mRNA-LNP COVID-19 Vaccine Lipids Induce Complement Activation and Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines: Mechanisms, Effects of Complement Inhibitors, and Relevance to Adverse Reactions.

A small fraction of people vaccinated with mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP)-based COVID-19 vaccines display acute or subacute inflammatory symptoms whose mechanism has not been clarified to date. To better understand the molecular mechanism of these adverse events (AEs), here, we analyzed in vitro the vaccine-induced induction and interrelations of the following two major inflammatory processes: complement (C) activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines. Incubation of Pfizer-BioNTech's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax with 75% human serum led to significant increases in C5a, sC5b-9, and Bb but not C4d, indicating C activation mainly via the alternative pathway. Control PEGylated liposomes (Doxebo) also induced C activation, but, on a weight basis, it was ~5 times less effective than that of Comirnaty. Viral or synthetic naked mRNAs had no C-activating effects. In peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures supplemented with 20% autologous serum, besides C activation, Comirnaty induced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in the following order: IL-1α < IFN-γ < IL-1ß < TNF-α < IL-6 < IL-8. Heat-inactivation of C in serum prevented a rise in IL-1α, IL-1ß, and TNF-α, suggesting C-dependence of these cytokines' induction, although the C5 blocker Soliris and C1 inhibitor Berinert, which effectively inhibited C activation in both systems, did not suppress the release of any cytokines. These findings suggest that the inflammatory AEs of mRNA-LNP vaccines are due, at least in part, to stimulation of both arms of the innate immune system, whereupon C activation may be causally involved in the induction of some, but not all, inflammatory cytokines. Thus, the pharmacological attenuation of inflammatory AEs may not be achieved via monotherapy with the tested C inhibitors; efficacy may require combination therapy with different C inhibitors and/or other anti-inflammatory agents.

Tryptophan-like side chain holding aptamers inhibit respiratory syncytial virus infection of lung epithelial cells.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of serious and even fatal acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants and in the elderly. Potent RSV neutralization has been achieved by antibodies that selectively bind the prefusion form of the viral fusion (F) protein. We hypothesised that similar potent neutralization could be achieved using F protein targeting aptamers. Aptamers have yet to reach their translational potential for therapeutics or diagnostics due to their short half-life and limited range of target-aptamer interactions; these shortcomings can, however, be ameliorated by application of amino acid-like side chain holding nucleotides. In this study, a stabilized version of the prefusion RSV F protein was targeted by aptamer selection using an oligonucleotide library holding a tryptophan-like side chain. This process resulted in aptamers that bound the F protein with high affinity and differentiated between its pre- and postfusion conformation. Identified aptamers inhibited viral infection of lung epithelial cells. Moreover, introduction of modified nucleotides extended aptamer half-lives. Our results suggest that targeting aptamers to the surface of viruses could yield effective drug candidates, which could keep pace with the continuously evolving pathogens.

Role of anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) antibodies in the allergic reactions to PEG-containing Covid-19 vaccines: Evidence for immunogenicity of PEG.

A small fraction of recipients who receive polyethylene-glycol (PEG)-containing COVID-19 mRNA-LNP vaccines (Comirnaty and Spikevax) develop hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) or anaphylaxis. A causal role of anti-PEG antibodies (Abs) has been proposed, but not yet been proven in humans.We used ELISA for serial measurements of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing Ab (anti-S) and anti-PEG IgG/IgM Ab levels before and after the first and subsequent booster vaccinations with mRNA-LNP vaccines in a total of 291 blood donors. The HSRs in 15 subjects were graded and correlated with anti-PEG IgG/IgM, just as the anti-S and anti-PEG Ab levels with each other. The impacts of gender, allergy, mastocytosis and use of cosmetics were also analyzed. Serial testing of two or more plasma samples showed substantial individual variation of anti-S Ab levels after repeated vaccinations, just as the levels of anti-PEG IgG and IgM, which were over baseline in 98-99 % of unvaccinated individuals. About 3-4 % of subjects in the strongly left-skewed distribution had 15-45-fold higher values than the median, referred to as anti-PEG Ab supercarriers. Both vaccines caused significant rises of anti-PEG IgG/IgM with >10-fold rises in about âˆ¼10 % of Comirnaty, and all Spikevax recipients. The anti-PEG IgG and/or IgM levels in the 15 vaccine reactors (3 anaphylaxis) were significantly higher compared to nonreactors. Serial testing of plasma showed significant correlation between the booster injection-induced rises of anti-S and anti-PEG IgGs, suggesting coupled anti-S and anti-PEG immunogenicity.Conclusions: The small percentage of people who have extremelevels of anti-PEG Ab in their blood may be at increased risk for HSRs/anaphylaxis to PEGylated vaccines and other PEGylated injectables. This risk might be further increased by the anti-PEG immunogenicity of these vaccines. Screening for anti-PEG Ab "supercarriers" may help predicting reactors and thus preventing these adverse phenomena.

