Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) promotes brain repair and improves cognitive outcomes after traumatic brain injury in a FcγRIIB receptor-dependent manner.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a promising immune-modulatory therapy for limiting harmful inflammation and associated secondary tissue loss in neurotrauma. Here, we show that IVIG therapy attenuates spatial learning and memory deficits following a controlled cortical impact mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). These improvements in cognitive outcomes were associated with increased neuronal survival, an overall reduction in brain tissue loss, and a greater preservation of neural connectivity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the presence of the main inhibitory FcγRIIB receptor is required for the beneficial effects of IVIG treatment in TBI, with our results simultaneously highlighting the role of this receptor in reducing secondary damage arising from brain injury.

A novel soluble complement receptor 1 fragment with enhanced therapeutic potential.

Human complement receptor 1 (HuCR1) is a pivotal regulator of complement activity, acting on all three complement pathways as a membrane-bound receptor of C3b/C4b, C3/C5 convertase decay accelerator, and cofactor for factor I-mediated cleavage of C3b and C4b. In this study, we sought to identify a minimal soluble fragment of HuCR1, which retains the complement regulatory activity of the wildtype protein. To this end, we generated recombinant, soluble, and truncated versions of HuCR1 and compared their ability to inhibit complement activation in vitro using multiple assays. A soluble form of HuCR1, truncated at amino acid 1392 and designated CSL040, was found to be a more potent inhibitor than all other truncation variants tested. CSL040 retained its affinity to both C3b and C4b as well as its cleavage and decay acceleration activity and was found to be stable under a range of buffer conditions. Pharmacokinetic studies in mice demonstrated that the level of sialylation is a major determinant of CSL040 clearance in vivo. CSL040 also showed an improved pharmacokinetic profile compared with the full extracellular domain of HuCR1. The in vivo effects of CSL040 on acute complement-mediated kidney damage were tested in an attenuated passive antiglomerular basement membrane antibody-induced glomerulonephritis model. In this model, CSL040 at 20 and 60 mg/kg significantly attenuated kidney damage at 24 h, with significant reductions in cellular infiltrates and urine albumin, consistent with protection from kidney damage. CSL040 thus represents a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of complement-mediated disorders.

Using the K/BxN mouse model of endogenous, chronic, rheumatoid arthritis for the evaluation of potential immunoglobulin-based therapeutic agents, including IVIg and Fc-µTP-L309C, a recombinant IgG1 Fc hexamer.

BACKGROUND: High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and more recently, subcutaneously-delivered Ig (SCIg), are used to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases; however, there are challenges associated with product production, availability, access and efficacy. These challenges have provided incentives to develop a human recombinant Fc as a more potent alternative to IVIg and SCIg for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Recently, a recombinant human IgG1 Fc hexamer (Fc-µTP-L309C) was shown to be more efficacious than IVIg in a variety of autoimmune mouse models. We have now examined its efficacy compared to IVIg and SCIg in the K/BxN mouse model of endogenous, chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RESULT: Using the serum-transfer K/BxN model and the endogenous autoimmune model, amelioration of the arthritis was achieved. Effective treatment required high and frequent doses of IVIg, SCIg and Fc-µTP-L309C. However, Fc-µTP-L309C was efficacious at 10-fold lower doses that IVIg/SCIg. Also, arthritis could be prevented when Fc-µTP-L309C was given prior to onset of the arthritis in both the endogenous model and in the serum transfer model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that Fc-µTP-L309C is a powerful treatment for the prevention and amelioration of severe, chronic arthritis in a true autoimmune mouse model of RA. Thus, the K/BxN endogenous arthritis model should be useful for testing potential therapeutics for RA. Our findings provide rationale for further examination of the treatment efficacy of immunoglobulin-based therapeutics in rheumatoid arthritis.

Treating murine inflammatory diseases with an anti-erythrocyte antibody.

Treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases typically involves immune suppression. In an opposite strategy, we show that administration of the highly inflammatory erythrocyte-specific antibody Ter119 into mice remodels the monocyte cellular landscape, leading to resolution of inflammatory disease. Ter119 with intact Fc function was unexpectedly therapeutic in the K/BxN serum transfer model of arthritis. Similarly, it rapidly reversed clinical disease progression in collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) and collagen-induced arthritis and completely corrected CAIA-induced increase in monocyte Fcγ receptor II/III expression. Ter119 dose-dependently induced plasma chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL11 with corresponding alterations in monocyte percentages in the blood and liver within 24 hours. Ter119 attenuated chemokine production from the synovial fluid and prevented the accumulation of inflammatory cells and complement components in the synovium. Ter119 could also accelerate the resolution of hypothermia and pulmonary edema in an acute lung injury model. We conclude that this inflammatory anti-erythrocyte antibody simultaneously triggers a highly efficient anti-inflammatory effect with broad therapeutic potential.

Next-generation Fc receptor-targeting biologics for autoimmune diseases.

In recent years, there has been a surge in the research and development of novel molecules as potential therapeutic alternatives to traditional treatments (such as intravenous immunoglobulins) for autoimmune disorders. The aim of this review is to describe different drug development strategies and evaluate how various molecules have performed in clinical trials to date. Broadly, three main approaches have been pursued. Recombinant fragment crystallisable (rFc) multimers primarily target Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) but may also affect the complement system. These include PF-06755347 (GL-2045), CSL730 (M230), CSL777 and Pan Fc Receptor Interacting Molecule (PRIM). Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-targeting therapeutics block the FcRn receptor and are represented by candidate drugs such as the Fc fragment efgartigimod and the monoclonal antibodies rozanolixizumab (UCB7665), M281 and SYNT001. Finally, Fc and FcγR-targeting therapeutics, comprise molecules that target the Fc of IgG, such as the recombinant soluble FcγIIb receptor valziflocept (SM101/SHP652) and various monoclonal antibodies directed against the receptors. The developmental status of these three classes of molecules ranges from preclinical to ongoing phase 3 clinical studies. Efgartigimod and rozanolixizumab are the most advanced and have demonstrated encouraging results from phase 2 trials in immune thrombocytopenia and myasthenia gravis. Although initial results are promising, further long-term data and a better understanding of the unique mechanisms of action of the different molecules are needed. The efficacy, safety, convenience of administration, duration of effects, and cost will all contribute to determining which of the molecules will be successful in the clinic.

Topical application of nebulized human IgG, IgA and IgAM in the lungs of rats and non-human primates.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent and persistent infections are known to affect airways of patients with Primary Immunodeficiency despite appropriate replacement immunoglobulin serum levels. Interestingly, patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or with non-CF bronchiectasis also show similar susceptibility to such infections. This may be due to the limited availability of immunoglobulins from the systemic circulation in the conductive airways, resulting in local immunodeficiency. Topical application of nebulized plasma-derived immunoglobulins may represent a means to address this deficiency. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of nebulizing plasma-derived immunoglobulins and delivering them into the airways of rats and non-human primates. METHODS: Distinct human plasma-derived immunoglobulin isotype preparations were nebulized with an investigational eFlow® nebulizer and analyzed in vitro or deposited into animals. Biochemical and immunohistological analysis of nebulized immunoglobulins were then performed. Lastly, efficacy of topically applied human plasma-derived immunoglobulins was assessed in an acute Streptococcus pneumoniae respiratory infection in mice. RESULTS: Characteristics of the resulting aerosols were comparable between preparations, even when using solutions with elevated viscosity. Neither the structural integrity nor the biological function of nebulized immunoglobulins were compromised by the nebulization process. In animal studies, immunoglobulins levels were assessed in plasma, broncho-alveolar lavages (BAL) and on lung sections of rats and non-human primates in samples collected up to 72 h following application. Nebulized immunoglobulins were detectable over 48 h in the BAL samples and up to 72 h on lung sections. Immunoglobulins recovered from BAL fluid up to 24 h after inhalation remained structurally and functionally intact. Importantly, topical application of human plasma-derived immunoglobulin G into the airways of mice offered significant protection against acute pneumococcal pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Taken together our data demonstrate the feasibility of topically applying plasma-derived immunoglobulins into the lungs using a nebulized liquid formulation. Moreover, topically administered human plasma-derived immunoglobulins prevented acute respiratory infection.

