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Harnett W, Harnett MM. Epigenetic changes induced by parasitic worms and their excretory-secretory products. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:55-63. [PMID: 38334208 PMCID: PMC10903456 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Parasitic worms are pathogens of major medical and veterinary importance. They have evolved highly effective and sophisticated strategies of immune system manipulation, typically involving actively excreted/secreted (E-S) products. These molecules dampen and regulate the host immune responses that would otherwise result in parasite expulsion, thereby enabling the worms to survive in the host for many years, and they can also help prevent the potentially serious tissue damage that the worms can induce. Reflecting these E-S product-associated anti-inflammatory activities, there is also increasing evidence that parasitic worms and their products may serendipitously protect against allergic and autoimmune conditions and in addition, comorbidities of ageing that are associated with inflammatory responses, like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Research in this area has to date generally focused on identifying the cellular and effector targets of immunomodulation induced by the worm E-S products. However, increasing evidence that they can induce stably imprinted phenotypes of haematopoietic and stromal cells which promote their long-lasting survival has recently ignited interest in the ability of the molecules to epigenetically rewire cells to 'resolve and repair' phenotypes. Here, we review and discuss these new data in the context of their potential for exploitation in identifying novel gene signatures for the development of advanced and safe therapeutics for chronic inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K
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Harnett MM, Doonan J, Tarafdar A, Pineda MA, Duncombe-Moore J, Buitrago G, Pan P, Hoskisson PA, Selman C, Harnett W. The parasitic worm product ES-62 protects against collagen-induced arthritis by resetting the gut-bone marrow axis in a microbiome-dependent manner. Front Trop Dis 2024; 4:fitd.2023.1334705. [PMID: 38500783 PMCID: PMC7615750 DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1334705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator, ES-62 rescues defective levels of IL-10-producing regulatory B cells (Bregs) and suppresses chronic Th1/Th17-driven inflammation to protect against joint destruction in the mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model of rheumatoid arthritis. Such autoimmune arthritis is also associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and disruption of intestinal barrier integrity. We recently further exploited the CIA model to show that ES-62's prevention of joint destruction is associated with protection of intestinal barrier integrity and normalization of the gut microbiota, thereby suppressing the gut pathology that precedes the onset of autoimmunity and joint damage in CIA-mice. As the status of the gut microbiota impacts on immune responses by influencing haematopoiesis, we have therefore investigated whether ES-62 harnesses the homeostatic mechanisms regulating this gut-bone marrow (BM) axis to resolve the chronic inflammation promoting autoimmunity and joint destruction in CIA. Reflecting this, ES-62 was found to counteract the BM myeloid/lymphoid bias typically associated with chronic inflammation and infection. This was achieved primarily by ES-62 acting to maintain the levels of lymphoid lineages (B220+ and CD3+ cells) observed in naïve, healthy mice but lost from the BM of CIA-mice. Moreover, ES-62's ability to prevent bone-destroying osteoclastogenesis was found to be associated with its suppression of CIA-induced upregulation of osteoclast progenitors (OCPs) in the BM. Critically, and supporting ES-62's targeting of the gut-BM axis, this rewiring of inflammatory haematopoiesis was lost in mice with a depleted microbiome. Underlining the importance of ES-62's actions in restoring steady-state haematopoiesis, the BM levels of B and T lymphoid cells were shown to be inversely correlated, whilst the levels of OCPs positively correlated, with the severity of joint damage in CIA-mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M. Harnett
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anuradha Tarafdar
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel A. Pineda
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Geraldine Buitrago
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Piaopiao Pan
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Selman
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Harnett MM, Lumb FE, Crowe J, Doonan J, Buitrago G, Brown S, Thom G, MacDonald A, Suckling CJ, Selman C, Harnett W. Protection against lung pathology during obesity-accelerated ageing in mice by the parasitic worm product ES-62. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285069. [PMID: 38077318 PMCID: PMC10701379 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice develop pathology in the lungs as they age and this may be accelerated by a high calorie diet (HCD). ES-62 is a protein secreted by the parasitic worm Acanthocheilonema viteae that is immunomodulatory by virtue of covalently attached phosphorylcholine (PC) moieties. In this study, we show that weekly treatment of C57BL/6J mice with ES-62 protected against pathology in the lungs in male but not female mice fed a HCD from 10 weeks of age as shown by reductions in cellular infiltration and airway remodelling, particularly up to 160 days of age. ES-62 also reduced gene expression of the cytokines IL-4 and IL-17 and in addition the TLR/IL-1R adaptor MyD88, in the lungs of male mice although HCD-induced increases in these inflammatory markers were not detected until between 340 and 500 days of age. A combination of two drug-like ES-62 PC-based small molecule analogues (SMAs), produced broadly similar protective effects in the lungs of male mice with respect to both lung pathology and inflammatory markers, in addition to a decrease in HCD-induced IL-5 expression. Overall, our data show that ES-62 and its SMAs offer protection against HCD-accelerated pathological changes in the lungs during ageing. Given the targeting of Th2 cytokines and IL-17, we discuss this protection in the context of ES-62's previously described amelioration of airway hyper-responsiveness in mouse models of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M. Harnett
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity E. Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Crowe
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Geraldine Buitrago
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Brown
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian Thom
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Amy MacDonald
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J. Suckling
- Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Selman
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Buitrago G, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Conquering rheumatic diseases: are parasitic worms the answer? Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:739-748. [PMID: 37487870 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite the introduction of novel treatment strategies, management of rheumatic disorders remains associated with substantial unmet clinical need. Of interest therefore, it has recently become apparent that there is a global inverse relationship between the incidence of such conditions and parasitic helminth infection, with striking examples involving rheumatoid arthritis (RA)/systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and filarial nematode worm infection in studies in India. Such findings reflect that helminths are master manipulators of the immune system, particularly in being able to modulate proinflammatory responses. The aim of this article is thus to consider findings to date on this exciting and intriguing research area to form an opinion on whether parasitic worms may be exploited to generate novel therapies for rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Buitrago
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
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Harnett MM, Doonan J, Lumb FE, Crowe J, Damink RO, Buitrago G, Duncombe-Moore J, Wilkinson DI, Suckling CJ, Selman C, Harnett W. The parasitic worm product ES-62 protects the osteoimmunology axis in a mouse model of obesity-accelerated ageing. Front Immunol 2022; 13:953053. [PMID: 36105811 PMCID: PMC9465317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.953053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant increases in human lifespan over the last century, adoption of high calorie diets (HCD) has driven global increases in type-2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, disorders precluding corresponding improvements in healthspan. Reflecting that such conditions are associated with chronic systemic inflammation, evidence is emerging that infection with parasitic helminths might protect against obesity-accelerated ageing, by virtue of their evolution of survival-promoting anti-inflammatory molecules. Indeed, ES-62, an anti-inflammatory secreted product of the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, improves the healthspan of both male and female C57BL/6J mice undergoing obesity-accelerated ageing and also extends median lifespan in male animals, by positively impacting on inflammatory, adipose metabolic and gut microbiome parameters of ageing. We therefore explored whether ES-62 affects the osteoimmunology axis that integrates environmental signals, such as diet and the gut microbiome to homeostatically regulate haematopoiesis and training of immune responses, which become dysregulated during (obesity-accelerated) ageing. Of note, we find sexual dimorphisms in the decline in bone health, and associated dysregulation of haematopoiesis and consequent peripheral immune responses, during obesity-accelerated ageing, highlighting the importance of developing sex-specific anti-ageing strategies. Related to this, ES-62 protects trabecular bone structure, maintaining bone marrow (BM) niches that counter the ageing-associated decline in haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) functionality highlighted by a bias towards myeloid lineages, in male but not female, HCD-fed mice. This is evidenced by the ability of ES-62 to suppress the adipocyte and megakaryocyte bias and correspondingly promote increases in B lymphocytes in the BM. Furthermore, the consequent prevention of ageing-associated myeloid/lymphoid skewing is associated with reduced accumulation of inflammatory CD11c+ macrophages and IL-1β in adipose tissue, disrupting the perpetuation of inflammation-driven dysregulation of haematopoiesis during obesity-accelerated ageing in male HCD-fed mice. Finally, we report the ability of small drug-like molecule analogues of ES-62 to mimic some of its key actions, particularly in strongly protecting trabecular bone structure, highlighting the translational potential of these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M. Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity E. Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Crowe
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Roel Olde Damink
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Geraldine Buitrago
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Josephine Duncombe-Moore
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Debbie I. Wilkinson
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J. Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Selman
- Glasgow Ageing Research Network (GARNER), Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Oguegbulu JC, Khalaf AI, Suckling CJ, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Lead optimisation efforts on a molecular prototype of the immunomodulatory parasitic protein ES-62. Physical Sciences Reviews 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2021-0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The immunomodulatory property of some parasitic helminths is well documented. The glycoprotein ES-62 from the nematode, acanthocheilonema viteae has been found to possess immunomodulatory properties. Two small molecule analogues (SMA’s) of ES-62 (S3 and S5) were found to mimic its immunomodulatory properties in vivo and were active in animal models of allergic, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In this work, new efforts were made to further optimise the activities of compound S3 by making small but directed structural changes. A variety of analogues based on the S3 prototype were simulated by making variations at one position and then screened in silico. The best compounds were selected based on predicted physiochemical properties and medicinal chemistry indices and synthesised. Structural elucidation was done via HNMR, LCMS, FTIR and HRESIMS. The predicted properties were evaluated by HPLC method. A total of 11 novel molecules were synthesised and characterised. Significant correlation was obtained between the predicted physicochemical properties and their HPLC retention times (RT) for eight of our novel compounds. This suggests that these compounds may behave in a physiological environment as closely as computationally predicted. This entails, lesser host toxicity while maintaining good or better activities compared to the earlier prototype. They hence provide a good opportunity for development of drugs for immune conditions such as asthma, inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Oguegbulu
