Neutrophil functions in patients with neutropenia due to glycogen storage disease type 1b treated with empagliflozin.

Neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction in glycogen storage disease type 1b (GSD1b) are caused by the accumulation of 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate (1,5-AG6P) in granulocytes. The antidiabetic drug empagliflozin reduces the concentration of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5 AG), thus restoring neutrophil counts and functions, leading to promising results in previous case reports. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of neutrophil function in seven GSD1b patients and 11 healthy donors, aiming to evaluate the immediate (after 3 months) and long-term (after 12 months) efficacy of empagliflozin compared to the reference treatment with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). We found that most patients receiving G-CSF remained neutropenic with dysfunctional granulocytes, whereas treatment with empagliflozin increased neutrophil counts and improved functionality by inhibiting apoptosis, restoring phagocytosis and the chemotactic response, normalizing the oxidative burst, and stabilizing cellular and plasma levels of defensins and lactotransferrin. These improvements correlated with the decrease in serum 1,5-AG levels. However, neither G-CSF nor empagliflozin overcame deficiencies in the production of cathelicidin/LL-37 and neutrophil extracellular traps. Given the general improvement promoted by empagliflozin treatment, patients were less susceptible to severe infections. G-CSF injections were therefore discontinued in six patients (and the dose was reduced in the seventh) without adverse effects. Our systematic analysis, the most extensive reported thus far, has demonstrated the superior efficacy of empagliflozin compared to G-CSF, restoring the neutrophil population and normal immune functions. EudraCT 2021-000580-78.

Screening and characterization of aptamers recognizing the periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common forms of inflammation. It is currently diagnosed by observing symptoms such as gingival bleeding and attachment loss. However, the detection of biomarkers that precede such symptoms would allow earlier diagnosis and prevention. Aptamers are short oligonucleotides or peptides that fold into three-dimensional conformations conferring the ability to bind molecular targets with high affinity and specificity. Here we report the selection of aptamers that bind specifically to the bacterium Tannerella forsythia, a pathogen frequently associated with periodontal disease. Two aptamers with the highest affinity were examined in more detail, revealing that their binding is probably dependent on mirolysin, a surface-associated protease secreted by the T. forsythia type-9 secretion system. The aptamers showed minimal cross-reactivity to other periodontopathogens and are therefore promising leads for the development of new tools to study the composition of the periodontitis-associated dysbiotic bacteriome as well as inexpensive new diagnostic assays.

Stimulatory effect of fluoxetine and desipramine, but not mirtazapine on C26 colon carcinoma hepatic metastases formation: association with cytokines.

Due to the high prevalence of depression among cancer patients, antidepressant medications are frequently administered as adjuvant treatment. However, the safety of such medications in the development of metastasis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of fluoxetine, desipramine, and mirtazapine on the liver metastasis of murine C26 colon carcinoma (cc). Balb/c male mice were administered these antidepressants intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14 days following intrasplenic injections of C26 colon carcinoma cells. Desipramine and fluoxetine, but not mirtazapine, significantly increased the number of tumor foci and total volume of the tumor in liver tissue. This effect was associated with a decrease in the ability of splenocytes to produce interleukin (IL)-1ß and interferon (IFN)-γ and an increase in their ability to produce interleukin (IL)-10. Similar changes were observed in plasma IL-1ß, IFN-γ, and IL-10 levels. The current study demonstrates that the stimulatory effect of desipramine and fluoxetine, but not mirtazapine, on experimental colon cancer liver metastasis is associated with a suppression of immune defenses against the tumor.

Identification and characterization of aptameric inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase.

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) plays a pivotal role in innate immunity, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. Aberrant proteolytic activity of HNE contributes to organ destruction in various chronic inflammatory diseases including emphysema, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Therefore, elastase inhibitors could alleviate the progression of these disorders. Here, we used the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment to develop ssDNA aptamers that specifically target HNE. We determined the specificity of the designed inhibitors and their inhibitory efficacy against HNE using biochemical and in vitro methods, including an assay of neutrophil activity. Our aptamers inhibit the elastinolytic activity of HNE with nanomolar potency and are highly specific for HNE and do not target other tested human proteases. As such, this study provides lead compounds suitable for the evaluation of their tissue-protective potential in animal models.

Imaging of Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma with Immune Checkpoint Targeting Aptamer-Based Probe.

