Isotype-matched Control Antibody Research Articles

Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies With Multiple Specificities Ameliorate Collagen Antibody-Induced Arthritis in a Time-Dependent Manner.

Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and have long been regarded as pathogenic. Despite substantial in vitro evidence supporting this claim, reports investigating the proinflammatory effects of ACPAs in animal models of arthritis are rare and include mixed results. Here, we sequenced the plasmablast antibody repertoire of a patient with RA and functionally characterized the encoded ACPAs. We expressed ACPAs from the antibody repertoire of a patient with RA and characterized their autoantigen specificities on antigen arrays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Binding affinities were estimated by bio-layer interferometry. Select ACPAs (n=9) were tested in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) mouse model to evaluate their effects on joint inflammation. Recombinant ACPAs bound preferentially and with high affinity (nanomolar range) to citrullinated (cit) autoantigens (primarily histones and fibrinogen) and to auto-cit peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4). ACPAs were grouped for in vivo testing based on their predominant cit-antigen specificities. Unexpectedly, injections of recombinant ACPAs significantly reduced paw thickness and arthritis severity in CAIA mice as compared with isotype-matched control antibodies (P ≤ 0.001). Bone erosion, synovitis, and cartilage damage were also significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.01). This amelioration of CAIA was observed for all the ACPAs tested and was independent of cit-PAD4 and cit-fibrinogen specificities. Furthermore, disease amelioration was more prominent when ACPAs were injected at earlier stages of CAIA than at later phases of the model. Recombinant patient-derived ACPAs ameliorated CAIA. Their antiinflammatory effects were more preventive than therapeutic. This study highlights a potential protective role for ACPAs in arthritis.

Using Reference Reagents to Confirm Robustness of Cytokine Release Assays for the Prediction of Monoclonal Antibody Safety.

New immunostimulatory antibody drugs designed to either directly stimulate specific immune cells or indirectly enhance the immune response by blocking or activating an endogenous regulator of the immune system have the potential to cause serious immune-related adverse events such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). It is, therefore crucial to assess the safety profile of such drugs with a combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments before first-in-human dose administration. Cytokine release assays (CRAs), where the proposed antibody therapeutic is co-cultured with human immune cells (such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), whole blood, or otherwise) and the amount of inflammatory cytokine produced is measured, are critical for hazard identification. However, different labs using different control antibodies can threaten the harmonization of CRAs, and clinically relevant controls (such as TGN1412) can be difficult to source, which can lead to less accurate or reliable results or data which are difficult to compare between laboratories. The inclusion of positive and negative controls in a CRA can ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) has produced a panel of lyophilized antibody controls intended for use in various CRA platforms to harmonize results across various laboratories and assay methods. A set of three different positive control antibodies include anti-CD52, anti-CD3, and anti-CD28 superagonist (SA), which are known to induce dose-dependent CRS in patients. Each antibody is provided with an isotype-matched negative control antibody. This panel of reference reagents has previously been shown to have good inter-lab reproducibility and are suitable controls to increase the confidence and robustness of safety data from a variety of CRA platforms.

PD-1 AND TIM-3 BLOCKING CANNOT ENHANCE APOPTOSIS OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA CELLS INDUCED BY PERIPHERAL BLOOD CD8+ T CELLS.

Given theinvaluable success of immune checkpoint inhibitors for tumor immunotherapy, in this study, theeffect of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)and T cell immunoglobulin-3 (TIM-3)blocking was investigated to induce apoptosis of leukemic cells by exhausted CD8+ T cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Peripheral blood CD8+ T cells were positively isolated from 16CLL patients using magnetic beads separation method. Isolated CD8+ T cells were treated with either blocking anti-PD-1, anti-TIM-3and isotype-matched control antibodies and then co-cultured with CLL leukemic cells as target. Thepercentage of apoptotic leukemic cells and theexpression of apoptosis-related genes were evaluated by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction methods, respectively. Interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration was also measured by ELISA. Flow cytometric analysis of apoptotic leukemic cells indicated that theblockade of PD-1and TIM-3did not significantly enhance theapoptosis of CLL cells by CD8+ T cells, which then were confirmed by analysis of BAX, BCL2and CASP3gene expression, which was similar in blocked and control groups. No significant difference was found between blocked and control groups in terms of interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha production by CD8+ T cells. We concluded that theblockade of PD-1and TIM-3is not an effective strategy to restore thefunction of CD8+ T cells in CLL patients at theearly clinical stages of thedisease. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to more address theapplication of immune checkpoint blockade in CLL patients.

Abstract P1-04-11: Pd-l1-expressing b-cells promote murine breast cancer development and mediate the response to anti-pd-l1 immune checkpoint inhibitor

