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Zhang J, Chen J, Richardson JP, Francis-Newton NJ, Lai PF, Jenkins K, Major MR, Key RE, Stewart ME, Firth-Clark S, Lloyd SM, Newton GK, Perrior TR, Garrod DR, Robinson C. Targeting an Initiator Allergen Provides Durable and Expansive Protection against House Dust Mite Allergy. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:735-751. [PMID: 36110379 PMCID: PMC9469500 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Whereas treatment of allergic diseases such as asthma relies largely on the targeting of dysregulated effector pathways, the conceptually attractive alternative of preventing them by a pharmaceutical, at-source intervention has been stymied until now by uncertainties about suitable targets and the challenges facing drug design. House dust mites (HDMs) are globally significant triggers of allergy. Group 1 HDM allergens, exemplified by Der p 1, are cysteine proteases. Their degradome has a strong disease linkage that underlies their status as risk and initiator allergens acting directly and through bystander effects on other allergens. Our objective was to test whether target-selective inhibitors of group 1 HDM allergens might provide a viable route to novel therapies. Using structure-directed design to optimize a series of pyruvamides, we undertook the first examination of whether pharmaceutically developable inhibitors of group 1 allergens might offer protection against HDM exposure. Developability criteria included durable inhibition of clinically relevant signals after a single aerosolized dose of the drug. The compounds suppressed acute airway responses of rats and mice when challenged with an HDM extract representing the HDM allergome. Inhibitory effects operated through a miscellany of downstream pathways involving, among others, IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, chemokines, and dendritic cells. IL-13 and eosinophil recruitment, indices of Th2 pathway activation, were strongly attenuated. The surprisingly expansive benefits arising from a unique at-source intervention suggest a novel approach to multiple allergic diseases in which HDMs play prominent roles and encourage exploration of these pharmaceutically developable molecules in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihui Zhang
- Institute
for Infection & Immunity, St. George’s,
University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United
Kingdom
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute
for Infection & Immunity, St. George’s,
University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United
Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P. Richardson
- Institute
for Infection & Immunity, St. George’s,
University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United
Kingdom
| | - Nicola-Jane Francis-Newton
- Institute
for Infection & Immunity, St. George’s,
University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United
Kingdom
| | - Pei F. Lai
- Institute
for Infection & Immunity, St. George’s,
University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United
Kingdom
| | - Kerry Jenkins
- Domainex
Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Meriel R. Major
- Domainex
Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Rebekah E. Key
- Domainex
Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Mark E. Stewart
- Domainex
Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Firth-Clark
- Domainex
Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Steven M. Lloyd
- Domainex
Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Gary K. Newton
- Domainex
Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor R. Perrior
- Domainex
Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - David R. Garrod
- Faculty
of Biology, Medicine and Health, University
of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Clive Robinson
- Institute
for Infection & Immunity, St. George’s,
University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United
Kingdom
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2
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Novel Method for the Purification of House Dust Mite Allergen Der p 1 and Its Use in Structure-Based Chemical Design of Novel Inhibitors. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2020; 2020:185-205. [PMID: 31177501 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9591-2_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
House dust mites are globally significant triggers of allergic disease. Notable among their extensive repertoire of allergens are the Group 1 cysteine peptidase allergens which function as digestive enzymes in house dust mites. Compelling evidence suggests that the proteolytic activity of these molecules plays a key role in the development and maintenance of allergic diseases through the activation of innate immune mechanisms which exploit genetic predispositions to allergy. Growing interest in this area creates a requirement for high-quality purified protein, whether natural or recombinantly expressed. It has also identified these allergens as therapeutic targets for a novel approach to allergy treatment through modulation of innate immune responses. The purpose of this chapter is to describe a new method for the purification of Der p 1 and use of the protein produced in a screening assay designed for the discovery of novel inhibitors of Group 1 house dust mite allergens.