- Department of Chemical Sciences , Bingham University , PMB 005 , Karu , Nasarawa State , Nigeria
| | - Abedawn I. Khalaf
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry , University of Strathclyde , Glasgow G1 1XL , UK
| | - Colin J. Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry , University of Strathclyde , Glasgow G1 1XL , UK
| | - Margaret M. Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8TA , UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde , Glasgow G4 0RE , UK
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Wang Y, Çil Ç, Harnett MM, Pineda MA. Cytohesin-2/ARNO: A Novel Bridge Between Cell Migration and Immunoregulation in Synovial Fibroblasts. Front Immunol 2022; 12:809896. [PMID: 35095899 PMCID: PMC8790574 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.809896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The guanine nucleotide exchange factor cytohesin-2 (ARNO) is a major activator of the small GTPase ARF6 that has been shown to play an important role(s) in cell adhesion, migration and cytoskeleton reorganization in various cell types and models of disease. Interestingly, dysregulated cell migration, in tandem with hyper-inflammatory responses, is one of the hallmarks associated with activated synovial fibroblasts (SFs) during chronic inflammatory joint diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. The role of ARNO in this process has previously been unexplored but we hypothesized that the pro-inflammatory milieu of inflamed joints locally induces activation of ARNO-mediated pathways in SFs, promoting an invasive cell phenotype that ultimately leads to bone and cartilage damage. Thus, we used small interference RNA to investigate the impact of ARNO on the pathological migration and inflammatory responses of murine SFs, revealing a fully functional ARNO-ARF6 pathway which can be rapidly activated by IL-1β. Such signalling promotes cell migration and formation of focal adhesions. Unexpectedly, ARNO was also shown to modulate SF-inflammatory responses, dictating their precise cytokine and chemokine expression profile. Our results uncover a novel role for ARNO in SF-dependent inflammation, that potentially links pathogenic migration with initiation of local joint inflammation, offering new approaches for targeting the fibroblast compartment in chronic arthritis and joint disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Wang
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Çağlar Çil
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Research Into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Buitrago G, Duncombe-Moore J, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Mini Review: Structure and Function of Nematode Phosphorylcholine-Containing Glycoconjugates. Front Trop Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.769000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An unusual aspect of the biology of nematodes is the covalent attachment of phosphorylcholine (PC) to carbohydrate in glycoconjugates. Investigation of the structure of these molecules by ever-increasingly sophisticated analytical procedures has revealed that PC is generally in phosphodiester linkage with C6 of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in both N-type glycans and glycosphingolipids. Up to five PC groups have been detected in the former, being located on both antenna and core GlcNAc. The PC donor for transfer to carbohydrate appears to be phosphatidylcholine but the enzyme responsible for transfer remains to be identified. Work primarily involving the PC-containing Acanthocheilonema viteae secreted product ES-62, has shown that the PC attached to nematode N-glycans possesses a range of immunomodulatory properties, subverting for example, pro-inflammatory signalling in various immune system cell-types including lymphocytes, mast cells, dendritic cells and macrophages. This has led to the generation of PC-based ES-62 small molecule analogues (SMAs), which mirror the parent molecule in preventing the initiation or progression of disease in mouse models of a number of human conditions associated with aberrant inflammatory responses. These include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and lung and skin allergy such that the SMAs are considered to have widespread therapeutic potential.
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Corbet M, Pineda MA, Yang K, Tarafdar A, McGrath S, Nakagawa R, Lumb FE, Suckling CJ, Harnett W, Harnett MM. Epigenetic drug development for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010069. [PMID: 34748611 PMCID: PMC8601611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
ES-62 is the major secreted protein of the parasitic filarial nematode, Acanthocheilonema viteae. The molecule exists as a large tetramer (MW, ~240kD), which possesses immunomodulatory properties by virtue of multiple phosphorylcholine (PC) moieties attached to N-type glycans. By suppressing inflammatory immune responses, ES-62 can prevent disease development in certain mouse models of allergic and autoimmune conditions, including joint pathology in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Such protection is associated with functional suppression of "pathogenic" hyper-responsive synovial fibroblasts (SFs), which exhibit an aggressive inflammatory and bone-damaging phenotype induced by their epigenetic rewiring in response to the inflammatory microenvironment of the arthritic joint. Critically, exposure to ES-62 in vivo induces a stably-imprinted CIA-SF phenotype that exhibits functional responses more typical of healthy, Naïve-SFs. Consistent with this, ES-62 "rewiring" of SFs away from the hyper-responsive phenotype is associated with suppression of ERK activation, STAT3 activation and miR-155 upregulation, signals widely associated with SF pathogenesis. Surprisingly however, DNA methylome analysis of Naïve-, CIA- and ES-62-CIA-SF cohorts reveals that rather than simply preventing pathogenic rewiring of SFs, ES-62 induces further changes in DNA methylation under the inflammatory conditions pertaining in the inflamed joint, including targeting genes associated with ciliogenesis, to programme a novel "resolving" CIA-SF phenotype. In addition to introducing a previously unsuspected aspect of ES-62's mechanism of action, such unique behaviour signposts the potential for developing DNA methylation signatures predictive of pathogenesis and its resolution and hence, candidate mechanisms by which novel therapeutic interventions could prevent SFs from perpetuating joint inflammation and destruction in RA. Pertinent to these translational aspects of ES-62-behavior, small molecule analogues (SMAs) based on ES-62's active PC-moieties mimic the rewiring of SFs as well as the protection against joint disease in CIA afforded by the parasitic worm product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Corbet
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel A. Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kun Yang
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anuradha Tarafdar
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah McGrath
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rinako Nakagawa
- Immunity and Cancer, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity E. Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J. Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MMH); (WH)
| | - Margaret M. Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MMH); (WH)
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Lumb FE, Doonan J, Corbet M, Pineda MA, M Harnett M, Harnett W. Development of Acanthocheilonema viteae in Meriones shawi: Absence of microfilariae and production of active ES-62. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12803. [PMID: 33091157 PMCID: PMC7988569 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS ES-62 is a well-studied anti-inflammatory molecule secreted by L4-adult stage Acanthocheilonema viteae. We maintain the life cycle of A viteae using Meriones libycus as the definitive host. Here, we investigated whether the full life cycle could be maintained, and functional ES-62 produced, in a related jird species-Meriones shawi. METHODS AND RESULTS Adult worms were produced in comparable numbers in the two species, but very few microfilariae (MF) were observed in the M shawi bloodstream. M shawi ES-62 produced ex vivo was functional and protective in a mouse model of arthritis. Myeloid-derived cells from naïve and infected jirds of both species were compared with respect to ROS production and osteoclast generation, and some differences between the two species in both the absence and presence of infection were observed. CONCLUSIONS The life cycle of A viteae cannot be successfully completed in M shawi jirds but L3 stage worms develop to adulthood and produce functional ES-62. Preliminary investigation into jird immune responses suggests that infection can differentially modulate myeloid responses in the two species. However, species-specific reagents are required to understand the complex interplay between A viteae and its host and to explain the lack of circulating MF in infected M shawi jirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Marlene Corbet
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Miguel A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Crowe J, Lumb FE, Doonan J, Broussard M, Tarafdar A, Pineda MA, Landabaso C, Mulvey L, Hoskisson PA, Babayan SA, Selman C, Harnett W, Harnett MM. The parasitic worm product ES-62 promotes health- and life-span in a high calorie diet-accelerated mouse model of ageing. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008391. [PMID: 32163524 PMCID: PMC7108737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Improvements in hygiene and health management have driven significant increases in human lifespan over the last 50 years. Frustratingly however, this extension of lifespan has not been matched by equivalent improvements in late-life health, not least due to the global pandemic in type-2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, all ageing-associated conditions exacerbated and accelerated by widespread adoption of the high calorie Western diet (HCD). Recently, evidence has begun to emerge that parasitic worm infection might protect against such ageing-associated co-morbidities, as a serendipitous side-effect of their evolution of pro-survival, anti-inflammatory mechanisms. As a novel therapeutic strategy, we have therefore investigated the potential of ES-62, an anti-inflammatory secreted product of the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, to improve healthspan (the period of life before diseases of ageing appear) by targeting the chronic inflammation that drives metabolic dysregulation underpinning ageing-induced ill-health. We administered ES-62 subcutaneously (at a dose of 1 μg/week) to C57BL/6J mice undergoing HCD-accelerated ageing throughout their lifespan, while subjecting the animals to analysis of 120 immunometabolic responses at various time-points. ES-62 improved a number of inflammatory parameters, but markedly, a range of pathophysiological, metabolic and microbiome parameters of ageing were also successfully targeted. Notably, ES-62-mediated promotion of healthspan in male and female HCD-mice was associated with different mechanisms and reflecting this, machine learning modelling identified sex-specific signatures predictive of ES-62 action against HCD-accelerated ageing. Remarkably, ES-62 substantially increased the median survival of male HCD-mice. This was not the case with female animals and unexpectedly, this difference between the two sexes could not be explained in terms of suppression of the chronic inflammation driving ageing, as ES-62 tended to be more effective in reducing this in female mice. Rather, the difference appeared to be associated with ES-62's additional ability to preferentially promote a healthier gut-metabolic tissue axis in male animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Crowe
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity E. Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaux Broussard
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anuradha Tarafdar
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel A. Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Carmen Landabaso
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna Mulvey
- Glasgow Ageing Research Network (GARNER), Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Simon A. Babayan
- Glasgow Ageing Research Network (GARNER), Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Selman
- Glasgow Ageing Research Network (GARNER), Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret M. Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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12
