Preclinical pharmacokinetics,pharmacodynamics, tissue distribution,and tumor penetration of anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody,an immune checkpoint inhibitor

MPDL3280A is a human monoclonal antibody that targets programmed cell death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), and exerts anti-tumor activity mainly by blocking PD-L1 interaction with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and B7.1. It is being investigated as a potential therapy for locally advanced or metastatic malignancies. The purpose of the study reported here was to characterize the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, tissue distribution and tumor penetration of MPDL3280A and/or a chimeric anti-PD-L1 antibody PRO304397 to help further clinical development.

The pharmacokinetics of MPDL3280A in monkeys at 0.5, 5 and 20 mg·kg^?1 and the pharmacokinetics / pharmacodynamics of PRO304397 in mice at 1, 3 10 mg·kg^?1 were determined after a single intravenous dose. Tissue distribution and tumor penetration for radiolabeled PRO304397 in tumor-bearing mouse models were determined.

The pharmacokinetics of MPDL3280A and PRO304397 were nonlinear in monkeys and mice, respectively. Complete saturation of PD-L1 in blood in mice was achieved at serum concentrations of PRO304397 above ～0.5 µg·mL^?1. Tissue distribution and tumor penetration studies of PRO304397 in tumor-bearing mice indicated that the minimum tumor interstitial to plasma radioactivity ratio was ～0.3; saturation of target-mediated uptake in non–tumor tissues and desirable exposure in tumors were achieved at higher serum concentrations, and the distribution into tumors was dose-and time-dependent.

The biodistribution data indicated that the efficacious dose is mostly likely higher than that estimated based on simple pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in blood. These data also allowed for estimation of the target clinical dose for further development of MPDL3280A.     

Behavioural Risk Factors in Mid-Life Associated with Successful Ageing,Disability, Dementia and Frailty in Later Life: A Rapid Systematic Review

Background

Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet and low levels of physical activity significantly contribute to the burden of illness in developed countries. Whilst the links between specific and multiple risk behaviours and individual chronic conditions are well documented, the impact of these behaviours in mid-life across a range of later life outcomes has yet to be comprehensively assessed. This review aimed to provide an overview of behavioural risk factors in mid-life that are associated with successful ageing and the primary prevention or delay of disability, dementia, frailty and non-communicable chronic conditions.

Methods

A literature search was conducted to identify cohort studies published in English since 2000 up to Dec 2014. Multivariate analyses and a minimum follow-up of five years were required for inclusion. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts and papers independently. Studies were assessed for quality. Evidence was synthesised by mid-life behavioural risk for a range of late life outcomes.

Findings

This search located 10,338 individual references, of which 164 are included in this review. Follow-up data ranged from five years to 36 years. Outcomes include dementia, frailty, disability and cardiovascular disease. There is consistent evidence of beneficial associations between mid-life physical activity, healthy ageing and disease outcomes. Across all populations studied there is consistent evidence that mid-life smoking has a detrimental effect on health. Evidence specific to alcohol consumption was mixed. Limited, but supportive, evidence was available relating specifically to mid-life diet, leisure and social activities or health inequalities.

Conclusions

There is consistent evidence of associations between mid-life behaviours and a range of late life outcomes. The promotion of physical activity, healthy diet and smoking cessation in all mid-life populations should be encouraged for successful ageing and the prevention of disability and chronic disease.     

