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- Title
An optimized Factor H-Fc fusion protein against multidrugresistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- Authors
Shaughnessy, Jutamas; Chabeda, Aleyo; Tran, Y.; Bo Zheng; Nowak, Nancy; Steffens, Carolynn; DeOliveira, Rosane B.; Gulati, Sunita; Lewis, Lisa A.; Maclean, James; Moss, John A.; Wycoff, Keith L.; Ram, Sanjay
- Abstract
Novel therapeutics against the global threat of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae are urgently needed. Gonococci evade killing by complement by binding factor H (FH), a key inhibitor of the alternative pathway. FH comprises 20 short consensus repeat (SCR) domains organized as a single chain. Gonococci bind FH through domains 6 and 7, and C-terminal domains 18 through 20. Previously, we showed that a chimeric protein comprising (from the N-to C-terminus) FH domains 18-20 (containing a point mutation in domain 19 to prevent lysis of host cells) fused to human IgG1 Fc (called FH*/Fc1) killed gonococci in a complement-dependent manner and reduced the duration and bacterial burden in the mouse vaginal colonization model of gonorrhea. Considering the N. gonorrhoeae-binding FH domains 18-20 are Cterminal in native FH, we reasoned that positioning Fc N-terminal to FH* (Fc1/FH*) would improve binding and bactericidal activity. Although both molecules bound gonococci similarly, Fc1/FH* displayed a 5-fold lower IC50 (the concentration required for 50% killing in complement-dependent bactericidal assays) than FH*/Fc1. To further increase complement activation, we replaced human IgG1 Fc in Fc1/FH* with Fc from human IgG3, the most potent complement-activating IgG subclass, to obtain Fc3/FH*. Bactericidal activity was further increased ~2.3-fold in Fc3/FH* compared to Fc1/FH*. Fc3/FH* killed (defined by <50% survival) 45/45 (100%) diverse PorB1B-expessing gonococci, but only 2/15 PorB1A-expressing isolates, in a complementdependent manner. Decreased Fc3/FH* binding accounted for the limited activity against PorB1A strains. Fc3/FH* was efficacious against all four tested PorB1B gonococcal strains in the mouse vaginal colonization model when administered at a dose of 5 µg intravaginally, daily. Furthermore, Fc3/FH* retained bactericidal activity when reconstituted following lyophilization orspray-drying, suggesting feasibility for formulation into intravaginal rings. In conclusion, Fc3/FH* represents a promising prophylactic immunotherapeutic against multidrug-resistant gonococci.
- Subjects
NEISSERIA gonorrhoeae; COMPLEMENT factor H; COMPLEMENT activation; COLONIZATION (Ecology); GONORRHEA; CHIMERIC proteins; VAGINAL contraceptives
- Publication
Frontiers in Immunology, 2022, Vol 13, p1
- ISSN
1664-3224
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3389/fimmu.2022.975676