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Lumb FE, Crowe J, Doonan J, Suckling CJ, Selman C, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Synthetic small molecule analogues of the immunomodulatory Acanthocheilonema viteae product ES-62 promote metabolic homeostasis during obesity in a mouse model. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 234:111232. [PMID: 31634505 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the most rapidly increasing human public health problems is obesity, whose sequelae like type-2 diabetes, represent continuously worsening, life-long conditions. Over the last 15 years, data have begun to emerge from human and more frequently, mouse studies, that support the idea that parasitic worm infection can protect against this condition. We have therefore investigated the potential of two synthetic small molecule analogues (SMAs) of the anti-inflammatory Acanthocheilonema viteae product ES-62, to protect against metabolic dysfunction in a C57BL/6 J mouse model of high calorie diet-induced obesity. We found weekly subcutaneous administration of the SMAs in combination (1 μg of each), starting one week before continuous exposure to high calorie diet (HCD), decreased fasting glucose levels and reversed the impaired glucose clearance observed in male mice, when measured at approximately 7 and 13 weeks after exposure to HCD. Fasting glucose levels were also-reduced in male mice fed a HCD for some 38 weeks when given SMA-treatment 13 weeks after the start of HCD, indicating an SMA-therapeutic potential. For the most part, protective effects were not observed in female mice. SMA treatment also conferred protection against each of reduced ileum villus length and liver fibrosis, but more prominently in female mice. Previous studies in mice indicate that protection against metabolic dysfunction is usually associated with polarisation of the immune system towards a type-2/anti-inflammatory direction but our attempts to correlate improved metabolic parameters with such changes were unsuccessful. Further analysis will therefore be required to define mechanism of action. Nevertheless, overall our data clearly show the potential of the drug-like SMAs as a preventative or treatment for metabolic dysregulation associated with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Jenny Crowe
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Colin J Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK
| | - Colin Selman
- Glasgow Ageing Research Network (GARNER), Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
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13
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Doonan J, Tarafdar A, Pineda MA, Lumb FE, Crowe J, Khan AM, Hoskisson PA, Harnett MM, Harnett W. The parasitic worm product ES-62 normalises the gut microbiota bone marrow axis in inflammatory arthritis. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1554. [PMID: 30952846 PMCID: PMC6451002 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09361-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The human immune system has evolved in the context of our colonisation by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasitic helminths. Reflecting this, the rapid eradication of pathogens appears to have resulted in reduced microbiome diversity and generation of chronically activated immune systems, presaging the recent rise of allergic, autoimmune and metabolic disorders. Certainly, gastrointestinal helminths can protect against gut and lung mucosa inflammatory conditions by modulating the microbiome and suppressing the chronic inflammation associated with dysbiosis. Here, we employ ES-62, an immunomodulator secreted by tissue-dwelling Acanthocheilonema viteae to show that helminth-modulation of the gut microbiome does not require live infection with gastrointestinal-based worms nor is protection restricted to mucosal diseases. Specifically, subcutaneous administration of this defined immunomodulator affords protection against joint disease in collagen-induced arthritis, a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis, which is associated with normalisation of gut microbiota and prevention of loss of intestinal barrier integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Anuradha Tarafdar
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Miguel A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Felicity E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Jenny Crowe
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Aneesah M Khan
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Paul A Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
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14
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Doonan J, Thomas D, Wong MH, Ramage HJ, Al-Riyami L, Lumb FE, Bell KS, Fairlie-Clarke KJ, Suckling CJ, Michelsen KS, Jiang HR, Cooke A, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Failure of the Anti-Inflammatory Parasitic Worm Product ES-62 to Provide Protection in Mouse Models of Type I Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Molecules 2018; 23:E2669. [PMID: 30336585 PMCID: PMC6222842 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23102669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic helminths and their isolated secreted products show promise as novel treatments for allergic and autoimmune conditions in humans. Foremost amongst the secreted products is ES-62, a glycoprotein derived from Acanthocheilonema viteae, a filarial nematode parasite of gerbils, which is anti-inflammatory by virtue of covalently-attached phosphorylcholine (PC) moieties. ES-62 has been found to protect against disease in mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and airway hyper-responsiveness. Furthermore, novel PC-based synthetic small molecule analogues (SMAs) of ES-62 have recently been demonstrated to show similar anti-inflammatory properties to the parent molecule. In spite of these successes, we now show that ES-62 and its SMAs are unable to provide protection in mouse models of certain autoimmune conditions where other helminth species or their secreted products can prevent disease development, namely type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. We speculate on the reasons underlying ES-62's failures in these conditions and how the negative data generated may help us to further understand ES-62's mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - David Thomas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.
| | - Michelle H Wong
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
| | - Hazel J Ramage
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Lamyaa Al-Riyami
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Felicity E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Kara S Bell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Karen J Fairlie-Clarke
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Colin J Suckling
- Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK.
| | - Kathrin S Michelsen
- F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
| | - Hui-Rong Jiang
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Anne Cooke
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
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15
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Suckling CJ, Mukherjee S, Khalaf AI, Narayan A, Scott FJ, Khare S, Dhakshinamoorthy S, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Synthetic analogues of the parasitic worm product ES-62 reduce disease development in in vivo models of lung fibrosis. Acta Trop 2018; 185:212-218. [PMID: 29802846 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic worms are receiving much attention as a potential new therapeutic approach to treating autoimmune and allergic conditions but concerns remain regarding their safety. As an alternative strategy, we have focused on the use of defined parasitic worm products and recently taken this one step further by designing drug-like small molecule analogues of one such product, ES-62, which is anti-inflammatory by virtue of covalently attached phosphorylcholine moieties. Previously, we have shown that ES-62 mimics are efficacious in protecting against disease in mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and skin and lung allergy. Given the potential role of chronic inflammation in fibrosis, in the present study we have focused our attention on lung fibrosis, a debilitating condition for which there is no cure and which in spite of treatment slowly gets worse over time. Two mouse models of fibrosis - bleomycin-induced and LPS-induced - in which roles for inflammation have been implicated were adopted. Four ES-62 analogues were tested - 11a and 12b, previously shown to be active in mouse models of allergic and autoimmune disease and 16b and AIK-29/62 both of which are structurally related to 11a. All four compounds were found to significantly reduce disease development in both fibrosis models, as shown by histopathological analysis of lung tissue, indicating their potential as treatments for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Suckling
- Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XL, UK
| | - Sambuddho Mukherjee
- Department of Discovery Biology, Jubilant Biosys Ltd, Bangalore, 560022, India
| | - Abedawn I Khalaf
- Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XL, UK
| | - Ashwini Narayan
- Department of Discovery Biology, Jubilant Biosys Ltd, Bangalore, 560022, India
| | - Fraser J Scott
- Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XL, UK
| | - Sonal Khare
- Department of Discovery Biology, Jubilant Biosys Ltd, Bangalore, 560022, India
| | | | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
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16
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Doonan J, Lumb FE, Pineda MA, Tarafdar A, Crowe J, Khan AM, Suckling CJ, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Protection Against Arthritis by the Parasitic Worm Product ES-62, and Its Drug-Like Small Molecule Analogues, Is Associated With Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1016. [PMID: 29867986 PMCID: PMC5967578 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunomodulatory actions of parasitic helminth excretory-secretory (ES) products that serendipitously protect against development of chronic inflammatory disorders are well established: however, knowledge of the interaction between ES products and the host musculoskeletal system in such diseases is limited. In this study, we have focused on ES-62, a glycoprotein secreted by the rodent filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae that is immunomodulatory by virtue of covalently attached phosphorylcholine (PC) moieties, and also two synthetic drug-like PC-based small molecule analogues (SMAs) that mimic ES-62's immunomodulatory activity. We have previously shown that each of these molecules prevents development of pathology in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a model of the musculoskeletal disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reflecting this, we now report that ES-62 and its SMAs, modify bone remodeling by altering bone marrow progenitors and thus impacting on osteoclastogenesis. Consistent with this, we find that these molecules inhibit functional osteoclast differentiation in vitro. Furthermore, this appears to be achieved by induction of anti-oxidant response gene expression, thereby resulting in reduction of the reactive oxygen species production that is necessary for the increased osteoclastogenesis witnessed in musculoskeletal diseases like RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity E. Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel A. Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anuradha Tarafdar
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Crowe
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Aneesah M. Khan
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J. Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret M. Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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17
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Abstract
ES-62 is a secreted parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator that exhibits therapeutic potential in allergy by downregulating aberrant MyD88 signalling to normalise the inflammatory phenotype and mast cell responses. IL-33 plays an important role in driving mast cell responses and promoting type-2 allergic inflammation, particularly with respect to asthma, via MyD88-integrated crosstalk amongst the IL-33 receptor (ST2), TLR4 and FcεRI. We have now investigated whether ES-62 targets this pathogenic network by subverting ST2-signalling, specifically by characterising how the functional outcomes of crosstalk amongst ST2, TLR4 and FcεRI are modulated by the worm product in wild type and ST2-deficient mast cells. This analysis showed that whilst ES-62 inhibits IL-33/ST2 signalling, the precise functional modulation observed varies with receptor usage and/or mast cell phenotype. Thus, whilst ES-62’s harnessing of the capacity of ST2 to sequester MyD88 appears sufficient to mediate its inhibitory effects in peritoneal-derived serosal mast cells, downregulation of MyD88 expression appears to be required to dampen the higher levels of cytokine production typically released by bone marrow-derived mucosal mast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimity H Ball
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland
| | - Lamyaa Al-Riyami
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland.
