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US20030166562A1 - Treatment for asthma or allergies - Google Patents

Treatment for asthma or allergies Download PDF

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US20030166562A1
US20030166562A1 US10/377,998 US37799803A US2003166562A1 US 20030166562 A1 US20030166562 A1 US 20030166562A1 US 37799803 A US37799803 A US 37799803A US 2003166562 A1 US2003166562 A1 US 2003166562A1
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asthma
arginase
allergies
patient
protein
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Marc Rothenberg
Nives Zimmermann
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Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center
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Priority to US11/735,954 priority patent/US7879547B2/en
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    • A61K31/195—Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid having an amino group
    • A61K31/197—Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid having an amino group the amino and the carboxyl groups being attached to the same acyclic carbon chain, e.g. gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA], beta-alanine, epsilon-aminocaproic acid or pantothenic acid
    • A61K31/198—Alpha-amino acids, e.g. alanine or edetic acid [EDTA]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
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    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
    • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
    • G01N33/68—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving proteins, peptides or amino acids
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    • C12Q2600/00—Oligonucleotides characterized by their use
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    • G01N2333/914—Hydrolases (3)
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    • G01N2800/12—Pulmonary diseases
    • G01N2800/122—Chronic or obstructive airway disorders, e.g. asthma COPD
    • G—PHYSICS
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    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2800/00—Detection or diagnosis of diseases
    • G01N2800/24—Immunology or allergic disorders

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to compositions and methods designed to aid in the treatment or detection of asthma or allergies.
  • asthma a chronic disorder which causes detrimental, and in some cases, potentially fatal pulmonary inflammation affects 15 million Americans and accounts for approximately 12.7 billion dollars in health care costs each year.
  • asthma is currently on the rise.
  • the inability of researchers to develop an effective treatment for asthma is largely due to the complexity of the disease.
  • Discovering effective treatments with broad applicability is extremely difficult because asthma derives from a wide number of factors. For example, multiple specific inflammatory pathways, many of which are poorly understood, are thought to interplay with one another to produce the symptoms that result in a diagnosis of asthma in a patient.
  • research is further complicated by the fact that the relative importance of those pathways can differ between individual asthma sufferers.
  • L-arginine is a semi-essential basic amino acid that is involved in two biochemical pathways, the citrulline-nitric oxide (NO) cycle and the urea cycle as illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the bulk of the urea cycle occurs in the liver, the main organ containing the full enzymatic machinery necessary for the urea cycle.
  • the enzyme arginase is the only urea cycle enzyme that exists in two isoforms (60% amino acid homology), which are encoded by different genes on distinct chromosomes, designated type I and type II.
  • Arginase I is a cytoplasmic protein that is primarily expressed in the liver; whereas arginase II is a mitochondrial protein expressed in a variety of tissues, especially the kidney and prostate.
  • ODC ornithine decarboxylase
  • OAT L-ornithine amino transferase
  • arginase I deficiency in humans results in hyperargininemia and a progressive neurological deterioration that is usually fatal. Whereas arginase I deficient transgenic mice die within 9-11 days after birth, arginase II deficient mice are grossly normal.
  • One development in the past several years concerning L-arginine metabolism was the finding that arginase can be expressed in many tissues and cell types following exposure to a variety of cytokines and agents. Of the cytokines shown to regulate arginase, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 appear to be the most potent, especially in macrophages. Although both arginases are inducible by various stimuli in vitro, arginase I appears to be more strongly induced by Th2 cytokines. However, this has not been extensively studied in cell types other than macrophages.
  • arginase activity is potentially critically linked to cell growth and connective tissue production, notably, both of these processes are hallmark pathological features of chronic asthma and allergies (FIG. 1).
  • L-arginine is also a precursor of NO, a free radical molecule involved in a wide range of biological processes.
  • NO is formed from L-arginine by the enzyme NOS. Three isoforms of NOS have been described. NOS1 and NOS3 are constitutively expressed and their activity is calcium dependent. NOS 1 is expressed in neurons and is thought to have a role in neurotransmission, whereas NOS3, or endothelial NOS, has a role in smooth muscle relaxation and bronchodilation.
  • NOS2, inducible NOS (iNOS) is calcium-independent, and is up-regulated in response to inflammatory mediators such as endotoxin and interferon- ⁇ , leading to the production of large amounts of NO.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the role of cationic amino acid transporter ⁇ 2 (CAT2) in the arginase pathway.
  • Extracellular L-arginine is required for sustained NO and L-ornithine generation from L-arginine, implicating an important role for L-arginine transport through the plasma membrane.
  • system y + is widely expressed and considered the major L-arginine transporter in most cells and tissues.
  • cationic amino acid transporters CAT1, CAT2, and CAT3 is a Na + -independent high affinity cationic amino acid transport system.
  • CAT1 is expressed virtually ubiquitously and is required for viability, whereas CAT2 is expressed in a more restricted number of tissues; CAT3 is primarily expressed in the brain.
  • CAT2A Due to differential splicing of two exons, CAT2 mRNA exists in two isoforms: CAT2A, a low affinity transporter that is expressed primarily in the liver, and the high affinity CAT2 (CAT2B).
  • CAT1 and ⁇ 2 are homologous proteins that lack a signal peptide but contain 12 transmembrane spanning domains with an intracellular amino-terminus.
  • CAT2 was originally cloned from lymphoma cell line cDNA and was named Tea (T cell early activation factor), because it is induced early in the response of normal T cells to mitogens.
  • CAT2 was originally cloned from lymphoma cell line cDNA and was named Tea (T cell early activation factor), because it was induced early in the response of normal T cells to mitogens. (MacLeod et al., J Exp Biol, 196:109-21 (1994)). However, previous studies on the role of CAT2 in immune responses have been primarily limited to its effects on NO production (Nicholson et al., J Biol Chem, 276:15881-5 (2001)). It was thus important to further characterize exactly which CAT2 isoform is expressed in the asthmatic lung.