Zymosan Particle-Induced Hemodynamic, Cytokine and Blood Cell Changes in Pigs: An Innate Immune Stimulation Model with Relevance to Cytokine Storm Syndrome and Severe COVID-19.

Hemodynamic disturbance, a rise in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and release of inflammatory cytokines into blood, is a bad prognostic indicator in severe COVID-19 and other diseases involving cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). The purpose of this study was to explore if zymosan, a known stimulator of the innate immune system, could reproduce these changes in pigs. Pigs were instrumented for hemodynamic analysis and, after i.v. administration of zymosan, serial blood samples were taken to measure blood cell changes, cytokine gene transcription in PBMC and blood levels of inflammatory cytokines, using qPCR and ELISA. Zymosan bolus (0.1 mg/kg) elicited transient hemodynamic disturbance within minutes without detectable cytokine or blood cell changes. In contrast, infusion of 1 mg/kg zymosan triggered maximal pulmonary hypertension with tachycardia, lasting for 30 min. This was followed by a transient granulopenia and then, up to 6 h, major granulocytosis, resulting in a 3-4-fold increase in NLR. These changes were paralleled by massive transcription and/or rise in IL-6, TNF-alpha, CCL-2, CXCL-10, and IL-1RA in blood. There was significant correlation between lymphopenia and IL-6 gene expression. We conclude that the presented model may enable mechanistic studies on late-stage COVID-19 and CSS, as well as streamlined drug testing against these conditions.

A naturally hypersensitive porcine model may help understand the mechanism of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-induced rare (pseudo) allergic reactions: complement activation as a possible contributing factor.

A tiny fraction of people immunized with lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-enclosed mRNA (LNP-mRNA) vaccines develop allergic symptoms following their first or subsequent vaccinations, including anaphylaxis. These reactions resemble complement (C) activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA) to i.v. administered liposomes, for which pigs provide a naturally oversensitive model. Using this model, we injected i.v. the human vaccination dose (HVD) of BNT162b2 (Comirnaty, CMT) or its 2-fold (2x) or 5-fold (5x) amounts and measured the hemodynamic changes and other parameters of CARPA. We observed in 6 of 14 pigs transient pulmonary hypertension along with thromboxane A2 release into the blood and other hemodynamic and blood cell changes, including hypertension, granulocytosis, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia. One pig injected with 5x CMT developed an anaphylactic shock requiring resuscitation, while a repeat dose failed to induce the reaction, implying tachyphylaxis. These typical CARPA symptoms could not be linked to animal age, sex, prior immune stimulation with zymosan, immunization of animals with Comirnaty i.v., or i.m. 2 weeks before the vaccine challenge, and anti-PEG IgM levels in Comirnaty-immunized pigs. Nevertheless, IgM binding to the whole vaccine, used as antigen in an ELISA, was significantly higher in reactive animals compared to non-reactive ones. Incubation of Comirnaty with pig serum in vitro showed significant elevations of C3a anaphylatoxin and sC5b-9, the C-terminal complex. These data raise the possibility that C activation plays a causal or contributing role in the rare HSRs to Comirnaty and other vaccines with similar side effects. Further studies are needed to uncover the factors controlling these vaccine reactions in pigs and to understand their translational value to humans.

