1
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Rijvers L, van Langelaar J, Bogers L, Melief MJ, Koetzier SC, Blok KM, Wierenga-Wolf AF, de Vries HE, Rip J, Corneth OB, Hendriks RW, Grenningloh R, Boschert U, Smolders J, van Luijn MM. Human T-bet+ B cell development is associated with BTK activity and suppressed by evobrutinib. JCI Insight 2022; 7:160909. [PMID: 35852869 PMCID: PMC9462504 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.160909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical trials have shown promising results for the next-generation Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor evobrutinib in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). BTK has a central role in signaling pathways that govern the development of B cells. Whether and how BTK activity shapes B cells as key drivers of MS is currently unclear. Compared with levels of BTK protein, we found higher levels of phospho-BTK in ex vivo blood memory B cells from patients with relapsing-remitting MS and secondary progressive MS compared with controls. In these MS groups, BTK activity was induced to a lesser extent after anti-IgM stimulation. BTK positively correlated with CXCR3 expression, both of which were increased in blood B cells from clinical responders to natalizumab (anti–VLA-4 antibody) treatment. Under in vitro T follicular helper–like conditions, BTK phosphorylation was enhanced by T-bet–inducing stimuli, IFN-γ and CpG-ODN, while the expression of T-bet and T-bet–associated molecules CXCR3, CD21, and CD11c was affected by evobrutinib. Furthermore, evobrutinib interfered with in vitro class switching, as well as memory recall responses, and disturbed CXCL10-mediated migration of CXCR3+ switched B cells through human brain endothelial monolayers. These findings demonstrate a functional link between BTK activity and disease-relevant B cells and offer valuable insights into how next-generation BTK inhibitors could modulate the clinical course of patients with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Katelijn M. Blok
- Department of Neurology, MS Center ErasMS, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Helga E. de Vries
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Odilia B.J. Corneth
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rudi W. Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Ursula Boschert
- Ares Trading SA, Eysins, Switzerland (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany)
| | - Joost Smolders
- Department of Immunology and
- Department of Neurology, MS Center ErasMS, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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2
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Qiu H, Ali Z, Bowlan J, Caldwell R, Gardberg A, Glaser N, Goutopoulos A, Head J, Johnson T, Maurer C, Georgi K, Grenningloh R, Fang Z, Morandi F, Rohdich F, Schmidt R, Follis AV, Sherer B. Discovery of Covalent Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors with Decreased CYP2C8 Inhibitory Activity. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3653-3662. [PMID: 34582626 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100453] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a member of the Tec kinase family that is expressed in cells of hematopoietic lineage. Evidence has shown that inhibition of BTK has clinical benefit for the treatment of a wide array of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Previously we reported the discovery of a novel nicotinamide selectivity pocket (SP) series of potent and selective covalent irreversible BTK inhibitors. The top molecule 1 of that series strongly inhibited CYP2C8 (IC50 =100 nM), which was attributed to the bridged linker group. However, our effort on the linker replacement turned out to be fruitless. With the study of the X-ray crystal structure of compound 1, we envisioned the opportunity of removal of this liability via transposition of the linker moiety in 1 from C6 to C5 position of the pyridine core. With this strategy, our optimization led to the discovery of a novel series, in which the top molecule 18 A displayed reduced CYP inhibitory activity and good potency. To further explore this new series, different warheads besides acrylamide, for example cyanamide, were also tested. However, this effort didn't lead to the discovery of molecules with better potency than 18 A. The loss of potency in those molecules could be related to the reduced reactivity of the warhead or reversible binding mode. Further profiling of 18 A disclosed that it had a strong hERG (human Ether-a-go-go Related Gene) inhibition, which could be related to the phenoxyphenyl group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Zahid Ali
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Julian Bowlan
- Repare Therapeutics, 1 Broadway, 15th Floor, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Richard Caldwell
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Anna Gardberg
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, 215 First Street, Suite 200, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Nina Glaser
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
| | - Andreas Goutopoulos
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Jared Head
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Theresa Johnson
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | | | - Katrin Georgi
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Zhizhou Fang
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
| | - Federica Morandi
- Cellular Enzymology, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Konzern-Hauptsitz, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Felix Rohdich
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
| | - Ralf Schmidt
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
| | - Ariele Viacava Follis
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Brian Sherer
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
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3
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Qiu H, Ali Z, Bender A, Caldwell R, Chen YY, Fang Z, Gardberg A, Glaser N, Goettsche A, Goutopoulos A, Grenningloh R, Hanschke B, Head J, Johnson T, Jones C, Jones R, Kulkarni S, Maurer C, Morandi F, Neagu C, Poetzsch S, Potnick J, Schmidt R, Roe K, Viacava Follis A, Wing C, Zhu X, Sherer B. Discovery of potent and selective reversible Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 40:116163. [PMID: 33932711 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a cytoplasmic, non-receptor tyrosine kinase member of the TEC family of tyrosine kinases. Pre-clinical and clinical data have shown that targeting BTK can be used for the treatment for B-cell disorders. Here we disclose the discovery of a novel imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine series of potent, selective reversible BTK inhibitors through a rational design approach. From a starting hit molecule 1, medicinal chemistry optimization led to the development of a lead compound 30, which exhibited 58 nM BTK inhibitory potency in human whole blood and high kinome selectivity. Additionally, the compound demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics (PK), and showed potent dose-dependent efficacy in a rat CIA model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1).
