LB0001 BIMEKIZUMAB IN BDMARD-NAIVE PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: 24-WEEK EFFICACY & SAFETY FROM BE OPTIMAL, A PHASE 3, MULTICENTRE, RANDOMISED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, ACTIVE REFERENCE STUDY

Background

Bimekizumab (BKZ) is a monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively inhibits IL-17F in addition to IL-17A.

Objectives

Assess BKZ efficacy and safety vs PBO in bDMARD-naïve pts with active PsA to Wk 24 of BE OPTIMAL.

Methods

BE OPTIMAL (NCT03895203) comprises 16 wks double-blind PBO-controlled and 36 wks treatment-blind. Pts were ≥18 yrs, bDMARD-naïve, with adult-onset, active PsA, ≥3 tender and ≥3 swollen joints. Pts randomised 3:2:1, subcutaneous BKZ 160 mg Q4W:PBO:adalimumab (ADA; reference arm) 40 mg Q2W. From Wk 16, PBO pts received BKZ 160 mg Q4W. Primary endpoint: ACR50 at Wk 16.

Results

821/852 (96.4%) pts completed Wk 16 and 806 (94.6%) Wk 24. Mean age 48.7 yrs, BMI 29.2 kg/m2; since diagnosis: 5.9 yrs; 46.8% male. BL characteristics comparable across arms. Primary endpoint met (Wk 16 ACR50: 43.9% BKZ vs 10.0% PBO, p<0.001; ADA: 45.7%; Figure 1). All ranked secondary endpoints met at Wk 16 (Table 1). As early as Wk 2, ACR20 was higher in BKZ vs PBO (27.1% vs 7.8%, nominal p<0.001; ADA: 33.6%). Outcomes continued to improve at Wk 24 (Table 1). To Wk 16, pts with ≥1 TEAE, BKZ: 59.9%; PBO: 49.5%; ADA: 59.3%. SAE rate low (1.6%; 1.1%; 1.4%). Most frequent (≥5%) AEs for all arms: nasopharyngitis (9.3%; 4.6%; 5.0%), URTI (4.9%; 6.4%; 2.1%), increased ALT (0.7%; 0.7%; 5.0%). Candida infections: 2.6%, 0.7%, 0%; no systemic candidiasis. 2 malignancies (BKZ: basal cell carcinoma; PBO: breast cancer stage 1); no MACE, uveitis, IBD or deaths.

Table 1.

Wk 16 and 24 efficacy

BLWk 16Wk 24PBO N=281BKZ 160 mg Q4W N=431ADA 40 mg Q2W N=140†PBO N=281BKZ 160 mg Q4W N=431ADA 40 mg Q2W N=140†p value (BKZ vs PBO)PBO→ BKZ 160 mg Q4WaN=281BKZ 160 mg Q4W N=431ADA 40 mg Q2W N=140†Ranked endpointsbACR50 [NRI],–––28189 (43.9)64<0.00110119666n (%)-10-45.7(35.9)(45.5)-47.1HAQ-DI CfB [MI],0.890.820.86−0.09 (0.03)−0.26 (0.02)−0.33<0.001c−0.28−0.30−0.34mean (SE)-0.04-0.03-0.05(0.04)(0.03)(0.02)(0.05)PASI90d [NRI],–––4133 (61.3)f28<0.00186 (61.4)e158 (72.8)f32n (%)(2.9)e(41.2)g(47.1)gSF-36 PCS CfB [MI],36.938.137.62.36.36.8<0.001c6.27.37.3mean (SE)-0.6-0.5-0.7-0.5-0.4-0.8-0.5-0.4-0.8MDA [NRI],51413719463<0.00110620967n (%)-1.8-3.2-0.7-13.2(45.0)-45(37.7)(48.5)-47.9vdHmTSS CfB (subgroup)h [MI], mean (SE)15.67 (1.80)i15.56 (1.69)j17.39 (2.89)k0.36 (0.10)i−0.01 (0.04)j−0.06 (0.08)k<0.001c–––vdHmTSS CfB [MI],mean (SE)13.31 (1.56)l13.44 (1.47)m14.55 (2.44)n0.31 (0.09)l0(0.04)m−0.03 (0.07)n0.001c–––Other endpointsACR20 [NRI],–––6726896<0.001o17528299n (%)-23.8(62.2)-68.6(62.3)(65.4)-70.7ACR70 [NRI],–––1210539<0.001o5312642n (%)-4.3(24.4)-27.9-18.9(29.2)-30PASI100d [NRI],–––3103f14<0.001o6012226n (%)(2.1)e(47.5)(20.6)g(42.9)e (56.2)f(38.2)gTJC CfB [MI],17.116.817.5−3.2−10.0−10.9<0.001o−9.4−11.5−11.8mean (SE)-0.7-0.6-1.1(0.7) (0.5)-1(0.7)(0.5)-0.9SJC CfB [MI],9.599.6−3.0 (0.5)−6.6 (0.3)−7.5<0.001o−6.8 (0.4)−7.2 (0.3)−7.9mean (SE)-0.4-0.3-0.6-0.6-0.6

Randomised set. Interim results.