  • CAT2 is expressed as two separate isoforms depending upon the specific utilization of exon 7 (Type 2B) or exon 8 (Type 2A) (Nicholson et al., J Biol Chem, 276:15881-5 (2001)).
  • CAT2A has a lower affinity for L-arginine and is thought to be mainly expressed in the liver (MacLeod et al., J Exp Biol, 196:109-21 (1994)).
  • One embodiment of the invention is a method of treating asthma or allergies in a patient, that includes: identifying an individual in need of treatment for asthma or allergies; and administering a molecule that is capable of decreasing the production of a protein involved in arginine metabolism.
  • Another embodiment is a method of detecting the presence of asthma or allergies in a patient that includes: measuring the levels a product produced from at least one gene involved in arginine metabolism from the patient; measuring genetic variabilities (in expression or gene sequence) from a product produced from at least one gene involved in arginine metabolism; and comparing the measurement to measurements obtained from control individuals, wherein a patient exhibiting higher levels of the at least one gene as compared to the control individuals is determined to have asthma or allergies.
  • Yet another embodiment is a therapeutic composition for the treatment of asthma or allergies that includes an arginase inhibitor in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Still another embodiment is a therapeutic composition for the treatment of asthma or allergies, comprising an inhibitor of CAT2 activity in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • One additional embodiment is a method of identifying individuals at risk for asthma or allergies that includes: identifying an individual who does not yet exhibit symptoms of asthma or allergy, measuring the levels of a product produced from a gene in the arginase pathway; and comparing the levels of product to measurements obtained from control individuals, wherein a patient exhibiting elevated levels of the product is determined to be at risk for asthma or allergies.
  • Another embodiment is a method of treating asthma or allergies in a patient that includes: identifying an individual in need of treatment for asthma or allergies; and administering a molecule that is capable of decreasing activity of ADAM8 protein in the patient.
  • An additional embodiment is a method of treating asthma or allergies in a patient by identifying an individual in need of treatment for asthma or allergies; and administering a molecule that is capable of decreasing activity of SPRR2A, SPRR2B or related SPRR family member proteins in the patient.
  • One other embodiment is a method of determining a patient's risk for developing asthma that includes: providing a biological sample from the patient; and determining the expression level in the biological sample of a subset of the genes shown in Table 1, wherein an increased level of expression of the subset of the genes in comparison to a control biological sample is indicative that the patient has an increased risk for developing asthma.
  • Yet another embodiment is a method of determining a patient's risk for developing allergies by: providing a biological sample from the patient; and determining the expression level in the biological sample of a subset of the genes shown in Table 2, wherein an increased level of expression of the subset of the genes in comparison to a control biological sample is indicative that the patient has an increased risk for developing allergies.
  • One other embodiment is a method of discovering a compound that is effective for treating asthma or allergies that includes: providing a candidate compound; determining whether the compound inhibits arginine metabolism, wherein inhibition of arginine metabolism is indicative that the compound is effective for treating asthma or allergies.
  • FIG. 1 provides a schematic of the arginine metabolism pathway.
  • FIG. 2A provides a schematic representation of one embodiment of the allergen challenge protocol.
  • Mice received two intraperitoneal injections with ovalbumin (OVA) (100 ⁇ g) and alum (1 mg) on days 0 and 14. Subsequently, mice were challenged with OVA (50 ⁇ g) or saline intranasally and analyzed 3 hours or 18 hours after the 1 st or 2 nd allergen challenge.
  • OVA ovalbumin
  • FIG. 2B is a bar graph illustrating a quantitative analysis of the eotaxin- 1 signal for saline and ova-treated mice. Error bars represent the standard deviation.
  • FIG. 3 is a Venn diagram that illustrates the overlap of induced genes at specific phases of experimental asthma in OVA-treated mice.
  • FIG. 4 is a Venn diagram that illustrates the overlap of genes induced by the allergens OVA and Aspergillis fumigatus antigen in mice.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the expression of arginine metabolizing enzymes. Expression of arginase I and iNOS in allergen-challenged mice as measured by gene chip analysis is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. The average difference for the hybridization signal following saline (grey bar) and allergen (black bar) challenge is depicted. Error bars represent the standard deviation. Time points are: 3H-1 challenge, 3 hours; 18H-1 challenge, 18 hours; 2C- 2 challenges, 18 hours; asp- aspergillus. A schematic representation of the arginine metabolism pathway is shown in FIG. 5C.
  • FIG. 5D arginase activity in the lungs of saline and OVA-challenged mice is shown. Arginase activity was measured in lung lysates using the blood urea nitrogen reagent. As a control, arginase activity in the liver was 1522 ⁇ 183 and 1390 ⁇ 78 for saline and OVA challenged mice, respectively.
  • FIG. 6 is a bar graph illustrating the induction of ADAM-8 in allergen-challenged mice, as measured by gene chip analysis. The average difference for the hybridization signal of ADAM-8 following saline (grey bar) and allergen (black bar) challenge is depicted. Error bars represent the standard deviation. Time points are: 3H- 1 challenge, 3 hours; 18H- 1 challenge, 18 hours; 2C- 2 challenges, 18 hours.
  • FIG. 7 shows the Expression of L-arginine metabolizing enzymes arginase I (FIG. 7A), arginase II (FIG. 7B), CAT2 (FIG. 7C) in ovalbumin (OVA) and Aspergillus fumigatus (Asp)-challenged mice as measured by gene chip analysis.
