title: Anti-inflammatory and anti-remodelling effects of ISU201, a modified form of the extracellular domain of human BST2, in experimental models of asthma: association with inhibition of histone acetylation.
abstract: There are few alternatives to glucocorticosteroids for treatment of asthma. We assessed the activity of a novel protein drug designated ISU201, the extracellular domain of the human cell surface protein BST2, stabilised by fusion with the Fc region of IgG, in mouse models of mild chronic asthma and an acute exacerbation of asthma. The ability of ISU201 to suppress airway inflammation and remodelling was compared with that of dexamethasone. Female BALB/c mice were systemically sensitised with ovalbumin, then received controlled low-level challenge with aerosolised ovalbumin for 6 weeks, which induced lesions of mild chronic asthma, and were treated with drugs during the final 2 weeks. Alternatively, sensitised mice received 4 weeks of chronic low-level challenge and were treated 24 and 2 hours before a final single moderate-level challenge, which triggered acute airway inflammation simulating an asthmatic exacerbation. Inflammation and remodelling were quantified, as was the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and tissues. To identify cellular targets of ISU201, we assessed the effects of the drug on activated lymphocytes, macrophages and airway epithelial cells. In the model of mild chronic asthma, ISU201 was as effective as dexamethasone in suppressing airway inflammation and most changes of remodelling. In the model of an allergen-induced acute exacerbation of chronic asthma, ISU201 was also an effective anti-inflammatory agent, although it was less active than dexamethasone. The drug acted on multiple cellular targets, suppressing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by lymphocytes and macrophages. ISU201 significantly reduced acetylation of histone H4 in airway epithelial cells, suggesting at least one potential mechanism of action. We conclude that in these models of asthma, ISU201 is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of both airway inflammation and remodelling. Thus, unlike drugs which target specific mediators, it could potentially be an alternative or an adjunct to glucocorticoids for the treatment of asthma.
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Cristan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shadie
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bunting
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicodemus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tedla
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garthwaite
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Araluen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.affiliation: Isu Abxis Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyouna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Isu Abxis Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Rakesh K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D055808:Drug Discovery; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000074010:Bone Marrow Stromal Antigen 2
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; D003907:Dexamethasone; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C094572:BST2 protein, human; D000074010:Bone Marrow Stromal Antigen 2; C000592775:ISU201