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18
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Suckling CJ, Alam S, Olson MA, Saikh KU, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Small Molecule Analogues of the parasitic worm product ES-62 interact with the TIR domain of MyD88 to inhibit pro-inflammatory signalling. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2123. [PMID: 29391452 PMCID: PMC5794923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20388-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ES-62 is a protein secreted by the parasitic worm Acanthocheilonema viteae that is anti-inflammatory by virtue of covalently attached phosphorylcholine. Previously we have reported that drug-like Small Molecule Analogues (SMAs) of its phosphorylcholine moiety can mimic ES-62 in protecting against disease development in certain mouse models of autoimmune and allergic conditions, due to them causing partial degradation of the TLR/IL-1R adaptor MyD88. We have now taken a molecular modelling approach to investigating the mechanism underlying this effect and this predicts that the SMAs interact directly with the MyD88 TIR domain. Further support for this is provided by assay of LPS-induced MyD88/NF-κB-driven secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter activity in commercially-available stably transfected (TLR4-MD2-NF-κB-SEAP) HEK293 cells, as SMA12b-mediated inhibition of such SEAP activity is blocked by its pre-incubation with recombinant MyD88-TIR domain. Direct binding of SMA12b to the TIR domain is also shown to inhibit homo-dimerization of the adaptor, an event that can explain the observed degradation of the adaptor and inhibition of subsequent downstream signalling. Thus, these new data identify initial events by which drug-like ES-62 SMAs, which we also demonstrate are able to inhibit cytokine production by human cells, homeostatically maintain "safe" levels of MyD88 signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Suckling
- WestCHEM Research School, Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Shahabuddin Alam
- Department of Immunology, Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Mark A Olson
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Kamal U Saikh
- Department of Immunology, Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
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19
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Harnett MM, Harnett W. Can Parasitic Worms Cure the Modern World's Ills? Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:694-705. [PMID: 28606411 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There has been increasing recognition that the alarming surge in allergy and autoimmunity in the industrialised and developing worlds shadows the rapid eradication of pathogens, such as parasitic helminths. Appreciation of this has fuelled an explosion in research investigating the therapeutic potential of these worms. This review considers the current state-of-play with a particular focus on exciting recent advances in the identification of potential novel targets for immunomodulation that can be exploited therapeutically. Furthermore, we contemplate the prospects for designing worm-derived immunotherapies for an ever-widening range of inflammatory diseases, including, for example, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and ageing as well as neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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20
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Lumb FE, Doonan J, Bell KS, Pineda MA, Corbet M, Suckling CJ, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Dendritic cells provide a therapeutic target for synthetic small molecule analogues of the parasitic worm product, ES-62. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1704. [PMID: 28490801 PMCID: PMC5431997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01651-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
ES-62, a glycoprotein secreted by the parasitic filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, subverts host immune responses towards anti-inflammatory phenotypes by virtue of covalently attached phosphorylcholine (PC). The PC dictates that ES-62 exhibits protection in murine models of inflammatory disease and hence a library of drug-like PC-based small molecule analogues (SMAs) was synthesised. Four sulfone-containing SMAs termed 11a, 11e, 11i and 12b were found to reduce mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (DC) pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inhibit NF-κB p65 activation, and suppress LPS-induced up-regulation of CD40 and CD86. Active SMAs also resulted in a DC phenotype that exhibited reduced capacity to prime antigen (Ag)-specific IFN-γ production during co-culture with naïve transgenic TCR DO.11.10 T cells in vitro and reduced their ability, following adoptive transfer, to prime the expansion of Ag-specific T lymphocytes, specifically TH17 cells, in vivo. Consistent with this, mice receiving DCs treated with SMAs exhibited significantly reduced severity of collagen-induced arthritis and this was accompanied by a significant reduction in IL-17+ cells in the draining lymph nodes. Collectively, these studies indicate that drug-like compounds that target DCs can be designed from parasitic worm products and demonstrate the potential for ES-62 SMA-based DC therapy in inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - James Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kara S Bell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Miguel A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Marlene Corbet
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Colin J Suckling
- Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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Crowe J, Lumb FE, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Parasite excretory-secretory products and their effects on metabolic syndrome. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28066896 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Obesity, one of the main causes of metabolic syndrome (MetS), is an increasingly common health and economic problem worldwide, and one of the major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is associated with MetS and obesity. A dominant type 2/anti-inflammatory response is required for metabolic homoeostasis within adipose tissue: during obesity, this response is replaced by infiltrating, inflammatory macrophages and T cells. Helminths and certain protozoan parasites are able to manipulate the host immune response towards a TH2 immune phenotype that is beneficial for their survival, and there is emerging data that there is an inverse correlation between the incidence of MetS and helminth infections, suggesting that, as with autoimmune and allergic diseases, helminths may play a protective role against MetS disease. Within this review, we will focus primarily on the excretory-secretory products that the parasites produce to modulate the immune system and discuss their potential use as therapeutics against MetS and its associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Crowe
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - F E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - M M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - W Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Harnett MM, Pineda MA, Latré de Laté P, Eason RJ, Besteiro S, Harnett W, Langsley G. From Christian de Duve to Yoshinori Ohsumi: More to autophagy than just dining at home. Biomed J 2017; 40:9-22. [PMID: 28411887 PMCID: PMC6138802 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Christian de Duve first coined the expression “autophagy” during his seminal work on the discovery of lysosomes, which led to him being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1974. The term was adopted to distinguish degradation of intracellular components from the uptake and degradation of extracellular substances that he called “heterophagy”. Studies until the 1990s were largely observational/morphological-based until in 1993 Yoshinori Oshumi described a genetic screen in yeast undergoing nitrogen deprivation that led to the isolation of autophagy-defective mutants now better known as ATG (AuTophaGy-related) genes. The screen identified mutants that fell into 15 complementation groups implying that at least 15 genes were involved in the regulation of autophagy in yeast undergoing nutrient deprivation, but today, 41 yeast ATG genes have been described and many (though not all) have orthologues in humans. Attempts to identify the genetic basis of autophagy led to an explosion in its research and it's not surprising that in 2016 Yoshinori Oshumi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Our aim here is not to exhaustively review the ever-expanding autophagy literature (>60 papers per week), but to celebrate Yoshinori Oshumi's Nobel Prize by highlighting just a few aspects that are not normally extensively covered. In an accompanying mini-review we address the role of autophagy in early-diverging eukaryote parasites that like yeast, lack lysosomes and so use a digestive vacuole to degrade autophagosome cargo and also discuss how parasitized host cells react to infection by subverting regulation of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Miguel A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Perle Latré de Laté
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Cochin Institute, Paris, France; The laboratory of Comparative Cell Biology of Apicomplexa, Medical Faculty of Paris-Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris City, France
| | - Russell J Eason
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sébastien Besteiro
- DIMNP, UMR CNRS 5235, Montpellier University, Place Eugène Bataillon, Building 24, CC Montpellier, France
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Gordon Langsley
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Cochin Institute, Paris, France; The laboratory of Comparative Cell Biology of Apicomplexa, Medical Faculty of Paris-Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris City, France.