  • OVA ovalbumin
  • Asp Aspergillus fumigatus
  • FIG. 8 illustrates the regulation of arginase by IL-13 and STAT6.
  • FIG. 8A is a bar graph showing a kinetic characterization of IL-13 induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and arginase mRNA levels in the lung.
  • FIG. 8B is a bar graph illustrating arginase activity in the lungs of saline and OVA-challenged wild-type (WT) and STAT6-deficient (STAT6-KO) mice. Arginase activity was measured in lung lysates using the blood urea nitrogen reagent.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the method used to determine involvement of CAT2 (and in particular, CAT2A versus CAT2B isoforms) in experimental asthma.
  • CAT2 was amplified by RT-PCR from lungs of allergen-challenged mice and subcloned into the pCR2.1 vector. Subsequently, clones were digested with EcoRI or EcoRI/BamHI in order to differentiate CAT2A and CAT2B subtypes, respectively.
  • FIG. 10 is a plot illustrating Arginase I protein expression in human asthma. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy of allergic asthmatics and healthy controls was conducted, and BALF was analyzed for arginase I immunohistochemistry. The number of immunopositive cells, expressed as a percentage of total cells, is shown.
  • FIGS. 11A and 11B are line graphs showing the results of treating lung lysates with N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine (NOHA).
  • FIG. 11A illustrates in vitro treatment of lung lysates from ovalbumin challenged mice with NOHA.
  • FIG. 1B illustrates in vitro treatment of transgenic mice that overexpress interleukin 4 with NOHA.
  • FIG. 12 is a line graph showing the results of airway hyperreactivity measurements (recorded as Penh) in asthmatic mice (IL4/IL5 bitransgenic lung mice) treated with intratracheal NOHA.
  • Embodiments of the invention relate to the discovery of genes involved in asthma and allergy.
  • one embodiment of the invention relates to the discovery of a set of 291 “signature” genes (Table 1) that were found to be consistently regulated in asthma models of disease.
  • a subset of 59 genes (Table 2) were found to be consistently elevated in various allergic diseases irrespective of the tissue involved (lung vs. intestine), providing a generalized genetic “signature” of allergy.
  • patients can be genotyped for expression or genetic variability in each of these signature genes to determine their risk for developing asthma or allergy.
  • patients suffering from asthma or allergies can be tested for expression of the signature genes in order to more accurately predict their prognosis and responses to treatment regimes.
  • each of the genes can be targeted for possible drug intervention/treatment of allergic disease.
  • embodiments of the invention relate to determining a patient's risk for developing asthma or allergies by comparing the patient's expression level of asthma or allergy signature genes to the levels shown in Tables 1 and 2, an exact correlation is not required to be within the scope of the invention. For example, a determination that a patient only exhibits increased expression of some of the signature genes is still indicative of a patient's risk for developing allergies or asthma. Thus, a biological sample that is taken from a patient and is determined to have increased expression of, for example, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95 or 100 percent of the signature genes may still be determined to be at risk for allergies or asthma.
  • the scope of the invention is not limited to determining a patient is at risk for asthma by matching expression levels of all 291 asthma signature genes. Similarly, it is not required to match the expression levels of all 59 allergy signature genes in order to determine that a patient is at risk for developing allergies. For similar reasons, it is not necessary for a patient's gene expression profile to exactly match the allergy signature genes, or asthma signature genes in order to predict an existing patient's prognosis or responses to treatment regimes.
  • embodiments of the invention relate to the discovery of the relationship between the pulmonary arginase pathway and asthma.
  • the methods disclosed herein were used to elucidate the involvement of the arginase pathway in both experimental asthma and in human asthma.
  • An increased level in expression of several important arginase metabolism genes, including those encoding CAT2, arginase I, and arginase II proteins was strongly associated with asthma and allergy.
  • arginase induction by IL-4/IL-13 signaling is not just a marker of allergic airway responses, but that arginase is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple aspects of asthma. Accordingly, modulation of these arginase pathway genes or their products can be used to devise therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for treating asthma or allergies.
  • Embodiments of the invention also relate to the discovery that significant arginine metabolism occurs by arginase, and that this process has important ramifications on the manifestations of asthma and related diseases.
  • the arginine metabolism pathway represents an important therapeutic intervention strategy for the treatment of all allergic lung diseases. Manipulating the arginase pathway by inhibiting arginase activity itself, or by inhibiting the action of other arginase pathway members, is anticipated to provide a useful asthma treatment. Additionally, manipulation of the pulmonary arginase pathway may be useful for preventing the onset of asthma. Also, analyzing the genes involved in arginine metabolism can be used to diagnose the presence of asthma or allergies by quantitating of the levels of asthma metabolism pathway enzymes or products.
  • kits, systems, and methods for diagnosing asthma by determining the level of ADAM8 in a patient include kits, systems, and methods for diagnosing asthma by determining the level of ADAM8 in a patient.
  • a treatment for asthma or allergy by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that inhibits ADAM8 is anticipated.
  • batimastat BB-94
  • an embodiment of the invention is the treatment of asthma or allergies by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of batimastat.
  • SPRR small proline rich proteins
  • the SPRR protein family is known to be involved in the differentiation and growth of cornified skin epithelium (Tesfaigzi J, Carlson DM, Cell Biochem Biophys 1999;30(2):243-65, Expression, regulation, and function of the SPR family of proteins. A review).
  • SPRR2A AND SPRR2B were very strongly associated with asthma and allergies.
  • wild type mice treated with IL-13 which is thought to be a central regulator of asthma, caused markedly increased levels of lung SPRR2 (data not shown).
  • kits, systems, and methods for diagnosing asthma by determining the level and variabilities (genetic or protein levels) of SPRR proteins or genes in a patient.