| | - Zahid Ali
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Andrew Bender
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Richard Caldwell
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Yi-Ying Chen
- Stoke Therapeutics, 45 Wiggins Ave, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
| | - Zhizhou Fang
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt, Hessen, DE 64293, Germany
| | - Anna Gardberg
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, 215 First St #200, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nina Glaser
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt, Hessen, DE 64293, Germany
| | - Anja Goettsche
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt, Hessen, DE 64293, Germany
| | - Andreas Goutopoulos
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Bettina Hanschke
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt, Hessen, DE 64293, Germany
| | - Jared Head
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Theresa Johnson
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Christopher Jones
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Reinaldo Jones
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Shashank Kulkarni
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Christine Maurer
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt, Hessen, DE 64293, Germany
| | - Federica Morandi
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Grenzacherstrasse 124, Basel, Basel-Stadt, CH 4070, Switzerland
| | - Constantin Neagu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Sven Poetzsch
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt, Hessen, DE 64293, Germany
| | - Justin Potnick
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Ralf Schmidt
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Katherine Roe
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Ariele Viacava Follis
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Carolyn Wing
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Xiaohua Zhu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
| | - Brian Sherer
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA(1)
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4
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Bhargava P, Kim S, Reyes AA, Grenningloh R, Boschert U, Absinta M, Pardo C, Van Zijl P, Zhang J, Calabresi PA. Imaging meningeal inflammation in CNS autoimmunity identifies a therapeutic role for BTK inhibition. Brain 2021; 144:1396-1408. [PMID: 33724342 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [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: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptomeningeal inflammation in multiple sclerosis is associated with worse clinical outcomes and greater cortical pathology. Despite progress in identifying this process in multiple sclerosis patients using post-contrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging, early trials attempting to target meningeal inflammation have been unsuccessful. There is a lack of appropriate model systems to screen potential therapeutic agents targeting meningeal inflammation. We utilized ultra-high field (11.7 T) MRI to perform post-contrast imaging in SJL/J mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced via immunization with proteolipid protein peptide (PLP139-151) and complete Freund's adjuvant. Imaging was performed in both a cross-sectional and longitudinal fashion at time points ranging from 2 to 14 weeks post-immunization. Following imaging, we euthanized animals and collected tissue for pathological evaluation, which revealed dense cellular infiltrates corresponding to areas of contrast enhancement involving the leptomeninges. These areas of meningeal inflammation contained B cells (B220+), T cells (CD3+) and myeloid cells (Mac2+). We also noted features consistent with tertiary lymphoid tissue within these areas, namely the presence of peripheral node addressin-positive structures, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-13 (CXCL13)-producing cells and FDC-M1+ follicular dendritic cells. In the cortex adjacent to areas of meningeal inflammation we identified astrocytosis, microgliosis, demyelination and evidence of axonal stress/damage. Since areas of meningeal contrast enhancement persisted over several weeks in longitudinal experiments, we utilized this model to test the effects of a therapeutic intervention on established meningeal inflammation. We randomized mice with evidence of meningeal contrast enhancement on MRI scans performed at 6 weeks post-immunization, to treatment with either vehicle or evobrutinib [a Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor] for a period of 4 weeks. These mice underwent serial imaging; we examined the effect of treatment on the areas of meningeal contrast enhancement and noted a significant reduction in the evobrutinib group compared to vehicle (30% reduction versus 5% increase; P = 0.003). We used ultra-high field MRI to identify areas of meningeal inflammation and to track them over time in SJL/J mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and then used this model to identify BTK inhibition as a novel therapeutic approach to target meningeal inflammation. The results of this study provide support for future studies in multiple sclerosis patients with imaging evidence of meningeal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavan Bhargava
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sol Kim
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arthur A Reyes
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Martina Absinta
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carlos Pardo
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter Van Zijl
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiangyang Zhang
- Department of Radiology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter A Calabresi
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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5
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Torke S, Pretzsch R, Häusler D, Haselmayer P, Grenningloh R, Boschert U, Brück W, Weber MS. Inhibition of Bruton's tyrosine kinase interferes with pathogenic B-cell development in inflammatory CNS demyelinating disease. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 140:535-548. [PMID: 32761407 PMCID: PMC7498502 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02204-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [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: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anti-CD20-mediated B-cell depletion effectively reduces acute multiple sclerosis (MS) flares. Recent data shows that antibody-mediated extinction of B cells as a lasting immune suppression, harbors the risk of developing humoral deficiencies over time. Accordingly, more selective, durable and reversible B-cell-directed MS therapies are needed. We here tested inhibition of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), an enzyme centrally involved in B-cell receptor signaling, as the most promising approach in this direction. Using mouse models of MS, we determined that evobrutinib, the first BTK inhibiting molecule being developed, dose-dependently inhibited antigen-triggered activation and maturation of B cells as well as their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Most importantly, evobrutinib treatment functionally impaired the capacity of B cells to act as antigen-presenting cells for the development of encephalitogenic T cells, resulting in a significantly reduced disease severity in mice. In contrast to anti-CD20, BTK inhibition silenced this key property of B cells in MS without impairing their frequency or functional integrity. In conjunction with a recent phase II trial reporting that evobrutinib is safe and effective in MS, our mechanistic data highlight therapeutic BTK inhibition as a landmark towards selectively interfering with MS-driving B-cell properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Torke
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Roxanne Pretzsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Darius Häusler
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Haselmayer
- Translational Innovation Platform Immunology, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Ursula Boschert
- Ares Trading S.A., An Affiliate of Merck Serono S.A., Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Brück
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin S Weber
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.
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6
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Abstract
Background: Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). In multiple sclerosis (MS) and related experimental models, microglia have either a pro-inflammatory or a pro-regenerative/pro-remyelinating function. Inhibition of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), a member of the Tec family of kinases, has been shown to block differentiation of pro-inflammatory macrophages in response to granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor in vitro. However, the role of BTK in the CNS is unknown. Methods: Our aim was to investigate the effect of BTK inhibition on myelin repair in ex vivo and in vivo experimental models of demyelination and remyelination. The remyelination effect of a BTK inhibitor (BTKi; BTKi-1) was then investigated in LPC-induced demyelinated cerebellar organotypic slice cultures and metronidazole-induced demyelinated Xenopus MBP-GFP-NTR transgenic tadpoles. Results: Cellular detection of BTK and its activated form BTK-phospho-Y223 (p-BTK) was determined by immunohistochemistry in organotypic cerebellar slice cultures, before and after lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced demyelination. A low BTK signal detected by immunolabeling under normal conditions in cerebellar slices was in sharp contrast to an 8.5-fold increase in the number of BTK-positive cells observed in LPC-demyelinated slice cultures. Under both conditions, approximately 75% of cells expressing BTK and p-BTK were microglia and 25% were astrocytes. Compared with spontaneous recovery, treatment of demyelinated slice cultures and MTZ-demyelinated transgenic tadpoles with BTKi resulted in at least a 1.7-fold improvement of remyelination. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that BTK inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy for myelin repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Martin
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Marie-Stéphane Aigrot
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States (a business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany)
| | - Bruno Stankoff
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France.,AP-HP, Saint-Antoine Hospital, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Lubetzki
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France.,AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Ursula Boschert
- Ares Trading S.A. an affiliate of Merck Serono S.A., Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Zalc
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
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7
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Montalban X, Shaw J, Dangond F, Martin E, Grenningloh R, Weber MS, Vermersch P. Effet de l’Evobrutinib, inhibiteur de la tyrosine kinase de Bruton, sur les taux de cellules immunitaires et d’immunoglobulines sur 48 semaines dans le cadre d’une étude de phase 2 sur la sclérose en plaques récurrente. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2020.01.242] [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: 11/25/2022]
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8
