Molecular basis for the mechanism of action of an anti-TACE antibody

Inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE) have potential as therapeutics for various diseases. Many small molecule inhibitors, however, exhibit poor specificity profiles because they target the highly conserved catalytic cleft of TACE. We report for the first time the molecular interaction of a highly specific anti-TACE antagonistic antibody (MEDI3622). We characterized the binding of MEDI3622 using mutagenesis, as well as structural modeling and docking approaches. We show that MEDI3622 recognizes a unique surface loop of sIVa-sIVb β-hairpin on TACE M-domain, but does not interact with the conserved catalytic cleft or its nearby regions. The exquisite specificity of MEDI3622 is mediated by this distinct structural feature on the TACE M-domain. These findings may aid the design of antibody therapies against TACE.     

Discovery and characterization of COVA322, a clinical-stage bispecific TNF/IL-17A inhibitor for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Biologic treatment options such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. Recent data suggest, however, that full and long-lasting responses to TNF inhibitors are limited because of the activation of the pro-inflammatory T_H17/interleukin (IL)-17 pathway in patients. Therefore, dual TNF/IL-17A inhibition is an attractive avenue to achieve superior efficacy levels in such diseases. Based on the marketed anti-TNF antibody adalimumab, we generated the bispecific TNF/IL-17A-binding FynomAb COVA322. FynomAbs are fusion proteins of an antibody and a Fyn SH3-derived binding protein. COVA322 was characterized in detail and showed a remarkable ability to inhibit TNF and IL-17A in vitro and in vivo. Through its unique mode-of-action of inhibiting simultaneously TNF and the IL-17A homodimer, COVA322 represents a promising drug candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. COVA322 is currently being tested in a Phase 1b/2a study in psoriasis (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02243787).     

Gatekeeper role of brain antigen‐presenting CD11c+ cells in neuroinflammation

Multiple sclerosis is the most frequent chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS. The entry and survival of pathogenic T cells in the CNS are crucial for the initiation and persistence of autoimmune neuroinflammation. In this respect, contradictory evidence exists on the role of the most potent type of antigen‐presenting cells, dendritic cells. Applying intravital two‐photon microscopy, we demonstrate the gatekeeper function of CNS professional antigen‐presenting CD11c⁺ cells, which preferentially interact with Th17 cells. IL‐17 expression correlates with expression of GM‐CSF by T cells and with accumulation of CNS CD11c⁺ cells. These CD11c⁺ cells are organized in perivascular clusters, targeted by T cells, and strongly express the inflammatory chemokines Ccl5, Cxcl9, and Cxcl10. Our findings demonstrate a fundamental role of CNS CD11c⁺ cells in the attraction of pathogenic T cells into and their survival within the CNS. Depletion of CD11c⁺ cells markedly reduced disease severity due to impaired enrichment of pathogenic T cells within the CNS.     

The formation of titan cells in Cryptococcus neoformans depends on the mouse strain and correlates with induction of Th2‐type responses

Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic yeast that can form titan cells in the lungs, which are fungal cells of abnormal enlarged size. Little is known about the factors that trigger titan cells. In particular, it is not known how the host environment influences this transition. In this work, we describe the formation of titan cells in two mouse strains, CD1 and C57BL/6J. We found that the proportion of C. neoformans titan cells was significantly higher in C57BL/6J mice than in CD1. This higher proportion of titan cells was associated with a higher dissemination of the yeasts to the brain. Histology sections demonstrated eosinophilia in infected animals, although it was significantly lower in the CD1 mice which presented infiltration of lymphocytes. Both mouse strains presented infiltration of granulocytes, but the amount of eosinophils was higher in C57BL/6J. CD1 mice showed a significant accumulation of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and IL17, while C57BL/BL mice had an increase in the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐4. IgM antibodies to the polysaccharide capsule and total IgE were more abundant in the sera from C57BL/6J, confirming that these animals present a Th2‐type response. We conclude that titan cell formation in C. neoformans depends, not only on microbe factors, but also on the host environment.     

Synthesis and in vitro pharmacological evaluation of N-[(1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]-carboxamides on d-secoestrone scaffolds

An efficient synthesis of several N-[(1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]carboxamides in the 13β- and 13α-d-secoestrone series is reported. Novel triazoles were synthesized via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition of steroidal alkynyl carboxamides and p-substituted benzyl azides. Each of the products was evaluated in vitro by means of MTT assays for antiproliferative activity against a panel of human adherent cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, A431 and A2780). Some of them exhibited activities similar to those of the reference agent cisplatin. On change of the substitution pattern of the benzyl group of the azide, great differences in the cell growth-inhibitory properties were observed. The p-alkylbenzyl-substituted triazoles selectively exerted high cytostatic action against A2780 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 1?µM. We investigated the potential inhibitory action exerted on the human 17β-HSD1 activity of the new secosteroids. Three triazoles effectively suppressed the estrone to 17β-estradiol conversion with IC₅₀ values in low micromolar range.     

