Polysialic acid as an antigen for monoclonal antibody HIgM12 to treat multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders

DNA aptamers that modulate biological activity of model neurons

There is an urgent need for agents that promote health and regeneration of cells and tissues, specifically to treat diseases of the aging nervous system. Age-associated nervous system degeneration and various diseases are driven by many different biochemical stresses, often making it difficult to target any one disease cause. Our laboratory has previously identified DNA aptamers with apparent regenerative properties in murine models of multiple sclerosis by selecting aptamers that bind oligodendrocyte membrane preparations. Here, we selected from vast libraries of molecules (∼1014 unique DNAs) those with the ability to bind cultured human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells as a neuronal model, followed by screening for aptamers capable of eliciting biological responses, with validation of binding in differentiated SH-SY5Y, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived sensory neurons, and human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cortical neurons. This demonstrates a proof-of-concept workflow to identify biologically active aptamers by cycles of cell selection.

To PEGylate or not to PEGylate: Immunological properties of nanomedicine's most popular component, polyethylene glycol and its alternatives

Polyethylene glycol or PEG has a long history of use in medicine. Many conventional formulations utilize PEG as either an active ingredient or an excipient. PEG found its use in biotechnology therapeutics as a tool to slow down drug clearance and shield protein therapeutics from undesirable immunogenicity. Nanotechnology field applies PEG to create stealth drug carriers with prolonged circulation time and decreased recognition and clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Most nanomedicines approved for clinical use and experimental nanotherapeutics contain PEG. Among the most recent successful examples are two mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines that are delivered by PEGylated lipid nanoparticles. The breadth of PEG use in a wide variety of over the counter (OTC) medications as well as in drug products and vaccines stimulated research which uncovered that PEG is not as immunologically inert as it was initially expected. Herein, we review the current understanding of PEG's immunological properties and discuss them in the context of synthesis, biodistribution, safety, efficacy, and characterization of PEGylated nanomedicines. We also review the current knowledge about immunological compatibility of other polymers that are being actively investigated as PEG alternatives.

Polysialic acid in the rat brainstem and thoracolumbar spinal cord: Distribution, cellular location, and comparison with mouse

Polysialic acid (polySia), a homopolymer of α2,8-linked glycans, is a posttranslational modification on a few glycoproteins, most commonly in the brain, on the neural cell adhesion molecule. Most research in the adult central nervous system has focused on its expression in higher brain regions, where its distribution coincides with regions known to exhibit high levels of synaptic plasticity. In contrast, scant attention has been paid to the expression of polySia in the hindbrain. The main aims of the study were to examine the distribution of polySia immunoreactivity in the brainstem and thoracolumbar spinal cord, to compare the distribution of polySia revealed by two commercial antibodies commonly used for its investigation, and to compare labeling in the rat and mouse. We present a comprehensive atlas of polySia immunoreactivity: we report that polySia labeling is particularly dense in the dorsal tegmentum, medial vestibular nuclei and lateral parabrachial nucleus, and in brainstem regions associated with autonomic function, including the dorsal vagal complex, A5, rostral ventral medulla, A1, and midline raphe, as well as sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord and central targets of primary sensory afferents (nucleus of the solitary tract, spinal trigeminal nucleus, and dorsal horn [DH]). Ultrastructural examination showed labeling was present predominantly on the plasma membrane/within the extracellular space/in or on astrocytes. Labeling throughout the brainstem and spinal cord were very similar for the two antibodies and was eliminated by the polySia-specific sialidase, Endo-NF. Similar patterns of distribution were found in rat and mouse brainstem with differences evident in DH.

Resistance training-induced gains in knee extensor strength are related to increased neural cell adhesion molecule expression in older adults with knee osteoarthritis

Objective

Resistance training (RT) can improve whole muscle strength without increasing muscle fiber size or contractility. Neural adaptations, which lead to greater neural activation of muscle, may mediate some of these improvements, particularly in older adults, where motor neuron denervation is common. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of neural adaptations, as reflected by neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression, to improvements in (1) whole muscle strength and (2) muscle fiber size following RT in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. We performed whole muscle strength measurements and immunohistochemical analysis of fiber size, type, and NCAM expression before and after a 14-week RT program.

Results

RT increased whole-muscle strength as measured by 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) leg press (P = 0.01), leg extension (P = 0.03), and knee extensor peak torque (P = 0.050), but did not alter NCAM expression. Greater NCAM expression in myosin heavy chain (MHC) II fibers was associated with greater whole muscle strength gains (knee extensor peak torque r = 0.93; P < 0.01) and greater MHC II fiber size (r = 0.79; P < 0.01). Our results suggest that training-induced NCAM expression, and neural adaptations more generally, may be important for RT-induced morphological and functional improvements in older adults.