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zalc B, Aigrot MS, Martin E, Grenningloh R, Stankoff B, Lubetzki C, Boschert U. L’inhibition de la tyrosine kinase de Bruton (BTK) favorise la réparation de la myéline dans deux modèles différents de démyélinisation. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2020.01.235] [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: 11/29/2022]
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9
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Becker A, Martin EC, Mitchell DY, Grenningloh R, Bender AT, Laurent J, Mackenzie H, Johne A. Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, Target Occupancy, and Concentration-QT Analysis of the Novel BTK Inhibitor Evobrutinib in Healthy Volunteers. Clin Transl Sci 2019; 13:325-336. [PMID: 31654487 PMCID: PMC7070898 DOI: 10.1111/cts.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a key regulator of B cell receptor and Fc receptor signaling, and a rational therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases. This first‐in‐human phase I, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), target occupancy, and effects on QT interval of evobrutinib, a highly selective, oral inhibitor of BTK, in healthy subjects. This dose escalation trial consisted of two parts. Part 1 included 48 subjects in 6 ascending dose cohorts (25, 50, 100, 200, 350, and 500 mg) randomized to a single dose of evobrutinib or placebo. Part 2 included 36 subjects in 3 ascending dose cohorts (25, 75, and 200 mg/day) randomized to evobrutinib or placebo once daily for 14 days. Safety and tolerability, as well as PK and target occupancy (total and free BTK in peripheral blood mononuclear cells), were assessed following single and multiple dosing. PK parameters were determined by noncompartmental methods. QT interval was obtained from 12‐lead electrocardiogram recordings and corrected for heart rate by Fridericia's method (QTcF). Treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mostly mild, occurring in 25% of subjects after single dosing, and 48.1% after multiple dosing. There was no apparent dose relationship regarding frequency or type of TEAE among evobrutinib‐treated subjects. Absorption was rapid (time to reach maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) ~ 0.5 hour), half‐life short (~ 2 hours), and PK dose‐proportional, with no accumulation or time dependency on repeat dosing. BTK occupancy was dose‐dependent, reaching maximum occupancy of > 90% within ~ 4 hours after single doses ≥ 200 mg; the effect was long‐lasting (> 50% occupancy at 96 hours with ≥ 100 mg). After multiple dosing, full BTK occupancy was achieved with 25 mg, indicating slow turnover of BTK protein in vivo. Concentration‐QTcF analyses did not show any impact of evobrutinib concentration on corrected QT (QTc). In summary, evobrutinib was well‐tolerated, showed linear and time‐independent PK, induced long‐lasting BTK inhibition, and was associated with no prolongation of QT/QTc interval in healthy subjects. Evobrutinib is, therefore, suitable for investigation in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily C Martin
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Roland Grenningloh
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew T Bender
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Harald Mackenzie
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Caldwell RD, Qiu H, Askew BC, Bender AT, Brugger N, Camps M, Dhanabal M, Dutt V, Eichhorn T, Gardberg AS, Goutopoulos A, Grenningloh R, Head J, Healey B, Hodous BL, Huck BR, Johnson TL, Jones C, Jones RC, Mochalkin I, Morandi F, Nguyen N, Meyring M, Potnick JR, Santos DC, Schmidt R, Sherer B, Shutes A, Urbahns K, Follis AV, Wegener AA, Zimmerli SC, Liu-Bujalski L. Discovery of Evobrutinib: An Oral, Potent, and Highly Selective, Covalent Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) Inhibitor for the Treatment of Immunological Diseases. J Med Chem 2019; 62:7643-7655. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard D. Caldwell
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Hui Qiu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Ben C. Askew
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Andrew T. Bender
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Nadia Brugger
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Montserrat Camps
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Mohanraj Dhanabal
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Vikram Dutt
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Thomas Eichhorn
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Anna S. Gardberg
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Andreas Goutopoulos
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Jared Head
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Brian Healey
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Brian L. Hodous
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Bayard R. Huck
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Theresa L. Johnson
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Christopher Jones
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Reinaldo C. Jones
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Igor Mochalkin
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Federica Morandi
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Ngan Nguyen
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Michael Meyring
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Justin R. Potnick
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Dusica Cvetinovic Santos
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Ralf Schmidt
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Brian Sherer
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Adam Shutes
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Klaus Urbahns
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Ariele Viacava Follis
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Ansgar A. Wegener
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Simone C. Zimmerli
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Lesley Liu-Bujalski
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (a Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 45 A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
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11
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Haselmayer P, Camps M, Liu-Bujalski L, Nguyen N, Morandi F, Head J, O'Mahony A, Zimmerli SC, Bruns L, Bender AT, Schroeder P, Grenningloh R. Efficacy and Pharmacodynamic Modeling of the BTK Inhibitor Evobrutinib in Autoimmune Disease Models. J Immunol 2019; 202:2888-2906. [PMID: 30988116 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Because of its role in mediating both B cell and Fc receptor signaling, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a promising target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Evobrutinib is a novel, highly selective, irreversible BTK inhibitor that potently inhibits BCR- and Fc receptor-mediated signaling and, thus, subsequent activation and function of human B cells and innate immune cells such as monocytes and basophils. We evaluated evobrutinib in preclinical models of RA and SLE and characterized the relationship between BTK occupancy and inhibition of disease activity. In mouse models of RA and SLE, orally administered evobrutinib displayed robust efficacy, as demonstrated by reduction of disease severity and histological damage. In the SLE model, evobrutinib inhibited B cell activation, reduced autoantibody production and plasma cell numbers, and normalized B and T cell subsets. In the RA model, efficacy was achieved despite failure to reduce autoantibodies. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling showed that mean BTK occupancy in blood cells of 80% was linked to near-complete disease inhibition in both RA and SLE mouse models. In addition, evobrutinib inhibited mast cell activation in a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis model. Thus, evobrutinib achieves efficacy by acting both on B cells and innate immune cells. Taken together, our data show that evobrutinib is a promising molecule for the chronic treatment of B cell-driven autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Haselmayer
- Translational Innovation Platform Immunology, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | | | - Lesley Liu-Bujalski
- Medicinal Chemistry, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821
| | - Ngan Nguyen
- Medicinal Chemistry, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821
| | - Federica Morandi
- Molecular Pharmacology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821
| | - Jared Head
- Molecular Pharmacology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821
| | - Alison O'Mahony
- Eurofins DiscoverX Corporation, South San Francisco, CA 94080
| | - Simone C Zimmerli
- Translational Innovation Platform Immunology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821; and
| | - Lisa Bruns
- Translational Innovation Platform Immunology, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | - Andrew T Bender
- Translational Innovation Platform Immunology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821; and
| | - Patricia Schroeder
- Translational Pharmacology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- Translational Innovation Platform Immunology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821; and
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12
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Svecova D, Lubell MW, Casset-Semanaz F, Mackenzie H, Grenningloh R, Krueger JG. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 study of multiple ascending doses of subcutaneous M1095, an anti-interleukin 17A/F nanobody, in moderate-to-severe psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2019; 81:196-203. [PMID: 30926369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.03.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin 17 is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, a chronic debilitating disease. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the safety/tolerability, immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of M1095, an anti-interleukin 17A/F nanobody, in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose escalation phase 1 study randomized 44 patients 4:1 to treatment with subcutaneous M1095 (30, 60, 120, or 240 mg) or placebo biweekly for 6 weeks, in 4 ascending dose cohorts. RESULTS The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events with M1095 were pruritus (n = 4) and headache (n = 3); 2 patients withdrew owing to adverse events (injection site reaction and elevated liver enzyme levels). The terminal half-life of M1095 was 11 to 12 days. The area under the curve/maximum concentration was dose proportional. Of 10 M1095-treated patients positive for antidrug antibodies, 5 showed treatment-emergent antidrug antibody responses. There was no effect on M1095 exposure. Marked decreases in psoriasis inflammatory markers were observed with M1095. By day 85, 100% and 56% of patients receiving M1095, 240 mg, achieved psoriasis area and severity index 90 and 100, respectively. Improvements in static Physician's Global Assessment and affected body surface area were also seen. LIMITATIONS Interpretation of efficacy data is limited by the small sample size. CONCLUSION Multiple subcutaneous doses of M1095 showed a favorable safety profile with dose-dependent improvements in psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danka Svecova
- Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin W Lubell
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | | | - Harald Mackenzie
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts.