†Reference arm; study not powered for statistical comparisons of ADA to BKZ or PBO.

aPBO→BKZ pts received PBO to Wk 16, switched to BKZ 160 mg Q4W through Wk 24 (8 wks BKZ);

bResolution of enthesitis/dactylitis in pts with LEI>0/LDI>0 at BL pooled with BE COMPLETE (Wk 16 LEI=0 BKZ: 124/249 [49.8%], PBO: 37/106 [34.9%], p=0.008; LDI=0 BKZ: 68/90 [75.6%], PBO: 24/47 [51.1%], p=0.002);

cContinuous outcome p values calculated with RBMI data;

dPts with PSO and ≥3% BSA at BL;

en=140;

fn=217;

gn=68;

hPts with hs-CRP ≥6 mg/L and/or bone erosion at BL;

in=221;

jn=357;

kn=108;

ln=261;

mn=416;

nn=131;

oNominal, not powered for multiplicity.

Conclusion

Dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F with BKZ in bDMARD-naïve pts with active PsA resulted in rapid, clinically relevant improvements in musculoskeletal and skin outcomes vs PBO. No new safety signals observed.1,2

References

[1]Ritchlin CT Lancet 2020;395(10222):427–40; 2. Coates LC Ann Rheum Dis 2021;80:779–80(POS1022).

Disclosure of Interests

Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Janssen, UCB Pharma, Laura Coates Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Celgene, Domain, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Galapagos, Janssen, Moonlake, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Robert B.M. Landewé Consultant of: Abbott, Ablynx, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Centocor, GSK, Novartis, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, and Wyeth, Speakers bureau: Abbott, Amgen, BMS, Centocor, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, and Wyeth, Grant/research support from: Abbott, Amgen, Centocor, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, and Wyeth, Philip J Mease Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma and UCB Pharma, Christopher T. Ritchlin Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen and UCB Pharma, Yoshiya Tanaka Consultant of: AbbVie, Ayumi, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eli Lilly, GSK, Sanofi, and Taisho, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, and YL Biologics, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Asahi-Kasei, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai, Corrona, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Kowa, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, and Takeda, Akihiko Asahina Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, LEO Pharma, Maruho, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, Taiho Pharma, Torii Pharmaceutical, and UCB Pharma, Laure Gossec Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Celltrion, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: Amgen, Galapagos, Lilly, Pfizer, Sandoz and UCB Pharma, Alice B Gottlieb Consultant of: Amgen, AnaptsysBio, Avotres Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Incyte, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, UCB Pharma, and XBiotech, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Novartis, Sun Pharma, UCB Pharma, and XBiotech: all funds go to Mount Sinai Medical School, Richard B. Warren Consultant of: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Arena, Astellas, Avillion, Biogen, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and UCB Pharma, Paid instructor for: Astellas, DiCE, GSK, and Union, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Almirall, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Novartis, and UCB Pharma, Barbara Ink Shareholder of: GSK, UCB Pharma, Employee of: UCB Pharma, Deepak Assudani Shareholder of: UCB Pharma, Employee of: UCB Pharma, Jason Coarse Shareholder of: UCB Pharma, Employee of: UCB Pharma, Rajan Bajracharya Shareholder of: UCB Pharma, Employee of: UCB Pharma, Joseph F. Merola Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, BMS, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and UCB Pharma, Paid instructor for: Amgen, Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and UCB Pharma

OP0255 BIMEKIZUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND AN INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO TUMOUR NECROSIS FACTOR INHIBITORS: 16-WEEK EFFICACY & SAFETY FROM BE COMPLETE, A PHASE 3, MULTICENTRE, RANDOMISED PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Background

Bimekizumab (BKZ) is a monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively inhibits IL-17F in addition to IL-17A. BKZ has shown sustained efficacy and tolerability up to 152 wks in a phase 2b study in patients (pts) with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).1,2

Objectives

To assess efficacy and safety of BKZ vs placebo (PBO) in pts with active PsA and prior inadequate tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) response in the 16-wk pivotal phase 3 study, BE COMPLETE.

