A virus-like particle-based bivalent PCSK9 vaccine lowers LDL-cholesterol levels in non-human primates.

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an important risk factor in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a negative regulator of LDL-C metabolism, have emerged as promising approaches for reducing elevated LDL-C levels. Here, we evaluated the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccines that target epitopes found within the LDL receptor (LDL-R) binding domain of PCSK9. In both mice and non-human primates, a bivalent VLP vaccine targeting two distinct epitopes on PCSK9 elicited strong and durable antibody responses and lowered cholesterol levels. In macaques, a VLP vaccine targeting a single PCSK9 epitope was only effective at lowering LDL-C levels in combination with statins, whereas immunization with the bivalent vaccine lowered LDL-C without requiring statin co-administration. These data highlight the efficacy of an alternative, vaccine-based approach for lowering LDL-C.

Site-Specific Antibody Conjugation Using Modified Bisected N-Glycans: Method Development and Potential toward Tunable Effector Function.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have garnered worldwide attention for disease treatment, as they possess high target specificity, a long half-life, and outstanding potency to kill or modulate the functions of targets. FDA approval of multiple ADCs for cancer therapy has generated a strong desire for novel conjugation strategies with high biocompatibility and controllable bioproperties. Herein, we present a bisecting glycan-bridged conjugation strategy that enables site-specific conjugation without the need for the oligosaccharide synthesis and genetic engineering of antibodies. Application of this method is demonstrated by conjugation of anti-HER2 human and mouse IgGs with a cytotoxic drug, monomethyl auristatin E. The glycan bridge showed outstanding stability, and the resulting ADCs eliminated HER2-expressing cancer cells effectively. Moreover, our strategy preserves the feasibility of glycan structure remodeling to fine-tune the immunogenicity and pharmacokinetic properties of ADCs through glycoengineering.

A Virus-like particle-based bivalent PCSK9 vaccine lowers LDL-cholesterol levels in Non-Human Primates.

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an important risk factor in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a negative regulator of LDL-C metabolism, have emerged as promising approaches for reducing elevated LDL-C levels. Here, we evaluated the cholesterol lowering efficacy of virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccines that target epitopes found within the LDL receptor (LDL-R) binding domain of PCSK9. In both mice and non-human primates, a bivalent VLP vaccine targeting two distinct epitopes on PCSK9 elicited strong and durable antibody responses and lowered cholesterol levels. In macaques, a VLP vaccine targeting a single PCSK9 epitope was only effective at lowering LDL-C levels in combination with statins, whereas immunization with the bivalent vaccine lowered LDL-C without requiring statin co-administration. These data highlight the efficacy of an alternative, vaccine-based approach for lowering LDL-C.

A method for mapping the linear epitopes targeted by the natural antibody response to Zika virus infection using a VLP platform technology.

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne pathogen, is associated with neurological complications in adults and congenital abnormalities in newborns. There are no vaccines or treatments for ZIKV infection. Understanding the specificity of natural antibody responses to ZIKV could help inform vaccine efforts. Here, we used a technology called Deep Sequence-Coupled Biopanning to map the targets of the human antibody responses to ZIKV infection. A bacteriophage virus-like particle (VLP) library displaying overlapping linear peptides derived from the ZIKV polyprotein was generated. The library was panned using IgG from 23 ZIKV-infected patients from Panama and deep sequencing identified common targets of anti-ZIKV antibodies within the ZIKV envelope glycoprotein. These included epitopes within the fusion loop within domain II and four epitopes within domain III. Additionally, we showed that VLPs displaying selected epitopes elicited antibodies that bound to native ZIKV envelope protein but failed to prevent infection in a mouse challenge model.

Public Health Implications and Possible Sources of Lead (Pb) as a Contaminant of Poorly Regulated Kratom Products in the United States.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree that is indigenous to Southeast Asia. Kratom leaf products have been used in traditional folk medicine for their unique combination of stimulant and opioid-like effects. Kratom is being increasingly used in the West for its reputed benefits in the treatment of pain, depression, and opioid use disorder (OUD). Recent studies from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA) and our laboratory have shown that many kratom products being sold in the United States are contaminated with potentially hazardous levels of lead (Pb). In this commentary, we discuss the public health implications of the presence of Pb in kratom products, particularly as they relate to the predicted levels of Pb exposure among kratom users. We also considered the specific toxic effects of Pb and how they might relate to the known physiologic and toxicologic effects of kratom. Finally, we consider the possible sources of Pb in kratom products and suggest several areas for research on this issue.

A VLP-based vaccine targeting ANGPTL3 lowers plasma triglycerides in mice.

Elevated triglycerides (TGs) are an important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) and in acute pancreatitis. Angiopoietin-like proteins 3 (ANGPTL3) and 4 (ANGPTL4) are critical regulators of TG metabolism that function by inhibiting the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which is responsible for hydrolyzing triglycerides in lipoproteins into free fatty acids. Interestingly, individuals with loss-of-function mutations in ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 have low plasma TG levels, have a reduced risk of CHD, and are otherwise healthy. Consequently, interventions targeting ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 have emerged as promising new approaches for reducing elevated TGs. Here, we developed virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccines that target the LPL binding domains of ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4. ANGPTL3 VLPs and ANGPTL4 VLPs are highly immunogenic in mice and vaccination with ANGPTL3 VLPs, but not ANGPTL4 VLPs, was associated with reduced steady state levels of TGs. Immunization with ANGPTL3 VLPs rapidly cleared circulating TG levels following an oil gavage challenge and enhanced plasma LPL activity. These data indicate that targeting ANGPTL3 by active vaccination is a potential alternative to other ANGPTL3-inhibiting therapies.

Genetic Basis of Aerobically Supported Voluntary Exercise: Results from a Selection Experiment with House Mice.

The biological basis of exercise behavior is increasingly relevant for maintaining healthy lifestyles. Various quantitative genetic studies and selection experiments have conclusively demonstrated substantial heritability for exercise behavior in both humans and laboratory rodents. In the "High Runner" selection experiment, four replicate lines of Mus domesticus were bred for high voluntary wheel running (HR), along with four nonselected control (C) lines. After 61 generations, the genomes of 79 mice (9-10 from each line) were fully sequenced and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. We used nested ANOVA with MIVQUE estimation and other approaches to compare allele frequencies between the HR and C lines for both SNPs and haplotypes. Approximately 61 genomic regions, across all somatic chromosomes, showed evidence of differentiation; 12 of these regions were differentiated by all methods of analysis. Gene function was inferred largely using Panther gene ontology terms and KO phenotypes associated with genes of interest. Some of the differentiated genes are known to be associated with behavior/motivational systems and/or athletic ability, including Sorl1, Dach1, and Cdh10 Sorl1 is a sorting protein associated with cholinergic neuron morphology, vascular wound healing, and metabolism. Dach1 is associated with limb bud development and neural differentiation. Cdh10 is a calcium ion binding protein associated with phrenic neurons. Overall, these results indicate that selective breeding for high voluntary exercise has resulted in changes in allele frequencies for multiple genes associated with both motivation and ability for endurance exercise, providing candidate genes that may explain phenotypic changes observed in previous studies.