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13
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Qiu H, Caldwell R, Liu-Bujalski L, Goutopoulos A, Jones R, Potnick J, Sherer B, Bender A, Grenningloh R, Xu D, Gardberg A, Mochalkin I, Johnson T, Viacava Follis A, Head J, Morandi F. Discovery of Affinity-Based Probes for Btk Occupancy Assays. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:217-223. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Richard Caldwell
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Lesley Liu-Bujalski
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Andreas Goutopoulos
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Reinaldo Jones
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Justin Potnick
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Brian Sherer
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Andrew Bender
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Daigen Xu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Anna Gardberg
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals; 215 First Street, Suite 200 Cambridge MA 02142 USA
| | - Igor Mochalkin
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Theresa Johnson
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Ariele Viacava Follis
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Jared Head
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute; 45A Middlesex Turnpike Billerica MA 01821 USA
| | - Federica Morandi
- Cellular Enzymology; F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; Konzern-Hauptsitz; Grenzacherstrasse 124 4070 Basel Switzerland
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14
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Qiu H, Liu-Bujalski L, Caldwell RD, Viacava Follis A, Gardberg A, Goutopoulos A, Grenningloh R, Head J, Johnson T, Jones CC, Jones R, Mochalkin I, Morandi F, Neagu C, Potnick J, Sherer B. Optimization of the efflux ratio and permeability of covalent irreversible BTK inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:3307-3311. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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15
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Caldwell R, Liu-Bujalski L, Qiu H, Mochalkin I, Jones R, Neagu C, Goutopoulos A, Grenningloh R, Johnson T, Sherer B, Gardberg A, Follis AV, Morandi F, Head J. Discovery of a novel series of pyridine and pyrimidine carboxamides as potent and selective covalent inhibitors of Btk. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:3419-3424. [PMID: 30290988 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Btk is an attractive target for the treatment of a range of Bcell malignancies as well as several autoimmune diseases such as murine lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Several covalent irreversible inhibitors of Btk are currently in development including ibrutinib which was approved for treatment of B-cell malignancies. Herein, we describe our efforts using X-ray guided structure based design (SBD) to identify a novel chemical series of covalent Btk inhibitors. The resulting pyridine carboxamides were potent and selective inhibitors of Btk having excellent enzymatic and cellular inhibitory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Caldwell
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA.
| | - Lesley Liu-Bujalski
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Hui Qiu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Igor Mochalkin
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Reinaldo Jones
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Constantin Neagu
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Andreas Goutopoulos
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Theresa Johnson
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Brian Sherer
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Anna Gardberg
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, 215 First Street, Suite 200, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ariele Viacava Follis
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
| | - Federica Morandi
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Konzern-Hauptsitz, Grenzacherstrasse 124, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jared Head
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., 45A Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica 01821, MA, USA
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16
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Qiu H, Liu-Bujalski L, Caldwell RD, Follis AV, Gardberg A, Goutopoulos A, Grenningloh R, Head J, Johnson T, Jones R, Mochalkin I, Morandi F, Neagu C, Sherer B. Discovery of potent, highly selective covalent irreversible BTK inhibitors from a fragment hit. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:2939-2944. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Bender AT, Gardberg A, Pereira A, Johnson T, Wu Y, Grenningloh R, Head J, Morandi F, Haselmayer P, Liu-Bujalski L. Ability of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors to Sequester Y551 and Prevent Phosphorylation Determines Potency for Inhibition of Fc Receptor but not B-Cell Receptor Signaling. Mol Pharmacol 2017; 91:208-219. [PMID: 28062735 DOI: 10.1124/mol.116.107037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is expressed in a variety of hematopoietic cells. Btk has been demonstrated to regulate signaling downstream of the B-cell receptor (BCR), Fc receptors (FcRs), and toll-like receptors. It has become an attractive drug target because its inhibition may provide significant efficacy by simultaneously blocking multiple disease mechanisms. Consequently, a large number of Btk inhibitors have been developed. These compounds have diverse binding modes, and both reversible and irreversible inhibitors have been developed. Reported herein, we have tested nine Btk inhibitors and characterized on a molecular level how their interactions with Btk define their ability to block different signaling pathways. By solving the crystal structures of Btk inhibitors bound to the enzyme, we discovered that the compounds can be classified by their ability to trigger sequestration of Btk residue Y551. In cells, we found that sequestration of Y551 renders it inaccessible for phosphorylation. The ability to sequester Y551 was an important determinant of potency against FcεR signaling as Y551 sequestering compounds were more potent for inhibiting basophils and mast cells. This result was true for the inhibition of FcγR signaling as well. In contrast, Y551 sequestration was less a factor in determining potency against BCR signaling. We also found that Btk activity is regulated differentially in basophils and B cells. These results elucidate important determinants for Btk inhibitor potency against different signaling pathways and provide insight for designing new compounds with a broader inhibitory profile that will likely result in greater efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Bender
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Anna Gardberg
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Albertina Pereira
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Theresa Johnson
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Yin Wu
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Jared Head
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Federica Morandi
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Philipp Haselmayer
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
| | - Lesley Liu-Bujalski
- TIP Immunology (A.T.B., A.P., Y.W., R.G.) and Discovery Technologies (A.G., T.J., J.H., F.M., L.L.-B.), EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts; and TIP Immunology, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (P.H.)