Immune checkpoint targeting immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of certain cancers in the recent years. Determination of the status of immune checkpoint expression in particular cancers may assist decision making. Here, we describe the development of a single-stranded aptamer-based molecular probe specifically recognizing human PD-L1. Target engaging aptamers are selected by iterative enrichment from a random ssDNA pool and the binding is characterized biochemically. Specificity and dose dependence is demonstrated in vitro in the cell culture using human kidney tumor cells (786-0), human melanoma cells (WM115 and WM266.4) and human glioblastoma LN18 cancer cells. The utility of the probe in vivo is demonstrated using two mouse tumor models, where we show that the probe exhibits excellent potential in imaging. We postulate that further development of the probe may allow universal imaging of different types of tumors depending on their PD-L1 status, which may find utility in cancer diagnosis.

Anti-CD44 DNA Aptamers Selectively Target Cancer Cells.

CD44 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein interacting with a number of extracellular components, including hyaluronic acid (HA). CD44-HA axis is involved in a variety of processes, including adhesion, migration, differentiation, trafficking, and others. CD44 is overexpressed in several cancers where binding of HA induces signal transduction leading to activation of antiapoptotic proteins and factors linked to drug resistance. As such, CD44 has been implicated in cancer growth, progression, and metastasis. It has been convincingly demonstrated that blocking CD44-HA interaction decreases cancer cell survival and metastasis. In this study, using in vitro selection, we have developed DNA aptamers recognizing a HA-binding domain of CD44 with high affinity and specificity. The aptamers bind to CD44 with nanomolar affinities and efficiently inhibit the growth of leukemic cancer cells characterized by high expression of CD44. The selectivity is demonstrated by an irrelevant effect on cells characterized by low CD44 levels. The obtained aptamers broaden the existing landscape of potential approaches to the development of antitumor strategies based on inhibition of the CD44 axis.

Discovery of Novel Potential Reversible Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase Inhibitor.

Citrullination, a posttranslational modification, is catalyzed by peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs), a unique family of enzymes that converts peptidyl-arginine to peptidyl-citrulline. Overexpression and/or increased PAD activity is observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Moreover, bacterial PADs, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis PAD (PPAD), may have a role in the pathogenesis of RA, indicating PADs as promising therapeutic targets. Herein, six novel compounds were examined as potential inhibitors of human PAD4 and PPAD, and compared to an irreversible PAD inhibitor, Cl-amidine. Four of the tested compounds (compounds 2, 3, 4, and 6) exhibited a micromolar-range inhibition potency against PAD4 and no effect against PPAD in the in vitro assays. Compound 4 was able to inhibit the PAD4-induced citrullination of H3 histone with higher efficiency than Cl-amidine. In conclusion, compound 4 was highly effective and presents a promising direction in the search for novel RA treatment strategies.

Development of a novel, high-affinity ssDNA trypsin inhibitor.

Inhibitors of serine proteases are not only extremely useful in the basic research but are also applied extensively in clinical settings. Using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) approach we developed a family of novel, single-stranded DNA aptamers capable of specific trypsin inhibition. Our most potent candidate (T24) and its short version (T59) were thoroughly characterised in terms of efficacy. T24 and T59 efficiently inhibited bovine trypsin with Ki of 176 nM and 475 nM, respectively. Interestingly, in contrast to the majority of known trypsin inhibitors, the selected aptamers have superior specificity and did not interact with porcine trypsin or any human proteases tested. These included plasmin and thrombin characterised by trypsin-like substrate specificity. Our results demonstrate that SELEX may be successfully employed in the development of potent and specific DNA based protease inhibitors.

Impact of Porphyromonas gingivalis Peptidylarginine Deiminase on Bacterial Biofilm Formation, Epithelial Cell Invasion, and Epithelial Cell Transcriptional Landscape.

Peptidylarginine deiminase (PPAD) is a virulence factor unique to pathogenic Porphyromonas species, especially P. gingivalis. Mechanistically, PPAD activity, in conjunction with Arg-specific gingipains, generates protein fragments with citrullinated C-termini. Such polypeptides are potential de novo epitopes that are key drivers of rheumatoid arthritis. This process could underlie the observed clinical association between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. However, the role of PPAD in host colonization by P. gingivalis and, subsequently, in triggering periodontitis is not known. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to delineate the role of PPAD in bacterial biofilm formation, and to define whether adherence to, invasion of, and host responses to bacteria of gingival keratinocytes depend on PPAD activity. We studied these aspects using PPAD-competent and PPAD-incompetent strains of P. gingivalis, and demonstrated that neither biofilm formation nor its composition was affected by PPAD activity. Similarly, flow cytometry revealed that PPAD did not impact the ability of P. gingivalis to adhere to and, subsequently, invade keratinocytes. Network analyses of gene expression patterns, however, revealed a group of host genes that were sensitive to PPAD activity (CXCL8, IL36G, CCL20, and IL1B). These genes can be categorized as potent immune modulators belonging to the interleukin 1 system, or chemoattractants of lymphocytes and neutrophils. Thus, we conclude that PPAD, although it is a potent modulator of the immune response, does not affect bacterial biofilm formation or the ability of P. gingivalis to adhere to and invade gingival epithelial cells.