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Janicova L, Rzepecka J, Rodgers DT, Doonan J, Bell KS, Lumb FE, Suckling CJ, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Testing small molecule analogues of the Acanthocheilonema viteae immunomodulator ES-62 against clinically relevant allergens. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:340-51. [PMID: 27059010 PMCID: PMC4913752 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
ES-62 is a glycoprotein secreted by the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae that protects against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway hyper-responsiveness in mice by virtue of covalently attached anti-inflammatory phosphorylcholine (PC) residues. We have recently generated a library of small molecule analogues (SMAs) of ES-62 based around its active PC moiety as a starting point in novel drug development for asthma and identified two compounds - termed 11a and 12b - that mirror ES-62's protective effects. In this study, we have moved away from OVA, a model allergen, to test the SMAs against two clinically relevant allergens - house dust mite (HDM) and cockroach allergen (CR) extract. We show that both SMAs offer some protection against development of lung allergic responses to CR, in particular reducing eosinophil infiltration, whereas only SMA 12b is effective in protecting against eosinophil-dependent HDM-induced allergy. These data therefore suggest that helminth molecule-induced protection against model allergens may not necessarily translate to clinically relevant allergens. Nevertheless, in this study, we have managed to demonstrate that it is possible to produce synthetic drug-like molecules based on a parasitic worm product that show therapeutic potential with respect to asthma resulting from known triggers in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Janicova
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - J Rzepecka
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - D T Rodgers
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - J Doonan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - K S Bell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - F E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - C J Suckling
- Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - M M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - W Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Coltherd JC, Rodgers DT, Lawrie RE, Al-Riyami L, Suckling CJ, Harnett W, Harnett MM. The parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator, ES-62 and its drug-like small molecule analogues exhibit therapeutic potential in a model of chronic asthma. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19224. [PMID: 26763929 PMCID: PMC4725896 DOI: 10.1038/srep19224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic asthma is associated with persistent lung inflammation and long-term remodelling of the airways that have proved refractory to conventional treatments such as steroids, despite their efficacy in controlling acute airway contraction and bronchial inflammation. As its recent dramatic increase in industrialised countries has not been mirrored in developing regions, it has been suggested that helminth infection may protect humans against developing asthma. Consistent with this, ES-62, an immunomodulator secreted by the parasitic worm Acanthocheilonema viteae, can prevent pathology associated with chronic asthma (cellular infiltration of the lungs, particularly neutrophils and mast cells, mucus hyper-production and airway thickening) in an experimental mouse model. Importantly, ES-62 can act even after airway remodelling has been established, arresting pathogenesis and ameliorating the inflammatory flares resulting from repeated exposure to allergen that are a debilitating feature of severe chronic asthma. Moreover, two chemical analogues of ES-62, 11a and 12b mimic its therapeutic actions in restoring levels of regulatory B cells and suppressing neutrophil and mast cell responses. These studies therefore provide a platform for developing ES-62-based drugs, with compounds 11a and 12b representing the first step in the development of a novel class of drugs to combat the hitherto intractable disorder of chronic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Coltherd
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, G12 8TA, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - D T Rodgers
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, G12 8TA, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - R E Lawrie
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, G12 8TA, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - L Al-Riyami
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, G4 0RE, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - C J Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, G1 1XL, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - W Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, G4 0RE, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - M M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, G12 8TA, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Pineda MA, Eason RJ, Harnett MM, Harnett W. From the worm to the pill, the parasitic worm product ES-62 raises new horizons in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Lupus 2015; 24:400-11. [PMID: 25801883 DOI: 10.1177/0961203314560004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Evidence from human studies suggests that parasitic worm infection can protect humans against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and this idea is strengthened by data generated in model systems. Although therapeutic use of parasitic worms is currently being explored, there are obvious benefits in pursuing drug development through identification and isolation of the 'active ingredients'. ES-62 is a secreted glycoprotein of the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, which we have found to protect against the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. ES-62 activity is dependent on the inflammatory phenotype of the local environment and protection arises via inhibition of Th17- and γδT cell-dependent IL-17 production. At the same time, NK and NK T cell IL-17 production is left intact, and such selectivity suggests that ES-62 might make a particularly attractive therapeutic for RA. However, as a potentially immunogenic protein, ES-62 is unsuitable for development as a drug. Nevertheless, ES-62 activity is dependent on covalently attached phosphorylcholine (PC) residues and we have therefore produced a library of PC-based drug-like ES-62 small-molecule analogues (SMAs) as an alternative therapeutic strategy. Screening this library, we have found an ES-62 SMA that mirrors ES-62 in protecting against CIA and by the same IL-17-dependent mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - R J Eason
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - M M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - W Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Bell KS, Al-Riyami L, Lumb FE, Britton GJ, Poole AW, Williams CM, Braun U, Leitges M, Harnett MM, Harnett W. The role of individual protein kinase C isoforms in mouse mast cell function and their targeting by the immunomodulatory parasitic worm product, ES-62. Immunol Lett 2015; 168:31-40. [PMID: 26343793 PMCID: PMC4643489 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
ES-62, a glycoprotein secreted by the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, has been shown to modulate the immune system through subversion of signal transduction pathways operating in various immune system cells. With respect to human bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), ES-62 was previously shown to inhibit FcϵRI-mediated mast cell functional responses such as degranulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release through a mechanism involving the degradation of PKC-α. At the same time, it was noted that the worm product was able to degrade certain other PKC isoforms but the significance of this was uncertain. In this study, we have employed PKC isoform KO mice to investigate the role of PKC-α, -β -ϵ, and -θ in mouse BMMCs in order to establish their involvement in mast cell-mediated responses and also, if their absence impacts on ES-62's activity. The data obtained support that in response to antigen cross-linking of IgE bound to FcϵRI, pro-inflammatory cytokine release is controlled in part by a partnership between one conventional and one novel isoform with PKC-α and -θ acting as positive regulators of IL-6 and TNF-α production, while PKC-β and ϵ act as negative regulators of such cytokines. Furthermore, ES-62 appears to target certain other PKC isoforms in addition to PKC-α to inhibit cytokine release and this may enable it to more efficiently inhibit mast cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara S Bell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Lamyaa Al-Riyami
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Felicity E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Graham J Britton
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Alastair W Poole
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | | | - Ursula Braun
- The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, Oslo 0349, Norway
| | - Michael Leitges
- The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, Oslo 0349, Norway
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Centre for Immunobiology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
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Rodgers DT, Pineda MA, Suckling CJ, Harnett W, Harnett MM. Drug-like analogues of the parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator ES-62 are therapeutic in the MRL/Lpr model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2015; 24:1437-42. [PMID: 26085597 PMCID: PMC4616909 DOI: 10.1177/0961203315591031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION ES-62, a phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing immunomodulator secreted by the parasitic worm Acanthocheilonema viteae, protects against nephritis in the MRL/Lpr mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, ES-62 is not suitable for development as a therapy and thus we have designed drug-like small molecule analogues (SMAs) based around its active PC-moiety. To provide proof of concept that ES-62-based SMAs exhibit therapeutic potential in SLE, we have investigated the capacity of two SMAs to protect against nephritis when administered to MRL/Lpr mice after onset of kidney damage. METHODS SMAs 11a and 12b were evaluated for their ability to suppress antinuclear antibody (ANA) generation and consequent kidney pathology in MRL/Lpr mice when administered after the onset of proteinuria. RESULTS SMAs 11a and 12b suppressed development of ANA and proteinuria. Protection reflected downregulation of MyD88 expression by kidney cells and this was associated with reduced production of IL-6, a cytokine that exhibits promise as a therapeutic target for this condition. CONCLUSIONS SMAs 11a and 12b provide proof of principle that synthetic compounds based on the safe immunomodulatory mechanisms of parasitic worms can exhibit therapeutic potential as a novel class of drugs for SLE, a disease for which current therapies remain inadequate.
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Affiliation(s)
- D T Rodgers
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - M A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - C J Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - W Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - M M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Rzepecka J, Pineda MA, Al-Riyami L, Rodgers DT, Huggan JK, Lumb FE, Khalaf AI, Meakin PJ, Corbet M, Ashford ML, Suckling CJ, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with a synthetic analogue of a parasitic worm product prevents experimental arthritis and inhibits IL-1β production via NRF2-mediated counter-regulation of the inflammasome. J Autoimmun 2015; 60:59-73. [PMID: 25975491 PMCID: PMC4459730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains a debilitating autoimmune condition as many patients are refractory to existing conventional and biologic therapies, and hence successful development of novel treatments remains a critical requirement. Towards this, we now describe a synthetic drug-like small molecule analogue, SMA-12b, of an immunomodulatory parasitic worm product, ES-62, which acts both prophylactically and therapeutically against collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Mechanistic analysis revealed that SMA-12b modifies the expression of a number of inflammatory response genes, particularly those associated with the inflammasome in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and indeed IL-1β was the most down-regulated gene. Consistent with this, IL-1β was significantly reduced in the joints of mice with CIA treated with SMA-12b. SMA-12b also increased the expression of a number of genes associated with anti-oxidant responses that are controlled by the transcription factor NRF2 and critically, was unable to inhibit expression of IL-1β by macrophages derived from the bone marrow of NRF2(-/-) mice. Collectively, these data suggest that SMA-12b could provide the basis of an entirely novel approach to fulfilling the urgent need for new treatments for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Rzepecka
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK.
| | - Miguel A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
| | - Lamyaa Al-Riyami
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK.
| | - David T Rodgers
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
| | - Judith K Huggan
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1Xl, UK.
| | - Felicity E Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK.
| | - Abedawn I Khalaf
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1Xl, UK.
| | - Paul J Meakin
- Division of Cardiovascular & Diabetes Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
| | - Marlene Corbet
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
| | - Michael L Ashford
- Division of Cardiovascular & Diabetes Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
| | - Colin J Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1Xl, UK.
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK.