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18
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Haselmayer P, Camps M, Liu-Bujalski L, Morandi F, Head J, Zimmerli S, Bruns L, Bender A, Schroeder P, Grenningloh R. THU0275 Pharmacodynamic Modeling of BTK Occupancy versus Efficacy in RA and SLE Models Using The Novel Specific BTK Inhibitor M2951. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.4342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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19
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Haselmayer P, Camps M, Muzerelle M, El Bawab S, Waltzinger C, Bruns L, Abla N, Polokoff MA, Jond-Necand C, Gaudet M, Benoit A, Bertschy Meier D, Martin C, Gretener D, Lombardi MS, Grenningloh R, Ladel C, Petersen JS, Gaillard P, Ji H. Characterization of Novel PI3Kδ Inhibitors as Potential Therapeutics for SLE and Lupus Nephritis in Pre-Clinical Studies. Front Immunol 2014; 5:233. [PMID: 24904582 PMCID: PMC4033217 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
SLE is a complex autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by pathogenic autoantibody production as a consequence of uncontrolled T–B cell activity and immune-complex deposition in various organs, including kidney, leading to tissue damage and function loss. There is a high unmet need for better treatment options other than corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Phosphoinositol-3 kinase δ (PI3Kδ) is a promising target in this respect as it is essential in mediating B- and T-cell function in mouse and human. We report the identification of selective PI3Kδ inhibitors that blocked B-, T-, and plasmacytoid dendritic cell activities in human peripheral blood and in primary cell co-cultures (BioMAP®) without detecting signs of undesired toxicity. In an IFNα-accelerated mouse SLE model, our PI3Kδ inhibitors blocked nephritis development, whether administered at the onset of autoantibody appearance or the onset of proteinuria. Disease amelioration correlated with normalized immune cell numbers in the spleen, reduced immune-complex deposition as well as reduced inflammation, fibrosis, and tissue damage in the kidney. Improvements were similar to those achieved with a frequently prescribed drug for lupus nephritis, the potent immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil. Finally, we established a pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetic/efficacy model that revealed that a sustained PI3Kδ inhibition of 50% is sufficient to achieve full efficacy in our disease model. These data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of PI3Kδ inhibitors in SLE and lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Haselmayer
- Immunology, Department of Preclinical Pharmacology, Merck Serono , Darmstadt , Germany ; Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono , Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Montserrat Camps
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | | | - Samer El Bawab
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK), Non-Clinical Development, Merck Serono , Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Caroline Waltzinger
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Lisa Bruns
- Immunology, Department of Preclinical Pharmacology, Merck Serono , Darmstadt , Germany ; Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono , Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Nada Abla
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK), Non-Clinical Development, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Mark A Polokoff
- BioSeek® Division, DiscoveRx Corporation , South San Francisco, CA , USA
| | - Carole Jond-Necand
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Marilène Gaudet
- Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Department of Early PK/PD Biomarker, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Audrey Benoit
- Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Department of Early PK/PD Biomarker, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Dominique Bertschy Meier
- Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Department of Early PK/PD Biomarker, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Catherine Martin
- Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Department of Early PK/PD Biomarker, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Denise Gretener
- Department of Screening, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Maria Stella Lombardi
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- Immunology, Department of Preclinical Pharmacology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute , Billerica, MA , USA
| | - Christoph Ladel
- Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono , Darmstadt , Germany
| | | | | | - Hong Ji
- Biologics and Immunology Platform, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland ; Department of Early PK/PD Biomarker, Merck Serono SA , Geneva , Switzerland
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20
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Lee CG, Kwon HK, Sahoo A, Hwang W, So JS, Hwang JS, Chae CS, Kim GC, Kim JE, So HS, Hwang ES, Grenningloh R, Ho IC, Im SH. Interaction of Ets-1 with HDAC1 represses IL-10 expression in Th1 cells. J Immunol 2012; 188:2244-53. [PMID: 22266280 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1101614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
IL-10 is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a crucial role in immunity and tolerance. IL-10 is produced by diverse immune cell types, including B cells and subsets of T cells. Although Th1 produce IL-10, their expression levels are much lower than Th2 cells under conventional stimulation conditions. The potential role of E26 transformation-specific 1 (Ets-1) transcription factor as a negative regulator for Il10 gene expression in CD4(+) T cells has been implicated previously. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of Ets-1-mediated Il10 gene repression in Th1 cells. Compared with wild type Th1 cells, Ets-1 knockout Th1 cells expressed a significantly higher level of IL-10, which is comparable with that of wild type Th2 cells. Upregulation of IL-10 expression in Ets-1 knockout Th1 cells was accompanied by enhanced chromatin accessibility and increased recruitment of histone H3 acetylation at the Il10 regulatory regions. Reciprocally, Ets-1 deficiency significantly decreased histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) enrichment at the Il10 regulatory regions. Treatment with trichostatin A, an inhibitor of HDAC family, significantly increased Il10 gene expression by increasing histone H3 acetylation recruitment. We further demonstrated a physical interaction between Ets-1 and HDAC1. Coexpression of Ets-1 with HDAC1 synergistically repressed IL-10 transcription activity. In summary, our data suggest that an interaction of Ets-1 with HDAC1 represses the Il10 gene expression in Th1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choong-Gu Lee
- School of Life Sciences and Immune Synapse Research Center, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, The Republic of Korea
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21
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Grenningloh R, Tai TS, Frahm N, Hongo TC, Chicoine AT, Brander C, Kaufmann DE, Ho IC. Ets-1 maintains IL-7 receptor expression in peripheral T cells. J Immunol 2010; 186:969-76. [PMID: 21148801 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The expression of CD127, the IL-7-binding subunit of the IL-7 R, is tightly regulated during the development and activation of T cells and is reduced during chronic viral infection. However, the molecular mechanism regulating the dynamic expression of CD127 is still poorly understood. In this study, we report that the transcription factor Ets-1 is required for maintaining the expression of CD127 in murine peripheral T cells. Ets-1 binds to and activates the CD127 promoter, and its absence leads to reduced CD127 expression, attenuated IL-7 signaling, and impaired IL-7-dependent homeostatic proliferation of T cells. The expression of CD127 and Ets-1 is strongly correlated in human T cells. Both CD127 and Ets-1 expression are decreased in CD8(+) T cells during HIV infection. In addition, HIV-associated loss of CD127 is only observed in Ets-1(low) effector memory and central memory but not in Ets-1(high) naive CD8(+) T cells. Taken together, our data identify Ets-1 as a critical regulator of CD127 expression in T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Grenningloh
