Identification and characterization of antibodies elicited by human cystatin C fragment.

Amyloid formation is associated with a number of neurodegenerative diseases that affect the independence and quality of life of aging populations. One of rather atypical, occurring at a young age amyloidosis is hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA) related to aggregation of L68Q variant of human cystatin C (hCC). Human cystatin C plays a very important role in many aspects of human health; however, its amyloidogenic properties manifested in HCCAA present a real, lethal threat to some populations and any work on factors that can affect possible influencing hCC aggregation is not to overestimate. It was proved that interaction of hCC with monoclonal antibodies suppresses significantly hCC dimerization process. Therefore, immunotherapy seems to be the right approach toward possible HCCAA treatment. In this work, the hCC fragment encompassing residue 60-70 (in 2 variants: linear peptide and multiple antigenic peptide) was used as an immunogen in rabbit immunization. As a result, specific anti-hCC antibodies were found in both rabbit sera. Surprisingly, rabbit antibodies were obtained after immunization with only a short peptide. The obtained antibodies were characterized, and their influence on the aggregation propensity of the hCC molecules was evaluated. The antibodies turned out not to have any significant influence on the cystatin C dimerization process. Nevertheless, we hope that antibodies elicited in rabbits by other hCC fragments could lead to elaboration of effective treatment against HCCAA.

High throughput testing of drug library substances and monoclonal antibodies for capacity to reduce formation of cystatin C dimers to identify candidates for treatment of hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a high-throughput system for testing the ability of drugs or monoclonal antibodies to reduce the in vitro formation of cystatin C dimers to identify substances potentially useful for treatment of patients with hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA). METHODS: Various combinations of incubation temperature, time period, guanidinium chloride concentration and concentration of cystatin C monomers were tested in low-volume formats to induce dimer formation of recombinant cystatin C. The extent of dimerization was analysed by gel filtration chromatography and agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: A high-throughput system based upon agarose gel electrophoresis was developed and used to test 1040 drugs in a clinical drug library for their capacity to reduce cystatin C dimer formation in vitro. Seventeen substances reducing dimer formation by more than 30% were identified. A similar system for testing the capacity of monoclonal antibodies against cystatin C to reduce the in vitro formation of cystatin C dimers was also developed and used to test a panel of 12 monoclonal antibodies. Seven antibodies reducing dimer formation by more than 30% were identified and the two most potent, Cyst28 and HCC3, reduced dimerization by 75 and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We constructed a simple high-throughput system for testing the capacity of drugs and monoclonal antibodies to reduce the in vitro formation of cystatin C dimers and several candidates for treatment of HCCAA could be identified.