A porcine model of hemodialyzer reactions: roles of complement activation and rinsing back of extracorporeal blood.

Hemodialysis reactions (HDRs) resemble complement-activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA) to certain i.v. drugs, for which pigs provide a sensitive model. On this basis, to better understand the mechanism of human HDRs, we subjected pigs to hemodialysis using polysulfone (FX CorDiax 40, Fresenius) or cellulose triacetate (SureFlux-15UX, Nipro) dialyzers, or Dialysis exchange-set without membranes, as control. Experimental endpoints included typical biomarkers of porcine CARPA; pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), blood cell counts, plasma sC5b-9 and thromboxane-B2 levels. Hemodialysis (60 min) was followed by reinfusion of extracorporeal blood into the circulation, and finally, an intravenous bolus injection of the complement activator zymosan. The data indicated low-extent steady rise of sC5b-9 along with transient leukopenia, secondary leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia in the two dialyzer groups, consistent with moderate complement activation. Surprisingly, small changes in baseline PAP and plasma thromboxane-B2 levels during hemodialysis switched into 30%-70% sharp rises in all three groups resulting in synchronous spikes within minutes after blood reinfusion. These observations suggest limited complement activation by dialyzer membranes, on which a membrane-independent second immune stimulus was superimposed, and caused pathophysiological changes also characteristic of HDRs. Thus, the porcine CARPA model raises the hypothesis that a second "hit" on anaphylatoxin-sensitized immune cells may be a key contributor to HDRs.

Restrained expression of canine glucocorticoid receptor splice variants α and P prognosticates fatal disease outcome in SIRS.

Glucocorticoids play a central role in the inflammatory response and alleviate the symptoms in critically ill patients. The glucocorticoid action relies on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) which translocates into the nucleus upon ligand-binding and regulates transcription of a battery of genes. Although the GR is encoded by a single gene, dozens of its splice variants have been described in diverse species. The GRα isoform encodes the full, functionally active protein that is composed of a transactivation, a DNA-binding, and a C-terminal ligand-binding domain. The second most highly expressed receptor variant, the GR-P, is formed by an intron retention that introduces an early stop codon and results in a probably dysfunctional protein with truncated ligand-binding domain. We described the canine ortholog of GR-P and showed that this splice variant is highly abundant in the peripheral blood of dogs. The level of cGRα and cGR-P transcripts are elevated in patients of SIRS and the survival rate is increased with elevated cGRα and cGR-P expression. The ratio of cGRα and cGR-P mRNA did not differ between the survivor and non-survivor patients; thus, the total GR expression is more pertinent than the relative expression of GR isoforms in assessment of the disease outcome.

Proof-of-Concept for the Analgesic Effect and Thermoregulatory Safety of Orally Administered Multi-Target Compound SZV 1287 in Mice: A Novel Drug Candidate for Neuropathic Pain.

SZV 1287 (3-(4,5-diphenyl-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)propanal oxime) is a novel multi-target candidate under preclinical development for neuropathic pain. It inhibits amine oxidase copper containing 3, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptors. Mainly under acidic conditions, it is transformed to the cyclooxygenase inhibitor oxaprozin, which is ineffective for neuropathy. Therefore, an enterosolvent capsule is suggested for oral formulation, which we investigated for nociception, basic kinetics, and thermoregulatory safety in mice. The antihyperalgesic effect of SZV 1287 (10, 20, 50, and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was determined in partial sciatic nerve ligation-induced traumatic neuropathy by aesthesiometry, brain and plasma concentrations by HPLC, and deep body temperature by thermometry. Its effect on proton-induced TRPV1 activation involved in thermoregulation was assessed by microfluorimetry in cultured trigeminal neurons. The three higher SZV 1287 doses significantly, but not dose-dependently, reduced neuropathic hyperalgesia by 50% of its maximal effect. It was quickly absorbed; plasma concentration was stable for 2 h, and it entered into the brain. Although SZV 1287 significantly decreased the proton-induced TRPV1-mediated calcium-influx potentially leading to hyperthermia, it did not alter deep body temperature. Oral SZV 1287 inhibited neuropathic hyperalgesia and, despite TRPV1 antagonistic action and brain penetration, it did not influence thermoregulation, which makes it a promising analgesic candidate.

