Inhibition of circulating dipeptidyl-peptidase 3 restores cardiac function in a sepsis-induced model in rats: A proof of concept study

PLoS One. 2020 Aug 27;15(8):e0238039. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238039. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Sepsis is a global economic and health burden. Dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP3) is elevated in the plasma of septic patients. The highest levels of circulating DPP3 (cDPP3) are found in non-survivor septic shock patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of inhibiting cDPP3 by a specific antibody, Procizumab (PCZ), on cardiac function in an experimental model of sepsis, the caecal ligature and puncture (CLP) model. Rats were monitored by invasive blood pressure and echocardiography. Results are presented as mean ± SD, with p <0.05 considered significant. PCZ rapidly restored left ventricular shortening fraction (from 39 ± 4% to 51 ± 2% before and 30 min after PCZ administration (p = 0.004)). Cardiac output and stroke volume were higher in the CLP + PCZ group when compared to the CLP + PBS group (152 ± 33 mL/min vs 97 ± 25 mL/min (p = 0.0079), and 0.5 ± 0.1 mL vs 0.3 ± 1.0 mL (p = 0.009), respectively) with a markedly reduced plasma DPP3 activity (138 ± 70 U/L in CLP + PCZ group versus 735 ± 255 U/L (p = 0.048) in the CLP + PBS group). Of note, PCZ rapidly reduced oxidative stress in the heart of the CLP + PCZ group when compared to those of the CLP + PBS group (13.3 ± 8.2 vs 6.2 ± 2.5 UI, p = 0.005, 120 min after administration, respectively). Our study demonstrates that inhibition of cDPP3 by PCZ restored altered cardiac function during sepsis in rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases / blood*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Heart / physiopathology*
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Male
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sepsis / blood*
  • Sepsis / enzymology
  • Sepsis / physiopathology*
  • Systole / drug effects
  • Systole / physiology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases
  • dipeptidyl peptidase III

Grants and funding

The study was mainly supported by Inserm, Université of Paris and Assistance Publique- Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris France. 4TEEN4 Pharmaceuticals GmbH provided vials blinded for placebo or Procizumab, measured DPP3 activity and gave an unrestricted research grant to MASCOT research group that allowed salary support for one co-author (BD). 4TEEN4 Pharmaceuticals GmbH did not have a role in design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. Specific roles of the authors are described in the “authors contribution section”.