Cathepsin S inhibition combines control of systemic and peripheral pathomechanisms of autoimmune tissue injury

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 5;7(1):2775. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01894-y.

Abstract

Cathepsin(Cat)-S processing of the invariant chain-MHC-II complex inside antigen presenting cells is a central pathomechanism of autoimmune-diseases. Additionally, Cat-S is released by activated-myeloid cells and was recently described to activate protease-activated-receptor-(PAR)-2 in extracellular compartments. We hypothesized that Cat-S blockade targets both mechanisms and elicits synergistic therapeutic effects on autoimmune tissue injury. MRL-(Fas)lpr mice with spontaneous autoimmune tissue injury were treated with different doses of Cat-S inhibitor RO5459072, mycophenolate mofetil or vehicle. Further, female MRL-(Fas)lpr mice were injected with recombinant Cat-S with/without concomitant Cat-S or PAR-2 blockade. Cat-S blockade dose-dependently reversed aberrant systemic autoimmunity, e.g. plasma cytokines, activation of myeloid cells and hypergammaglobulinemia. Especially IgG autoantibody production was suppressed. Of note (MHC-II-independent) IgM were unaffected by Cat-S blockade while they were suppressed by MMF. Cat-S blockade dose-dependently suppressed immune-complex glomerulonephritis together with a profound and early effect on proteinuria, which was not shared by MMF. In fact, intravenous Cat-S injection induced severe glomerular endothelial injury and albuminuria, which was entirely prevented by Cat-S or PAR-2 blockade. In-vitro studies confirm that Cat-S induces endothelial activation and injury via PAR-2. Therapeutic Cat-S blockade suppresses systemic and peripheral pathomechanisms of autoimmune tissue injury, hence, Cat-S is a promising therapeutic target in lupus nephritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology*
  • Autoimmunity / drug effects*
  • Cathepsins / adverse effects
  • Cathepsins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Kidney Glomerulus / drug effects
  • Kidney Glomerulus / metabolism
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Lupus Nephritis / drug therapy
  • Lupus Nephritis / etiology
  • Lupus Nephritis / metabolism
  • Lupus Nephritis / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Receptor, PAR-2 / genetics
  • Receptor, PAR-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • F2rl1 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, PAR-2
  • Cathepsins
  • cathepsin S