Topical application of human-derived Ig isotypes for the control of acute respiratory infection evaluated in a human CD89-expressing mouse model.

Recurrent and persistent airway infections remain prevalent in patients with primary immunodeficiency (PID), despite restoration of serum immunoglobulin levels by intravenous or subcutaneous plasma-derived IgG. We investigated the effectiveness of different human Ig isotype preparations to protect mice against influenza when delivered directly to the respiratory mucosa. Four polyvalent Ig preparations from pooled plasma were compared: IgG, monomeric IgA (mIgA), polymeric IgA-containing IgM (IgAM) and IgAM associated with the secretory component (SIgAM). To evaluate these preparations, a transgenic mouse expressing human FcαRI/CD89 within the myeloid lineage was created. CD89 was expressed on all myeloid cells in the lung and blood except eosinophils, reflecting human CD89 expression. Intranasal administration of IgA-containing preparations was less effective than IgG in reducing pulmonary viral titres after infection of mice with A/California/7/09 (Cal7) or the antigenically distant A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) viruses. However, IgA reduced weight loss and inflammatory mediator expression. Both IgG and IgA protected mice from a lethal dose of PR8 virus and for mIgA, this effect was partially CD89 dependent. Our data support the beneficial effect of topically applied Ig purified from pooled human plasma for controlling circulating and non-circulating influenza virus infections. This may be important for reducing morbidity in PID patients.

rIgG1 Fc Hexamer Inhibits Antibody-Mediated Autoimmune Disease via Effects on Complement and FcγRs.

Activation of Fc receptors and complement by immune complexes is a common important pathogenic trigger in many autoimmune diseases and so blockade of these innate immune pathways may be an attractive target for treatment of immune complex-mediated pathomechanisms. High-dose IVIG is used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and several studies demonstrate that the therapeutic effects of IVIG can be recapitulated with the Fc portion. Further, recent data indicate that recombinant multimerized Fc molecules exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the biochemical and biological properties of an rFc hexamer (termed Fc-µTP-L309C) generated by fusion of the IgM µ-tailpiece to the C terminus of human IgG1 Fc. Fc-µTP-L309C bound FcγRs with high avidity and inhibited FcγR-mediated effector functions (Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, respiratory burst) in vitro. In addition, Fc-µTP-L309C prevented full activation of the classical complement pathway by blocking C2 cleavage, avoiding generation of inflammatory downstream products (C5a or sC5b-9). In vivo, Fc-µTP-L309C suppressed inflammatory arthritis in mice when given therapeutically at approximately a 10-fold lower dose than IVIG, which was associated with reduced inflammatory cytokine production and complement activation. Likewise, administration of Fc-µTP-L309C restored platelet counts in a mouse model of immune thrombocytopenia. Our data demonstrate a potent anti-inflammatory effect of Fc-µTP-L309C in vitro and in vivo, likely mediated by blockade of FcγRs and its unique inhibition of complement activation.

IVIG in autoimmune disease - Potential next generation biologics.