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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22
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Lin BS, Tsai PY, Hsieh WY, Tsao HW, Liu MW, Grenningloh R, Wang LF, Ho IC, Miaw SC. SUMOylation attenuates c-Maf-dependent IL-4 expression. Eur J Immunol 2010; 40:1174-84. [PMID: 20127678 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200939788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The function of transcription factors can be critically regulated by SUMOylation. c-Maf, the cellular counterpart of v-maf oncogene, is a potent transactivator of the IL-4 gene in Th2 cells. We found in a yeast two-hybrid screen that c-Maf can interact with Ubc9 and PIAS1, two key enzymes of the SUMOylation pathway. In this study, we report that c-Maf co-localized with these two SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) ligases in the nucleus and that c-Maf can be SUMOylated in vitro and also in primary Th2 cells. We also demonstrated that lysine-33 is the dominant, if not the only, SUMO acceptor site of c-Maf. SUMOylation of c-Maf attenuated its transcriptional activity. Reciprocally, a SUMOylation resistant c-Maf was more potent than WT-c-Maf in driving IL-4 production in c-Maf-deficient Th2 cells. Furthermore, we showed that ablation of the SUMO site did not alter the subcellular localization or the stability of c-Maf protein but instead enhanced its recruitment to the Il4-promoter. We conclude that SUMOylation at lysine-33 is a functionally critical post-translational modification event of c-Maf in Th cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Shiou Lin
- Graduate Institute of Immunology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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23
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Lin BS, Tsai PY, Hsieh WY, Tsao HW, Liu MW, Grenningloh R, Wang LF, Ho IC, Miaw SC. Cover Picture: Eur. J. Immunol. 4/10. Eur J Immunol 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201090019] [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: 11/08/2022]
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24
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Strempel JM, Grenningloh R, Ho IC, Vercelli D. Phylogenetic and functional analysis identifies Ets-1 as a novel regulator of the Th2 cytokine gene locus. J Immunol 2009; 184:1309-16. [PMID: 20038639 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0804162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The Th2 cytokine gene locus has emerged as a remarkable example of coordinated gene expression, the regulation of which seems to be rooted in an extensive array of cis-regulatory regions. Using a hypothesis-generating computational approach that integrated multispecies (n = 11) sequence comparisons with algorithm-based transcription factor binding-site predictions, we sought to identify evolutionarily conserved noncoding regions (ECRs) and motifs shared among them, which may underlie coregulation. Twenty-two transcription factor families were predicted to have binding sites in at least two Th2 ECRs. The ranking of these shared motifs according to their distribution and relative frequency pointed to a regulatory hierarchy among the transcription factor families. GATA sites were the most prevalent and widely distributed, consistent with the known role of GATA3 as a Th2 master switch. Unexpectedly, sites for ETS-domain proteins were also predicted within several Th2 ECRs and the majority of these sites were found to support Ets-1 binding in vitro and in vivo. Of note, the expression of all three Th2 cytokines (IL-5, -13, and -4) was significantly and selectively decreased in Th2 cells generated from Ets-1-deficient mice. Collectively, these data suggest that Ets-1 contributes to Th2 cytokine gene regulation by interacting with multiple cis-regulatory regions throughout the Th2 locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannine M Strempel
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Arizona Respiratory Center, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
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25
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Zamisch M, Tian L, Grenningloh R, Xiong Y, Wildt KF, Ehlers M, Ho IC, Bosselut R. The transcription factor Ets1 is important for CD4 repression and Runx3 up-regulation during CD8 T cell differentiation in the thymus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 206:2685-99. [PMID: 19917777 PMCID: PMC2806616 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20092024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Ets1 contributes to the differentiation of CD8 lineage cells in the thymus, but how it does so is not understood. In this study, we demonstrate that Ets1 is required for the proper termination of CD4 expression during the differentiation of major histocompatability class 1 (MHC I)–restricted thymocytes, but not for other events associated with their positive selection, including the initiation of cytotoxic gene expression, corticomedullary migration, or thymus exit. We further show that Ets1 promotes expression of Runx3, a transcription factor important for CD8 T cell differentiation and the cessation of Cd4 gene expression. Enforced Runx3 expression in Ets1-deficient MHC I–restricted thymocytes largely rescued their impaired Cd4 silencing, indicating that Ets1 is not required for Runx3 function. Finally, we document that Ets1 binds at least two evolutionarily conserved regions within the Runx3 gene in vivo, supporting the possibility that Ets1 directly contributes to Runx3 transcription. These findings identify Ets1 as a key player during CD8 lineage differentiation and indicate that it acts, at least in part, by promoting Runx3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Zamisch
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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26
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Zamisch M, Tian L, Grenningloh R, Wildt KF, Ehlers M, Ho IC, Bosselut R. Ets1 is required for CD4 shut down during CD8 T cell differentiation in the thymus (46.11). The Journal of Immunology 2009. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.182.supp.46.11] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
During the latest steps of thymocyte differentiation, T cell precursors that have rearranged TCRbeta and TCRalpha genes and express both CD4 and CD8 (double positive, DP) are selected into MHC II-restricted CD4 T cells, or MHC I-restricted CD8 T cells. Several transcription factors regulate this developmental transition: Gata3 and Zbtb7b promote the generation of CD4 cells, whereas Runx3 is important for CD8 T cell development by promoting the cessation of CD4 expression. The transcription factor Ets1 was reported to contribute to CD8 cell development, but its function in this process remains unclear. The present study has tested the hypothesis that Ets1 participates in CD8 cell differentiation by enabling Runx3 function. Expression of the P14 MHC I-restricted transgenic TCR in Ets1-deficient mice resulted in the generation of a population of CD8 lineage cells that failed to downregulate CD4, suggesting that Ets1 is required for the down-regulation of CD4. Transient transfection analyses failed to reveal any Ets1-Runx3 cooperation on CD4 expression. Rather, we found that Ets1 is necessary for the proper expression of Runx3 during CD8 thymocyte differentiation, and enforced expression of Runx3 restores CD4 shut-down in Ets1-/- MHC I-restricted thymocytes. These findings identify Ets1 as a key player during CD8-lineage differentiation and show that it acts at least in part by promoting Runx3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Linhua Tian
- 2Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Discovery Medicine and Clincal Pharmacology, Pennington, NJ
| | | | | | - Marc Ehlers
- 4DRFZ, Laboratory of Tolerance and Autoimmunigy, Berlin, Germany
| | - I-Cheng Ho
- 3Dept of MEdicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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27
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Abstract