A phylogeographic study of the stoneplant Conophytum (Aizoaceae; Ruschioideae; Ruschieae) in the Bushmanland Inselberg Region (South Africa) suggests anemochory

The Bushmanland Inselberg Region (BIR) of South Africa provides an ideal system to study population interactions, as these inselbergs function as islands of Succulent Karoo surrounded by Nama Karoo vegetation. The population genetics of four Conophytum taxa endemic to the quartz-associated habitats of inselbergs in the BIR were investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP), namely C. marginatum subsp. haramoepense, C. marginatum subsp. marginatum, C. maughanii, and C. ratum. Conophytum marginatum colonizes the quartz outcrops on the summits of the inselbergs, while C. maughanii and C. ratum occupy quartz patches at the summit and base of the inselbergs. A total of 24 populations were sampled to assess genetic differentiation between populations of each species, specifically between summit and base populations of C. ratum, eastern and western populations of C. maughanii and populations of the two subspecies of C. marginatum. Moderate levels of genetic differentiation were recovered between the summit and base populations of C. ratum, with an indication of some genetic connectivity between the populations. Slight differentiation between the eastern and western populations of C. maughanii was recovered, however, this was not reflected in the PCoA and STRUCTURE results. In C. marginatum, no significant genetic differentiation was recovered between populations of the subspecies. These results may reflect evidence of different dispersal mechanisms in the species, with the genetic connectivity between populations of C. ratum possibly indicating dispersal through hygrochastic capsules, while genetic connectivity between populations of C. maughanii and C. marginatum may, for the first time, suggest long-distance dispersal, i.e. anemochory. This study provides the first insights into population interactions across the BIR and highlights the importance of conservation in the region, particularly of the Gamsberg, in light of the recent mining activities.     

Characterization and homology modelling of a novel multi-modular and multi-functional Paenibacillus mucilaginosus glycoside hydrolase

Extremophiles - Glycoside hydrolases, particularly cellulases, xylanases and mannanases, are essential for the depolymerisation of lignocellulosic substrates in various industrial bio-processes. In...     

Fungal bioremediation of polyethylene: Challenges and perspectives

Plastics have become ubiquitous in both their adoption as materials and as environmental contaminants. Widespread pollution of these versatile, man-made and largely petroleum-derived polymers has resulted from their long-term mass production, inappropriate disposal and inadequate end of life management. Polyethylene (PE) is at the forefront of this problem, accounting for one-third of plastic demand in Europe in part due to its extensive use in packaging. Current recycling and incineration processes do not represent sustainable solutions to tackle plastic waste, especially once it becomes littered, and the development of new waste-management and remediation technologies are needed. Mycoremediation (fungal-based biodegradation) of PE has been the topic of several studies over the last two decades. The utility of these studies is limited by an inconclusive definition of biodegradation and a lack of knowledge regarding the biological systems responsible. This review highlights relevant features of fungi as potential bioremediation agents, before discussing the evidence for fungal biodegradation of both high- and low-density PE. An up-to-date perspective on mycoremediation as a future solution to PE waste is provided.     

Phosphorylation of RGS9-1 by an endogenous protein kinase in rod outer segments

Inactivation of the visual G protein transducin, during recovery from photoexcitation, is regulated by RGS9-1, a GTPase-accelerating protein of the ubiquitous RGS protein family. Incubation of dark-adapted bovine rod outer segments with [gamma-(32)P]ATP led to RGS9-1 phosphorylation by an endogenous kinase in rod outer segment membranes, with an average stoichiometry of 0.2-0.45 mol of phosphates/mol of RGS9-1. Mass spectrometry revealed a single major site of phosphorylation, Ser(475). The kinase responsible catalyzed robust phosphorylation of recombinant RGS9-1 and not of an S475A mutant. A synthetic peptide corresponding to the region surrounding Ser(475) was also phosphorylated, and a similar peptide with the S475A substitution inhibited RGS9-1 phosphorylation. The RGS9-1 kinase is a peripheral membrane protein that co-purifies with rhodopsin in sucrose gradients and can be extracted in buffers of high ionic strength. It is not inhibited or activated significantly by a panel of inhibitors or activators of protein kinase A, protein kinase G, rhodopsin kinase, CaM kinase II, casein kinase II, or cyclin-dependent kinase 5, at concentrations 50 or more times higher than their reported IC(50) or K(i) values. It was inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I and by lowering Ca(2+) to nanomolar levels with EGTA; however, it was not stimulated by the addition of phorbol ester, under conditions that significantly enhanced rhodopsin phosphorylation. A monoclonal antibody specific for the Ser(475)-phosphorylated form of RGS9-1 recognized RGS9-1 in immunoblots of dark-adapted mouse retina. Retinas from light-adapted mice had much lower levels of RGS9-1 phosphorylation. Thus, RGS9-1 is phosphorylated on Ser(475) in vivo, and the phosphorylation level is regulated by light and by [Ca(2+)], suggesting the importance of the modification in light adaptation.     