Polyclonal plasma-derived IgG is a mainstay therapeutic of immunodeficiency disorders as well as of various inflammatory autoimmune diseases. In immunodeficiency the primary function of IVIG/SCIG is to replace missing antibody specificities, consequently a diverse Fab-based repertoire is critical for efficacy. Attempts to capture the Ig repertoire and express it as a recombinant IVIG product are currently ongoing. Likewise correction of the defective genes by gene therapy has also been tried. However, both approaches are far from becoming mainstream treatments. In contrast, some of the most important effector mechanisms relevant in therapy of autoimmunity are based on the Fc-portion of IgG; they include scavenging of complement and blockade/modulation of IgG receptors (Fc gamma receptor [FcγR] or the neonatal Fc receptor [FcRn]). These effects might be achieved with appropriately formulated Fc-fragments instead of full-length IgG, as suggested by a pilot study with monomeric plasma-derived Fc in children with ITP and in Kawasaki disease in the 1990s. Since then it has been proposed that structured multimerization of Fc fragments might confer efficacy at much lower doses than with IVIG. Accordingly, various molecular strategies are currently being explored to achieve controlled Fc multimerization, e.g. by fusion of IgG1 Fc to the IgG2 hinge-region or to the IgM tail-piece. Safety considerations will be crucial in the evaluation of these new entities. In a different approach, mutant Fc fragments and monoclonal antibodies have been designed for blockade of the FcRn.

Reversal of Arthritis by Human Monomeric IgA Through the Receptor-Mediated SH2 Domain-Containing Phosphatase 1 Inhibitory Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders, is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies and joint infiltration by activated immune cells, leading to cartilage and bone destruction. IgA occurs predominantly as monomers (mIgA) in plasma and regulates many cell responses through interaction with the Fcα receptor type I (FcαRI). FcαRI targeting by anti-FcαRI Fab inhibits activating receptors by inducing an inhibitory immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAMi) configuration through SH2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) recruitment. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential utility of mIgA for the treatment of arthritis by acting as an inducer of ITAMi signaling. METHODS: The effect of plasma-derived human mIgA on inhibition of multiple heterologous receptors was evaluated on FcαRI+ cell transfectants, blood phagocytes from healthy individuals, and synovial cells from RA patients. FcαRI-transgenic mice and wild-type mice treated with mIgA were studied in models of collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The mice were assessed for development of arthritis using an arthritis score, and joint tissue samples were evaluated for the extent of leukocyte infiltration and expression of phosphatase. RESULTS: Treatment with mIgA impaired cell activation in an FcαRI-FcRγ-dependent manner, involving ITAMi signaling. Human mIgA or anti-FcαRI Fab were strongly effective in either preventing or attenuating CAIA or CIA in FcαRI-transgenic mice. Administration of mIgA markedly inhibited the recruitment of leukocytes to the inflamed joints of mice, which was associated with induction of SHP-1 phosphorylation in joint tissue cells. Moreover, mIgA reversed the state of inflammation in the synovial fluid of RA patients by inducing an ITAMi configuration. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a therapeutic potential of human mIgA in experimental arthritis. The findings support future clinical exploration of mIgA for the treatment of RA.

Human IgA Fc receptor FcαRI (CD89) triggers different forms of neutrophil death depending on the inflammatory microenvironment.

FcαRI (CD89), the human Fc receptor for IgA, is highly expressed on neutrophil granulocytes. In this study, we show that FcαRI induces different forms of neutrophil death, depending on the inflammatory microenvironment. The susceptibility of inflammatory neutrophils from sepsis or rheumatoid arthritis toward death induced by specific mAb, or soluble IgA at high concentrations, was enhanced. Although unstimulated cells experienced apoptosis following anti-FcαRI mAb stimulation, preactivation with cytokines or TLR agonists in vitro enhanced FcαRI-mediated death by additional recruitment of caspase-independent pathways, but this required PI3K class IA and MAPK signaling. Transmission electron microscopy of FcαRI-stimulated cells revealed cytoplasmic changes with vacuolization and mitochondrial swelling, nuclear condensation, and sustained plasma membrane. Coculture experiments with macrophages revealed anti-inflammatory effects of the partially caspase-independent death of primed cells following FcαRI engagement. Our data suggest that FcαRI has the ability to regulate neutrophil viability and to induce different forms of neutrophils depending on the inflammatory microenvironment and specific characteristics of the ligand-receptor interactions. Furthermore, these findings have potential implications for FcαRI-targeted strategies to treat neutrophil-associated inflammatory diseases.