  • a treatment for asthma or allergy by administration of a compound that modulates SPRR protein function is anticipated.
  • DNA microarray profile analysis of mice undergoing experimental asthma has revealed unprecedented insight into the complex pathways involved in disease pathogenesis.
  • the determination that asthmatic responses involve the dynamic expression of ⁇ 6% of the tested genome indicates that a vast number of gene products contribute to disease pathogenesis.
  • Allergic lung responses were found to involve both a common set of “asthma signature genes” as shown in Table 1, and also, unique gene transcript profiles depending upon the mode of disease induction.
  • Multiple genes not previously implicated in asthma were identified, exemplified by the elucidation of a pathway involving metabolism of arginine via CAT2 and the arginase enzyme pathway.
  • mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with the allergen ovalbumin (OVA) in the presence of the adjuvant alum on two separate occasions separated by 14 days (FIG. 2A and Example 1). Subsequently, replicate mice were challenged with intranasal OVA or saline (control) on two occasions separated by 3 days. Eighteen hours after the last allergen challenge, one lobe of the murine lung was subjected to histological analysis and the remainder of the lungs was used for RNA analysis. As expected, histological analysis revealed that the allergen challenged mice had marked eosinophil-rich inflammatory response, as previously reported (Rothenberg, M.
  • OVA ovalbumin
  • RNA was, subjected to microarray analysis utilizing the AFFYMETRIX chip U74Av2 that contains oligonucleotide probe sets representing 12,422 genetic elements (Example 2).
  • the microarray data was further analyzed according to the methods provided in Example 4.
  • Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous and common aeroallergen.
  • both asthma models have similar phenotypes including Th2 associated- eosinophilic inflammation, mucus production, and airway hyperresponsiveness.
  • Eighteen hours after nine doses of intranasal Aspergillus fumigatus allergen challenge lung RNA was subjected to the same microarray and data processing analyses as that performed 18 hours after the last OVA challenge. Compared with mice challenged with intranasal saline, Aspergillus fumigatus challenged mice had 527 genes induced (FIG. 4).
  • clade B (ovalbumin), member 2 98968_at 2.4667523 3.6377416 NM_010864 myosin Va 93869_s_at 2.409471 2.9823458 U23781 hematopoietic-specific early-response A1-d 100955_at 2.4169822 2.8062625 NM_026024 EST 94939_at 2.3913658 2.5653691 NM_007651 CD53 antigen 94831_at 2.3831258 2.396902 M65270 EST 98147_at 2.3919983 2.7486196 AC002397 EST 97468_at 2.373815 2.054054 NM_016904 CDC28 protein kinase 1 99333_at 2.3824167 2.1954718 M80778 Opioid receptor, delta 1 97327_at 2.3735232 2.2973487 NM_007999 flap structure specific endonuclease 1 102851_s_at 2.
  • arginase I Genbank Accession NM — 007482
  • arginase II Genbank Accession NM — 009705
  • L-arginine transporter cationic amino acid transporter CAT2 Genbank Accession NM — 007514
  • Other enzymes involved in L-arginine metabolism such as argininosuccinate synthetase, L-ornithine decarboxylase and L-ornithine aminotransferase were not significantly different between saline and allergen-challenged mice.
  • microarray analysis revealed very specific dysregulation of arginase compared with nitric oxide synthase (NOS).
  • the hybridization signals for endothelial NOS and neuronal NOS were below background in the saline and allergen-challenged lung (data not shown). While the inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA was detectable under most conditions, it did not change significantly between saline and allergen challenge.
  • iNOS inducible NOS
  • Example 3 next determined that there was a time and dose-dependent induction of arginase I during the progression of OVA-induced experimental asthma; arginase I was induced 18 hours after the first allergen challenge and even higher following two allergen challenges. Additionally, while arginase II mRNA induction was weaker than arginase I, it was induced earlier in the evolution of experimental asthma. For example, arginase II was readily detectable 3 hours after the first allergen challenge. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis demonstrated that CAT2 was induced by allergen challenge, with expression already notable 3 hours after the first allergen challenge. The iNOS mRNA was weakly detectable and was not significantly induced by OVA challenge.
  • Table 2 illustrates genes that were found to be strongly up-regulated in a model of gastrointestinal allergies by the methods described in Example 14.
  • Table 2 illustrates genes that were found to be strongly up-regulated in a model of gastrointestinal allergies by the methods described in Example 14.
  • variable levels of NO seen in asthma may be an indirect manifestation of arginase activity, an enzyme that functionally inhibits NOS by substrate depletion (Morris, S. M., Jr. Annual Review of Nutrition 22, 87-105 (2002); Mills, C. D. Crit Rev Immunol 21, 399-425 (2001)).
  • arginase I and arginase II are upregulated during asthma, it is possible to target drugs to a variety of reactants and products in the arginase pathway to provide a treatment for asthma and allergies.
  • the downstream products of arginase are polyamines and proline which regulate cell growth and connective tissue remodeling. These pathways are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of asthma. Inhibiting any part of the arginase pathway is likely to inhibit the asthma or allergies.
  • mRNA in situ hybridization for arginase I was performed, as show in Example 7 below.
  • the hybridization signal of the arginase I antisense (AS) and sense (S) probes was determined for OVA/alum sensitized mice challenged with two doses of OVA or Saline. Tissue was analyzed 18 hours after the second saline or allergen challenge.
  • Antisense staining of asthmatic lung revealed strong levels of arginase I in the perivascular and peribronchial pockets of inflammation. No specific staining with the sense probe in OVA challenged mice was seen. Hybridization of the antisense and sense probes in saline challenged lung was comparable to background.
  • the antisense probe hybridized to alveolar macrophages and submucosal spindle shaped cells (consistent with myofibroblasts or smooth muscle cells).