Mini-Factor H Modulates Complement-Dependent IL-6 and IL-10 Release in an Immune Cell Culture (PBMC) Model: Potential Benefits Against Cytokine Storm.

Cytokine storm (CS), an excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines upon overactivation of the innate immune system, came recently to the focus of interest because of its role in the life-threatening consequences of certain immune therapies and viral diseases, including CAR-T cell therapy and Covid-19. Because complement activation with subsequent anaphylatoxin release is in the core of innate immune stimulation, studying the relationship between complement activation and cytokine release in an in vitro CS model holds promise to better understand CS and identify new therapies against it. We used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cultured in the presence of autologous serum to test the impact of complement activation and inhibition on cytokine release, testing the effects of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome), zymosan and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as immune activators and heat inactivation of serum, EDTA and mini-factor H (mfH) as complement inhibitors. These activators induced significant rises of complement activation markers C3a, C4a, C5a, Ba, Bb, and sC5b-9 at 45 min of incubation, with or without ~5- to ~2,000-fold rises of IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13 and TNFα at 6 and 18 h later. Inhibition of complement activation by the mentioned three methods had differential inhibition, or even stimulation of certain cytokines, among which effects a limited suppressive effect of mfH on IL-6 secretion and significant stimulation of IL-10 implies anti-CS and anti-inflammatory impacts. These findings suggest the utility of the model for in vitro studies on CS, and the potential clinical use of mfH against CS.

Complement-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to an amphotericin B-containing lipid complex (Abelcet) in pediatric patients and anesthetized rats: Benefits of slow infusion.

Intravenous administration of lipid-based nanodrugs can cause hypersensitivity, also known as infusion reactions (IRs), that can be attenuated by slow infusion in adult patients. We studied the role of infusion rate and complement (C) activation in IRs in pediatric patients treated with Abelcet, and also in anesthetized rats. IRs were observed in 6 out of 10 (60%) patients who received Abelcet infusion in 4 h or less, while no patients who received the infusion in 6 h showed C activation or IRs. The rat model indicated an inverse relationship between infusion speed and Abelcet-induced hypotension, taken as an experimental endpoint of IRs, while the rise of C3a in blood, an index of C activation, directly correlated with hypotension. The results suggest that pediatric patients are more prone to produce IRs, and that the optimal infusion time of Abelcet may be much longer than the presently recommended 2 h.

Spiegelmer-Based Sandwich Assay for Cardiac Troponin I Detection.

Two subunits of the ternary troponin complex, I and C, have cardiac muscle specific isoforms, and hence could be applied as highly-selective markers of acute coronary syndrome. We aimed at paving the way for the development of a robust cardiac troponin I-detecting sandwich assay by replacing antibodies with nuclease resistant aptamer analogues, so-called spiegelmers. To complement the previously generated spiegelmers that were specific for the N-terminus of cTnI, spiegelmers were selected for an amino acid stretch in the proximity of the C-terminal part of the protein by using a D-amino acid composed peptide. Following the selection, the oligonucleotides were screened by filter binding assay, and surface plasmon resonance analysis of the most auspicious candidates demonstrated that this approach could provide spiegelmers with subnanomolar dissociation constant. To demonstrate if the selected spiegelmers are functional and suitable for cTnI detection in a sandwich type arrangement, AlphaLisa technology was leveraged and the obtained results demonstrated that spiegelmers with different epitope selectivity are suitable for specific detection of cTnI protein even in human plasma containing samples. These results suggest that spiegelmers could be considered in the development of the next generation cTnI monitoring assays.

Analysis of Modified Nucleotide Aptamer Library Generated by Thermophilic DNA Polymerases.