Therapeutic effect of IVIG on inflammatory arthritis in mice is dependent on the Fc portion and independent of sialylation or basophils.

High-dose i.v. Ig (IVIG) is used to treat various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; however, the mechanism of action remains unclear. Based on the K/BxN serum transfer arthritis model in mice, IVIG suppression of inflammation has been attributed to a mechanism involving basophils and the binding of highly sialylated IgG Fc to DC-SIGN-expressing myeloid cells. The requirement for sialylation was examined in the collagen Ab-induced arthritis (CAbIA) and K/BxN serum transfer arthritis models in mice. High-dose IVIG (1-2 g/kg body weight) suppressed inflammatory arthritis when given prophylactically. The same doses were also effective in the CAbIA model when given subsequent to disease induction. In this therapeutic CAbIA model, the anti-inflammatory effect of IVIG was dependent on IgG Fc but not F(ab')2 fragments. Removal of sialic acid residues by neuraminidase had no impact on the anti-inflammatory activity of IVIG or Fc fragments. Treatment of mice with basophil-depleting mAbs did not abrogate the suppression of either CAbIA or K/BxN arthritis by IVIG. Our data confirm the therapeutic benefit of IVIG and IgG Fc in Ab-induced arthritis but fail to support the significance of sialylation and basophil involvement in the mechanism of action of IVIG therapy.

Dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 from weaning reduces local immunoglobulin production in lymphoid-associated tissues but increases systemic antibodies in healthy neonates.

Weaning is associated with a major shift in the microbial community of the intestine, and this instability may make it more acquiescent than the adult microbiota to long-term changes. Modulation achieved through dietary interventions may have potentially beneficial effects on the developing immune system, which is driven primarily by the microbiota. The specific aim of the present study was to determine whether immune development could be modified by dietary supplementation with the human probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 in a tractable model of weaning in infants. Piglets were reared by their mothers before being weaned onto a solid diet supplemented with B. lactis NCC2818, while sibling controls did not receive supplementation. Probiotic supplementation resulted in a reduction in IgA (P<0·0005) and IgM (P<0·009) production by mucosal tissues but had no effect on IgG production (P>0·05). Probiotic-supplemented pigs had more mast cells than unsupplemented littermates (P<0·0001), although numbers in both groups were low. In addition, the supplemented piglets made stronger serum IgG responses to fed and injected antigens (P<0·05). The present findings are consistent with B. lactis NCC2818 reducing intestinal permeability induced by weaning, and suggest that the piglet is a valuable intermediate between rodent models and human infants. The results also strongly suggest that measures of the effect of probiotic supplementation on the immune system need to be interpreted carefully as proxy measures of health benefit. However, they are useful in developing an understanding of the mechanism of action of probiotic strains, an important factor in predicting favourable health outcomes of nutritional intervention.

Characterization of candidate anti-allergic probiotic strains in a model of th2-skewed human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

BACKGROUND: Pre-clinical and clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in allergy. However, predictive in vitro systems for rational strain selection are still missing. METHODS: We developed a novel in vitro screening system for the characterization of probiotics with anti-allergic potential. In this model, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors (n = 68) were skewed towards a Th2 cytokine phenotype by culture with IL-4 and anti-CD40, to resemble cells from allergic donors. Th2-skewed cells were then co-cultured with probiotics; a total of 35 strains were tested. Levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-5 and 7 additional cytokines in culture supernatants were determined by ELISA or multiplex assay. Gene expression was assessed by real-time PCR. For validation, splenocytes from ovalbumin-primed mice and PBMC from grass-allergic donors were restimulated with respective antigen and co-cultured with probiotics, and cytokine profiles were correlated. RESULTS: Culture with IL-4 and anti-CD40 antibody induced secretion of IL-5 from PBMC, indicative of induction of a Th2 phenotype. Cytokine profiles induced by probiotics were strain specific even though species- and genus-specific clustering was observed for many strains by principal component analysis. This was paralleled by mRNA levels of the corresponding genes such as increased Tbet and reduced GATA-3 gene expression. Cytokine profiles induced by probiotics in PBMC stimulated with IL-4 and anti-CD40 correlated with those obtained from allergen-stimulated murine splenocytes or human PBMC from grass-allergic donors. CONCLUSIONS: Cytokine profiling of probiotic strains with IL-4-/anti-CD40-stimulated PBMC allowed to determine the effect of probiotics on Th2-skewed cells and thus to classify probiotic strains with anti-allergic potential.