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Jacquet A, Robinson C. Proteolytic, lipidergic and polysaccharide molecular recognition shape innate responses to house dust mite allergens. Allergy 2020; 75:33-53. [PMID: 31166610 DOI: 10.1111/all.13940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
House dust mites (HDMs) are sources of an extensive repertoire of allergens responsible for a range of allergic conditions. Technological advances have accelerated the identification of these allergens and characterized their putative roles within HDMs. Understanding their functional bioactivities is illuminating how they interact with the immune system to cause disease and how interrelations between them are essential to maximize allergic responses. Two types of allergen bioactivity, namely proteolysis and peptidolipid/lipid binding, elicit IgE and stimulate bystander responses to unrelated allergens. Much of this influence arises from Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 or TLR2 signalling and, in the case of protease allergens, the activation of additional pleiotropic effectors with strong disease linkage. Of related interest is the interaction of HDM allergens with common components of the house dust matrix, through either their binding to allergens or their autonomous modulation of immune receptors. Herein, we provide a contemporary view of how proteolysis, lipid-binding activity and interactions with polysaccharides and polysaccharide molecular recognition systems coordinate the principal responses which underlie allergy. The power of the catalytically competent group 1 HDM protease allergen component is demonstrated by a review of disclosures surrounding the efficacy of novel inhibitors produced by structure-based design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Jacquet
- Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development (Chula Vaccine Research Center-Chula VRC) Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Clive Robinson
- Institute for Infection and Immunity St George's, University of London London UK
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Zhang J, Chen J, Robinson C. Cellular and Molecular Events in the Airway Epithelium Defining the Interaction Between House Dust Mite Group 1 Allergens and Innate Defences. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3549. [PMID: 30423826 PMCID: PMC6274810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Serodominant group 1 allergens of house dust mites (HDMs) are cysteine protease digestive enzymes. By increasing the detection of any allergen by dendritic antigen presenting cells, upregulating inflammatory signalling molecules, and activating cells crucial to the transition from innate to acquired immune responses, the proteolytic activity of these HDM allergens also underlies their behaviour as inhalant allergens. The significance of this property is underlined by the attenuation of allergic responses to HDMs by novel inhibitors in experimental models. The group 1 HDM allergens act as prothrombinases, enabling them to operate the canonical stimulation of protease activated receptors 1 and 4. This leads to the ligation of Toll-like receptor 4, which is an indispensable component in HDM allergy development, and reactive oxidant-regulated gene expression. Intermediate steps involve epidermal growth factor receptor ligation, activation of a disintegrin and metalloproteases, and the opening of pannexons. Elements of this transduction pathway are shared with downstream signalling from biosensors which bind viral RNA, suggesting a mechanistic linkage between allergens and respiratory viruses in disease exacerbations. This review describes recent progress in the characterisation of an arterial route which links innate responses to inhaled allergens to events underpinning the progression of allergy to unrelated allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihui Zhang
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
| | - Clive Robinson
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
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Zhang J, Chen J, Zuo J, Newton GK, Stewart MR, Perrior TR, Garrod DR, Robinson C. Allergen Delivery Inhibitors: Characterisation of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Der p 1 and Their Attenuation of Airway Responses to House Dust Mite Allergens. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3166. [PMID: 30326568 PMCID: PMC6214017 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Group 1 allergens of house dust mites (HDM) are globally significant triggers of allergic disease. They are considered as initiator allergens because their protease activity enables the development of allergy to a spectrum of unrelated allergens from various sources. This initiator-perpetuator function identifies Group 1 HDM allergens as attractive drug design targets for the first small-molecule approach directed towards a non-human, root cause trigger of allergic disease. The purpose of this study was to: (i) identify exemplar inhibitors of these allergens using Der p 1 as a design template, and (ii) characterise the pharmacological profiles of these compounds using in vitro and in vivo models relevant to allergy. Potent inhibitors representing four different chemotypes and differentiated by mechanism of action were investigated. These compounds prevented the ab initio development of allergy to the full spectrum of HDM allergens and in established allergy they inhibited the recruitment of inflammatory cells and blunted acute allergic bronchoconstriction following aerosol challenge with the full HDM allergen repertoire. Collectively, the data obtained in these experiments demonstrate that the selective pharmacological targeting of Der p 1 achieves an attractive range of benefits against exposure to all HDM allergens, consistent with the initiator-perpetuator function of this allergen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihui Zhang
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
| | - Jie Zuo
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
- BOE Technology Center, BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China.
| | - Gary K Newton
- Domainex Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1XL, UK.
| | - Mark R Stewart
- Domainex Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1XL, UK.
| | - Trevor R Perrior
- Domainex Ltd., Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1XL, UK.