One of the pivotal steps in aptamer selection is the amplification of target-specific oligonucleotides by thermophilic DNA polymerases; it can be a challenging task if nucleic acids possessing modified nucleotides are to be amplified. Hence, the identification of compatible DNA polymerase and modified nucleotide pairs is necessary for effective selection of aptamers with unnatural nucleotides. We present an in-depth study of using 5-indolyl-AA-dUTP (TAdUTP) to generate oligonucleotide libraries for aptamer selection. We found that, among the eight studied DNA polymerases, only Vent(exo-) and KOD XL are capable of adapting TAdUTP, and that replacing dTTP did not have a significant effect on the productivity of KOD XL. We demonstrated that water-in-oil emulsion PCR is suitable for the generation of aptamer libraries of modified nucleotides. Finally, high-throughput sequence analysis showed that neither the error rate nor the PCR bias was significantly affected by using TAdUTP. In summary, we propose that KOD XL and TAdUTP could be effectively used for aptamer selection without distorting the sequence space of random oligonucleotide libraries.

A novel family of expression vectors with multiple affinity tags for wheat germ cell-free protein expression.

BACKGROUND: Cell-free protein expression has become a widely used alternative of in vivo, cell-based systems in functional and structural studies of proteins. The wheat germ-based method outstands from the commercially available eukaryotic in vitro translation systems by its flexibility, high translation efficiency and success rate of properly folded eukaryotic protein synthesis. The original T7 promoter containing pEU3-NII vector was improved previously by addition of a ligation-independent cloning site, His6- and GST-tags, and a TEV protease cleavage site to facilitate the creation of recombinant plasmids, permit affinity purification, and enable production of purified, tag-free target proteins, respectively. RESULTS: Here, we describe a further development of pEU3-NII vector by inserting the rare-cutting, NotI restriction enzyme cleavage site to simplify vector linearization step prior to in vitro transcription. Additionally, His12, FLAG, and Halo affinity tag coding vectors have been created to increase detection sensitivity, specificity of interaction studies, and provide covalently linkable ligands for pull-down assays, respectively. Finally, the presented GST-His6, and GST-biotin double-tagging vectors could broaden the range of possibilities of protein-protein interaction studies. CONCLUSIONS: The new generation of pEU3-NII vector family allows a more rapid production of translationally active mRNA and wheat germ cell-free expression of target proteins with a wide variety of affinity tags thus enables designing flexible and diverse experimental arrangement for in vitro studies of proteins.

Nanostructured lipid carriers accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques of ApoE-/- mice.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) might represent an interesting approach for the identification and targeting of rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques. In this study, we evaluated the biodistribution, targeting ability and safety of 64Cu-fonctionalized NLC in atherosclerotic mice. 64Cu-chelating-NLC (51.8±3.1 nm diameter) with low dispersity index (0.066±0.016) were produced by high pressure homogenization at tens-of-grams scale. 24 h after injection of 64Cu-chelated particles in ApoE-/- mice, focal regions of the aorta showed accumulation of particles on autoradiography that colocalized with Oil Red O lipid mapping. Signal intensity was significantly greater in aortas isolated from ApoE-/- mice compared to wild type (WT) control (8.95 [7.58, 10.16]×108 vs 4.59 [3.11, 5.03]×108 QL/mm2, P < 0.05). Moreover, NLC seemed safe in relevant biocompatibility studies. NLC could constitute an interesting platform with high clinical translation potential for targeted delivery and imaging purposes in atherosclerosis.

γ-Tubulin interacts with E2F transcription factors to regulate proliferation and endocycling in Arabidopsis.