Methods

BE COMPLETE (NCT03896581) comprises a 16-wk double-blind, PBO-controlled period. Pts were aged ≥18 yrs, had a diagnosis of adult-onset, active PsA with ≥3 tender joints and ≥3 swollen joints, and inadequate response or intolerance to treatment with 1 or 2 TNFi. Pts were randomised 2:1 to BKZ 160 mg Q4W or PBO. From Wk 16, pts were eligible to enter an open-label extension, receiving BKZ 160 mg Q4W. The primary endpoint was a ≥50% improvement in American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR50) at Wk 16. Primary and ranked secondary efficacy endpoints were assessed at Wk 16.

Results

Of 400 randomised pts (BKZ: 267; PBO: 133), 388 (97.0%) completed Wk 16 (BKZ: 263 [98.5%]; PBO: 125 [94.0%]). Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups: mean age 50.5 yrs, weight 86.0 kg, BMI 29.8 kg/m2, time since diagnosis 9.5 yrs; 47.5% pts were male.

At Wk 16, the primary endpoint (ACR50: 43.4% BKZ vs 6.8% PBO; p<0.001; Figure 1) and all ranked secondary endpoints (HAQ-DI CfB, PASI90, SF-36 PCS CfB and MDA response) were met (all p<0.001; Table 1). The ACR50 response was rapid with separation from PBO observed from Wk 4 (nominal p<0.001). Additional outcomes, including ACR20/70, TJC and SJC CfB, and PASI75/100, demonstrated numerical improvement with BKZ compared to PBO at Wk 16 (all nominal p<0.001; Table 1).

Table 1.

Disease characteristics at baseline and efficacy at Wk 16

PBO N=133BKZ 160 mg Q4W N=267p valueBaseline characteristicsTJCmean (SD)19.3 (14.2)18.4 (13.5)-SJCmean (SD)10.3 (8.2)9.7 (7.5)-PtGA-PsAmean (SD)63.0 (22.0)60.5 (22.5)-PtAAPmean (SD)61.7 (24.6)58.3 (24.2)-Psoriasis BSAn (%)<3%45 (33.8)91 (34.1)-≥3 to ≤10%63 (47.4)109 (40.8)->10%25 (18.8)67 (25.1)-PASIamean (SD)8.5 (6.6)b10.1 (9.1)c-Prior TNFin (%)Inadequate response to 1 TNFi103 (77.4)204 (76.4)-Inadequate response to 2 TNFi15 (11.3)29 (10.9)-Intolerance to TNFi15 (11.3)34 (12.7)-Current cDMARDsn (%)63 (47.4)139 (52.1)-Ranked endpoints in hierarchical orderACR50* [NRI] n (%)9 (6.8)116 (43.4)<0.001HAQ-DI CfB† [RBMI] mean (SE)–0.1 (0.0)–0.4 (0.0)<0.001PASI90†a [NRI]n (%)6 (6.8)b121 (68.8)c<0.001SF-36 PCS CfB† [RBMI]mean (SE)1.4 (0.7)7.3 (0.5)<0.001MDA Response† [NRI]n (%)8 (6.0)118 (44.2)<0.001Other endpointsACR20† [NRI]n (%)21 (15.8)179 (67.0)<0.001‡ACR70† [NRI] n (%)1 (0.8)71 (26.6)<0.001‡TJC CfB [MI] mean (SE)–2.4 (0.9)–10.9 (0.8)<0.001‡SJC CfB [MI] mean (SE)–2.0 (0.5)–7.0 (0.4)<0.001‡PASI75a [NRI]n (%)9 (10.2)b145 (82.4)c<0.001‡PASI100a [NRI]n (%)4 (4.5)b103 (58.5)c<0.001‡

Randomised set (N=400). *Primary endpoint; †Secondary endpoint; ‡Nominal p value. aIn patients with ≥3% BSA with PSO at BL; bn=88; cn=176.

Over 16 wks, 107/267 (40.1%) pts on BKZ had ≥1 TEAE vs 44/132 (33.3%) pts on PBO; the three most frequent TEAEs on BKZ were nasopharyngitis (BKZ: 3.7%; PBO: 0.8%), oral candidiasis (BKZ: 2.6%; PBO: 0%) and upper respiratory tract infection (BKZ: 2.2%; PBO: 1.5%). Incidence of SAEs was low (BKZ: 1.9%; PBO: 0%); none led to discontinuation. 2 pts on BKZ discontinued due to a TEAE (BKZ: 0.7%; PBO: 0%). No systemic candidiasis, cases of IBD, MACE, uveitis, VTE or deaths were reported.