Abstract B cells promote tumor development in murine models of breast cancer (BCa), including - as we have shown - by producing pleiotropic cytokine IL-27, which upregulates expression of the PD-L1 immune checkpoint in BCa cells and tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIL-Bs). Paradoxically, B cell activation has been shown to predict the positive response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by murine BCa tumors and melanoma, sarcoma and kidney cancer in patients. Here, we have addressed the role of B cell-expressed PD-L1 in BCa development and responses to ICIs by generating conditional knockout (KO) mice in which Cd274 (encoding PD-L1) was ablated only in activated B cells (AicdacreCd274fl/fl). Tumor development in AicdacreCd274fl/fl mice from engrafted syngeneic ER+ E0071 BCa cells was significantly delayed, albeit not abolished (as occurring in mice lacking B cells), in association with increased B-cell expression of CD86, a key agonistic ligand for T cell-expressed CD28, a co-stimulatory receptor whose function is inhibited by the PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint in exhausted tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. The heightened B-cell CD86 expression in AicdacreCd274fl/fl mice was recapitulated in AicdacreCd274fl/fl B cells stimulated in vitro by CD154, a T helper cell stimulus critical for B cell activation and differentiation as well as the antibody response. Accordingly, AicdacreCd274fl/fl mice displayed an increased antibody response to a T-dependent antigen. Likewise, treatment with the anti-PD-L1 (αPD-L1) ICI boosted wildtype B cells stimulated with CD154 in vitro to express CD86 and differentiate into potentiated plasma cells. It also effectively regressed the growth of pre-developed E0071 tumor in C57 and AicdacreCd274+/fl mice by rejuvenating tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, likely through activation of previously dampened CD28 signaling. By contrast, residual tumors that had eventually developed in AicdacreCd274fl/fl mice failed to respond to αPD-L1 and continued to grow at a pace comparable to tumors treated with an isotype-matched control antibody, showing that the full anti-tumor efficacy of αPD-L1 was mediated mainly by PD-L1-expressing B cells, but not other immune cell types. Thus, PD-L1+ TIL-Bs use PD-L1 to impose a “brake” on the host anti-tumor activity, but are directly targeted by αPD-L1 to relieve the brake, “jump-start” the CD86:CD28 signaling and potentiate the anti-tumor response, thereby providing a mechanistic explanation for the opposing roles of B cells in murine BCa development and ICI responses. Our findings also provide a strong rationale to investigate the activation of PD-L1-expressing TIL-Bs by Atezolizumab® (αPD-L1) in BCa patients to underpin the patient response to this ICI. Citation Format: Mustafa Tamim Alam Khan, Christian Cervantes, Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli, Yan Hui, Ratna Vadlamudi, Zhenming Xu. Pd-l1-expressing b-cells promote murine breast cancer development and mediate the response to anti-pd-l1 immune checkpoint inhibitor [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-04-11.

Amorphous silica nanoparticles (nSP50) exacerbate hepatic damage through the activation of acquired cell-mediated immunity

Due to their innovative functions, the use of nanoparticles in various industries has been expanding. However, a key concern is whether nanoparticles induce unexpected biological effects. Although many studies have focused on innate immunity, information on whether nanoparticles induce biological responses through effects on acquired immunity is sparse. Here, to assess the effects of amorphous silica nanoparticles on acquired immunity, we analyzed changes in acute toxicities after pretreatment with amorphous silica nanoparticles (50 nm in diameter; nSP50). Pretreatment with nSP50 biochemically and pathologically exacerbated nSP50-induced hepatic damage in immunocompetent mice, while pretreatment with nSP50 did not exacerbate hepatic damage in immunodeficient mice. Consistent with this, the depletion of CD8+ cells with an anti-CD8 antibody in animals pretreated with nSP50 resulted in lower plasma levels of hepatic injury markers such as ALT and AST after an intravenous administration than treatment with an isotype-matched control antibody. Finally, stimulation of splenocytes promoted the release of IFN-γ in nSP50-pretreated mice regardless of the stimulator used. Moreover, the blockade of IFN-γ decreased plasma levels of ALT and AST levels in nSP50-pretreated mice. Collectively, these data show that nSP50-induced acquired immunity leads to exacerbation of hepatic damage through the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Anti-CD20 therapy ameliorates β cell function and rebalances Th17/Treg cells in NOD mice

Anti-CD20 therapy delays type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) progression in both nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and new-onset patients. The mechanism is not completely defined. This study aimed to investigate the effects of anti-CD20 therapy on T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in NOD mice. The role of B cell depletion in T1DM development was also examined. NOD mice were randomly divided into two groups. The mice in the experimental group were treated with an anti-CD20 antibody, while the control mice were treated with an isotype-matched control antibody. After treatment, islet morphology and inflammation, Th17 and Treg cell frequencies in the pancreas and spleen, serum cytokine and anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody levels, interleukin (IL)-17A levels in the pancreas and spleen, insulin expression in islet cells and islet β cell function were measured. Decreased blood glucose and increased insulin secretion were found in the exprimental group compared with the CON group. A lower islet inflammation score was also found in the experimental group. Decreased Th17 cell and IL-17A levels and augmented Treg cell levels were found in the spleen and pancreas after anti-CD20 treatment. The serum levels of B cell activating factor (BAFF), IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-23 and anti-GAD autoantibodies were decreased in the experimental group, while higher serum levels of IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were found. Anti-CD20 therapy might have some beneficial effects that improve β cell function by relieving islet inflammation through regulation of Th17/Treg cells and the proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance.