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Rodgers DT, McGrath MA, Pineda MA, Al-Riyami L, Rzepecka J, Lumb F, Harnett W, Harnett MM. The parasitic worm product ES-62 targets myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent effector mechanisms to suppress antinuclear antibody production and proteinuria in MRL/lpr mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67:1023-35. [PMID: 25546822 PMCID: PMC4409857 DOI: 10.1002/art.39004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective The hygiene hypothesis suggests that parasitic helminths (worms) protect against the development of autoimmune disease via a serendipitous side effect of worm-derived immunomodulators that concomitantly promote parasite survival and limit host pathology. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ES-62, a phosphorylcholine-containing glycoprotein secreted by the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, protects against kidney damage in an MRL/lpr mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods MRL/lpr mice progressively produce high levels of autoantibodies, and the resultant deposition of immune complexes drives kidney pathology. The effects of ES-62 on disease progression were assessed by measurement of proteinuria, assessment of kidney histology, determination of antinuclear antibody (ANA) production and cytokine levels, and flow cytometric analysis of relevant cellular populations. Results ES-62 restored the disrupted balance between effector and regulatory B cells in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting plasmablast differentiation, with a consequent reduction in ANA production and deposition of immune complexes and C3a in the kidneys. Moreover, by reducing interleukin-22 production, ES-62 may desensitize downstream effector mechanisms in the pathogenesis of kidney disease. Highlighting the therapeutic importance of resetting B cell responses, adoptive transfer of purified splenic B cells from ES-62–treated MRL/lpr mice mimicked the protection afforded by the helminth product. Mechanistically, this reflects down-regulation of myeloid differentiation factor 88 expression by B cells and also kidney cells, resulting in inhibition of pathogenic cross-talk among Toll-like receptor–, C3a-, and immune complex–mediated effector mechanisms. Conclusion This study provides the first demonstration of protection against kidney pathology by a parasitic worm–derived immunomodulator in a model of SLE and suggests therapeutic potential for drugs based on the mechanism of action of ES-62.
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Aprahamian TR, Zhong X, Amir S, Binder CJ, Chiang LK, Al-Riyami L, Gharakhanian R, Harnett MM, Harnett W, Rifkin IR. The immunomodulatory parasitic worm product ES-62 reduces lupus-associated accelerated atherosclerosis in a mouse model. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:203-7. [PMID: 25666929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
ES-62 is an anti-inflammatory phosphorylcholine-containing glycoprotein secreted by the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae. Accelerated atherosclerosis frequently occurs in systemic lupus erythematosus, resulting in substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We examined the effects of ES-62 in the gld.apoE(-/-) mouse model of this condition. Treatment with ES-62 did not substantially modulate renal pathology but caused decreased anti-nuclear autoantibody levels. Moreover, a striking 60% reduction in aortic atherosclerotic lesions was observed, with an associated decrease in macrophages and fibrosis. We believe that these latter findings constitute the first example of a defined parasitic worm product with therapeutic potential in atherosclerosis: ES-62-based drugs may represent a novel approach to control accelerated atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar R Aprahamian
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Xuemei Zhong
- Hematology and Medical Oncology Section, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Shahzada Amir
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph J Binder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lo-Ku Chiang
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Lamyaa Al-Riyami
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Raffi Gharakhanian
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Ian R Rifkin
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Harnett MM, Harnett W, Pineda MA. The parasitic worm product ES-62 up-regulates IL-22 production by γδ T cells in the murine model of Collagen-Induced Arthritis. Inflamm Cell Signal 2014; 1. [PMID: 26594650 DOI: 10.14800/ics.308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ES-62 is a phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing glycoprotein secreted by the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae that acts to modulate the host immune response to promote the establishment of chronic helminth infection. Reflecting its anti-inflammatory actions, we have previously reported that ES-62 protects mice from developing Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA): thus, as this helminth-derived product may exhibit therapeutic potential in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), it is important to understand the protective immunoregulatory mechanisms triggered by ES-62 in this model in vivo. We have established to date that ES-62 acts by downregulating pathogenic Th17/IL-17-mediated responses and upregulating the regulatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, our studies have identified that IL-22, another member of the IL-10 family of cytokines, exerts dual pathogenic and protective roles in this model of RA with ES-62 harnessing the cytokine's inflammation-resolving and tissue repair properties in the joint during the established phase of disease. Here, we discuss the counter-regulatory roles of IL-22 in the murine model of CIA and present additional novel data showing that ES-62 selectively induces γδ T cells with the capacity to induce IL-22 production and that γδ T cells with the capacity to produce IL-22, but not IL-17, induced during CIA can be identified by their expression of TLR4. Moreover, we also show that treatment of mice undergoing CIA with the active PC moiety of ES-62, in the form of PC conjugated to BSA, is not only sufficient to mimic the ES-62-dependent suppression of pathogenic IL-17 responses shown previously but also that of the IL-22 and IL-10 up-regulation observed with the parasitic worm product during CIA. These findings not only reinforce the potential of IL-22, firstly described as a Th17-related pro-inflammatory cytokine, as a protective factor in arthritis but also suggest that drugs based on the PC moiety found in ES-62 may be able to harness the joint-protecting activities of IL-22 therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR
| | - Miguel A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA
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Pineda MA, Al-Riyami L, Harnett W, Harnett MM. Lessons from helminth infections: ES-62 highlights new interventional approaches in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Immunol 2014; 177:13-23. [PMID: 24666108 PMCID: PMC4089150 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic worms are able to survive in their mammalian host for many years due to their ability to manipulate the immune response by secreting immunomodulatory products. It is increasingly clear that, reflecting the anti-inflammatory actions of such worm-derived immunomodulators, there is an inverse correlation between helminth infection and autoimmune diseases in the developing world. As the decrease in helminth infections due to increased sanitation has correlated with an alarming increase in prevalence of such disorders in industrialized countries, this ‘hygiene hypothesis’ has led to the proposal that worms and their secreted products offer a novel platform for the development of safe and effective strategies for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. In this study we review the anti-inflammatory effects of one such immunomodulator, ES-62 on innate and adaptive immune responses and the mechanisms it exploits to afford protection in the murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As its core mechanism involves targeting of interleukin (IL)-17 responses, which despite being pathogenic in RA are important for combating infection, we discuss how its selective targeting of IL-17 production by T helper type 17 (Th17) and γδ T cells, while leaving that of CD49b+ natural killer (NK and NK T) cells intact, reflects the ability of helminths to modulate the immune system without immunocompromising the host. Exploiting helminth immunomodulatory mechanisms therefore offers the potential for safer therapies than current biologicals, such as ‘IL-17 blockers’, that are not able to discriminate sources of IL-17 and hence present adverse effects that limit their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Rzepecka J, Coates ML, Saggar M, Al-Riyami L, Coltherd J, Tay HK, Huggan JK, Janicova L, Khalaf AI, Siebeke I, Suckling CJ, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Small molecule analogues of the immunomodulatory parasitic helminth product ES-62 have anti-allergy properties. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:669-74. [PMID: 24929132 PMCID: PMC4119935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Small molecule analogues of the helminth immunomodulator ES-62 have been produced. Two analogues inhibit mast cell functions and prevent airway hypersensitivity. The analogues are drug-like and could be considered for treatment of human allergy.
ES-62, a glycoprotein secreted by the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by virtue of covalently attached phosphorylcholine moieties. Screening of a library of ES-62 phosphorylcholine-based small molecule analogues (SMAs) revealed that two compounds, termed 11a and 12b, mirrored the helminth product both in inhibiting mast cell degranulation and cytokine responses in vitro and in preventing ovalbumin-induced Th2-associated airway inflammation and eosinophil infiltration of the lungs in mice. Furthermore, the two SMAs inhibited neutrophil infiltration of the lungs when administered therapeutically. ES-62-SMAs 11a and 12b thus represent starting points for novel drug development for allergies such as asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Rzepecka
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Michelle L Coates
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Moninder Saggar
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Lamyaa Al-Riyami
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Jennifer Coltherd
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| | - Hwee Kee Tay
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| | - Judith K Huggan
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, Scotland, UK
| | - Lucia Janicova
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Abedawn I Khalaf
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, Scotland, UK
| | - Ivonne Siebeke
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Colin J Suckling
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, Scotland, UK
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, UK.
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Pineda MA, Rodgers DT, Al-Riyami L, Harnett W, Harnett MM. ES-62 protects against collagen-induced arthritis by resetting interleukin-22 toward resolution of inflammation in the joints. Arthritis Rheumatol 2014; 66:1492-503. [PMID: 24497523 PMCID: PMC4737104 DOI: 10.1002/art.38392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator ES-62 protects against disease in the mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by suppressing pathogenic interleukin-17 (IL-17) responses. The Th17-associated cytokine IL-22 also appears to have a pathogenic role in autoimmune arthritis, particularly in promoting proinflammatory responses by synovial fibroblasts and osteoclastogenesis. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the protection against joint damage afforded by ES-62 also reflects suppression of IL-22. METHODS The role(s) of IL-22 was assessed by investigating the effects of neutralizing anti-IL-22 antibodies and recombinant IL-22 (rIL-22) on proinflammatory cytokine production, synovial fibroblast responses, and joint damage in mice with CIA in the presence or absence of ES-62. RESULTS Neutralization of IL-22 during the initiation phase abrogated CIA, while administration of rIL-22 enhanced synovial fibroblast responses and exacerbated joint pathology. In contrast, after disease onset anti-IL-22 did not suppress progression, whereas administration of rIL-22 promoted resolution of inflammation. Consistent with these late antiinflammatory effects, the protection afforded by ES-62 was associated with elevated levels of IL-22 in the serum and joints that reflected a desensitization of the synovial fibroblast responses. Moreover, neutralization of IL-22 during the late effector stage of disease prevented ES-62-mediated desensitization of synovial fibroblast responses and protection against CIA. CONCLUSION IL-22 plays a dual role in CIA, being pathogenic during the initiation phase while acting to resolve inflammation and joint damage during established disease. Harnessing of the tissue repair properties of IL-22 by ES-62 highlights the potential for joint-targeted therapeutic modulation of synovial fibroblast responses and consequent protection against bone damage in RA.