  • One embodiment of the invention is a method for inhibiting asthma by administering to an individual in need of treatment therefore a therapeutically effective amount of an arginase inhibitor (Examples 15-20).
  • the L-Arginine transporter CAT2 and L-ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), an enzyme downstream from Arginase are targets for therapeutic treatment.
  • Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) for example, which is an inhibitor of ODC, could be a useful treatment for inhibiting asthma or allergy (Examples 17-19). Therefore, an embodiment of the invention is the treatment of asthma or allergy with difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a known inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC).
  • Further embodiments of the invention include the administration of an effective dose of DFMO to an individual suffering from asthma or allergy.
  • anti-arginase compounds are compounds that inhibit or reduce the effect of arginase.
  • the arginase inhibitor is a small molecule or an antisense inhibitor of a gene involved in the arginase pathway.
  • the arginase inhibitor is an arginase I or an arginase II inhibitor.
  • the arginase inhibitor is preferably administered to the lung of the individual but other modes of treatment are anticipated.
  • Preferable inhibitors of arginase are small molecules, such as, for example, N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine (NOHA), N-hydroxy-nor-L-arginine, (nor-NOHA) and boronic acid based transition state analogues such as 2(S)-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid (ABH) and S-(2-boronoethyl)-L-cysteine (BEC).
  • NOHA N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine
  • nor-NOHA N-hydroxy-nor-L-arginine
  • boronic acid based transition state analogues such as 2(S)-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid (ABH) and S-(2-boron
  • one embodiment of the invention is the treatment of asthma by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of NOHA.
  • an embodiment of the invention is the treatment of asthma or allergy by administering to an individual with asthma or allergies an effective dose of a compound that reduces the level or function of Arg I, Arg II, or CAT2 in the individual.
  • Another embodiment of the invention is a therapeutic composition for the treatment of asthma or allergies, comprising an arginase inhibitor in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Other embodiments include inhibitors therapeutic compositions comprising ADAM8 inhibitors in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Such inhibitors of ADAM8 can change the conformation or structure of ADAM8 by, for example, converting ADAM8 from a transmembrane to a soluble form.
  • beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are not limited to, alleviation of symptoms, diminishment of extent of disease, stabilized (i.e., not worsening) state of disease, delay or slowing of disease progression, amelioration or palliation of the disease state, and remission (whether partial or total), whether detectable or undetectable.
  • Treatment can also mean prolonging survival as compared to expected survival if not receiving treatment.
  • Those in need of treatment include those already with the condition or disorder as well as those prone to have the condition or disorder or those in which the condition or disorder is to be prevented.
  • Therapeutic formulations of the anti-arginase or anti-ADAM8 compounds are prepared for storage by mixing anti-arginase compounds having the desired degree of purity with optional physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers ( Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19th Edition, Alfonso, R., ed, Mack Publishing Co. (Easton, Pa.: 1995)), in the form of lyophilized cake or aqueous solutions.
  • Acceptable carriers, excipients or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugar alcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming counterions such as sodium; and/or nonionic surfactants such as Tween, Pluronics or polyethylene glycol (PEG).
  • buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids
  • antioxidants including ascorbic acid
  • An anti-arginase, anti-CAT2, or anti-ADAM8 compound to be used for in vivo administration must be sterile. This is readily accomplished by filtration through sterile filtration membranes, prior to or following lyophilization and reconstitution. The compound ordinarily will be stored in lyophilized form or in solution.
  • Therapeutic anti-arginase, anti-CAT2, or anti-ADAM8 compounds generally are placed into a container having a sterile access port, for example, an intravenous solution bag or vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle.
  • the route of compound administration is in accord with known methods, e.g. injection or infusion by intravenous, intraperitoneal, intracerebral, subcutaneous, epicutaneous, intranasal, intratracheal, nebulized, intramuscular, intraocular, intraarterial, intracerebrospinal, or intralesional routes, or by sustained release systems as noted below.
  • sustained-release preparations include semipermeable polymer matrices in the form of shaped articles, e.g. films, or microcapsules.
  • Sustained release matrices include polyesters, hydrogels, polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919, EP 58,481), copolymers of L-glutamic acid and gamma ethyl-L-glutamate (Sidman et al., Biopolymers, 22: 547-556 (1983)), poly (2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate) (Langer et al., J Biomed. Mater. Res., 15: 167-277 (1981) and Langer, Chem.
  • Sustained-release compounds may also include liposomally entrapped compositions. Liposomes containing compound are prepared by methods known per se: DE 3,218,121; Epstein et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82: 3688-3692 (1985); Hwang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
  • the liposomes are of the small (about 200-800 Angstroms) unilamelar type in which the lipid content is greater than about 30 mol. % cholesterol, the selected proportion being adjusted for the optimal therapy.
  • Anti-arginase, anti-CAT2, or anti-ADAM8 compounds can also be administered by inhalation.
  • Commercially available nebulizers for liquid formulations including jet nebulizers and ultrasonic nebulizers are useful for administration.
  • Liquid formulations can be directly nebulized and lyophilized powder can be nebulized after reconstitution.
  • these compounds can be aerosolized using a fluorocarbon formulation and a metered dose inhaler, or inhaled as a lyophilized and milled powder.
  • an “effective amount” of a compound to be employed therapeutically will depend, for example, upon the therapeutic objectives, the route of administration, the type of compound employed, and the condition of the patient. Accordingly, it will be necessary for the therapist to titer the dosage and modify the route of administration as required to obtain the optimal therapeutic effect. Typically, the clinician will administer the compound until a dosage is reached that achieves the desired effect. The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional assays.
  • the compound will be formulated, dosed, and administered in a fashion consistent with good medical practice.