A Novel Allogeneic Cell Therapy That Targets Pathogenic Autoantibodies for the Treatment of Immune Thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by low platelet counts (<100x10 9/L) and increased risk of bleeding. ITP is predominantly driven by immunoglobulin G (IgG)-autoantibodies directed against platelet surface antigens resulting in platelet destruction by the spleen and/or impaired platelet production by bone marrow megakaryocytes. Approximately 60% of ITP patients have measurable levels of anti-platelet autoantibodies in plasma and about 70% of them have autoantibodies directed against the fibrinogen receptor glycoprotein (GP) IIbIIIa.Current treatment strategies for ITP include non-specific immunosuppression (steroids, rituximab), inhibition of platelet clearance (immunoglobulins, splenectomy, anti-D immunoglobulin, and the Syk inhibitor fostamatinib) and stimulation of platelet production (thrombopoietin receptor agonists). In addition, therapeutics targeting the neonatal Fc receptor, responsible for IgG recycling, are under clinical investigation for ITP. Despite these treatment options, some patients with ITP are refractory or have inadequate responses to existing therapy.Here we describe a novel allogeneic cellular therapy, entitled platelet-like cells (PLC), that specifically targets pathogenic IgG for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in ITP. PLC are produced by differentiating a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line into megakaryocyte-like cells (MLC) which are further processed in a proprietary bioreactor that mimics the bone marrow environment and induces the release of anucleate PLC which are then cryopreserved. Analyses of PLC demonstrate sizes ranging between 65 nm and 10 μm. Expression of GPIIbIIIa protein as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is evident in all particle sizes. PLC were administered intravenously (IV) into NOD-scid IL2Rgamma null (NSG) mice to evaluate their pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. PLC were rapidly cleared from the mouse circulation and predominantly distributed to the mouse liver where they colocalized primarily with Kupffer cells. PLC clearance through the liver was significantly inhibited by pre-treating mice with liposomes expressing phosphatidylserine (PS), indicating that one mechanism of PLC clearance is dependent on PS exposure on the PLC outer plasma membrane.The ability of PLC to bind anti-GPIIbIIIa autoantibodies was evaluated in an in vitro assay where PLC were incubated with ITP patient plasmas and subsequently removed by centrifugation and filtration. The concentration of anti-GPIIbIIIa autoantibodies remaining in the plasmas decreased following PLC treatment (96.6% ± 2.4%).The ability of PLC to clear anti-human GPIIbIIIa antibodies in circulation was evaluated by using a passive mouse model of ITP. Here, a fluorescently labeled mouse anti-human GPIIbIIIa monoclonal antibody (PAB-1) was dosed intravenously (IV) into NSG mice to achieve a circulating level of antibody comparable to those observed in ITP patients. The GPIIbIIIa antibody persisted in circulation for over 24 hours following a single dose in untreated mice and did not induce clearance of mouse platelets. Following administration of PLC in the passive ITP model, a decrease in antibody fluorescence in blood was observed within 2 minutes and full antibody clearance was observed at 3 hours post dosing. Furthermore, clearance of the antibody was observed to be both dose responsive and specific since PLC treatment did not affect the antibody concentration of an isotype matched control antibody. PLC activity in clearing the anti-GPIIbIIIa antibody was observed in all particle sizes. Fluorescence quantification of liver and spleen tissue demonstrated that PLC driven anti-GPIIbIIIa antibody clearance occurred preferentially in the liver. Taken together, these data indicate that by specifically binding and rapidly removing anti-platelet antibodies from circulation, PLC may disrupt the platelet degradation mechanisms underlying ITP pathogenesis and restore platelet counts. DisclosuresPatel-Hett: PlateletBio: Current Employment. Giannini: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Peters: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Dykstra: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Lehmann: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Russo: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Kohnke: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Carpenter: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Tomczak: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Lazarus: Platelet Biogenesis: Consultancy. Masuko: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Leung: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Meredith: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Pete: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Lee: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment. Falb: Platelet Biogenesis: Current Employment.

Abstract LB160: PD-L1-expressing B cells promote murine breast cancer development and mediate the response to anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to upregulate B-cell CD86 and inhibit tumor growth

Abstract B cells promote tumor development in murine models of breast cancer (BCa), including - as we have shown - by producing pleiotropic cytokine IL-27, which upregulates expression of the PD-L1 immune checkpoint in BCa cells and tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIL-Bs). Paradoxically, B cell activation has been shown to predict the positive response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by murine BCa tumors and melanoma, sarcoma and kidney cancer in patients. Here, we have addressed the role of B cell-expressed PD-L1 in BCa development and responses to ICIs by generating conditional knockout (KO) mice in which Cd274 (encoding PD-L1) was ablated only in activated B cells (AicdacreCd274fl/fl). Tumor development in AicdacreCd274fl/fl mice from engrafted syngeneic ER+ E0071 BCa cells was significantly delayed, albeit not abolished (as occurring in mice lacking B cells), in association with increased B-cell expression of CD86, a key agonistic ligand for T cell-expressed CD28, a co-stimulatory receptor whose function is inhibited by the PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint in exhausted tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. The heightened B-cell CD86 expression in AicdacreCd274fl/fl mice was recapitulated in AicdacreCd274fl/fl B cells stimulated in vitro by CD154, a T helper cell stimulus critical for B cell activation and differentiation as well as the antibody response. Accordingly, AicdacreCd274fl/fl mice displayed an increased antibody response to a T-dependent antigen. Likewise, treatment with the anti-PD-L1 (anti-PD-L1) ICI boosted wildtype B cells stimulated with CD154 in vitro to express CD86 and differentiate into potentiated plasma cells. It also effectively regressed the growth of pre-developed E0071 tumor in C57 and AicdacreCd274+/fl mice by rejuvenating tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, likely through activation of previously dampened CD28 signaling. By contrast, residual tumors that had eventually developed in AicdacreCd274fl/fl mice failed to respond to αPD-L1 and continued to grow at a pace comparable to tumors treated with an isotype-matched control antibody, showing that the full anti-tumor efficacy of anti-PD-L1 was mediated mainly by PD-L1-expressing B cells, but not other immune cell types. Thus, PD-L1+ TIL-Bs use PD-L1 to impose a “brake” on the host anti-tumor activity, but are directly targeted by αPD-L1 to relieve the brake, “jump-start” the CD86:CD28 signaling and potentiate the anti-tumor response, thereby providing a mechanistic explanation for the opposing roles of B cells in murine BCa development and ICI responses. Our findings also provide a strong rationale to investigate the activation of PD-L1-expressing TIL-Bs by Atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) in BCa patients to underpin the patient response to this ICI. Citation Format: Mustafa T. Khan, Christian Cervantes, Zexuan Liu, Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli, Harshita Gupta, Tyler Curiel, Ratna Vadlamudi, Zhenming Xu. PD-L1-expressing B cells promote murine breast cancer development and mediate the response to anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to upregulate B-cell CD86 and inhibit tumor growth [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr LB160.

