CIGB-258 Exerts Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activity against Carboxymethyllysine-Induced Acute Inflammation in Hyperlipidemic Zebrafish via the Protection of Apolipoprotein A-I.

Inflammation and atherosclerosis are intimately associated via the production of dysfunctional high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and modification of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I. A putative interaction between CIGB-258 and apoA-I was investigated to provide mechanistic insight into the protection of HDL. The protective activity of CIGB-258 was tested in the CML-mediated glycation of apoA-I. The in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy was compared in paralyzed hyperlipidemic zebrafish and its embryo in the presence of CML. Treatment of CML induced greater glycation extent of HDL/apoA-I and proteolytic degradation of apoA-I. In the presence of CML, however, co-treatment of CIGB-258 inhibited the glycation of apoA-I and protected the degradation of apoA-I, exerting enhanced ferric ion reduction ability. Microinjection of CML (500 ng) into zebrafish embryos resulted in acute death with the lowest survivability with severe developmental defects with interleukin (IL)-6 production. Conversely, a co-injection of CIGB-258 or Tocilizumab produced the highest survivability with a normal development speed and morphology. In hyperlipidemic zebrafish, intraperitoneal injection of CML (500 µg) caused the complete loss of swimming ability and severe acute death with only 13% survivability 3 h post-injection. A co-injection of the CIGB-258 resulted in a 2.2-fold faster recovery of swimming ability than CML alone, with higher survivability of approximately 57%. These results suggest that CIGB-258 protected hyperlipidemic zebrafish from the acute neurotoxicity of CML. Histological analysis showed that the CIGB-258 group had 37% lower infiltration of neutrophils in hepatic tissue and 70% lower fatty liver changes than those of the CML-alone group. The CIGB-258 group exhibited the smallest IL-6 expression in the liver and the lowest blood triglyceride level. CIGB-258 displayed potent anti-inflammatory activity in hyperlipidemic zebrafish by inhibiting apoA-I glycation, promoting rapid recovery from the paralysis of CML toxicity and suppression of IL-6, and lowering fatty liver changes.

CIGB-814, an altered peptide ligand derived from human heat-shock protein 60, decreases anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Serum autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) are significant markers for diagnosis and prognosis of this disease. Induction of immune tolerance as therapeutic approach for RA constitutes a current research focal point. In this sense, we carried out a phase I clinical trial in RA patients with a new therapeutic candidate (called CIGB-814); which induced mechanisms associated with restoration of peripheral tolerance in preclinical studies. CIGB 814 is an altered peptide ligand (APL), derived from a CD4+ T cell epitope of human heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60), an autoantigen involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Twenty patients with moderate disease activity were included in this open label trial. Sequential dose-escalation of 1, 2.5 and 5 mg of CIGB-814 was studied. Consecutive groups of six, five, and nine patients received a subcutaneous dose weekly of the peptide during the first month and one dose monthly during the next 5 months. The peptide was well tolerated and reduced disease activity. Here, we reported the quantification of anti-CCP antibodies during the treatment with this APL and in the follow-up stage. Anti-CCP antibodies were quantified in the plasma from patients by a commercial enzyme immunoassay at baseline (T0) and at weeks 28 and 48. Results showed that CIGB-814 induced a significant reduction of anti-CCP antibodies. In addition, this decrease correlated with clinical improvement in patients assessed by Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) criteria. These findings reinforce the therapeutic potential of CIGB-814.