Antibodies Processed Using High Dilution Technology Distantly Change Structural Properties of IFNγ Aqueous Solution

A novel technique for studying the effects of technologically processed antibodies by evaluating the rate of oxidation of ascorbic acid during the reduction of the green-blue ABTS + radical

Since the pharmaceutical market is developing, there is a need for novel techniques for determining the physical-chemical properties of drug solutions. Drugs based on technologically processed antibodies (TPA) are an example of compounds that require a methodology for studying their effects. It has been shown that the process of external impacts during the manufacture of TPA-based drugs can induce breaking of intermolecular and intramolecular bonds in the solvent molecules, providing the emergence of new bonds with the molecules of the substance used for the manufacture of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. This article focuses on the technique applied for assessing the mentioned effect of TPA and consists in spectrophotometric observation of the oxidation process of ascorbic acid (AA) in the solution. The amount of oxidized AA was detected using ABTS·+(2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical-cation, which, when interacting with AA, is reduced and changes the color from green-blue to colorless. This technique showed the reproducibility of statistically significant differences in the amount of oxidized AA in the presence of TPA compared to controls and can be used to detect the changes in the properties of solutions exposed to the effect of the TPA samples.

Molecular Signal Transfer of Highly Diluted Antibodies to Interferon-Gamma Regarding Kind, Time, and Distance of Exposition

Physicochemical examinations of very high dilution (UHD) solutions subjected to certain physical factors (such as shaking) are becoming more frequent and are increasingly producing conclusive results. A much less studied phenomenon is the transfer of molecular information (i.e., UHD signals of dilute substances) from one liquid to another without an intermediate liquid phase. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of such a transfer of the UHD signal from the UHD solutions to the receiver solution, in particular, if the molecular source used in the donor solutions was the biologically active antibodies to interferon-gamma molecule. We were especially interested in how the transfer of the UHD signal is affected by the time of exposure of the receiver to the donor, the distance between the two, and how the transfer is affected by activation (striking) versus exposure alone. Signal transfer was evaluated by differential measurements of electrical conductivity, ORP, pH, and UV/VIS spectroscopy of the exposed liquid. The results showed that activation strongly influences signal transfer and that this can be compensated to some extent by prolonged direct exposure. In principle, exposure time has a positive effect on signal transfer. Interestingly, the results of different distances between the donor and receiver showed similar changes in the parameters in the range of 0-4 cm, as estimated in this study. While the study mainly confirms the two hypotheses, it also raises a number of new questions and provides clues for further research.

Antiallergic Effects of Technologically Processed Antibodies to MHC II

The risk of developing anaphylactic reactions to medications introduces additional difficulties for effective pharmacotherapy. Using a model of systemic anaphylaxis in mice, we showed that preventive administration of a preparation containing technologically processed antibodies (TPA) to MHC II induces an anti-anaphylactic effect comparable to that of dexamethasone (when assessing the severity of systemic anaphylaxis 30 and 60 min after challenge injection of the model antigen ovalbumin). The revealed activity may be related to the ability of TPA to MHC II to regulate the antigen presentation system and shift the immune response towards the production of IgG instead of IgE typical of anaphylactic reaction.

Physicochemical Study of the Molecular Signal Transfer of Ultra-High Diluted Antibodies to Interferon-Gamma

Physicochemical investigations of (UHD) solutions subjected to certain physical factors (like shaking) are becoming more frequent and increasingly yielding convincing results. A much less studied phenomenon is the transfer of molecular information (UHD signals) from one fluid to another without an intermediate liquid phase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of such a UHD signal transfer from UHD solutions into the receiver fluid, especially when the molecular source used in solutions was a biologically active molecule of antibodies to interferon-gamma. We used physicochemical measurements and UV spectroscopy for this purpose. The results of this large pilot study confirm the possibility of such a transfer and a rough similarity to the original UHD signal donors, the weaker signal detection relative to the original donor fluids, and that exposure time improves the effect.

Modifying Distant Effect of High Dilutions of Inorganic and Biological Substances

It is known that highly diluted substances can exert a modifying effect on the initial substances without direct contact with them (distant interaction). The capability of high dilutions of IFNγ and Na2SO4 for the distant modifying effect was studied by the method of terahertz spectroscopy. Statistically significant differences were shown between terahertz characteristics of the initial solution of IFNγ protein and solution that had interacted with high dilutions of IFNγ; in case of sodium sulfate, no such differences were detected. Thus, high dilutions exert a distant modifying effect on the initial substances with complex spatial structure typical of biological molecules.

