Immunization of mice with a peptide derived from the HTLV-1 TAX1BP1 protein induces cross-reactive antibodies against aquaporin 4.

Antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are specific and pathogenetic for Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). In a previous study, three linear intracellular AQP4 B-cell epitopes were uncovered in NMO patients. A particular epitope showed high-sequence similarity with a segment of the human TAX1BP1 protein, which is necessary for the replication of HTLV-1 virus. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether immunization of mice with the TAX1BP1 peptide could produce specific antibodies against AQP4 epitopes or induce symptoms. Eight C57Bl/6 mice were immunized with TAX1BP1pep in Complete Freund's Adjuvant and eight with adjuvant only. Animals received three subcutaneous injections and sera were obtained before each immunization and at sacrifice. All sera were evaluated by ELISA for antibodies against the TAX1BP1peptide, the homologous AQP4 peptide and all linear AQP4 epitopes. Homologous and cross-inhibition assays were performed to ensure binding specificity, and reactivity against conformational AQP4 epitopes was evaluated by a cell-based assay. Sera from immunized animals showed high reactivity against the immunization peptide, and the homologous AQP4 epitope. Inhibition assays confirmed binding specificity. No antibodies were produced against any other epitopes, either linear or conformational. No clinical or brain inflammatory signs were observed in the animals. The induction of antibodies to an AQP4 epitope in mice immunized with the TAX1BP1-derived peptide suggests that a latent HTLV-1 infection could lead to TAX1BP1 antigen presentation and the production of anti-AQP4 antibodies, probably through T cell-mediated mechanisms. Further studies are needed for exploring triggering factors for NMO especially in HTLV-1-endemic regions.

Cell surface Cdc37 participates in extracellular HSP90 mediated cancer cell invasion.

Cdc37 is a 50 kDa molecular chaperone which targets intrinsically unstable protein kinases to the molecular chaperone HSP90. It is also an over-expressed oncoprotein that mediates carcinogenesis and maintenance of the malignant phenotype by stabilizing the compromised structures of mutant and/or over-expressed oncogenic kinases. Here we report that Cdc37 is not restricted intracellularly but instead it is also present on the surface of MDA-MB-453 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, where it is shown to participate in cancer cell motility processes. Furthermore, we demonstrate using an anti-Cdc37 cell impermeable antibody, that similarly to its intracellular counterpart, this surface pool of Cdc37 specifically interacts with HSP90 as well as the kinase receptors HER2 and EGFR on the cell surface, probably acting as a co-factor in HSP90's extracellular chaperoning activities. Finally, we show that functional inhibition of surface HSP90 using mAb 4C5, a cell impermeable monoclonal antibody against this protein, leads not only to disruption of the Cdc37/HSP90 complex but also to inhibition of the Cdc37/ErbB receptors complexes. These results support an essential role for surface Cdc37 in concert with HSP90 on the cell surface during cancer cell invasion processes and strengthen the therapeutic potential of mAb 4C5 for the treatment of cancer.

The 4C5 cell-impermeable anti-HSP90 antibody with anti-cancer activity, is composed of a single light chain dimer.

MAb 4C5 is a cell impermeable, anti-HSP90 murine monoclonal antibody, originally produced using hybridoma technology. We have previously shown that mAb 4C5 specifically recognizes both the α- and to a lesser extent the ß-isoform of HSP90. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that by selectively inhibiting the function of cell-surface HSP90, mAb 4C5 significantly impairs cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Here we describe the reconstitution of mAb 4C5 into a mouse-human chimera. More importantly we report that mAb 4C5 and consequently its chimeric counterpart are completely devoid of heavy chain and consist only of a functional kappa light chain dimer. The chimeric antibody is shown to retain the original antibody's specificity and functional properties. Thus it is capable of inhibiting the function of surface HSP90, leading to reduced cancer cell invasion in vitro. Finally, we present in vivo evidence showing that the chimeric 4C5 significantly inhibits the metastatic deposit formation of MDA-MB-453 cells into the lungs of SCID mice. These data suggest that a chimeric kappa light chain antibody could be potentially used as an anti-cancer agent, thereby introducing a novel type of antibody fragment, with reduced possible adverse immunogenic effects, into cancer therapeutics.

Monoclonal antibody 4C5 prevents activation of MMP2 and MMP9 by disrupting their interaction with extracellular HSP90 and inhibits formation of metastatic breast cancer cell deposits.

BACKGROUND: Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone that is considered a new target for the treatment of cancer. Increasing data reveal an extracellular chaperoning activity for HSP90. Here we investigate the interaction of the secreted isoforms of HSP90 with matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) MMP2 and MMP9. Moreover we examine the role of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against HSP90, mAb 4C5, regarding these interactions and its value as a potential inhibitor of human breast cancer cell invasion and metastasis. RESULTS: Our results showed that both HSP90alpha and HSP90beta are secreted by MDAMB453 human breast cancer cells and interact with MMP2 and MMP9. MAb 4C5, while not affecting the secretion of inactive MMPs, inhibits their activation by disrupting their interaction extracellularly with both isoforms of HSP90. The in vivo studies revealed that mAb 4C5 significantly inhibits the metastatic deposit formation of MDAMB453 cells into the lungs of SCID mice. CONCLUSION: Both isoforms of HSP90 are secreted by MDAMB453 cells and interact with MMP2 and MMP9. MAb 4C5 prevents MMP2 and MMP9 activation, by disrupting their interaction with HSP90. Finally mAb 4C5 significantly inhibits the metastatic deposit formation of MDAMB453 cells, by preventing their extravasation and infiltration in the lung tissue and therefore it could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer metastasis.