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Rodgers DT, Pineda MA, McGrath MA, Al-Riyami L, Harnett W, Harnett MM. Protection against collagen-induced arthritis in mice afforded by the parasitic worm product, ES-62, is associated with restoration of the levels of interleukin-10-producing B cells and reduced plasma cell infiltration of the joints. Immunology 2014; 141:457-66. [PMID: 24708419 PMCID: PMC3930382 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported that ES-62, a molecule secreted by the parasitic filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae, protects mice from developing collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Together with increasing evidence that worm infection may protect against autoimmune conditions, this raises the possibility that ES-62 may have therapeutic potential in rheumatoid arthritis and hence, it is important to fully understand its mechanism of action. To this end, we have established to date that ES-62 protection in CIA is associated with suppressed T helper type 1 (Th1)/Th17 responses, reduced collagen-specific IgG2a antibodies and increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) production by splenocytes. IL-10-producing regulatory B cells have been proposed to suppress pathogenic Th1/Th17 responses in CIA: interestingly therefore, although the levels of IL-10-producing B cells were decreased in the spleens of mice with CIA, ES-62 was found to restore these to the levels found in naive mice. In addition, exposure to ES-62 decreased effector B-cell, particularly plasma cell, infiltration of the joints, and such infiltrating B cells showed dramatically reduced levels of Toll-like receptor 4 and the activation markers, CD80 and CD86. Collectively, this induction of hyporesponsiveness of effector B-cell responses, in the context of the resetting of the levels of IL-10-producing B cells, is suggestive of a modulation of the balance between effector and regulatory B-cell responses that may contribute to ES-62-mediated suppression of CIA-associated inflammation and inhibition of production of pathogenic collagen-specific IgG2a antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Rodgers
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Pineda MA, Lumb F, Harnett MM, Harnett W. ES-62, a therapeutic anti-inflammatory agent evolved by the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2014; 194:1-8. [PMID: 24671112 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Filarial nematodes cause long-term infections in hundreds of millions of people. A significant proportion of those affected develop a number of debilitating health problems but, remarkably, such infections are often unnoticed for many years. It is well known that parasitic worms modulate, yet do not completely inhibit, host immunological pathways, promoting their survival by limiting effective immune mechanisms. Such immunoregulation largely depends on molecules released by the worms, termed excretory-secretory products (ES). One of these products is the molecule ES-62, which is actively secreted by the rodent filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae. ES-62 has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory actions thorough its phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing moiety on a variety of cells of the immune system, affecting intracellular signalling pathways associated with antigen receptor- and TLR-dependent responses. We summarise here how ES-62 modulates key signal transduction elements and how such immunomodulation confers protection to mice subjected to certain experimental models of inflammatory disease. Finally, we discuss recent results showing that it is possible to synthetise small molecule analogues (SMAs) that mimic the anti-inflammatory properties of ES-62, opening an exciting new drug development field in translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Pineda
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Felicity Lumb
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK
| | - Margaret M Harnett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK.
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Al-Riyami L, Pineda MA, Rzepecka J, Huggan JK, Khalaf AI, Suckling CJ, Scott FJ, Rodgers DT, Harnett MM, Harnett W. Designing anti-inflammatory drugs from parasitic worms: a synthetic small molecule analogue of the Acanthocheilonema viteae product ES-62 prevents development of collagen-induced arthritis. J Med Chem 2013; 56:9982-10002. [PMID: 24228757 PMCID: PMC4125414 DOI: 10.1021/jm401251p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In spite of increasing evidence that parasitic worms may protect humans from developing allergic and autoimmune diseases and the continuing identification of defined helminth-derived immunomodulatory molecules, to date no new anti-inflammatory drugs have been developed from these organisms. We have approached this matter in a novel manner by synthesizing a library of drug-like small molecules based upon phosphorylcholine, the active moiety of the anti-inflammatory Acanthocheilonema viteae product, ES-62, which as an immunogenic protein is unsuitable for use as a drug. Following preliminary in vitro screening for inhibitory effects on relevant macrophage cytokine responses, a sulfone-containing phosphorylcholine analogue (11a) was selected for testing in an in vivo model of inflammation, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Testing revealed that 11a was as effective as ES-62 in protecting DBA/1 mice from developing CIA and mirrored its mechanism of action in downregulating the TLR/IL-1R transducer, MyD88. 11a is thus a novel prototype for anti-inflammatory drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamyaa Al-Riyami
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde , 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, U.K
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Pineda MA, McGrath MA, Smith PC, Al-Riyami L, Rzepecka J, Gracie JA, Harnett W, Harnett MM. The parasitic helminth product ES-62 suppresses pathogenesis in collagen-induced arthritis by targeting the interleukin-17-producing cellular network at multiple sites. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 64:3168-78. [PMID: 22729944 DOI: 10.1002/art.34581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Among many survival strategies, parasitic worms secrete molecules that modulate host immune responses. One such product, ES-62, is protective against collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been reported to play a pathogenic role in the development of RA, this study was undertaken to investigate whether targeting of IL-17 may explain the protection against CIA afforded by ES-62. METHODS DBA/1 mice progressively display arthritis following immunization with type II collagen. The protective effects of ES-62 were assessed by determination of cytokine levels, flow cytometric analysis of relevant cell populations, and in situ analysis of joint inflammation in mice with CIA. RESULTS ES-62 was found to down-regulate IL-17 responses in mice with CIA. First, it acted to inhibit priming and polarization of IL-17 responses by targeting a complex IL-17-producing network, involving signaling between dendritic cells and γ/δ or CD4+ T cells. In addition, ES-62 directly targeted Th17 cells by down-regulating myeloid differentiation factor 88 expression to suppress responses mediated by IL-1 and Toll-like receptor ligands. Moreover, ES-62 modulated the migration of γ/δ T cells and this was reflected by direct suppression of CD44 up-regulation and, as evidenced by in situ analysis, dramatically reduced levels of IL-17-producing cells, including lymphocytes, infiltrating the joint. Finally, there was strong suppression of IL-17 production by cells resident in the joint, such as osteoclasts within the bone areas. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ES-62 treatment of mice with CIA leads to unique multisite manipulation of the initiation and effector phases of the IL-17 inflammatory network. ES-62 could be exploited in the development of novel therapeutics for RA.
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Rzepecka J, Siebeke I, Coltherd JC, Kean DE, Steiger CN, Al-Riyami L, McSharry C, Harnett MM, Harnett W. The helminth product, ES-62, protects against airway inflammation by resetting the Th cell phenotype. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:211-23. [PMID: 23291461 PMCID: PMC3584281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 12/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated inhibition of ovalbumin-induced allergic airway hyper-responsiveness in the mouse using ES-62, a phosphorylcholine-containing glycoprotein secreted by the filarial nematode, Acanthocheilonema viteae. This inhibition correlated with ES-62-induced mast cell desensitisation, although the degree to which this reflected direct targeting of mast cells remained unclear as suppression of the Th2 phenotype of the inflammatory response, as measured by eosinophilia and IL-4 levels in the lungs, was also observed. We now show that inhibition of the lung Th2 phenotype is reflected in ex vivo analyses of draining lymph node recall cultures and accompanied by a decrease in the serum levels of total and ovalbumin-specific IgE. Moreover, ES-62 also suppresses the lung infiltration by neutrophils that is associated with severe asthma and is generally refractory to conventional anti-inflammatory therapies, including steroids. Protection against Th2-associated airway inflammation does not reflect induction of regulatory T cell responses (there is no increased IL-10 or Foxp3 expression) but rather a switch in polarisation towards increased Tbet expression and IFNγ production. This ES-62-driven switch in the Th1/Th2 balance is accompanied by decreased IL-17 responses, a finding in line with reports that IFNγ and IL-17 are counter-regulatory. Consistent with ES-62 mediating its effects via IFNγ-mediated suppression of pathogenic Th2/Th17 responses, we found that neutralising anti-IFNγ antibodies blocked protection against airway inflammation in terms of pro-inflammatory cell infiltration, particularly by neutrophils, and lung pathology. Collectively, these studies indicate that ES-62, or more likely small molecule analogues, could have therapeutic potential in asthma, in particular for those subtypes of patients (e.g. smokers, steroid-resistant) who are refractory to current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Rzepecka
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
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Norman JE, Yuan M, Anderson L, Howie F, Harold G, Young A, Jordan F, McInnes I, Harnett MM. Effect of prolonged in vivo administration of progesterone in pregnancy on myometrial gene expression, peripheral blood leukocyte activation, and circulating steroid hormone levels. Reprod Sci 2012; 18:435-46. [PMID: 21558462 DOI: 10.1177/1933719110395404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the effects of progesterone on gene expression and function of both myometrium and circulating leukocytes. METHODS We recruited women participating in a randomized clinical trial of progesterone to prevent preterm delivery. These participants had a twin pregnancy and were managed in 1 of 2 tertiary referral centers. Participants were treated with progesterone (90 mg vaginally) or placebo from 24 to 34 weeks of pregnancy. The outcome measures were myometrial and leukocyte gene expression and expression of cell surface markers in circulating leukocytes, all quantified ex vivo. RESULTS Prolonged in vivo administration of progesterone inhibited myometrial expression of connexins 26 and 43, endothelial nitric acid synthase (eNOS), and the prostaglandin receptor EP2 ex vivo. Administration of progesterone also increased numbers of circulating neutrophils while decreasing lymphocyte proportions and decreasing neutrophil CD11b expression. CONCLUSION The observed effects of prolonged in vivo administration of progesterone will minimize the ability of the uterus to contract as a synctium and the ability of peripheral blood leukocytes to migrate into the myometrium during parturition. We suggest that these are putative mechanisms by which progesterone might prevent preterm birth in women at high risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E Norman