The transcription factor Ets-1 critically regulates differentiation and function of T helper (Th) cells. In vitro studies have demonstrated that DNA binding and transcriptional activity of Ets-1 are regulated by phosphorylation. Depending on the site of phosphorylation, Ets-1 function can either be increased or inhibited. In addition, a splice variant lacking several inhibitory phosphorylation sites has been identified, raising the possibility that this splice variant may function differently from the full-length Ets-1. However, it is unclear how the activating and inhibitory phosphorylation events of Ets-1 are coordinated during Th cell activation. Furthermore, the biological consequences of Ets-1 phosphorylation and alternative splicing in regulating the function of Th cells are unknown. We report here that both activating and inhibitory phosphorylation events of Ets-1 occur simultaneously and independently of each other during Th cell activation. We further demonstrate that the effect of Ets-1 phosphorylation is very modest and that full-length Ets-1 and its splice variant are functionally interchangeable in the regulation of cytokine production in Th cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Grenningloh
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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28
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Grenningloh R, Darj A, Bauer H, zur Lage S, Chakraborty T, Jacobs T, Weiss S. Liposome-encapsulated antigens induce a protective CTL response against Listeria monocytogenes independent of CD4+ T cell help. Scand J Immunol 2008; 67:594-602. [PMID: 18433404 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2008.02112.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protection against intracellular pathogens is usually mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Induction of a protective CTL response for vaccination purposes has proven difficult because of the limited access of protein antigens or attenuated pathogens to the MHC class I presentation pathway. We show here that pH-sensitive PE/CHEMS liposomes can be used as a vehicle to efficiently deliver intact proteins for presentation by MHC class I. Mice immunized with listerial proteins encapsulated in such liposomes launched a strong CTL response and were protected against a subsequent challenge with L. monocytogenes. Remarkably, the CTL response was induced independently of detectable CD4(+) T cell help.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Grenningloh
- Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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29
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Strempel JM, Grenningloh R, Ho I, Vercelli D. Phylogenetic and Functional Analyses Identify Ets‐1 as an Important Regulator of the Th2 Cytokine Gene Locus. FASEB J 2008. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.850.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jannine M Strempel
- Graduate IDP in GeneticsUniversity of ArizonaTucsonAZ
- Arizona Respiratory Center
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- Department of MedicineDivision of RheumatologyImmunology, and AllergyBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | - I‐Cheng Ho
- Department of MedicineDivision of RheumatologyImmunology, and AllergyBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | - Donata Vercelli
- Graduate IDP in GeneticsUniversity of ArizonaTucsonAZ
- Arizona Respiratory Center
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30
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Abstract
IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a role in the clearance of extracellular bacteria and contributes to the pathology of many autoimmune and allergic conditions. IL-17 is produced mainly by a newly characterized subset of T helper (Th) cells termed Th17. Although the role of Th17 cells in the pathology of autoimmune diseases is well established, the transcription factors regulating the differentiation of Th17 cells remain poorly characterized. We report that Ets-1–deficient Th cells differentiated more efficiently to Th17 cells than wild-type cells. This was attributed to both low IL-2 production and increased resistance to the inhibitory effect of IL-2 on Th17 differentiation. The resistance to IL-2 suppression was caused by a defect downstream of STAT5 phosphorylation, but was not caused by a difference in the level of RORγt. Furthermore, Ets-1–deficient mice contained an abnormally high level of IL-17 transcripts in their lungs and exhibited increased mucus production by airway epithelial cells in an IL-17–dependent manner. Based on these observations, we report that Ets-1 is a negative regulator of Th17 differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Moisan
- Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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31
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Moisan J, Grenningloh R, Bettelli E, Oukka M, Ho IC. Ets-1 is a negative regulator of Th17 differentiation (35.34). The Journal of Immunology 2007. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.178.supp.35.34] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a role in the clearance of extracellular bacteria and contributes to the pathology of many autoimmune and allergic conditions. IL-17 is produced mainly by T lymphocytes and a newly characterized subset of T helper (Th) cells producing IL-17 has recently been described and termed Th17. Although the role of Th17 cells in the pathology of autoimmune diseases is well established, the transcription factors regulating the differentiation of this subset remain poorly characterized. We report here that the Ets-1 transcription factor is a negative regulator of Th17 differentiation. Naïve CD4 T cells from Ets-1 knockout (KO) mice expressed increased levels of IL-17 and other Th17-specific genes, including IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23 receptor, following differentiation to the Th17 pathway with TGFβ and IL-6. The increased IL-17 production in Ets-1 KO Th17 cells appeared to be cell intrinsic and was probably caused by altered expression of RORγT, a transcription factor that is essential for the differentiation of Th17 cells. Ets-1 KO mice displayed increased mucus production in their lungs that was associated with increased expression of IL-17, IL-17F, but not IFNγ. Overall, our data demonstrate a role for Ets-1 in inhibiting the differentiation of Th17 cells and broadens the knowledge of the transcriptional program regulating Th17 cell lineage commitment.
The work was supported by a Senior Investigator Award from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and a RO3 grant from NIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Moisan
- 1Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Smith Building Room 524, One Jimmy Fund Way, Boston, MA, 02115,
| | - Roland Grenningloh
- 1Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Smith Building Room 524, One Jimmy Fund Way, Boston, MA, 02115,
| | - Estelle Bettelli
- 2Center for Neurologic Disease, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, HIM 785, Boston, MA, 02115-5817
| | - Mohamed Oukka
- 2Center for Neurologic Disease, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, HIM 785, Boston, MA, 02115-5817
| | - I-Cheng Ho
- 1Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Smith Building Room 524, One Jimmy Fund Way, Boston, MA, 02115,
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32
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Grenningloh R, Gho A, di Lucia P, Klaus M, Bollag W, Ho IC, Sinigaglia F, Panina-Bordignon P. Cutting Edge: Inhibition of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) blocks T helper 2 differentiation and prevents allergic lung inflammation. J Immunol 2006; 176:5161-6. [PMID: 16621979 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.9.5161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Among the many factors regulating Th cell differentiation, some nuclear hormone receptors are emerging as important players. The retinoid X receptor (RXR) functions as heterodimerization partner for a variety of nuclear hormone receptors. We show in this study that RXR is critical for Th2-mediated immunity. An RXR antagonist inhibited Th2 differentiation, resulting in reduced production of IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13, whereas IFN-gamma production was enhanced. This effect was dependent on the presence of APCs. In addition, IL-5 production was blocked directly in Th cells. In vivo, inhibition of RXR prevented experimentally induced allergic lung inflammation. Th1-mediated inflammation was not affected. Its specific role in Th2-mediated inflammation makes RXR a promising target for the development of therapies against diseases such as allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis.