Human plasma-derived polymeric IgA and IgM antibodies associate with secretory component to yield biologically active secretory-like antibodies.

Immunotherapy with monoclonal and polyclonal immunoglobulin is successfully applied to improve many clinical conditions, including infection, autoimmune diseases, or immunodeficiency. Most immunoglobulin products, recombinant or plasma-derived, are based on IgG antibodies, whereas to date, the use of IgA for therapeutic application has remained anecdotal. In particular, purification or production of large quantities of secretory IgA (SIgA) for potential mucosal application has not been achieved. In this work, we sought to investigate whether polymeric IgA (pIgA) recovered from human plasma is able to associate with secretory component (SC) to generate SIgA-like molecules. We found that ∼15% of plasma pIgA carried J chain and displayed selective SC binding capacity either in a mixture with monomeric IgA (mIgA) or after purification. The recombinant SC associated covalently in a 1:1 stoichiometry with pIgA and with similar efficacy as colostrum-derived SC. In comparison with pIgA, the association with SC delayed degradation of SIgA by intestinal proteases. Similar results were obtained with plasma-derived IgM. In vitro, plasma-derived IgA and SIgA neutralized Shigella flexneri used as a model pathogen, resulting in a delay of bacteria-induced damage targeted to polarized Caco-2 cell monolayers. The sum of these novel data demonstrates that association of plasma-derived IgA or IgM with recombinant/colostrum-derived SC is feasible and yields SIgA- and SIgM-like molecules with similar biochemical and functional characteristics as mucosa-derived immunoglobulins.

Analysis and functional consequences of increased Fab-sialylation of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) after lectin fractionation.

It has been proposed that the anti-inflammatory effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) might be due to the small fraction of Fc-sialylated IgG. In this study we biochemically and functionally characterized sialic acid-enriched IgG obtained by Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) lectin fractionation. Two main IgG fractions isolated by elution with lactose (E1) or acidified lactose (E2) were analyzed for total IgG, F(ab')(2) and Fc-specific sialic acid content, their pattern of specific antibodies and anti-inflammatory potential in a human in vitro inflammation system based on LPS- or PHA-stimulated whole blood. HPLC and LC-MS testing revealed an increase of sialylated IgG in E1 and more substantially in the E2 fraction. Significantly, the increased amount of sialic acid residues was primarily found in the Fab region whereas only a minor increase was observed in the Fc region. This indicates preferential binding of the Fab sialic acid to SNA. ELISA analyses of a representative range of pathogen and auto-antigens indicated a skewed antibody pattern of the sialylated IVIG fractions. Finally, the E2 fraction exerted a more profound anti-inflammatory effect compared to E1 or IVIG, evidenced by reduced CD54 expression on monocytes and reduced secretion of MCP-1 (CCL2); again these effects were Fab- but not Fc-dependent. Our results show that SNA fractionation of IVIG yields a minor fraction (approx. 10%) of highly sialylated IgG, wherein the sialic acid is mainly found in the Fab region. The tested anti-inflammatory activity was associated with Fab not Fc sialylation.

Lactococcus lactis NCC 2287 alleviates food allergic manifestations in sensitized mice by reducing IL-13 expression specifically in the ileum.