Idelalisib Impairs TREM-1 Mediated Neutrophil Inflammatory Responses

Introduction: Idelalisib is a selective PI3Kδ inhibitor approved for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). As adverse events recurrent and severe infectious complications have been observed and experimental data suggest an influence on innate immune defense. Since PI3K is involved in signal transduction of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1, an activating receptor on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and macrophages that is implicated in innate immune activation of these cells, we asked, whether PMN function might be impaired by this small-molecule inhibitor.Methods: PMN from healthy humans were isolated by dextran sedimentation and density gradient centrifugation and pretreated with idelalisib, selective PI3Kα/-β/-γ inhibitors (all 1 µg/ml) or vehicle control (DMSO). Cells were activated with anti-TREM-1 agonistic antibody, an isotype matched control antibody (both own production) or Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg/ml). Effector functions were evaluated by analyzing phagocytosis, CD62L shedding, degranulation and oxidative burst by flow cytometry or oxidative burst kinetics in a fluorescence reader, respectively. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) release was detected by ELISA. Western blot analyses of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated proteins were used for the detection of the involved signaling events, and calcium flux was detected by flow cytometry. Similarly, blood samples of patients receiving idelalisib treatment were followed up for PMN functions as described above to investigate immunomudulatory effects in vivo .Results: We observed a significantly impaired oxidative burst, degranulation (CD66b and CD11b surface expression), CD62L shedding and cytokine (IL-8) release upon PMN activation via TREM-1 ligation and partly by LPS. Furthermore, TREM-1 mediated calcium flux was diminished and TREM-1 signaling was impaired regarding phosphorylation of p38MAPK, ERK1/2 and AKT indicating that the activation of Ca2+ flux as well as MAP kinases and AKT occur down stream of PI3K. Selective PI3Kα and PI3Kβ inhibitors (but not a PI3Kγ inhibitor) showed similar activation patterns, furthermore suggesting that impaired PMN functionalities are due to an unspecific PI3K class IA inhibitory effect. To assess whether our results obtained in vitro may be of relevance in vivo, we analyzed blood samples of B-NHL patients receiving idelalisib therapy ex vivo. Here we again detected an impairment of TREM-1 mediated and partly of TLR4 mediated PMN activation. PMN functions from one patient were analyzed during and after idelalisib therapy. Interestingly, PMN functions were restored after discontinuation of treatment, indicating that the functional PMN deficiencies are reversible.Conclusion: Small-molecule inhibitors might cause a neutropenia-like susceptibility to infections in patients by leading to impaired PMN functions. These side effects are largely unrecognized in daily clinical routine so far by monitoring just for counts of white blood cells, but not their functions. DisclosuresTeschner:Astellas Pharma GmbH: Other: Travel support; Gilead Sciences GmbH: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Germany: Other: Travel Support; MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support; Pfizer Deutschland GmbH: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hess:Celgene: Other: Grants and personal fees; Pfizer: Other: Grants and personal fees; CTI: Other: Grants; Roche: Other: Grants and personal fees; Janssen: Other: Personal Fees. Radsak:Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support; Gilead: Other: Travel support; Acceleron: Research Funding.

Therapeutic Trem2 activation ameliorates amyloid-beta deposition and improves cognition in the 5XFAD model of amyloid deposition

BackgroundTriggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-2 (TREM2) is a lipid and lipoprotein binding receptor expressed by cells of myeloid origin. Homozygous TREM2 mutations cause early onset progressive presenile dementia while heterozygous, point mutations triple the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although human genetic findings support the notion that loss of TREM2 function exacerbates neurodegeneration, it is not clear whether activation of TREM2 in a disease state would result in therapeutic benefits. To determine the viability of TREM2 activation as a therapeutic strategy, we sought to characterize an agonistic Trem2 antibody (AL002a) and test its efficacy and mechanism of action in an aggressive mouse model of amyloid deposition.MethodsTo determine whether agonism of Trem2 results in therapeutic benefits, we designed both intracranial and systemic administration studies. 5XFAD mice in the intracranial administration study were assigned to one of two injection groups: AL002a, a Trem2-agonizing antibody, or MOPC, an isotype-matched control antibody. Mice were then subject to a single bilateral intracranial injection into the frontal cortex and hippocampus and euthanized 72 h later. The tissue from the left hemisphere was histologically examined for amyloid-beta and microglia activation, whereas the tissue from the right hemisphere was used for biochemical analyses. Similarly, mice in the systemic administration study were randomized to one of the aforementioned injection groups and the assigned antibody was administered intraperitoneally once a week for 14 weeks. Mice underwent behavioral assessment between the 12- and 14-week timepoints and were euthanized 24 h after their final injection. The tissue from the left hemisphere was used for histological analyses whereas the tissue from the right hemisphere was used for biochemical analyses.ResultsHere, we show that chronic activation of Trem2, in the 5XFAD mouse model of amyloid deposition, leads to reversal of the amyloid-associated gene expression signature, recruitment of microglia to plaques, decreased amyloid deposition, and improvement in spatial learning and novel object recognition memory.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that Trem2 activators may be effective for the treatment of AD and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders.