γ-Tubulin is associated with microtubule nucleation, but evidence is accumulating in eukaryotes that it also functions in nuclear processes and in cell division control independently of its canonical role. We found that in Arabidopsis thaliana, γ-tubulin interacts specifically with E2FA, E2FB, and E2FC transcription factors both in vitro and in vivo. The interaction of γ-tubulin with the E2Fs is not reduced in the presence of their dimerization partners (DPs) and, in agreement, we found that γ-tubulin interaction with E2Fs does not require the dimerization domain. γ-Tubulin associates with the promoters of E2F-regulated cell cycle genes in an E2F-dependent manner, probably in complex with the E2F-DP heterodimer. The up-regulation of E2F target genes PCNA, ORC2, CDKB1;1, and CCS52A under γ-tubulin silencing suggests a repressive function for γ-tubulin at G1/S and G2/M transitions, and the endocycle, which is consistent with an excess of cell division in some cells and enhanced endoreduplication in others in the shoot and young leaves of γ-tubulin RNAi plants. Altogether, our data show ternary interaction of γ-tubulin with the E2F-DP heterodimer and suggest a repressive role for γ-tubulin with E2Fs in controlling mitotic activity and endoreduplication during plant development.

Complement Activation-Related Pathophysiological Changes in Anesthetized Rats: Activator-Dependent Variations of Symptoms and Mediators of Pseudoallergy.

Complement (C) activation can underlie the infusion reactions to liposomes and other nanoparticle-based medicines, a hypersensitivity syndrome that can be partially reproduced in animal models. However, the sensitivities and manifestations substantially differ in different species, and C activation may not be the only cause of pathophysiological changes. In order to map the species variation of C-dependent and -independent pseudoallergy (CARPA/CIPA), here we used known C activators and C activator liposomes to compare their acute hemodynamic, hematological, and biochemical effects in rats. These C activators were cobra venom factor (CVF), zymosan, AmBisome (at 2 doses), its amphotericin B-free vehicle (AmBisombo), and a PEGylated cholesterol-containing liposome (PEG-2000-chol), all having different powers to activate C in rat blood. The pathophysiological endpoints measured were blood pressure, leukocyte and platelet counts, and plasma thromboxane B2, while C activation was assessed by C3 consumption using the Pan-Specific C3 assay. The results showed strong linear correlation between C activation and systemic hypotension, pointing to a causal role of C activation in the hemodynamic changes. The observed thrombocytopenia and leukopenia followed by leukocytosis also correlated with C3 conversion in case of C activators, but not necessarily with C activation by liposomes. These findings are consistent with the double hit hypothesis of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), inasmuch as strong C activation can fully account for all symptoms of HSRs, but in case of no-, or weak C activators, the pathophysiological response, if any, is likely to involve other activation pathways.

Liposome-induced hypersensitivity reactions: Risk reduction by design of safe infusion protocols in pigs.

Intravenous administration of liposomal drugs can entail infusion reactions, also known as hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), that can be severe and sometimes life-threatening in a small portion of patients. One empirical approach to prevent these reactions consists of lowering the infusion speed and extending the infusion time of the drug. However, different liposomal drugs have different levels of reactogenicity, which means that the optimal protocol for each liposomal drug may differ and should be identified and evaluated to make the treatment as safe and convenient as possible. The goal of the present study was to explore the use of pigs for the above purpose, using PEGylated liposomal prednisolone (PLP) as a model drug. We compared the reactogenicities of bolus versus infusion protocols involving 2-, 3- and 4-step dose escalations for a clinically relevant total dose, also varying the duration of infusions. The strength of HSRs was measured via continuous recording of hemodynamic parameters and blood thromboxane B2 levels. We showed that bolus administration or rapid infusion of PLP caused transient changes in systemic and pulmonary blood pressure and heart rate, most notably pulmonary hypertension with paralleling rises in plasma thromboxane B2. These adverse responses could be significantly reduced or eliminated by slow infusion of PLP, with the 3-h 3-step dose escalation protocol being the least reactogenic. These data suggest that the pig model enables the development of safe infusion protocols for reactogenic nanomedicines.

