 years ago, antibody-based products have gained prominence in the pharmaceutical market. Building on the early successes of monoclonal antibodies, more recent efforts have capitalized on the exquisite specificity and/or favorable pharmacokinetic properties of antibodies by developing fusion proteins that enable targeted delivery of therapeutic payloads which are otherwise ineffective when administered systemically. This review focuses on recent engineering and translational advances for therapeutics that genetically fuse antibodies to disease-relevant payloads, including cytokines, toxins, enzymes, neuroprotective agents, and soluble factor traps. With numerous antibody fusion proteins in the clinic and other innovative molecules poised to follow suit, these potent, multifunctional drug candidates promise to be a major player in the therapeutic development landscape for years to come.
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Yao X, Jing T, Wang T, Gu C, Chen X, Chen F, Feng H, Zhao H, Chen D, Ma W. Molecular Characterization and Elucidation of Pathways to Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Front Physiol 2021; 12:694702. [PMID: 34366885 PMCID: PMC8346036 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.694702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening chronic cardiopulmonary disease. However, there are limited studies reflecting the available biomarkers from separate gene expression profiles in PAH. This study explored two microarray datasets by an integrative analysis to estimate the molecular signatures in PAH. Methods: Two microarray datasets (GSE53408 and GSE113439) were exploited to compare lung tissue transcriptomes of patients and controls with PAH and to estimate differentially expressed genes (DEGs). According to common DEGs of datasets, gene and protein overrepresentation analyses, protein-protein interactions (PPIs), DEG-transcription factor (TF) interactions, DEG-microRNA (miRNA) interactions, drug-target protein interactions, and protein subcellular localizations were conducted in this study. Results: We obtained 38 common DEGs for these two datasets. Integration of the genome transcriptome datasets with biomolecular interactions revealed hub genes (HSP90AA1, ANGPT2, HSPD1, HSPH1, TTN, SPP1, SMC4, EEA1, and DKC1), TFs (FOXC1, FOXL1, GATA2, YY1, and SRF), and miRNAs (hsa-mir-17-5p, hsa-mir-26b-5p, hsa-mir-122-5p, hsa-mir-20a-5p, and hsa-mir-106b-5p). Protein-drug interactions indicated that two compounds, namely, nedocromil and SNX-5422, affect the identification of PAH candidate biomolecules. Moreover, the molecular signatures were mostly localized in the extracellular and nuclear areas. Conclusions: In conclusion, several lung tissue-derived molecular signatures, highlighted in this study, might serve as novel evidence for elucidating the essential mechanisms of PAH. The potential drugs associated with these molecules could thus contribute to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to ameliorate PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Tian Jing
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Tianxing Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Chenxin Gu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Xi Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Fengqiang Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Hao Feng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Huiying Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Dekun Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Wentao Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
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Serum Liberation of Fetal Fibronectin Variants in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: ED-A + Fn as Promising Novel Biomarker of Pulmonary Vascular and Right Ventricular Myocardial Remodeling. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10122559. [PMID: 34207881 PMCID: PMC8229629 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10122559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) represents an aetiologically and clinically heterogeneous disorder accompanied by a severely impaired prognosis. Key steps of PH pathogenesis are vascular and right ventricular myocardial remodelling entailing the re-occurrence of fetal variants of the cell adhesion modulating protein fibronectin (Fn) being virtually absent in healthy adult tissues. These variants are liberated into circulation and are therefore qualified as excellent novel serum biomarkers. Moreover, these molecules might serve as promising therapeutic targets. The current study was aimed at quantifying the serum levels of two functionally important fetal Fn variants (ED-A+ and ED-B+ Fn) in patients suffering from PH due to different aetiologies compared to healthy controls. Methods: Serum levels of ED-A+ and ED-B+ Fn were quantified using novel ELISA protocols established and validated in our group in 80 PH patients and 40 controls. Results were analysed with respect to clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic and functional parameters. Results: Serum levels of ED-A+ Fn (p = 0.001) but not ED-B+ Fn (p = 0.722) were significantly increased in PH patients compared to healthy controls. Thus, the following analyses were performed only for ED-A+ Fn. When dividing PH patients into different aetiological groups according to current ESC guidelines, the increase in ED-A+ Fn in PH patients compared to controls remained significant for group 1 (p = 0.032), 2 (p = 0.007) and 3 (p = 0.001) but not for group 4 (p = 0.156). Correlation analysis revealed a significant relation between ED-A+ Fn and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (r = 0.310; p = 0.002), six minutes’ walk test (r = −0.275; p = 0.02) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPsys) (r = 0.364; p < 0.001). By logistic regression analysis (backward elimination WALD) including a variety of potentially relevant patients’ characteristics, only chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR: 8.866; CI: 1.779–44.187; p = 0.008), C reactive protein (CRP) (OR: 1.194; CI: 1.011–1.410; p = 0.037) and ED-A+ Fn (OR: 1.045; CI: 1.011–1.080; p = 0.009) could be identified as independent predictors of the presence of PH. Conclusions: Against the background of our results, ED-A+ Fn could serve as a promising novel biomarker of PH with potential value for initial diagnosis and aetiological differentiation. Moreover, it might contribute to more precise risk stratification of PH patients. Beyond that, the future role of ED-A+ Fn as a therapeutic target has to be evaluated in further studies.
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