  • Factors for consideration in this context include the level of asthma/allergy being treated, the clinical condition of the individual patient, the site of delivery of the compound, the particular type of compound, the method of administration, the scheduling of administration, and other factors known to medical practitioners.
  • the “therapeutically effective amount” of such a compound to be administered will be governed by such considerations, and is the minimum amount necessary to prevent, ameliorate, or treat asthma. Such amount is preferably below the amount that is toxic to the host or renders the host significantly more susceptible to infections.
  • the initial pharmaceutically effective amount of the anti-arginase or anti-ADAM8 compound administered parenterally will preferably be in the range of about 0.1 to 50 mg/kg of patient body weight per day, with the typical initial range of compound used being preferably 0.3 to 20 mg/kg/day, and more preferably 0.3 to 15 mg/kg/day.
  • the desired dosage can be delivered by a single bolus administration, by multiple bolus administrations, or by continuous infusion administration of the compound, depending on the pattern of pharmacokinetic decay that the practitioner wishes to achieve.
  • the compound may be optionally formulated with one or more agents currently used to prevent or treat asthma.
  • the effective amount of such other agents depends on the amount of the compound present in the formulation, the clinical level of the asthma, and other factors discussed above. These are generally used in the same dosages and with administration routes as used hereinbefore or about from 1 to 99% of the heretofore employed dosages.
  • Yet another embodiment of the invention includes increasing the levels of arginase in particular tissues of a patient in order to provide a protective response. This relates to the fact that increasing arginase will decrease NO production by functionally (directly or indirectly) inhibiting NO synthase. Because NO oxidative products induce a variety of inflammatory responses, arginase production in the lung may be protective in terms of decreasing NO-dependent inflammation, but damaging in terms of chronic changes in the lung (e.g. smooth muscle cell growth and fibrosis).
  • One embodiment of the invention includes administering to a patient a compound that increases arginase in specific cell types in the lung (macrophages), but decreases arginase in other cells (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle) in the lungs.
  • a compound that increases arginase in specific cell types in the lung (macrophages), but decreases arginase in other cells (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle) in the lungs.
  • kits for screening or identifying proteins, small molecules or other compounds which are capable of inducing or inhibiting the expression of the arginase I genes and proteins may be performed in vitro using transformed or non-transformed cells, immortalized cell lines, or in vivo using transformed mammalian cells.
  • the assays may detect the presence of increased or decreased expression of arginase I genes or arginase I proteins on the basis of increased or decreased mRNA expression, increased or decreased levels of arginase I protein, or increased or decreased levels of expression of arginase pathway products such as putrescine or ornithine.
  • biological fluid from the respiratory tract e.g. lung extracts, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
  • blood samples white blood cells
  • isolated cells known to express arginase I polypeptide, or transformed to express an arginase I polypeptide are incubated and one or more test compounds are added to the medium. After allowing a sufficient period of time, e.g., anywhere from 0-72 hours, or longer, for the compound to induce or inhibit the expression of arginase I, any change in levels of expression from an established baseline may be detected.
  • Additional embodiments of the present invention provide methods for identifying proteins and other compounds which bind to, or otherwise directly interact with, the arginase I protein.
  • the proteins and compounds will include endogenous cellular components which interact with arginase I in vivo and which, therefore, provide new targets for pharmaceutical agents, as well as recombinant, synthetic and otherwise exogenous compounds which may have arginase I binding capacity and, therefore, may be candidates for inhibiting the asthma response.
  • high throughput screen (HTS) protein or DNA chips, cell lysates or tissue homogenates may be screened for proteins or other compounds which bind to the arginase I gene/protein, arginase II gene/protein, Cat2 gene/protein, or ADAM8 gene/protein
  • any of a variety of exogenous compounds, both naturally occurring and/or synthetic e.g., libraries of small molecules or peptides
  • an assay is conducted to detect binding of arginase I, arginase II, cat2, ADAM8 and another moiety.
  • the arginase I, arginase II, cat2, ADAM8 in these assays may be any polypeptide comprising or derived from a normal or mutant arginase I protein, including functional domains or antigenic determinants of arginase I, arginase II, cat2, or ADAM8 fusion proteins.
  • Binding may be detected by non-specific measures (e.g., transcription modulation, altered chromatin structure, peptide production or changes in the expression of other downstream genes which can be monitored by differential display, 2D gel electrophoresis, differential hybridization, or SAGE methods) or by direct measures such as immunoprecipitation, the Biomolecular Interaction Assay (BIAcore) or alteration of protein gel electrophoresis.
  • non-specific measures e.g., transcription modulation, altered chromatin structure, peptide production or changes in the expression of other downstream genes which can be monitored by differential display, 2D gel electrophoresis, differential hybridization, or SAGE methods
  • direct measures such as immunoprecipitation, the Biomolecular Interaction Assay (BIAcore) or alteration of protein gel electrophoresis.
  • the preferred methods involve variations on the following techniques: (1) direct extraction by affinity chromatography; (2) co-isolation of arginase I components and bound proteins or other compounds by immunoprecipitation; (3) BIAcore
  • Additional embodiments of the present invention provide methods of identifying proteins, small molecules and other compounds capable of modulating the activity of normal or mutant arginase I, arginase II, cat2, or ADAM8.
  • Additional embodiments of the present invention provide methods of identifying compounds on the basis of their ability to affect the expression of arginase I, arginase II, cat2, or ADAM8, the activity of arginase I, the activity of other arginase I-regulated genes, or the activity of proteins that interact with normal or mutant arginase I proteins.
  • Methods of identifying compounds with activity toward the arginase I gene or the arginase I protein may be practiced using normal cells, or recombinant cells, or using the murine experimental asthma models as herein described.