Toll-like receptors in acute post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis.

To evaluate the expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on CD14 + cells in vitreous and blood of post-cataract surgery acute endophthalmitis. This prospective case-control pilot study enrolled 16 patients of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis. All the cases were subjected to 23 G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Ten patients undergoing 23 G PPV for non-infectious conditions were taken as controls. 23 G PPV was performed, and three undiluted vitreous samples were collected in heparinized syringes from the cases and the controls. Simultaneous venous blood sample was taken, and flow cytometry was performed to detect the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in vitreous and blood samples. The vitreous and blood samples were incubated with fluorescein isothicyanate (FITC) conjugated anti-TLR2 monoclonal antibody Alexafluor (AX) 647 and anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibody phycoerythrin. Data acquisition was done on a pre-calibrated flow cytometer. TLR analysis of the acquired flow cytometry data was then performed. Mean channel fluorescence intensity (MFI) derived from fluorescence histogram was used to study the level of cell surface TLR expression. MFI was calculated as a ratio and recorded as the MFI of the TLR2 or -4 antibody divided by the MFI of the isotype-matched negative control antibody. Core vitrectomy was done as per the comfort of the surgeon, and intravitreal antibiotics vancomycin (1 mg/0.1 ml) and ceftazidime (2.25 mg/0.1 ml) were injected. The cytological examination was done on vitreous and blood sample. The median TLR 2 and TLR4 values between cases and controls were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman's rank correlation test was used to assess the correlation between TLR expression and disease activity. Vitreous cytology evaluation showed the presence of neutrophils (81.25%, n = 13), monocytes (68.75%, n = 11) and lymphocytes (62.50%, n = 10). The level of expression of TLR2 in vitreous showed a statistically significant correlation with an increase in the time interval of cataract surgery and intervention for endophthalmitis (p < 0.05), but the same was not observed for TLR4. A drift toward higher level of expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in vitreous was observed in patients with poor outcome. TLR2 levels increase with the delay in presentation; thus, TLR2 ligands in vitreous could serve as a good target for the treatment of endophthalmitis.

Optimum DTT Concentration and Treatment Time for CD38 Inactivation on RBCs Analyzed By a Newly-Devised Flow Cytometric Antibody Binding Assay

Background: Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), including daratumumab and isatuximab, are introduced in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). However, CD38 is also expressed on red blood cells (RBCs), so that free anti-CD38 MoAbs in patient sera sometimes binds to test RBCs in pretransfusion blood-compatibility tests. Consequently, panreactive agglutination arises in the standard indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) used for antibody screening and cross-matching. Several methods, including pretreatment of RBCs with dithiothreitol (DTT), have been introduced to overcome the interference. However, the optimum concentration and treatment time for these reagents have not been well elucidated (Chapuy et al, Hosokawa et al). One reason is that evaluation for RBC agglutination during the IAT relies on visual judgement. In this study, we quantified CD38 on RBCs before and after DTT treatment using a newly-devised flow cytometric antibody binding assay (FABA; Takeshita et al) by employing the D-value in the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, and compared with the results from IAT and a conventional flow cytometric method using fluorescent labelled anti-CD38 antibody and isotype-matched control antibody. We then assessed the optimum DTT concentration and treatment time for CD38 inactivation on RBCs to enhance MoAb therapy for MM. Methods: RBCs from healthy donors were treated with 0.2-0.0001 mol/L of DTT for 0-30 min at 37°C. The effect of DTT treatment was evaluated using flow cytometetry (FCM, Navious, Beckman Coulter, Tokyo) and IAT. For conventional FCM analysis, untreated or DTT-treated RBCs were incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled anti-CD38 antibody or anti-IgG1 antibody for 30 min, and then analyzed. For FABA, untreated or DTT treated RBCs were incubated with FITC-labelled anti-CD38 antibody, in the presence or absence of a 100-fold or more excess of unlabeled anti-CD38 antibody and then analyzed by FCM. Dissociation of CD38 positive and control histograms were determined from the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the D-value in the K-S test, which is the maximum vertical displacement between two cumulative frequency distributions for two histograms. Statistical analyses were performed by paired t-test (SPSS, Tokyo), with significance set at p&amp;lt;0.05. The amount of CD38 following DTT treatment was also evaluated by Western blotting. Results: In conventional FCM using FITC-labelled isotype-matched antibody as control, the difference of measured MFIs between CD38 positive and control were considerably volatile in repeated analysis (Fig. A). By contrast, in FABA using an excess concentration of unlabeled anti-CD38 antibody as control, the values were more consistent than those from conventional FCM (Fig. B). The D-value in the K-S test is reliable by numerical modeling in the analysis of the difference between CD38 positive and control histograms. Analysis showed that 0.005 mol/L DTT for 30 min is sufficient to inactivate CD38 on RBCs. These results correlated with those of IAT (Fig. C). Western blotting identified CD38 at DTT concentrations of 0.01-0.001 mol/L, but denaturation of CD38 was observed at 0.2 mol/L of DTT (Fig. D). Conclusions: Our newly-devised flow cytometric antibody binding assay, FABA, facilitates the detection of small numbers of cell surface antigens. The method is also useful as an objective way of evaluating the efficacy of DTT treatment for CD38 on RBCs. Our results show 0.005 mol/L DTT for 30 min is sufficient to inactivate CD38 on RBCs in plasma sampled after treatment with the anti-CD38 MoAbs. Figure Disclosures Takeshita: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd.: Research Funding; Pfizer Japan Inc: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd.: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squib Co.: Research Funding.