- Centre for Reproductive Biology, Queen's Medical Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Paunovic V, Carter NA, Thalhamer T, Blair D, Gordon B, Lacey E, Michie AM, Harnett MM. Immune complex-mediated co-ligation of the BCR with FcγRIIB results in homeostatic apoptosis of B cells involving Fas signalling that is defective in the MRL/Lpr model of systemic lupus erythematosus. J Autoimmun 2012; 39:332-46. [PMID: 22647731 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2012.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2011] [Revised: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Negative regulation of B cell activation by cognate immune complexes plays an important homeostatic role in suppressing B cell hyperactivity and preventing consequent autoimmunity. Immune complexes co-ligate the BCR and FcγRIIB resulting in both growth arrest and apoptosis. We now show that such apoptotic signalling involves induction and activation of p53 and its target genes, the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, Bad and Bid, as well as nuclear export of p53. Collectively, these events result in destabilisation of the mitochondrial and lysosomal compartments with consequent activation and interplay of executioner caspases and endosomal-derived proteases. In addition, the upregulation of Fas and FasL with consequent activation of caspase 8-dependent death receptor signalling is required to facilitate efficient apoptosis of B cells. Consistent with this role for Fas death receptor signalling, apoptosis resulting from co-ligation of the BCR and FcγRIIB is defective in B cells from Fas-deficient MRL/MpJ-Fas(lpr) mice. As these mice develop spontaneous, immune complex-driven lupus-like glomerulonephritis, targeting this FcγRIIB-mediated apoptotic pathway may therefore have novel therapeutic implications for systemic autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verica Paunovic
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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Puneet P, McGrath MA, Tay HK, Al-Riyami L, Rzepecka J, Moochhala SM, Pervaiz S, Harnett MM, Harnett W, Melendez AJ. The helminth product ES-62 protects against septic shock via Toll-like receptor 4–dependent autophagosomal degradation of the adaptor MyD88. Nat Immunol 2011; 12:344-51. [DOI: 10.1038/ni.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Abstract
Until recently, it has not been possible to image and functionally correlate the key molecular and cellular events underpinning immunity and tolerance in the intact immune system. Certainly, the field has been revolutionized by the advent of tetramers to identify physiologically relevant specificities of T cells, and the introduction of models in which transgenic T-cell receptor and/or B-cell receptor-bearing lymphocytes are adoptively transferred into normal mice and can then be identified by clonotype-specific antibodies using flow cytometry in vitro, or immunohistochemistry ex vivo. However, these approaches do not allow for quantitative analysis of the precise anatomical, phenotypic, signaling, and functional parameters required for dissecting the development of immune responses in health and disease in vivo. Traditionally, assessment of signal transduction pathways has required biochemical or molecular biological analysis of isolated and highly purified subsets of immune system cells. Inevitably, this creates potential artifacts and does not allow identification of the key signaling events for individual cells present in their microenvironment in situ. These difficulties have now been overcome by new methodologies in cell signaling analysis that are sufficiently sensitive to detect signaling events occurring in individual cells in situ and the development of technologies such as laser scanning cytometry that provide the tools to analyze physiologically relevant interactions between molecules and cells of the innate and the adaptive immune system within their natural environmental niche in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mairi A McGrath
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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Abstract
Helminths may protect humans against allergic and autoimmune diseases and, indeed, defined helminth-derived products have recently been shown to prevent the development of such inflammatory diseases in mouse models. Here, we propose that helminth-derived products not only have therapeutic potential but can also be used as unique tools for defining key molecular events in the induction of an anti-inflammatory response and, therefore, for defining new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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Harnett MM, Melendez AJ, Harnett W. The therapeutic potential of the filarial nematode-derived immunodulator, ES-62 in inflammatory disease. Clin Exp Immunol 2009; 159:256-67. [PMID: 19968663 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2009.04064.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The dramatic recent rise in the incidence of allergic or autoimmune inflammatory diseases in the West has been proposed to reflect the lack of appropriate priming of the immune response by infectious agents such as parasitic worms during childhood. Consistent with this, there is increasing evidence supporting an inverse relationship between worm infection and T helper type 1/17 (Th1/17)-based inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Perhaps more surprisingly, given that such worms often induce strong Th2-type immune responses, there also appears to be an inverse correlation between parasite load and atopy. These findings therefore suggest that the co-evolution of helminths with hosts, which has resulted in the ability of worms to modulate inflammatory responses to promote parasite survival, has also produced the benefit of protecting the host from pathological lesions arising from aggressive proinflammatory responses to infection or, indeed, aberrant inflammatory responses underlying autoimmune and allergic disorders. By focusing upon the properties of the filarial nematode-derived immunomodulatory molecule, ES-62, in this review we shall discuss the potential of exploiting the immunomodulatory products of parasitic worms to identify and develop novel therapeutics for inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Harnett
- Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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47
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Abstract
We hypothesized that the priming and activation of maternal leukocytes in peripheral blood is a key component of parturition, and that inappropriate preterm priming of leukocytes might initiate preterm labour and delivery. The purpose of this study was to characterize peripheral blood leukocyte activation during human term and preterm labour. We obtained blood samples from pregnant women at term and preterm, both in labour and not in labour. Leukocytes were characterized according to cell subtype and cell surface marker expression. Additionally, we quantified leukocyte cytokine mRNA production, migratory ability and reactive oxygen species production of neutrophils and macrophages. We found that both term and preterm labour were associated with an increase in monocyte and neutrophil proportion or number—neutrophil migratory ability and cell surface marker expression indicating activation. Messenger RNA expression of IL-1β and IL-8, MCP-1 and TLR-2 was also increased. We conclude that leukocytes in peripheral blood are primed in preparation for activation during term and preterm labour, and that this may contribute to the pathophysiological events of parturition. These data may lead to novel therapies and diagnostic tools for the prevention and/or diagnosis of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Yuan
- Centre for Reproductive Biology, The Queen's Medical Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TY, UK
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48
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Abstract
There has been an alarming increase in the incidence of autoimmune and allergic diseases in Western countries in the past few decades. However, in countries endemic for parasitic helminth infections, such diseases remain relatively rare. Hence, it has been hypothesised that helminths may protect against the development of autoimmunity and allergy. This article reviews the evidence supporting this idea with respect to helminths of the phylum Nematoda (nematodes), considering data from human studies and animal models of inflammatory disease. The nature and mode of action of nematode-derived molecules with immunomodulatory properties are considered, and their therapeutic efficacy in models of autoimmunity and allergy described. The recent and future use of nematodes and their products in treating human disease are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Harnett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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49
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Harnett MM, Kean DE, Boitelle A, McGuiness S, Thalhamer T, Steiger CN, Egan C, Al-Riyami L, Alcocer MJ, Houston KM, Gracie JA, McInnes IB, Harnett W. The phosphorycholine moiety of the filarial nematode immunomodulator ES-62 is responsible for its anti-inflammatory action in arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2008; 67:518-23. [PMID: 17704067 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2007.073502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In countries where parasitic infections are endemic, autoimmune disease is relatively rare, leading to the hypothesis that parasite-derived immunomodulators may protect against its development. Consistent with this, we have previously demonstrated that ES-62, a 62 kDa phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing glycoprotein that is secreted by filarial nematodes, can exert anti-inflammatory action in the murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model and human rheumatoid arthritis-derived synovial tissue cultures. As a first step to developing ES-62-based drugs, the aim of this study was to determine whether the PC-moiety of ES-62 was responsible for its anti-inflammatory actions. METHODS We compared the anti-inflammatory activity of a PC-free form of recombinant ES-62 (rES-62) and a synthetic PC-ovalbumin conjugate (OVA-PC) with that of native ES-62 in the CIA model and synovial tissues from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS The anti-inflammatory actions of ES-62 in CIA appear to be dependent on the PC moiety as indicated by the reduction in severity of disease and also suppression of collagen-specific T helper 1 cytokine production observed when testing OVA-PC, but not rES-62. Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory activity of PC did not correlate with a reduction in anti-collagen IgG2a levels. Also, the ES-62-mediated suppression of interferon-gamma from human patient tissues could be mimicked by OVA-PC but not rES-62 or ovalbumin. CONCLUSIONS In countries where filariasis is endemic the reduced detection of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis may be because of the anti-inflammatory action of the PC moieties of ES-62. PC may thus provide the starting point for the development of novel, safe immunomodulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Harnett
- Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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50
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Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which imbalances in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines promote the induction of autoimmunity, inflammation and joint destruction. The importance of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of RA has been underscored by the success of biologics that act to block the effects of cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 or IL-6, in treating disease. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been implicated as playing key regulatory roles in the production of these pro-inflammatory cytokines and downstream signalling events leading to joint inflammation and destruction. This article reviews the evidence that MAPKs play important roles in the pathogenesis of RA and discusses their therapeutic potential as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Thalhamer
- Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammation, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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