  • the proteins of the invention can be used as starting points for rational chemical design to provide ligands or other types of small chemical molecules.
  • small molecules or other compounds identified by the above-described screening assays may serve as “lead compounds” in design of modulators of arginase I pathways in mammals.
  • Detection and Quantitation of Arginase can be used to Diagnose Asthma or Allergies in a Patient
  • Another embodiment of the invention is a method for detecting asthma in an individual by measuring the level of arginase in the individual's biological fluid/tissue (e.g. lung, sputum, bronchoalveolar fluid, blood, plasma, urine, or nasal secretions/washes).
  • the levels of arginase may be a phenotypic marker with diagnostic value. For example, patients with elevated arginase activity, may have a stronger likelihood of allergic etiology, recent allergen exposure, or disease severity.
  • embodiments of the invention relate to the discovery that the enzymes Arginase I and Arginase II are strongly upregulated during asthma, as shown in Example 8 below.
  • Arginase catalyzes the reaction L-Arginine+H 2 O->L-Ornithine+Urea.
  • arginase participates in the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle and is most highly concentrated in mammalian liver.
  • lung Arginase I was markedly induced by the cytokines Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-13 (IL-13) in a Signal-Transducer-and-Activator-of-Transcription 6 (STAT-6) dependent manner.
  • IL-4 and IL-13 have been found to play a role in activating the inflammatory and residual effector pathways that result in clinical asthma and allergic indications, as indicated below in Example 9.
  • drugs that block IL-4, IL-13, STAT6 are likely to reduce levels of arginase, and thus be a treatment for patients afflicted by asthma or allergies.
  • decreases in arginase activity in biological fluids such as blood, sputum, lung fluid, biopies, at the like, may be an indication of positive responses to drugs such as glucocorticoids or anti-IL4, anti-IL-13, or anti-STAT6 compounds.
  • one embodiment of the invention is decreasing lung levels of putrescine in order to provide an effective treatment for individuals with allergic lungs. Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention is the treatment of an allergic lung with compositions that reduce putrescine levels in the lung. Further, another embodiment of the invention is the detection and/or diagnosis of allergic lung by determining increased putrescine levels in the lung.
  • the immunopositive cells were predominantly mononuclear cells with macrophage morphology. A small population of immunopositive granulocytes was present in the asthmatic group. Additionally, in situ hybridization with arginase I sense probes revealed elevated levels of arginase I mRNA expression in the asthmatic lung compared with non-asthmatic lungs (control). Arginase I+ cells in the asthmatic lung included epithelial cells, as well as submucosal cells including smooth muscle and infiltrative myeloid cells.
  • Another embodiment of the invention relates to the discovery that the amino acid transporter CAT2 is also involved in asthma pathogenesis through the arginase pathway.
  • the amino acid transporter CAT2 is also involved in asthma pathogenesis through the arginase pathway.
  • Macrophages from CAT2 deficient mice have been shown to have a 95% decrease in L-arginine uptake and a marked impairment in NO production (Nicholson et al., J Biol Chem, 276:15881-5 (2001)).
  • CAT2 deficient mice were subjected to the OVA-induced experimental asthma regime.
  • Microarray analysis was used to screen for a large set of potential endpoints, analyzing transcript profiles from these mice following allergen challenge.
  • CAT2 deficient mice had decreased levels of 6.8% of the allergen-induced gene products.
  • One of these products was CAT2 itself, validating the genomic analysis.
  • mice had impaired induction of molecules known to be critical in allergic airway responses including the chemokine TARC (Lloyd et al., J Exp Med, 191:265-74 (2000); Kawasaki et al., J Immunol, 166:2055-62 (2001)) and the enzyme 15-lipoxygenase (Sigal et al., J Lipid Mediat, 6:75-88 (1993); Kuitert et al., Thorax, 51:1223-8 (1996); Bradding et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 151:1201-4 (1995)).
  • TARC chemokine TARC
  • Kawasaki et al. J Immunol, 166:2055-62 (2001)
  • 15-lipoxygenase Sigal et al., J Lipid Mediat, 6:75-88 (1993); Kuitert et al., Thorax, 51:1223-8 (1996); Bradding et al.,
  • mice had impaired induction of small proline rich (SPR) protein 2A, an epithelial secreted molecule known to be important in extracellular matrix integrity (Cabral et al., J Biol Chem, 276:19231-7 (2001); De Heller-Milev et al., Br J Dermatol, 143:733-40 (2000)).
  • SPR small proline rich
  • 2A an epithelial secreted molecule known to be important in extracellular matrix integrity
  • CAT2 was originally described as a T cell activation molecule, its role in T cell-mediated immune responses has not been previously reported (MacLeod et al., J Exp Biol, 196:109-21 (1994)).
  • the first indication that CAT2 may be involved in critically regulating substrate availability for iNOS or arginase was the findings that pro-inflammatory molecules (e.g. lipopolysaccharide) regulate CAT2 expression (MacLeod et al., J Exp Biol, 196:109-21 (1994)).
  • CAT2 may regulate gene expression and play a role in asthma by a number of mechanisms including direct effects on transcription, or alternatively via indirect effects mediated by a cascade of downstream biochemical signaling events.
  • Methods that Decrease or Inhibit CAT2 in the Lung may be Useful to Treat or Prevent Asthma or Allergies
  • compositions that are capable of decreasing or inhibiting CAT2 in the lung may be useful to treat asthma or allergies with compositions that are capable of decreasing or inhibiting CAT2 in the lung. This may be accomplished, for example, by administering CAT2 inhibitors to the lung. This may also be accomplished by administering antisense fragments of the CAT2 gene sequences, or by administering a nucleic acid vector sequence that is capable of delivering such antisense fragments to the lung. Any method that is capable of decreasing CAT2 expression or function may be useful for the treatment of asthma or allergies.