OBJECTIVE: Utilizing a food allergy murine model, we have investigated the intrinsic antiallergic potential of the Lactococcus lactis NCC 2287 strain. METHODS: BALB/c mice were sensitized at weekly intervals with ovalbumin (OVA) plus cholera toxin (CT) by the oral route for 7 weeks. In this model, an oral challenge with a high dose of OVA at the end of the sensitization period leads to clinical symptoms. Lactococcus lactis NCC 2287 was given to mice via the drinking water during sensitization (prevention phase) or after sensitization (management phase). RESULTS: Lactococcus lactis NCC 2287 administration to sensitized mice strikingly reduced allergic manifestations in the management phase upon challenge, when compared to control mice. No preventive effect was observed with the strain. Lactococcus lactis NCC 2287 significantly decreased relative expression levels of the Th-2 cytokine, IL-13, and associated chemokines CCL11 (eotaxin-1) and CCL17 (TARC) in the ileum. No effect was observed in the jejunum. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: These results taken together designate Lactococcus lactis NCC 2287 as a candidate probiotic strain appropriate in the management of allergic symptoms.

Distinctive anti-allergy properties of two probiotic bacterial strains in a mouse model of allergic poly-sensitization.

We compared the immunomodulatory properties of Bifidobacterium longum NCC 3001 and Lactobacillus paracasei NCC 2461 in a mouse model of poly-sensitization to birch and grass pollen allergens. Mucosal application of both strains at the time of sensitization and challenge led to significant suppression of airway inflammation and down-regulated allergen-specific immune responses. In contrast, in the mice treated with probiotics prior to sensitization and challenge, only B. longum displayed protective effects. Our findings stress that the choice of probiotic strain and the timing of the application are crucial for tolerance induction. Furthermore, this is the first demonstration of anti-allergic effects of probiotic bacteria in poly-sensitized mice.

Increased IL-5 and IL-13 cytokine level in ex vivo stimulated whole blood cells from grass pollen allergic donors correlate with seasonal exposure.

There is a need for simple and physiological assays to characterize the immune status of allergic individuals. Whole blood samples from 15 adult subjects (10 with positive clinical history to grass pollen and 5 with negative clinical history) were obtained before the start (April 2010) and during the middle of the grass pollen season (June 2010). The investigators were blinded to the allergic status of the subjects. A skin prick test (SPT) to grass pollen was carried out at the end of the study. Cytokines (IL-5, IL-13, IL-10 and IFNγ) and activation of T-lymphocytes were determined after ex vivo culture of whole blood cells. IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 cytokines were significantly elevated in allergic individuals during the middle of the season (p≤0.02) compared to the start. This assay can be a valuable tool in clinical trials especially in pediatric population where limited quantities of blood are available to study immune responses.

Preclinical in vitro and in vivo characterization of the fully human monoclonal IgM antibody KBPA101 specific for Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype IATS-O11.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in ventilator-associated pneumonia is a serious and often life-threatening complication in intensive care unit patients, and new treatment options are needed. We used B-cell-enriched peripheral blood lymphocytes from a volunteer immunized with a P. aeruginosa O-polysaccharide-toxin A conjugate vaccine to generate human hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies specific for individual P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide serotypes. The fully human monoclonal antibody secreted by one of these lines, KBPA101, is an IgM/kappa antibody that binds P. aeruginosa of International Antigenic Typing System (IATS) serotype O11 with high avidity (5.81 x 10(7) M(-1) +/- 2.8 x 10(7) M(-1)) without cross-reacting with other serotypes. KBPA101 specifically opsonized the P. aeruginosa of IATS O11 serotype and mediated complement-dependent phagocytosis in vitro by the human monocyte-like cell line HL-60 at a very low concentration (half-maximal phagocytosis at 0.16 ng/ml). In vivo evaluation of KBPA101 demonstrated a dose-response relationship for protection against systemic infections in a murine burn wound sepsis model, where 70 to 100% of animals were protected against lethal challenges with P. aeruginosa at doses as low as 5 microg/animal. Furthermore, a high efficacy of KBPA101 in protection from local respiratory infections in an acute lung infection model in mice was demonstrated. Preclinical toxicology evaluation on human tissue, in rabbits, and in mice did not indicate any toxicity of KBPA101. Based on these preclinical findings, the first human clinical trials have been initiated.