Conclusion

Dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F with BKZ in pts with active PsA and prior inadequate TNFi response resulted in rapid, clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements in efficacy outcomes vs PBO. No new safety signals were observed.1,2

References

[1]Ritchlin C.T. Lancet 2020;395(10222):427–40; 2. Coates L.C. Ann Rheum Dis 2021;80:779–80(POS1022).

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by UCB Pharma. Editorial services were provided by Costello Medical.

Disclosure of Interests

Joseph F. Merola Paid instructor for: Amgen, Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma and UCB Pharma, Consultant of: Amgen, Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma and UCB Pharma, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Janssen, UCB Pharma, Christopher T. Ritchlin Consultant of: Amgen, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen and UCB Pharma, Philip J Mease Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma and UCB Pharma, Robert B.M. Landewé Speakers bureau: Abbott, Amgen, BMS, Centocor, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, and Wyeth, Consultant of: Abbott, Ablynx, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Centocor, GSK, Novartis, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, and Wyeth, Grant/research support from: Abbott, Amgen, Centocor, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, and Wyeth, Akihiko Asahina Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, LEO Pharma, Maruho, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, Taiho Pharma, Torii Pharmaceutical, and UCB Pharma, Yoshiya Tanaka Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, and YL Biologics, Consultant of: AbbVie, Ayumi, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eli Lilly, GSK, Sanofi, and Taisho, Grant/research support from: Asahi-Kasei, AbbVie, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai, Corrona, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Kowa, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, and Takeda, Richard B. Warren Paid instructor for: Astellas, DiCE, GSK, and Union, Consultant of: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Arena, Astellas, Avillion, Biogen, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Almirall, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Novartis, and UCB Pharma, Laure Gossec Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi-Aventis, and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: Amgen, Galapagos, Lilly, Pfizer, and Sandoz, Dafna D Gladman Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Frank Behrens Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Genzyme, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Sanofi, Barbara Ink Shareholder of: GSK, UCB Pharma, Employee of: UCB Pharma, Deepak Assudani Shareholder of: UCB Pharma, Employee of: UCB Pharma, Rajan Bajracharya Shareholder of: UCB Pharma, Employee of: UCB Pharma, Jason Coarse Shareholder of: UCB Pharma, Employee of: UCB Pharma, Laura Coates Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Galapagos, Janssen, Moonlake, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma

Stearic Acid Supplementation in High Protein to Carbohydrate (P:C) Ratio Diet Improves Physiological and Mitochondrial Functions of Drosophila melanogaster parkin Null Mutants

Optimizing dietary macronutrients benefits the prevention and management of many human diseases but there is conflicting dietary advice for Parkinson's disease (PD), and no single strategy is universally recommended. Recently, it was shown that dietary stearic acid (C18:0) improves survival and mitochondrial functions in the parkin null Drosophila model of PD. Here, we incorporate stearic acid into high protein and high carbohydrate diets and study survival, climbing ability, mitochondrial membrane potential, respiration, basal reactive oxygen species, and conduct lipidomics assays. We observed that parkin null flies showed improvement in all assays tested when stearic acid was added to the high protein diet but not to the high carbohydrate diet. When lipid proportion was examined, we observed higher levels in flies fed the high protein diet with stearic acid diet and the high carbohydrate diet. Unexpectedly, free levels of fatty acids exhibited opposite trend. Combined, these data suggest that dietary Protein: Carbohydrate ratio and stearic acid influences levels of bound fatty acids. The mechanisms that influence free and bound fatty-acid levels remain to be explored, but one possible explanation is that breakdown products can bind to membranes and improve the mitochondrial functions of parkin null flies.

Dietary Macronutrient Management to Treat Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been demonstrated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The products of several PD-associated genes, including alpha-synuclein, parkin, pink1, protein deglycase DJ-1, and leucine rich repeat kinase 2, have important roles in mitochondrial biology. Thus, modifying mitochondrial function could be a potential therapeutic strategy for PD. Dietary management can alter mitochondrial function as shifts in dietary macronutrients and their ratios in food can alter mitochondrial energy metabolism, morphology and dynamics. Our studies have established that a low protein to carbohydrate (P:C) ratio can increase lifespan, motor ability and mitochondrial function in a parkin mutant Drosophila model of PD. In this review, we describe mitochondrial dysfunction in PD patients and models, and dietary macronutrient management strategies to reverse it. We focus on the effects of protein, carbohydrate, fatty acids, and their dietary ratios. In addition, we propose potential mechanisms that can improve mitochondrial function and thus reverse or delay the onset of PD.