Investigation of Serine-Proteinase-Catalyzed Peptide Splicing in Analogues of Sunflower Trypsin Inhibitor†1 (SFTI-1).

Serine-proteinase-catalyzed peptide splicing was demonstrated in analogues of the trypsin inhibitor SFTI-1: both single peptides and two-peptide chains (C- and N-terminal peptide chains linked by a disulfide bridge). In the second series, peptide splicing with catalytic amount of proteinase was observed only when formation of acyl-enzyme intermediate was preceded by hydrolysis of the substrate Lys-Ser peptide bond. Here we demonstrate that with an equimolar amount of the proteinase, splicing occurs in all the two-peptide-chain analogues. This conclusion was supported by high resolution crystal structures of selected analogues in complex with trypsin. We showed that the process followed a direct transpeptidation mechanism. Thus, the acyl-enzyme intermediate was formed and was immediately used for a new peptide bond formation; products associated with the hydrolysis of the acyl-enzyme were not observed. The peptide splicing was sequence- not structure-specific.

Atomic resolution crystal structure of HV-BBI protease inhibitor from amphibian skin in complex with bovine trypsin.

Protease inhibitors of the Bowman-Birk (BBI) family are commonly found in plants and animals where they play a protective role against invading pathogens. Here, we report an atomic resolution (1Å) crystal structure of a peptide inhibitor isolated from a skin secretion of a Chinese bamboo odorous frog Huia versabilis (HV-BBI) in complex with trypsin. HV-BBI shares significant similarities in sequence with a previously described inhibitor from a diskless-fingered odorous frog Odorrana graham (ORB). However, the latter is characterized by more than a 16,000 fold higher Ki against trypsin than HV-BBI. Comparative analysis of trypsin cocrystal structures of HV-BBI and ORB and additionally that of Sunflower Trypsin Inhibitor (SFTI-1) together with accessory information on the affinities of inhibitor variants allowed us to pinpoint the inhibitor moiety responsible for the observed large difference in activity and also to define the extent of modifications permissible within the common protease-binding loop scaffold of BBI inhibitors. We suggest that modifications outside of the inhibitory loop permit the evolution of specificity toward different enzymes characterized by trypsin-like specificity.

Mimitin - a novel cytokine-regulated mitochondrial protein.

BACKGROUND: The product of a novel cytokine-responsive gene discovered by differential display analysis in our earlier studies on HepG2 cells was identified as mimitin - a small mitochondrial protein. Since proinflammatory cytokines are known to affect components of the respiratory chain in mitochondria, and mimitin was reported as a possible chaperone for assembly of mitochondrial complex I, we looked for the effects of modulation of mimitin expression and for mimitin-binding partners. RESULTS: By blocking mimitin expression in HepG2 cells by siRNA we found that mimitin has no direct influence on caspase 3/7 activities implicated in apoptosis. However, when apoptosis was induced by TNF and cycloheximide, and mimitin expression blocked, the activities of these caspases were significantly increased. This was accompanied by a slight decrease in proliferation of HepG2 cells. Our observations suggest that mimitin may be involved in the control of apoptosis indirectly, through another protein, or proteins. Using the yeast two-hybrid system and coimmunoprecipitation we found MAP1S among proteins interacting with mimitin. MAP1S is a recently identified member of the microtubule-associated protein family and has been shown to interact with NADH dehydrogenase I and cytochrome oxidase I. Moreover, it was implicated in the process of mitochondrial aggregation and nuclear genome destruction. The expression of mimitin is stimulated more than 1.6-fold by IL-1 and by IL-6, with the maximum level of mimitin observed after 18-24 h exposure to these cytokines. We also found that the cytokine-induced signal leading to stimulation of mimitin synthesis utilizes the MAP kinase pathway. CONCLUSION: Mimitin is a mitochondrial protein upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines at the transcriptional and protein levels, with MAP kinases involved in IL-1-dependent induction. Mimitin interacts with a microtubular protein (MAP1S), and some changes of mimitin gene expression modulate activity of apoptotic caspases 3/7, suggesting that this protein may indirectly participate in apoptosis.