Study of the Effects of Highly Diluted Sodium Sulfate and Interferon-Gamma

High dilutions of solutions containing extremely small amounts of the initial substance can modify the biological effects of the initial substance molecules. Using terahertz spectroscopy, we studied the possibility of modifying the physicochemical properties of the initial substance by adding high dilutions of high-molecular-weight (IFNγ) and low-molecular-weight (Na2SO4) compounds. In addition, the modifying effect produced by high dilutions of a low-molecular electrolyte (a solution of Na2SO4 salt) on the initial substance was confirmed by conductometry. This method allows measuring electrical conductivity that also depends on the physicochemical properties of the solution, namely, the number of ions and velocity of their movement. Statistically significant differences were shown between terahertz and conductometric characteristics of the initial solution (inorganic salt Na2SO4 or a protein IFNγ) and a solution, where high dilutions of the same substances were added in different concentrations. Interestingly, the differences were more pronounced for the biological molecule. Thus, it has been shown that high dilutions can change the properties of the initial solution; the effect is more pronounced for the protein solution.

Modeling of protein hydration dynamics is supported by THz spectroscopy of highly diluted solutions

In this investigation, we report the effect on the microscopic dynamics and interactions of the cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and antibodies to IFN-γ (anti-IFN-γ) and to the interferon gamma receptor 1 (anti-IFNGR1) prepared in highly dilute (HD) solutions of initial proteins. THz spectroscopy measurements have been conducted as a means to analyze and characterize the collective dynamics of the HD samples. MD simulations have also been performed that have successfully reproduced the observed signatures from experimental measurement. Using this joint experimental-computational approach we determine that the HD process associated with the preparation of the highly diluted samples used in this investigation induces a dynamical transition that results in collective changes in the hydrogen-bond network of the solvent. The dynamical transition in the solvent is triggered by changes in the mobility and hydrogen-bonding interactions of the surface molecules in the HD samples and is characterized by dynamical heterogeneity. We have uncovered that the reorganization of the sample surface residue dynamics at the solvent-protein interface leads to both structural and kinetic heterogeneous dynamics that ultimately create interactions that enhance the binding probability of the antigen binding site. Our results indicate that the modified interfacial dynamics of anti-IFN-γ and anti-IFGNR1 that we probe experimentally are directly associated with alterations in the complementarity regions of the distinct antibodies that designate both antigen-antibody affinity and recognition.

Antiviral Activity of Technologically Processed Antibodies to CD4 Receptor against Influenza Infection

The antiviral activity of technologically processed antibodies to CD4 receptor was evaluated a model of sublethal A/California/04/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-induced influenza infection in female BALB/c mice. The technologically processed antibodies increased animal survival rate by 50% in comparison with the placebo group (p<0.05), which correlated with significant inhibition of virus replication in the lungs (p<0.05). The reference drug Tamiflu increased mouse survival rate (by 47%), decreased the virus titer in the lungs, and prevented body weight loss (p<0.05 in comparison with the placebo group by all parameters). The intrinsic protective activity of technologically processed antibodies to CD4 receptor was demonstrated, which manifested in a decrease in viral load in the lower respiratory tract and an increase in the survival rate.

Interaction between Highly Diluted Samples, Protein Solutions and Water in a Controlled Magnetic Field

We have previously shown that water incubated in a weak combined magnetic field (CMF) increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils. Adding high dilutions (HD) of water into the same system resulted in a similar effect. HD of antibodies to interferon-gamma (HD Abs to IFNγ) were shown to emit electromagnetic radiation and affect hydrogen bond energies. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect of HD of substances (donor) on the properties of aqueous solutions (acceptor). The donor and acceptor were incubated for 1 h in a controlled magnetic field so that the walls of the two cuvettes were in close contact. As a control, the acceptor was incubated under the same conditions but without the donor. An aliquot of the acceptor solution was then added to mouse neutrophils, and ROS levels were measured using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. Joint incubation led to a 185–356% increase (p < 0.05) in ROS production, depending on the type of acceptor sample. The magnitude of the effect depended on the parameters of the magnetic field. In a CMF, the effect was strongest, completely disappearing in a magnetic vacuum or with shielding. These findings are important for understanding the physical mechanism of action of HD preparations, which opens up opportunities for expanding their practical applications.

Highly Diluted Antibodies to eNOS Restore Endothelium Function in Aortic Rings From Hypertensive Rats

Background

Nitric oxide (NO) as a vaso- and cardio-protective agent could reduce vasomotor dysfunction in different cardiovascular diseases. One of the current therapeutics targeted at NO availability in the vascular wall are highly diluted antibodies to endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS). This drug has previously shown its endothelium-protective effect and effectiveness in reducing hypertension. Current study was dedicated to evaluate the direct impact of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS on the vessel constriction and dilation ex vivo.

Methods

For that purpose, we used thoracic aortas dissected from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in the presence of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS (1 mL) was examined after phenylephrine-induced pre-constriction of the aorta rings in response to gradually increased acetylcholine concentration (1 nM to 10 µM).

Results

Highly diluted antibodies to eNOS enhanced acetylcholine-induced relaxation in a statistically significant manner. Moreover, it was demonstrated that observed effect was similar to perindopril, a well-known angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, which works through relaxing and widening blood vessels.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that highly diluted antibodies to eNOS restored impaired endothelium function, as demonstrated by increased relaxation of SHR rats aorta rings. The revealed results suggest beneficial effect of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS to ameliorate hypertension and related diseases.