Combination therapy in the Col1a2G610C mouse model of Osteogenesis Imperfecta reveals an additive effect of enhancing LRP5 signaling and inhibiting TGFβ signaling on trabecular bone but not on cortical bone.

Enhancing LRP5 signaling and inhibiting TGFβ signaling have each been reported to increase bone mass and improve bone strength in wild-type mice. Monotherapy targeting LRP5 signaling, or TGFβ signaling, also improved bone properties in mouse models of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI). We investigated whether additive or synergistic increases in bone properties would be attained if enhanced LRP5 signaling was combined with TGFβ inhibition. We crossed an Lrp5 high bone mass (HBM) allele (Lrp5A214V) into the Col1a2G610C/+ mouse model of OI. At 6-weeks-of-age we began treating mice with an antibody that inhibits TGFβ1, β2, and β3 (mAb 1D11), or with an isotype-matched control antibody (mAb 13C4). At 12-weeks-old, we observed that combining enhanced LRP5 signaling with inhibited TGFβ signaling produced an additive effect on femoral and vertebral trabecular bone volumes, but not on cortical bone volumes. Although enhanced LRP5 signaling increased femur strength in a 3-point bending assay in Col1a2G610C/+ mice, femur strength did not improve further with TGFβ inhibition. Neither enhanced LRP5 signaling nor TGFβ inhibition, alone or in combination, improved femur 3-point-bending post-yield displacement in Col1a2G610C/+ mice. These pre-clinical studies indicate combination therapies that target LRP5 and TGFβ signaling should increase trabecular bone mass in patients with OI more than targeting either signaling pathway alone. Whether additive increases in trabecular bone mass will occur in, and clinically benefit, patients with OI needs to be determined.

Convergent Evolution of Mucosal Immune Responses at the Buccal Cavity of Teleost Fish.

SummaryThe buccal mucosa (BM) is a critical first line of defense in terrestrial animals. To gain further insights into the evolutionary origins and primordial roles of BM in teleosts here we show that rainbow trout, a teleost fish, contains a diffuse mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) within its buccal cavity. Upon parasite infection, a fish immunoglobulin specialized in mucosal immunity (sIgT) was induced to a high degree, and parasite-specific sIgT responses were mainly detected in the buccal mucus. Moreover, we show that the trout buccal microbiota is prevalently coated with sIgT. Overall our findings revealed that the MALT is present in the BM of a non-tetrapod species. As fish IgT and mucus-producing cells are evolutionarily unrelated to mammalian IgA and salivary glands, respectively, our findings indicate that mucosal immune responses in the BM of teleost fish and tetrapods evolved through a process of convergent evolution.

In vitro dendritic cell maturation isolated from healthy people and patients with Staphylococcus aureuscaused chronic osteomyelitis

Here we present the data comparing maturation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived dendritic cells (DCs) isolated from healthy volunteers and Staphylococcus aureus-positive patients with chronic osteomyelitis. Dendritic cells were cultured in a standard maturation cell medium (RPMI-1640, supplemented with antibiotics, L-glutamine, 15% calf embryonic serum) added with interleukin-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, followed by adding a stimulating factor cocktail containing interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-, interleukin-6, and prostaglandin E2. Dendritic cell maturation was analyzed by estimating visual characteristics under Zeiss ODSERVER.Z1 inverted microscope using Axiovision Rel.4.8 imaging software as well as light and phase-contrast microscopy at magnification of 40, 100, 200, 400, 630. Dendritic cell immunophenotyping was carried out by using a panel of anti-human monoclonal antibodies: anti-CD80 FITC-conjugated, anti-CD86 (B72) PE-conjugated, anti-HLA-DR PC7-conjugated (all from Beckman Coulter, USA), anti-CD14 PerCP-Cy5.5-conjugated, anti-CD83 APC-conjugated, anti-CD40 PE-Cy7-conjugated (Becton Dickinson, USA) as well as isotype-matched control antibodies on the FACS Canto II f low cytometer (Becton Dickinson, USA). It was shown that while maturation dendritic cells derived both from patients or volunteers increased in size and underwent dendrite formation. Moreover, expression of CD86, CD83, CD80, and CD40 markers on dendritic cells derived from patients vs. volunteers was lowered. However, DC stimulation resulted in significantly increased percentage of DCs positive for CD83 DCs co-stimulation molecules CD86, CD80, CD40 chronic osteomyelitis. However, such differences found in immature DCs in both groups disappeared upon maturation, so that expression of the key markers on day 10 was maintained at close level. In particular, expression of CD83 differentiation marker and the CD80 co-stimulation molecule on DCs from patients vs. volunteers was increased stronger. Thus, a maturation potential in DCs isolated from patients with Staphylococcus aureus-caused chronic osteomyelitis was not impaired in vitro. The data obtained open up an opportunity to use dendritic cells as a natural adjuvant-substituting component for development of individualized vaccines in treatment and prevention of recurrent chronic osteomyelitis.