Human factor H-related protein 5 (FHR-5). A new complement-associated protein

A novel human plasma protein has been identified as a universal component of complement deposits, when complement is detected immunohistochemically in vivo. The protein is homologous to complement factor H and related proteins and has been designated factor H-related protein 5 (FHR-5). FHR-5 was identified by a monoclonal antibody raised using pathologic human glomerular preparations as the immunogen. FHR-5 was purified by affinity chromatography from complement-lysed erythrocytes, and the peptide sequence was obtained. The cDNA was cloned from a human liver library, and FHR-5 was deduced to be a protein containing 551 amino acids organized into nine short consensus repeat motifs. The short consensus repeats of FHR-5 show homology to Factor H and to other Factor H-related proteins, with some unique features demonstrated. Recombinant FHR-5, expressed in insect cells, was shown to bind C3b in vitro. The strong association of FHR-5 with tissue complement deposits in vivo suggests that this additional member of the Factor H family of proteins has a function in complement regulation.     

Molecular characterisation of a novel thermophilic nitrile hydratase

The thermophilic soil isolate, Bacillus pallidus Dac521, expresses a constitutive nitrile hydratase. The purified enzyme was found to be a 110 kDa tetramer composed of two alpha and two beta subunits with molecular masses of 27 kDa and 29 kDa, respectively. The enzyme electrophoresed as a single protein band on native PAGE but two protein bands with isoelectric points of 4.7 and 5.5 on isoelectric focusing suggested the presence of isozymes. The purified enzyme was moderately thermostable up to 55 degrees C and the enzyme activity was stable over a broad pH range. Comparisons of the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the nitrile hydratase subunits with those of other nitrile hydratases showed up to 90% identity for the beta subunit sequence but no significant identity for the alpha subunit. The enzyme hydrolysed a narrow range of aliphatic substrates and did not hydrolyse any of the cyclic, hydroxy-, di- or aromatic nitriles tested. The activity was irreversibly inhibited by the aromatic nitrile, benzonitrile. The kinetic constants for acetonitrile, acrylonitrile and propionitrile compared favourably with those of mesophilic nitrile hydratases.     

The Norway rat as a reservoir host of Cryptosporidium parvum

The potential of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) to spread the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum was investigated by examining parasite prevalence in relation to the structure and movements of three permanent rat populations living on farmland in Warwickshire (UK) from October 1994 to March 1997. One population lived among a group of farm buildings housing cattle, while the other two had no contact with livestock, one living around a pond and its outflowing stream and the other on a rubbish tip. Overall, parasite occurrence was 24% (n = 438), but it varied according to body weight (age) with 40% of juveniles (< or =100 g) infected decreasing to 12% for adults >400 g, suggesting that actively breeding populations are potentially more likely to spread the parasite than non-breeding populations. There was no difference in prevalence between the three populations. The parasite was detected in more males (29%) than females (19%). Seasonally, on the livestock farm, prevalence was significantly lower in autumn (10%), but varied little (31-36%) from winter to summer. In contrast, on the arable farm, prevalence peaked in summer (50%) with a trough in winter (6%). Infection in rats appeared to last <67 days. Rats living on the livestock farm had home ranges largely confined to the cattle sheds, thereby maintaining a potential source of infection for livestock if rodent control was not part of a decontamination program. Equally, rats living around the pond on the arable farm provided a source of oocysts to contaminate the pond water, as well as being able to carry the parasite to nearby farm buildings or even to neighboring farms.