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33
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Kim DC, Hsu FI, Barrett NA, Friend DS, Grenningloh R, Ho IC, Al-Garawi A, Lora JM, Lam BK, Austen KF, Kanaoka Y. Cysteinyl leukotrienes regulate Th2 cell-dependent pulmonary inflammation. J Immunol 2006; 176:4440-8. [PMID: 16547282 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.7.4440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Th2 cell-dependent inflammatory response is a central component of asthma, and the ways in which it is regulated is a critical question. The cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are 5-lipoxygenase pathway products implicated in asthma, in particular, by their function as smooth muscle constrictors of airways and microvasculature. To elucidate additional roles for cys-LTs in the pathobiology of pulmonary inflammation, we used an OVA sensitization and challenge protocol with mice lacking leukotriene C(4) synthase (LTC(4)S), the terminal enzyme for cys-LT generation. Ag-induced pulmonary inflammation, characterized by eosinophil infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia with mucus hypersecretion, and accumulation and activation of intraepithelial mast cells was markedly reduced in LTC(4)S(null) mice. Furthermore, Ag-specific IgE and IgG1 in serum, Th2 cell cytokine mRNA expression in the lung, and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine were significantly reduced in LTC(4)S(null) mice compared with wild-type controls. Finally, the number of parabronchial lymph node cells from sensitized LTC(4)S(null) mice and their capacity to generate Th2 cell cytokines ex vivo after restimulation with Ag were also significantly reduced. In contrast, delayed-type cutaneous hypersensitivity, a prototypic Th1 cell-dependent response, was intact in LTC(4)S(null) mice. These findings provide direct evidence of a role for cys-LTs in regulating the initiation and/or amplification of Th2 cell-dependent pulmonary inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Kim
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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34
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Piccio L, Rossi B, Colantonio L, Grenningloh R, Gho A, Ottoboni L, Homeister JW, Scarpini E, Martinello M, Laudanna C, D'Ambrosio D, Lowe JB, Constantin G. Efficient Recruitment of Lymphocytes in Inflamed Brain Venules Requires Expression of Cutaneous Lymphocyte Antigen and Fucosyltransferase-VII. J Immunol 2005; 174:5805-13. [PMID: 15843584 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.9.5805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lymphocyte migration into the brain represents a critical event in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, the mechanisms controlling the recruitment of lymphocytes to the CNS via inflamed brain venules are poorly understood, and therapeutic approaches to inhibit this process are consequently few. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that human and murine Th1 lymphocytes preferentially adhere to murine inflamed brain venules in an experimental model that mimics early inflammation during EAE. A virtually complete inhibition of rolling and arrest of Th1 cells in inflamed brain venules was observed with a blocking anti-P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 Ab and anti-E- and P-selectin Abs. Th1 lymphocytes produced from fucosyltransferase (FucT)-IV(-/-) mice efficiently tethered and rolled, whereas in contrast, primary adhesion of Th1 lymphocytes obtained from FucT-VII(-/-) or Fuc-VII(-/-)FucT-IV(-/-) mice was drastically reduced, indicating that FucT-VII is critical for the recruitment of Th1 cells in inflamed brain microcirculation. Importantly, we show that Abs directed against cutaneous lymphocyte Ag (CLA), a FucT-VII-dependent carbohydrate modification of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, blocked rolling of Th1 cells. By exploiting a system that allowed us to obtain Th1 and Th2 cells with skin- vs gut-homing (CLA(+) vs integrin beta(7)(+)) phenotypes, we observed that induced expression of CLA on Th cells determined a striking increase of rolling efficiency in inflamed brain venules. These observations allow us to conclude that efficient recruitment of activated lymphocytes to the brain in the contexts mimicking EAE is controlled by FucT-VII and its cognate cell surface Ag CLA.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/biosynthesis
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/physiology
- Animals
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
- Antigens, Neoplasm
- Brain/blood supply
- Brain/enzymology
- Brain/pathology
- Cell Communication/genetics
- Cell Communication/immunology
- Cell Movement/genetics
- Cell Movement/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- E-Selectin/physiology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/enzymology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/genetics
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Endothelium, Vascular/immunology
- Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism
- Endothelium, Vascular/pathology
- Female
- Fucosyltransferases/biosynthesis
- Fucosyltransferases/deficiency
- Fucosyltransferases/genetics
- Humans
- Membrane Glycoproteins/biosynthesis
- Membrane Glycoproteins/physiology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- P-Selectin/physiology
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Th1 Cells/metabolism
- Th1 Cells/pathology
- Venules/enzymology
- Venules/immunology
- Venules/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Piccio
- Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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35
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Abstract
To mount an effective type 1 immune response, type 1 T helper (Th1) cells must produce inflammatory cytokines and simultaneously suppress the expression of antiinflammatory cytokines. How these two processes are coordinately regulated at the molecular level is still unclear. In this paper, we show that the proto-oncogene E26 transformation-specific-1 (Ets-1) is necessary for T-bet to promote interferon-gamma production and that Ets-1 is essential for mounting effective Th1 inflammatory responses in vivo. In addition, Ets-1-deficient Th1 cells also produce a very high level of interleukin 10. Thus, Ets-1 plays a crucial and unique role in the reciprocal regulation of inflammatory and antiinflammatory Th responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Grenningloh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Paschen A, Dittmar KE, Grenningloh R, Rohde M, Schadendorf D, Domann E, Chakraborty T, Weiss S. Human dendritic cells infected by Listeria monocytogenes: induction of maturation, requirements for phagolysosomal escape and antigen presentation capacity. Eur J Immunol 2000; 30:3447-56. [PMID: 11093163 DOI: 10.1002/1521-4141(2000012)30:12<3447::aid-immu3447>3.0.co;2-m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
An important feature of microbial infections is the ability of the microorganisms to interfere with and modulate the induction of host immune reactions. However, little is known about the effects of broad host range pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes on similar cell types in different hosts. Here we examine the effects of the human and animal pathogen L. monocytogenes on human dendritic cells (DC) since this type of cells is essential for the initiation of immune responses. Listeria are phagocytosed efficiently by immature human DC and the bacteria escape from the phagolysosome quickly. Lack of the pore-forming activity of listeriolysin, which was found to be essential for the vacuolar escape of this bacterium in other cell types, retarded but did not prevent egress from the vacuole. Treatment of cultures of immature DC with L. monocytogenes resulted in rapid changes in morphology and cellular constitution followed by maturation of the DC. This could be judged by the appearance of maturation-specific cell surface markers. Antigen presentation to CD4 T cells was apparently not impaired by the infection. These results are in clear contrast to results obtained previously in the mouse system (Guzman et al., Mol. Microbiol. 1996. 20: 119 - 126; Darji et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 1997. 27: 1696 - 1703.).
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Affiliation(s)
- A Paschen
- University Clinics Mannheim, Clinical Cooperation Unit for Dermato-Oncology of the DKFZ, Mannheim, Germany
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Grenningloh R, Darji A, Wehland J, Chakraborty T, Weiss S. Listeriolysin and IrpA are major protein targets of the human humoral response against Listeria monocytogenes. Infect Immun 1997; 65:3976-80. [PMID: 9284184 PMCID: PMC175571 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.9.3976-3980.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We have examined the human humoral immune response directed against proteins of Listeria monocytogenes in both healthy individuals and listeriosis patients. Two major targets for an antibody response were found in individuals that did not suffer from listeriosis: listeriolysin (Hly) and the recently described internalin-related protein (IrpA). In contrast, the humoral response in listeriosis patients appears to be more heterogeneous and included Hly, IrpA, InlB, and ActA as major targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Grenningloh
- National Research Center for Biotechnology, Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Braunschweig, Germany.
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