| | - David R Garrod
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Clive Robinson
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
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Zhang J, Chen J, Mangat SC, Perera Baruhupolage C, Garrod DR, Robinson C. Pathways of airway oxidant formation by house dust mite allergens and viral RNA converge through myosin motors, pannexons and Toll-like receptor 4. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2018. [PMID: 29542272 PMCID: PMC5946151 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Intracellular reactive oxidant species (ROS) are generated in human airway epithelial cells by the prothrombinase action of Group 1 house dust mite (HDM) allergens and by ligation of viral RNA sensor Toll‐like receptors (TLRs). We explored signaling convergence between HDM allergens and TLRs in ROS generation because epithelial cells form the primary barrier against inhaled substances and dictate host responses to allergens and viruses. Methods ROS formation by Calu‐3 human airway cells was studied by measuring dihydrorhodamine 123 oxidation after activation by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (to activate TLR3), CL097 (to activate TLR7), a natural mixture of HDM allergens, or BzATP. Results TLR4 activation was identified as an indispensable response element for all stimuli, operating downstream from myosin motor activation, pannexon gating for ATP release and the endogenous activation of prothrombin. Exogenous prothrombin activation by HDM allergens was prevented by SGUL 1733, a novel inhibitor of the proteolytic activity of Group 1 HDM allergens, which thus prevented TLR4 from being activated at source. Conclusions Our data identify for the first time that endogenously‐generated prothrombin and TLR4 form a shared effector mechanism essential to intracellular ROS generation activated by a group 1 HDM allergen (itself a prothrombinase) or by ligation of viral RNA‐sensing TLRs. These stimuli operate a confluent signaling pathway in which myosin motors, gating of pannexons, and ADAM 10 lead to prothrombin‐dependent activation of TLR4 with a recycling activation of pannexons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihui Zhang
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Shannon C Mangat
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - David R Garrod
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Clive Robinson
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK
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Chen J, Zhang J, Tachie-Menson T, Shukla N, Garrod DR, Robinson C. Allergen-dependent oxidant formation requires purinoceptor activation of ADAM 10 and prothrombin. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 139:2023-2026.e9. [PMID: 28111309 PMCID: PMC5457034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.12.954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jihui Zhang
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Theresa Tachie-Menson
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neha Shukla
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David R Garrod
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Clive Robinson
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
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Joshi T, Yan D, Hamed O, Tannheimer SL, Phillips GB, Wright CD, Kim M, Salmon M, Newton R, Giembycz MA. GS-5759, a Bifunctional β2-Adrenoceptor Agonist and Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with a Unique Mode of Action: Effects on Gene Expression in Human Airway Epithelial Cells. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 360:324-340. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.116.237743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Newton R, Giembycz MA. Understanding how long-acting β 2 -adrenoceptor agonists enhance the clinical efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma - an update. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:3405-3430. [PMID: 27646470 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In moderate-to-severe asthma, adding an inhaled long-acting β2 -adenoceptor agonist (LABA) to an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) provides better disease control than simply increasing the dose of ICS. Acting on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR, gene NR3C1), ICSs promote anti-inflammatory/anti-asthma gene expression. In vitro, LABAs synergistically enhance the maximal expression of many glucocorticoid-induced genes. Other genes, including dual-specificity phosphatase 1(DUSP1) in human airways smooth muscle (ASM) and epithelial cells, are up-regulated additively by both drug classes. Synergy may also occur for LABA-induced genes, as illustrated by the bronchoprotective gene, regulator of G-protein signalling 2 (RGS2) in ASM. Such effects cannot be produced by either drug alone and may explain the therapeutic efficacy of ICS/LABA combination therapies. While the molecular basis of synergy remains unclear, mechanistic interpretations must accommodate gene-specific regulation. We explore the concept that each glucocorticoid-induced gene is an independent signal transducer optimally activated by a specific, ligand-directed, GR conformation. In addition to explaining partial agonism, this realization provides opportunities to identify novel GR ligands that exhibit gene expression bias. Translating this into improved therapeutic ratios requires consideration of GR density in target tissues and further understanding of gene function. Similarly, the ability of a LABA to interact with a glucocorticoid may be suboptimal due to low β2 -adrenoceptor density or biased β2 -adrenoceptor signalling. Strategies to overcome these limitations include adding-on a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and using agonists of other Gs-coupled receptors. In all cases, the rational design of ICS/LABA, and derivative, combination therapies requires functional knowledge of induced (and repressed) genes for therapeutic benefit to be maximized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Newton
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Airways Inflammation Research Group, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mark A Giembycz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Airways Inflammation Research Group, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Newton GK, Perrior TR, Jenkins K, Major MR, Key RE, Stewart MR, Firth-Clark S, Lloyd SM, Zhang J, Francis-Newton NJ, Richardson JP, Chen J, Lai P, Garrod DR, Robinson C. The discovery of potent, selective, and reversible inhibitors of the house dust mite peptidase allergen Der p 1: an innovative approach to the treatment of allergic asthma. J Med Chem 2014; 57:9447-62. [PMID: 25365789 PMCID: PMC4257840 DOI: 10.1021/jm501102h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Blocking
the bioactivity of allergens is conceptually attractive
as a small-molecule therapy for allergic diseases but has not been
attempted previously. Group 1 allergens of house dust mites (HDM)
are meaningful targets in this quest because they are globally prevalent
and clinically important triggers of allergic asthma. Group 1 HDM
allergens are cysteine peptidases whose proteolytic activity triggers
essential steps in the allergy cascade. Using the HDM allergen Der
p 1 as an archetype for structure-based drug discovery, we have identified
a series of novel, reversible inhibitors. Potency and selectivity
were manipulated by optimizing drug interactions with enzyme binding
pockets, while variation of terminal groups conferred the physicochemical
and pharmacokinetic attributes required for inhaled delivery. Studies
in animals challenged with the gamut of HDM allergens showed an attenuation
of allergic responses by targeting just a single component, namely,
Der p 1. Our findings suggest that these inhibitors may be used as
novel therapies for allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary K Newton
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Domainex Ltd. , 162 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0GH, United Kingdom
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