Abstract 17217: ActRIIA-Fc Rebalances Activin/GDF and BMP9 Signaling to Attenuate Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension

Introduction: Therapies targeting the underlying mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) might modify the natural history of disease. The genetics of heritable PAH implicate deficient BMP signaling as a pathogenetic driver. Lung tissues from experimental and human PAH exhibit deficient BMP &amp; excessive TGFβ signaling. While previous studies suggest agonism of BMP9 signaling or inhibition of TGFβ signaling may prevent experimental PH, the roles of activin and growth and differentiation factor (GDF) ligand signaling are unclear. ACTRIIA-Fc (sotatercept) is an activin- and GDF8/11-specific ligand trap currently in Phase 2 studies for anemia and multiple myeloma. Hypothesis: ACTRIIA-Fc inhibits activin and GDF8/11 signaling in vascular cells to attenuate experimental PH and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Methods: Impact of ACTRIIA-Fc on BMP &amp; TGFβ signaling was examined in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial (PMVEC) and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC). ACTRIIA-Fc (15 mg/kg s.c. 2x/week), sildenafil (30 mg/kg p.o. BID) or vehicle were given prophylactically for 4 weeks to rats developing PH following a single injection of MCT (40 mg/kg s.c.), or via single injection of SU5416 (200 mg/kg s.c.) combined with hypoxia (FIO2=0.10, SU-Hx). Alternately, rats were allowed to develop PH following SU-Hx treatment for 3 weeks or MCT treatment for 4 weeks, and then treated with ACTRIIA-Fc (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg s.c. 2x/week) or isotype-matched control antibody (3 weeks under normoxia following SU-Hx, or 2 weeks following MCT). Invasive hemodynamics, RV mass and vascular remodeling were assessed. Results: In PMVEC, ACTRIIA-Fc enhanced BMP9-induced SMAD1/5/8 activation and transcriptional activity, and reversed inhibition of BMP9 signaling by GDF11. ACTRIIA-Fc inhibited GDF8-, GDF11- and activin A-mediated SMAD2 phosphorylation and myogenic differentiation of PASMC. In vivo , a standard dose of ACTRIIA-Fc prevented PH, RV hypertrophy and PV remodeling in MCT- and SU-Hx-rats, with more potency than sildenafil. All doses of ACTRIIA-Fc attenuated PH and RV hypertrophy when given in a delayed fashion after MCT- and SU-Hx-treatment, with graded effects on PV remodeling. Conclusions: ACTRIIA-Fc rebalances GDF11 vs. BMP9 signaling, with distinct effects in vascular endothelium vs. media, and potently inhibits experimental PH in several rodent models. Given its well-defined tolerability, dosing, and efficacy in previous human studies, ACTRIIA-Fc is an attractive candidate for PAH as a novel, mechanism-targeted therapy.

AK002, A NOVEL SIGLEC-8 ANTIBODY DEPLETES HUMAN EOSINOPHILS AND INHIBITS ANAPHYLAXIS IN HUMANIZED MICE

Introduction Pathologic accumulation and over-activation of mast cells and eosinophils have been implicated in certain allergic and inflammatory diseases. Siglec-8 is an inhibitory receptor selectively expressed on human eosinophils, mast cells, and, to a significantly lesser extent, basophils. Antibodies to Siglec-8 have the potential to be broadly anti-inflammatory by inducing apoptosis of eosinophils and inhibiting mast cell activation. AK002 is a novel, humanized, non-fucosylated IgG1 monoclonal antibody to Siglec-8. This study examines the ex vivo activity of AK002 on blood and tissue eosinophils and in vivo activity against human mast cells. Methods The apoptosis and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity of AK002 or an isotype-matched control antibody was assessed using human blood and tissue eosinophils by flow cytometry. In addition, the activity of a mouse AK002 precursor (mAK002) was tested in a model of IgE-induced systemic and cutaneous anaphylaxis in humanized mice. Results In the presence of peripheral blood NK cells, AK002 demonstrated potent ADCC activity against blood eosinophils. AK002 also directly induced apoptosis of cytokine-activated blood eosinophils. In ex vivo human lung tissue, Siglec-8 expression was found on all tissue eosinophils and AK002 significantly reduced these cells compared to an isotype control. Lastly, mAK002 inhibited passive systemic and cutaneous anaphylaxis in humanized mice, consistent with mast cell inhibition (Figure 1). Conclusions AK002 selectively depletes blood and tissue eosinophils and inhibits IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. AK002 may represent a novel therapeutic agent for patients with eosinophil and mast cell driven inflammatory diseases.

Neutrophil Depletion Exacerbates Pregnancy Complications, Including Placental Damage, Induced by Silica Nanoparticles in Mice.

Recent advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of nanoparticles with innovative functions in various fields. However, the biological effects of nanoparticles—particularly those on the fetus—need to be investigated in detail, because several previous studies have shown that various nanoparticles induce pregnancy complications in mice. In this regard, our previous findings in mice suggested that the increase in peripheral neutrophil count induced by treatment with silica nanoparticles with a diameter of 70 nm (nSP70) may play a role in the associated pregnancy complications. Therefore, here, we sought to define the role of neutrophils in nSP70-induced pregnancy complications. The peripheral neutrophil count in pregnant BALB/c mice at 24 h after treatment with nSP70 was significantly higher than in saline-treated mice. In addition, maternal body weight, uterine weight, and the number of fetuses in nSP70-treated mice pretreated with anti-antibodies, which deplete neutrophils, were significantly lower than those in nSP70-treated mice pretreated with phosphate-buffered saline or isotype-matched control antibodies. Histology revealed that neutrophil depletion increased nSP70-induced placental damage from the decidua through the spongiotrophoblast layer and narrowed spiral arteries in the placentae. In addition, depletion of neutrophils augmented nSP70-induced cytotoxicity to fetal vessels, which were covered with endothelium. The rate of apoptotic cell death was significantly higher in the placentae of anti-nSP70-treated mice than in those from mice pretreated with isotype-matched control antibodies. Therefore, impairment of placental vessels and apoptotic cell death due to nSP70 exposure is exacerbated in the placentae of nSP70-treated mice pretreated with anti-antibodies. Depletion of neutrophils worsens nSP70-induced pregnancy complications in mice; this exacerbation was due to enhanced impairment of placental vessels and increased apoptotic cell death in maternal placentae. Our results provide basic information regarding the mechanism underlying silica-nanoparticle-induced pregnancy complications.