Trial registration NCT01190046

IgM Natural Autoantibodies in Physiology and the Treatment of Disease

Antibodies are vital components of the adaptive immune system for the recognition and response to foreign antigens. However, some antibodies recognize self-antigens in healthy individuals. These autoreactive antibodies may modulate innate immune functions. IgM natural autoantibodies (IgM-NAAs) are a class of primarily polyreactive immunoglobulins encoded by germline V-gene segments which exhibit low affinity but broad specificity to both foreign and self-antigens. Historically, these autoantibodies were closely associated with autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, not all human autoantibodies are pathogenic and compelling evidence indicates that IgM-NAAs may exert a spectrum of effects from injurious to protective depending upon cellular and molecular context. In this chapter, we review the current state of knowledge regarding the potential physiological and therapeutic roles of IgM-NAAs in different disease conditions such as atherosclerosis, cancer, and autoimmune disease. We also describe the discovery of two reparative IgM-NAAs by our laboratory and delineate their proposed mechanisms of action in central nervous system (CNS) disease.

A natural human monoclonal antibody protects from axonal injury in different CNS degenerative disease models

Axon regeneration after CNS injury is incomplete. This is partially due to the presence of multiple growth inhibitory molecules within myelin that prevent axonal extension. These inhibitors include myelin-associated glycoprotein, Nogo and oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein. A natural human recombinant antibody, rHIgM12, was identified by its ability to promote neurite outgrowth in vitro. rHIgM12 overrides the neurite outgrowth inhibition of myelin by binding with high affinity to neuronal PSA-NCAM and gangliosides. This neurite outgrowth is accompanied by increased α-tubulin tyrosination and decreased acetylation which occurs after treatment with rHIgM12. rHIgM12 is efficacious in murine models of human multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, improving axon survival and neurologic function. rHIgM12 has great promise as a therapeutic molecule in a number of CNS disorders characterized by neuronal loss and axonal transection including multiple sclerosis. This review will focus on rHIgM12 discovery, effects in preclinical models and potential applications as a therapeutic reagent for CNS disease.

Treatment with a recombinant human IgM that recognizes PSA-NCAM preserves brain pathology in MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

A single peripheral dose of CNS-binding IgMs promote remyelination and preserve axons in a number of animal models of neurologic disease. A myelin-binding recombinant human IgM (rHIgM22) is presently in a safety trial in MS patients following an acute MS exacerbation. rHIgM22 (directed against oligodendrocytes) or rHIgM12 (directed against neurons) were administered to mice with MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) with study endpoints: clinical deficits and brain and spinal cord pathology. IgMs were administered at a therapeutic dose of 100 μ g intra peritoneal at the time of immunization (day -1, 0, +$1), disease onset (15 days) or peak of the disease (28 days). Disease course was not worsened by either human IgM regardless of the time of treatment. Of note, the human IgM that recognizes a carbohydrate epitope on gangliosides and NCAM, rHIgM12, reduced brain pathology when given at time of immunization or at onset of disease, but did not reduce clinical deficits or spinal cord disease burden. Hence, treatment with rHIgM12 resulted in marked reduction in meningeal inflammation. Data consistent with the hypothesis that in the EAE model this molecule has an immune-modulatory effect. Treatment with an anti-CD4 blocking IgG prevented both clinical course and CNS pathology. This pre-clinical study further supports the safety of therapeutic CNS-binding human IgMs in the presence of autoimmunity and clearly differentiates them from IgGs directed against MOG or aquaporin-4 that worsen neurologic disease.

Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study

Antibodies of the IgM isotype are often neglected as potential therapeutics in human trials, animal models of human diseases as well as detecting agents in standard laboratory techniques. In contrast, several human IgMs demonstrated proof of efficacy in cancer models and models of CNS disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Reasons for their lack of consideration include difficulties to express, purify and stabilize IgM antibodies, challenge to identify (non-protein) antigens, low affinity binding and fundamental knowledge gaps in carbohydrate and lipid research.

This manuscript uses HIgM12 as an example to provide a detailed protocol to detect antigens by Western blotting, immunoprecipitations and immunocytochemistry. HIgM12 targets polysialic acid (PSA) attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). Early postnatal mouse brain tissue from wild type (WT) and NCAM knockout (KO) mice lacking the three major central nervous system (CNS) splice variants NCAM180, 140 and 120 was used to evaluate the importance of NCAM for binding to HIgM12. Further enzymatic digestion of CNS tissue and cultured CNS cells using endoneuraminidases led us to identify PSA as the specific binding epitope for HIgM12.