Pseudo-anaphylaxis to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Coated Liposomes: Roles of Anti-PEG IgM and Complement Activation in a Porcine Model of Human Infusion Reactions.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated nanopharmaceuticals can cause mild to severe hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), which can occasionally be life threatening or even lethal. The phenomenon represents an unsolved immune barrier to the use of these drugs, yet its mechanism is poorly understood. This study showed that a single i.v. injection in pigs of a low dose of PEGylated liposomes (Doxebo) induced a massive rise of anti-PEG IgM in blood, peaking at days 7-9 and declining over 6 weeks. Bolus injections of PEG-liposomes during seroconversion resulted in anaphylactoid shock (pseudo-anaphylaxis) within 2-3 min, although similar treatments of naïve animals led to only mild hemodynamic disturbance. Parallel measurement of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and sC5b-9 in blood, taken as measures of HSR and complement activation, respectively, showed a concordant rise of the two variables within 3 min and a decline within 15 min, suggesting a causal relationship between complement activation and pulmonary hypertension. We also observed a rapid decline of anti-PEG IgM in the blood within minutes, increased binding of PEGylated liposomes to IgM+ B cells in the spleen of immunized animals compared to control, and increased C3 conversion by PEGylated liposomes in the serum of immunized pigs. These observations taken together suggest rapid binding of anti-PEG IgM to PEGylated liposomes, leading to complement activation via the classical pathway, entailing anaphylactoid shock and accelerated blood clearance of liposome-IgM complexes. These data suggest that complement activation plays a causal role in severe HSRs to PEGylated nanomedicines and that pigs can be used as a hazard identification model to assess the risk of HSRs in preclinical safety studies.

Acute physiological changes caused by complement activators and amphotericin B-containing liposomes in mice.

PURPOSE: Undesirable complement (C) activation by nanomedicines can entail an adverse immune reaction known as C activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA) in sensitive patients. The syndrome includes cardiopulmonary, hemodynamic, and a variety of other physiological changes that have been well described in man, pigs, dogs, and rats. However, the information on CARPA is scarce and ambiguous in mice, a species widely used in preclinical studies. The present study aimed to fill this gap by exploring signs of CARPA in mice following i.v. administration of AmBisome and Abelcet, which are nano-formulations of Amphotericin B with high risk to cause CARPA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anesthetized NMRI mice were intravenously injected with liposomal amphotericin B (Abelcet and AmBisome; 30-300 mg phospholipid/kg), drug-free high cholesterol multilamellar vesicles (HC-MLV), and positive controls, cobra venom factor (CVF) and zymosan, followed by the measurement of blood pressure (BP), heart rate, white blood cell, and platelet counts and plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels. C activation was assessed by C3a ELISA, a C3 consumption assay (PAN-C3) and a modified sheep red blood cell hemolytic assay. RESULTS: All test agents, except HC-MLV, caused transient hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and elevation of plasma TXB2, which were paralleled by significant rises of plasma C3a in CVF and zymosan-treated animals, wherein the initial hypertension turned into hypotension and shock. Abelcet and AmBisome caused minor, delayed rise of C3a that was not associated with hypertension. The C3a receptor inhibitor SB-290157 attenuated the hypertension caused by Abelcet and decreased the BP thereafter. CONCLUSION: The parallelism between C3a anaphylatoxin production and severity of physiological changes caused by the different agents is consistent with CARPA underlying these changes. Although the reactive dose of liposomal phospholipids was substantially higher than that in other species (pigs, dogs), the mouse seems suitable for studying the mechanism of hypersensitivity reactions to liposomal formulations of amphotericin B, a frequent side effect of these drugs.

Screening of mecI Gene in Staphylococcus Strains Isolated in Transylvania Region of Romania.

In the last few decades, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have become a serious health care problem. However, in the European Union/European Economic Area countries the prevalence of the invasive MRSA isolates has decreased in recent years; in Romania, the considerably high prevalence of these strains is still unchanged. In this study, 396 staphylococcal strains were screened using molecular biology techniques for the presence of the nucA, mecA, and mecI genes and for the detection of the possible mutations accumulated in the mecI gene. More than half of the collected Staphylococcus strains (59.34%) were determined as S. aureus, and 63 strains were considered as MRSA. Small number of MRSA strains (n = 6; 54.54% of invasive S. aureus) originated from hemoculture. The mecI gene was present in 22 MRSA strains and in 4 methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci strains. The majority of the mecI-positive MRSA strains contained the C to T substitution at position 202; furthermore, one previously undescribed mutation (C to G transversion at nucleotide position 285) was detected in one MRSA strain.