Abstract 2650: Radioimmunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia targeting human aspartyl (asparaginyl) β-hydroxylase

Abstract Treatment options for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are limited and have modest impact on 5-year survival rates in patients &amp;lt;60 years of age (~35-40%) and on median survival of older patients (&amp;lt; 1 year). The incidence of AML has been rising, with an anticipated 19,950 new cases in 2016. Thus, the need for novel, more efficacious and better tolerated therapy for AML is urgent. Human aspartyl (asparaginyl) β-hydroxylase (HAAH) is an embryonic/developmental protein, which is down-regulated in normal cells after birth but overexpressed on the surface of many malignant cells, where it has been demonstrated to be sufficient to induce cancer cell proliferation, motility and invasiveness. We hypothesized that HAAH is selectively overexpressed on leukemia cells and thus targeting it with a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) conjugated to the short half-life α-emitter 213Bi could provide a novel radioimmunotherapy (RIT) treatment option with a reasonable therapeutic index. Using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry with anti-HAAH mouse mAbs as well as a fully human mAb, PAN-622, we investigated the expression of HAAH on a variety of cytogenetically- and mutationally heterogeneous leukemia cell lines, including MV4-11, MOLM-14, HL-60, KG1α, Kasumi-1, K562, J45.1, and CCRF-CEM, as well as on normal human leukocytes. PAN-622 was further modified with DTPA-maleimide to allow chelation of radionuclides, specifically 213Bi, to the antibody. The 213Bi-DTPA-PAN-622 was then employed in killing assays to measure selective dose-dependent killing of leukemic cells. HAAH was highly expressed, as detected by flow cytometry, on all tested leukemia cell lines with KG1α and HL-60 demonstrating the highest levels of expression amongst the AML lines. Binding was observed by both PAN-622 and the modified DTPA-PAN-622 conjugate. Interestingly, expression of HAAH was not detected on CD45+ normal human leukocytes, including in subpopulations of monocytes (CD14+), B-cells (CD19+), T-cells (CD3+) or hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+). To determine whether PAN-622 could selectively target leukemia cells in a background of normal human blood, flow cytometry was performed on leukemia cells spiked into whole blood. Only leukemia cells were stained with the PAN-622 antibody as indicated by simultaneous staining for surface markers specific to the various leukocyte subpopulations. Selective killing of leukemia cell lines was demonstrated following incubation with 213Bi-DTPA-PAN-622 which induced dose dependent specific killing over a 6.7-670 pM concentration range. No killing was detected when using 213Bi conjugated to an isotype-matched control antibody at a similar specific activity and dose range. Thus, HAAH is a novel oncogenic target expressed on leukemia cells, which can be selectively targeted for RIT via the fully-human PAN-622 mAb. Experiments targeting primary leukemia cells in patient-derived bone marrow aspirates are ongoing. Citation Format: Michael S. Lebowitz, Ekaterina Revskaya, Kanam Malhotra, Amir Shahlaee, Steven Fuller, Maria R. Baer, Noa G. Holtzman, Ashkan Emadi, Ekaterina Dadachova, Hossein A. Ghanbari. Radioimmunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia targeting human aspartyl (asparaginyl) β-hydroxylase [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2650. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2650

Monitoring response to anti-angiogenic mTOR inhibitor therapy in vivo using 111In-bevacizumab

BackgroundThe ability to image vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could enable prospective, non-invasive monitoring of patients receiving anti-angiogenic therapy. This study investigates the specificity and pharmacokinetics of 111In-bevacizumab binding to VEGF and its use for assessing response to anti-angiogenic therapy with rapamycin.Specificity of 111In-bevacizumab binding to VEGF was tested in vitro with unmodified radiolabelled bevacizumab in competitive inhibition assays. Uptake of 111In-bevacizumab in BALB/c nude mice bearing tumours with different amounts of VEGF expression was compared to that of isotype-matched control antibody (111In-IgG1κ) with an excess of unlabelled bevacizumab. Intratumoural VEGF was evaluated using ELISA and Western blot analysis. The effect of anti-angiogenesis therapy was tested by measuring tumour uptake of 111In-bevacizumab in comparison to 111In-IgG1κ following administration of rapamycin to mice bearing FaDu xenografts. Uptake was measured using gamma counting of ex vivo tumours and effect on vasculature by using anti-CD31 microscopy.ResultsSpecific uptake of 111In-bevacizumab in VEGF-expressing tumours was observed. Rapamycin led to tumour growth delay associated with increased relative vessel size (8.5 to 10.3, P = 0.045) and decreased mean relative vessel density (0.27 to 0.22, P = 0.0015). Rapamycin treatment increased tumour uptake of 111In-bevacizumab (68%) but not 111In-IgGκ and corresponded with increased intratumoural VEGF165.Conclusions111In-bevacizumab accumulates specifically in VEGF-expressing tumours, and changes after rapamycin therapy reflect changes in VEGF expression. Antagonism of mTOR may increase VEGF in vivo, and this new finding provides the basis to consider combination studies blocking both pathways and a way to monitor effects.