Dietary management and physical exercise can improve climbing defects and mitochondrial activity in Drosophila melanogaster parkin null mutants

Physical exercise can improve gait, balance, tremor, flexibility, grip strength and motor coordination in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Several lines of evidence have also shown the therapeutic potential of dietary management and supplementation in halting the progression of PD. However, there is a lack of research on the combined effects of physical activity and nutrition in the progression of PD. We test the effects exercise and dietary modification in a Drosophila model of PD. In this study, we fed Drosophila parkin mutants high protein and high carbohydrate diets without and with stearic acid (4 treatments in total). In parallel, we subjected mutants to a regimen of exercise using a purpose-built 'Power tower' exercise machine. We then measured climbing ability, aconitase activity, and basal mitochondrial ROS levels. We observed that exercising parkin mutants fed the high protein diet improved their climbing ability and increased aconitase activity. There was an additional improvement in climbing and aconitase activity in exercised parkin mutants fed the high protein diet supplemented with stearic acid. No benefits of exercise were seen in parkin mutants fed the high carbohydrate diet. Combined, these results suggest that dietary management along with physical activty has potential to improve mitochondrial biogenesis and delay the progression of PD in Drosophila parkin mutants.

Assessing bioenergetic functions from isolated mitochondria in Drosophila melanogaster

Mitochondria are involved in generating more than 90 percent of cellular energy and are responsible for many cellular processes such as metabolism, cell signalling, apoptosis and ageing. Currently, there are a number of different experimental approaches employed to measure mitochondrial health and function. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach that quantifies substrate induced mitochondrial respiration from Drosophila. This protocol is optimized for mitochondria isolated from third instar larvae, and can also be used for mitochondria isolated from adult thoraces. This procedure outlines how to perform high throughput and high resolution mitochondria specific measurements for state II, state III, state IV_O respiration and residual oxygen consumption.

Retinol binding protein and vitamin D associations with serum antibody isotypes, serum influenza virus-specific neutralizing activities and airway cytokine profiles

Vitamin A supports the induction of immunoglobulin (Ig)A responses at mucosal surfaces in mice, but much less is known about the influence of vitamins on antibody isotype expression in humans. To address this knowledge gap, we examined 46 residual blood samples from adults and children, some of whom were experiencing influenza virus infections of the respiratory tract. Assays were performed for retinol binding protein (RBP, a surrogate for vitamin A), vitamin D (a related vitamin) and antibody isotypes. Results showed that all but two tested samples exhibited RBP and/or vitamin D insufficiencies or deficiencies. Vitamin D correlated with blood IgM and IgG3, while RBP correlated with IgG4 and IgA. RBP also correlated positively with age and with influenza virus-specific antibody neutralization titres. Individuals with low blood RBP levels exhibited the highest frequencies of over-expressed cytokines and growth factors in nasal wash samples, an indication of inflamed mucosal tissues. While cause-effect relationships were not discerned, results support a hypothesis that vitamins directly influence B cell isotype expression in humans, and by so doing may help protect mucosal surfaces from respiratory viral disease.

Drosophila adiponectin receptor in insulin producing cells regulates glucose and lipid metabolism by controlling insulin secretion

Adipokines secreted from adipose tissue are key regulators of metabolism in animals. Adiponectin, one of the adipokines, modulates pancreatic beta cell function to maintain energy homeostasis. Recently, significant conservation between Drosophila melanogaster and mammalian metabolism has been discovered. Drosophila insulin like peptides (Dilps) regulate energy metabolism similarly to mammalian insulin. However, in Drosophila, the regulatory mechanism of insulin producing cells (IPCs) by adipokine signaling is largely unknown. Here, we describe the discovery of the Drosophila adiponectin receptor and its function in IPCs. Drosophila adiponectin receptor (dAdipoR) has high homology with the human adiponectin receptor 1. The dAdipoR antibody staining revealed that dAdipoR was expressed in IPCs of larval and adult brains. IPC- specific dAdipoR inhibition (Dilp2>dAdipoR-Ri) showed the increased sugar level in the hemolymph and the elevated triglyceride level in whole body. Dilps mRNA levels in the Dilp2>dAdipoR-Ri flies were similar with those of controls. However, in the Dilp2>dAdipoR-Ri flies, Dilp2 protein was accumulated in IPCs, the level of circulating Dilp2 was decreased, and insulin signaling was reduced in the fat body. In ex vivo fly brain culture with the human adiponectin, Dilp2 was secreted from IPCs. These results indicate that adiponectin receptor in insulin producing cells regulates insulin secretion and controls glucose and lipid metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster. This study demonstrates a new adipokine signaling in Drosophila and provides insights for the mammalian adiponectin receptor function in pancreatic beta cells, which could be useful for therapeutic application.