Concomitant Use of Neuroprotective Drugs in Neuro Rehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis

We provide an overview of rehabilitation in neurological diseases. A large amount of literature available on neurorehabilitation is based from the rehabilitative work on stroke and spinal cord injuries. After a brief description of rehabilitation, the potential application of neurorehabilitation in neurodegenerative diseases specifically multiple sclerosis (MS) is summarized. Since MS causes a wide variety of symptoms, the rehabilitation in MS patients may benefit from an interdisciplinary approach that encloses physiotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, psychological therapy, occupational therapy, and other methods to improve fatigue. Neurorehabilitation helps patients to reach and maintain their optimal physical, psychological and intellectual, levels but it does not reverse long-term disabilities that arise from neurological disorders. This calls for the need of better neuroregenerative and neuroprotective treatment strategies in addition to neurorehabilitation. We discuss neuroprotective drugs aimed at preventing axonal, neuronal, myelin and oligodendrocyte damage and cell death that are approved and others that are currently in clinical trials, with an emphasis on human derived natural antibodies with remyleination potential. Our investigative group developed recombinant natural human IgM antibodies against oligodendrocytes and neurons with a potential for CNS repair and remyleination. One such recombinant antibody, rHIgM22 completed a phase 1 clinical trial with no toxicity and with an objective of promoting remyleination in multiple sclerosis. Inclusion of these drugs as a multifaceted approach may further enhance the efficacy of neurorehabilitation in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

A monoclonal natural human IgM protects axons in the absence of remyelination

BACKGROUND

Whereas demyelination underlies early neurological symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS), axonal damage is considered critical for permanent chronic deficits. Intracerebral infection of susceptible mouse strains with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) results in chronic induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) with progressive axonal loss and neurologic dysfunction similar to progressive forms of MS. We previously reported that treatment of chronic TMEV-IDD mice with a neurite outgrowth-promoting natural human antibody, HIgM12, improved brainstem NAA concentrations and preserved functional motor activity. In order to translate this antibody toward clinical trial, we generated a fully human recombinant form of HIgM12, rHIgM12, determined the optimal in vivo dose for functional improvement in TMEV-IDD, and evaluated the functional preservation of descending spinal cord axons by retrograde labeling.

FINDINGS

SJL/J mice at 45 to 90 days post infection (dpi) were studied. A single intraperitoneal dose of 0.25 mg/kg of rHIgM12 per mouse is sufficient to preserve motor function in TMEV-IDD. The optimal dose was 10 mg/kg. rHIgM12 treatment protected the functional transport in spinal cord axons and led to 40 % more Fluoro-Gold-labeled brainstem neurons in retrograde transport studies. This suggests that axons are not only present but also functionally competent. rHIgM12-treated mice also contained more mid-thoracic (T6) spinal cord axons than controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that a fully human recombinant neurite outgrowth-promoting monoclonal IgM is therapeutic in a model of progressive MS using multiple reparative readouts. The minimum effective dose is similar to that of a remyelination-promoting monoclonal human IgM discovered by our group that is presently in clinical trials for MS.

Recent Advances in Monoclonal Antibody Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the CNS and results in neurological disability. Existing immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive approaches lower the number of relapses but do not cure or reverse existing deficits nor improve long-term disability in MS patients.

AREAS COVERED

Monogenic antibodies were described as treatment options for MS, however the immunogenicity of mouse antibodies hampered the efficacy of potential therapeutics in humans. Availability of improved antibody production technologies resulted in a paradigm shift in MS treatment strategies. In this review, an overview of immunotherapies for MS that use conventional monoclonal antibodies reactive to immune system and their properties and mechanisms of action will be discussed, including recent advances in MS therapeutics and highlight natural autoantibodies (NAbs) that directly target CNS cells.

EXPERT OPINION

Recent challenges for MS therapy are the identification of relevant molecular and cellular targets, time frame of treatment, and antibody toxicity profiles to identify safe treatment options for MS patients. The application of monoclonal antibody therapies with better biological efficacy associated with minimum side effects possesses huge clinical potential. Advances in monoclonal antibody technologies that directly target cells of nervous system may promote the CNS regeneration field from bench to bedside.

An optimised assay for quantitative, high-throughput analysis of polysialyltransferase activity

Optimisation of a highly sensitive cell-free high-throughput HPLC-based assay for assessment of human polysialyltransferase activity is reported.

A human anti-polysialic acid antibody as a potential treatment to improve function in multiple sclerosis patients

We previously identified a human monoclonal antibody, termed HIgM12 that stimulates spontaneous locomotor activity in a chronically demyelinating mouse model of multiple sclerosis. When tested as a molecular substrate, HIgM12 stimulated neurite outgrowth in vitro. We recently reported that polysialic acid (PSA) attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is one of the cellular antigens for HIgM12. Fluorescent double-labeling of astrocytes using HIgM12 and commercially available anti-PSA antibody showed dramatic co-localization. Neural tissue homogenates and primary CNS cultures from mice lacking the three major NCAM splice variants NCAM180, NCAM140 and NCAM120 (NCAM KO) were no longer able to bind HIgM12. Furthermore, enzymatic digestion of PSA on wild type (WT) glia abolished HIgM12-binding. Moreover, neurons and glia from NCAM KO animals did not attach to HIgM12-coated nitrocellulose in neurite outgrowth assays. We conclude that HIgM12 targets PSA attached to NCAM, and that the PSA moiety mediates neuronal and glial adhesion and subsequent neurite outgrowth in our in vitro assay. Therefore, this anti-PSA antibody may serve as a future therapeutic to stimulate functional improvement in multiple sclerosis patients and other neurodegenerative diseases.