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Zanchi C, Locatelli M, Cerullo D, Aumiller V, Corna D, Rottoli D, Schubert S, Noris M, Tomasoni S, Remuzzi G, Zoja C, Benigni A. Efficacy of GalNAc C3 siRNAs in factor H-deficient mice with C3 glomerulopathy. Mol Immunol 2024; 168:10-16. [PMID: 38368725 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.02.010] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Complement alternative pathway (AP) dysregulation drives C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), a rare renal disorder characterized by glomerular C3 deposition and glomerular damage, for which no effective treatments are available. Blockade of complement C3 is emerging as a viable therapeutic option. In an earlier study we showed that SLN500, a small interfering RNA targeting liver C3 synthesis, was able to limit AP dysregulation and glomerular C3d deposits in mice with partial factor H (FH) deficiency (Cfh+/- mice). Here, we assessed the pharmacological effects of SLN501 - an optimized SLN500 version - in mice with complete FH deficiency (Cfh-/- mice) that exhibit a more severe C3G phenotype. SLN501 effectively prevented liver C3 synthesis, thus limiting AP dysregulation, glomerular C3d deposits and the development of ultrastructural alterations. These data provide firm evidence of the use of siRNA-mediated liver C3 gene silencing as a potential therapy for treating C3G patients with either partial or complete FH loss of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Zanchi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Monica Locatelli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Domenico Cerullo
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Corna
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Daniela Rottoli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Marina Noris
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Susanna Tomasoni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Carlamaria Zoja
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Ariela Benigni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso, Bergamo, Italy.
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Zanchi C, Locatelli M, Cerullo D, Aumiller V, Corna D, Rottoli D, Eisermann M, Donadelli R, Mousavi M, Noris M, Remuzzi G, Benigni A, Zoja C. Therapeutic Small Interfering RNA Targeting Complement C3 in a Mouse Model of C3 Glomerulopathy. J Immunol 2022; 208:1772-1781. [PMID: 35277417 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Alternative pathway complement dysregulation with abnormal glomerular C3 deposits and glomerular damage is a key mechanism of pathology in C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). No disease-specific treatments are currently available for C3G. Therapeutics inhibiting complement are emerging as a potential strategy for the treatment of C3G. In this study, we investigated the effects of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-conjugated small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the C3 component of complement that inhibits liver C3 expression in the C3G model of mice with heterozygous deficiency of factor H (Cfh +/- mice). We showed a duration of action for GalNAc-conjugated C3 siRNA in reducing the liver C3 gene expression in Cfh +/- mice that were dosed s.c. once a month for up to 7 mo. C3 siRNA limited fluid-phase alternative pathway activation, reducing circulating C3 fragmentation and activation of factor B. Treatment with GalNAc-conjugated C3 siRNA reduced glomerular C3d deposits in Cfh +/- mice to levels similar to those of wild-type mice. Ultrastructural analysis further revealed the efficacy of the C3 siRNA in slowing the formation of mesangial and subendothelial electron-dense deposits. The present data indicate that RNA interference-mediated C3 silencing in the liver may be a relevant therapeutic strategy for treating patients with C3G associated with the haploinsufficiency of complement factor H.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Zanchi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | - Monica Locatelli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | - Domenico Cerullo
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | | | - Daniela Corna
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | - Daniela Rottoli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | | | - Roberta Donadelli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | - Mansoureh Mousavi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | - Marina Noris
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | - Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | - Ariela Benigni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
| | - Carlamaria Zoja
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy; and
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Aumiller V, Strobel B, Romeike M, Schuler M, Stierstorfer BE, Kreuz S. Comparative analysis of lysyl oxidase (like) family members in pulmonary fibrosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:149. [PMID: 28273952 PMCID: PMC5428068 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00270-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and stiffness are major driving forces for the development and persistence of fibrotic diseases. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) and LOX-like (LOXL) proteins play crucial roles in ECM remodeling due to their collagen crosslinking and intracellular functions. Here, we systematically investigated LOX/L expression in primary fibroblasts and epithelial cells under fibrotic conditions, Bleomycin (BLM) induced lung fibrosis and in human IPF tissue. Basal expression of all LOX/L family members was detected in epithelial cells and at higher levels in fibroblasts. Various pro-fibrotic stimuli broadly induced LOX/L expression in fibroblasts, whereas specific induction of LOXL2 and partially LOX was observed in epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of lung tissue from 14 IPF patients and healthy donors revealed strong induction of LOX and LOXL2 in bronchial and alveolar epithelium as well as fibroblastic foci. Using siRNA experiments we observed that LOXL2 and LOXL3 were crucial for fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT). As FMT could only be reconstituted with an enzymatically active LOXL2 variant, we conclude that LOXL2 enzymatic function is crucial for fibroblast transdifferentiation. In summary, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the LOX/L family in fibrotic lung disease and indicates prominent roles for LOXL2/3 in fibroblast activation and LOX/LOXL2 in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Aumiller