糖尿病患者外周血Th17/Treg细胞及相关细胞因子的表达变化

目的:探讨糖尿病患者外周血Th17细胞和Treg细胞数量以及相关细胞因子表达的变化。方法:以本院2013年1月至2015年12月收治的50例糖尿病患者为研究对象,其中1型糖尿病患者25例,2型糖尿病患者25例,同时以25例健康体检人群为正常对照,检测各组外周血Th17/Treg细胞数量以及血清IL-17、IL-10和TGF-β水平。结果:糖尿病患者外周血中Th17细胞比例均显著高于正常对照组(P0.05)而Treg细胞的比例均显著低于正常对照组(P0.05),且1型糖尿病患者Treg细胞比例显著低于2型糖尿病患者(P0.05)。糖尿病患者血清中IL-10和TGF-β水平均显著低于正常对照组(P0.05)而IL-17水平均显著高于正常对照组(P0.05),且1型糖尿病患者的IL-10水平显著低于2型糖尿病患者(P0.05)。结论:糖尿病患者体内Treg细胞数量及相关细胞因子低于正常而Th17细胞数量及相关细胞因子高于正常,这可能与患者体内的自身免疫失调有关。     

聚乙二醇干扰素治疗对慢性乙型肝炎患者Th17/Treg的影响

目的:研究聚乙二醇干扰素抗病毒治疗对慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者Th17、Treg及Th17/Treg的影响,及Th17/Treg与表面抗原的关系。方法:30例HBe Ag阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者予聚乙二醇干扰素治疗,在治疗前与治疗后24周、48周时,检测外周血Th17、Treg的细胞频数及表面抗原定量,并与20例健康人的Th17、Treg的细胞频数进行比较,分析聚乙二醇干扰素对Th17、Treg的影响。结果:1CHB患者的Th17及Treg细胞频数较健康人的高,但Th17/Treg比例较健康人低。抗病毒治疗后24周时,Th17/Treg比例较治疗前升高,48周时Th17/Treg比例较24周时稍降低(P0.05),48周时与治疗前相比仍升高(P0.05)。2治疗结束时表面抗原阴转病人的Th17/Treg比未阴转病人高。3慢乙肝病人的Th17/Treg与表面抗原定量成负相关(r=-0.388,P0.05)。结论:CHB患者体内存在着Th17/Treg的失衡,干扰素可以调节CHB患者的免疫功能,有望实现表面抗原阴转。     

帕金森病患者血清中IL-17、CysC、Hcy水平变化及其在病情评估中的价值

目的:探讨帕金森病(PD)患者血清中白介素-17(IL-17)、胱抑素C(Cys C)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平变化及其在病情评估中的应用。方法:选择2013年5月至2015年3月我院神经内科诊疗的91例PD患者作为研究组,根据简易智力量表评价标准将患者分为认知功能障碍(A组)和无认知功能障碍(B组);根据Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y)分期标准分为早期组、中期组和晚期组。另选择同期我院健康体检中心的健康志愿者53例作为对照组。检测受试者血清中IL-17、Cys C及Hcy的水平,进行统计分析。结果:与对照组相比,研究组患者血清中的各指标水平明显升高(P0.05);同时,检测结果发现,A组患者血清中各指标水平显著高于B组(P0.05);另外,随着H-Y分期的递增,PD患者血清中各指标水平明显升高(P0.05)。结论:PD患者血清中的IL-17、Cys C、Hcy水平异常表达,在患有认知功能障碍的PD患者血清中的水平更高,同时,各指标对于不同H-Y分期的PD患者具有表征作用,对于临床诊断及病情评估具有重要意义,值得进行广泛推广。     

白介素17 与结直肠癌

结直肠癌是世界范围内的高发癌症,其发病机理尚不明确。大量研究数据表明,基因突变、表观遗传学的改变、饮食习惯以及生活方式等均是结直肠癌发生发展的高危因素。目前,普遍认为慢性炎症在肿瘤的发生发展中起重要作用。白介素17主要由T细胞的亚型Th17细胞分泌产生,能够促进肿瘤相关性炎症,使肿瘤细胞逃避免疫监控。已在胃癌、宫颈癌、食管癌、非小细胞肺癌、肝细胞肝癌、卵巢癌、黑色素瘤、淋巴瘤、乳腺癌、前列腺癌、结直肠癌等多种恶性肿瘤中发现白介素17呈高表达。现有研究表明,白介素17与肠炎和结直肠癌的发生发展密切相关。尽管尚存在争议,多数学者认为白介素17在结直肠癌的发生发展中起促进作用。本文将近年来关于IL-17在结直肠癌的发生发展中的作用以及其与结直肠癌的预后的研究成果进行总结。