- Immunology & Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Target Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Merrit Romeike
- Immunology & Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Michael Schuler
- Target Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Birgit E Stierstorfer
- Target Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Immunology & Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
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Vierkotten S, Aumiller V, Uhl F, Königshoff M. Wnt-Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan interaction in fibrotic lung disease. Pneumologie 2014. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1376810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Aumiller V, Balsara N, Wilhelm J, Günther A, Königshoff M. WNT/β-catenin signaling induces IL-1β expression by alveolar epithelial cells in pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2013; 49:96-104. [PMID: 23526221 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2012-0524oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal lung disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by alterations of the alveolar epithelium, myofibroblast activation, and increased extracellular matrix deposition. Recently, reactivation of the developmental WNT/β-catenin pathway has been linked with pulmonary fibrosis. The cell-specific mechanisms and mediators of WNT/β-catenin signaling in the lung, however, remain elusive. Here, we applied an unbiased gene expression screen to identify epithelial cell-specific mediators of WNT/β-catenin signaling. We found the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β to be one of the most up-regulated genes in primary murine alveolar epithelial Type II (ATII) cells after WNT3a treatment. Increased transcript and protein expression of IL-1β upon WNT3a treatment was further detected in primary ATII cells by quantitative RT-PCR (log fold change, 2.0 ± 0.5) and ELISA (1.8-fold increase). We observed significant up-regulation of IL-1β and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in vivo. Importantly, primary fibrotic ATII cells isolated from lungs subjected to bleomycin secreted enhanced IL-1β and IL-6 in vitro. Furthermore, the orotracheal application of recombinant WNT protein in the Tcf optimal promoter (TOP)-β-galactosidase reporter animals led to WNT/β-catenin activation in epithelial cells, along with significant increases in IL-1β and IL-6 in vivo (2.7-fold and 6.0-fold increases, respectively). Finally, we found increased WNT3a protein in fibrotic alveolar epithelia, accompanied by enhanced IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations in BALF from patients with IPF. Taken together, our findings reveal that the alveolar epithelium is a relevant source of proinflammatory cytokines induced by active WNT/β-catenin in pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, WNT/interleukin signaling represents a novel link between developmental pathway reactivation and inflammation in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Aumiller
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, University Hospital Grosshadern, and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
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Aumiller V, Graebsch A, Kremmer E, Niessing D, Förstemann K. Drosophila Pur-α binds to trinucleotide-repeat containing cellular RNAs and translocates to the early oocyte. RNA Biol 2012; 9:633-43. [PMID: 22614836 DOI: 10.4161/rna.19760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pur-α was identified as a DNA-binding protein with high affinity for the single-stranded PUR-motif (GGN)n. Bound to DNA, Pur-α can both activate and repress transcription. In addition, Pur-α binds to RNA and may participate in nuclear RNA export as well as transport of cytoplasmic neuronal mRNP granules. The heritable trinucleotide-repeat expansion disease Fragile X associated Tremor and Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) leads to interaction of Pur-α with mutant, abnormally long r(CGG)n stretches, which appears to titrate the protein away from its physiologic mRNA targets into nuclear RNA-protein aggregates. We examined the function of Drosophila Pur-α and demonstrate that the protein accumulates in the growing oocyte early in oogenesis. Co-purifying proteins reveal that Pur-α is part of transported mRNP complexes, analogous to its reported role in nerve cells. We analyzed the subcellular localization of mutant GFP-Pur-α fusion proteins where either nucleic acid binding or dimerization, or both, were prevented. We propose that association with mRNAs occurs in the nucleus and is required for nuclear export of the complex. Furthermore, efficient translocation into the oocyte also requires RNA binding as well as dimerization. RNA binding assays demonstrate that recombinant Drosophila Pur-α can bind r(CGG) 4 with higher affinity than previously thought. Related sequences, such as r(CAG) 4 and the consensus sequence of the opa-repeat r(CAG) 3CAA, can also associate with Pur-α in vitro and in vivo. The mRNA target spectrum of Pur-α may therefore be larger than previously anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Aumiller
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
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