  • Yet another embodiment of the invention includes increasing the levels of CAT2 in particular tissues of a patient in order to provide a protective response related to the production of the bronchodilator NO by eNOS. This relates to the fact that increasing CAT2 levels or function will increase NO production.
  • One embodiment of the invention includes administering to a patient a compound that increases CAT2 in specific cell types in the lung (e.g. endothelial cells), but decreases arginase in other cells in the lungs.
  • ADAM-8 also known as CD156
  • induction of ADAM-8 was shown to occur in a distinct model of asthma that was induced by repeated mucosal allergen challenges with the aeroallergen Aspergillus fumigatus.
  • ADAM-8 was relevant to dissect the signals that were specifically involved in regulating its expression.
  • the expression of ADAM-8 was strongly increased by IL-4 and IL-13 delivery to the lungs, and its induction was largely independent of signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription (STAT)-6.
  • STAT signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription
  • ADAM-8 belongs to the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family of type I transmembrane proteins (Yamamoto, S., Higuchi, Y., Yoshiyama, K., Shimizu, E., Kataoka, M., Hijiya, N., and Matsuura, K. 1999. ADAM family proteins in the immune system. Immunol Today 20:278-284). While ADAMs 1 through 7 are mainly expressed in the reproductive organs and appear to play a role in sperm-egg fusion and spermatogenesis, other members of this family are more widely expressed.
  • ADAM disintegrin and metalloprotease
  • ADAM-8 A role for specific members of the ADAM family (ADAM-10 and ADAM-17) has been demonstrated in the immune system where they are involved in processing of the cell surface precursor form of TNF- ⁇ .
  • ADAM-8 A role for ADAM-8 in the immune system is also likely.
  • This protein was identified from a macrophage cDNA library and has since been documented in PMNs and macrophages in mouse and human (Yoshiyama, K., Higuchi, Y., Kataoka, M., Matsuura, K., and Yamamoto, S. 1997. CD156 (human ADAM8): expression, primary amino acid sequence, and gene location. Genomics 41:56-62).
  • ADAM-8 A transgenic mouse expressing the extracellular portion of ADAM-8 in liver and kidneys demonstrated neutrophil infiltration following oxazolone-mediated contact hypersensitivity. It has also been demonstrated that ADAM-8 gene expression is upregulated by LPS and IFN- ⁇ (Kataoka, M., Yoshiyama, K., Matsuura, K., Hijiya, N., Higuchi, Y., and Yamamoto, S. 1997, Structure of the murine CD156 gene, characterization of its promoter, and chromosomal location. J Biol. Chem. 272:18209-18215).
  • ADAM-8 in allergic responses has previously not been established.
  • the above-described microarray contained 18 members of the ADAM family, there was only one ADAM gene that was significantly induced. This gene was reproducibly identified at high levels in each of the allergen treated mice compared with saline treated mice.
  • members of the ADAM family of type I transmembrane proteins have been implicated in regulating immune responses (e.g. proteolytic processing of the cell surface TNF- ⁇ precursor) (Black, R. A., Rauch, C. T., Kozlosky, C. J., Peschon, J. J., Slack, J. L., Wolfson, M. F., Castner, B. J., Stocking, K.
  • ADAM-8 As a novel gene associated with allergic airway responses, we were interested in dissecting the molecules involved in ADAM-8 regulation. Because a central feature of allergic responses is the overexpression of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL- 13, we next determined if these cytokines could directly induce ADAM-8 expression. In order to test this hypothesis, we examined ADAM-8 expression in transgenic mice overexpressing IL-4 specifically in the lung.
  • IL-4 lung transgenic mice had markedly elevated levels of ADAM-8 mRNA expression.
  • Pharmacological delivery of IL-13 to the lung via an intranasal approach induced increased levels of ADAM-8 mRNA compared with saline treated animals.
  • IL-4 and IL-13 share a common receptor signaling pathway that involves post-receptor events that are STAT-6 dependent and independent.
  • STAT-6 was required for ADAM-8 induction.
  • ADAM-8 expression in IL-4 lung transgenic mice that were STAT-6 wild-type or gene deleted.
  • Northern blot analysis was also used to determine that IL-4 induced ADAM-8 expression was largely STAT-6 independent.
  • another embodiment of the invention is a method of for treating asthma or allergies by administering to a patient a composition that reduces the level of ADAM-8 in the patient.
  • This may be accomplished, for example, by administering ADAM-8 inhibitors to the lung.
  • This may also be accomplished by administering antisense fragments of the ADAM-8 gene sequences, or by administering a nucleic acid vector sequence that is capable of delivering such antisense fragments to the lung.
  • Any method that is capable of decreasing ADAM-8 expression may be useful for the treatment of asthma or allergies.
  • detection and quantitation of variabilities in ADAM-8 levels or gene sequences in a patient may be useful to diagnose the presence or severity of asthma or allergies.
  • Balb/c mice were obtained from the National Cancer Institute (Frederick, Md.) and housed under pathogen-free conditions. Asthma models were induced by intraperitoneal injection with OVA and 1 mg aluminum hydroxide (alum) on days 0 and 14, followed by intranasal OVA or saline challenge (under conditions which promote delivery of the protein to the lung) on days 24 and 27, Aspergillus fumigatus antigen induced asthma was induced over the course of three weeks by repeated intranasal application of the protein to anesthetized mice as described in Huang, W. W., Garcia-Zepeda, E. A., Sauty, A., Oettgen, H. C., Rothenberg, M.
  • Enzo diagnostics Farmingdale N.Y.
  • the gene chips were automatically washed and stained with streptavidin-phycoerythrin using a fluidics system. The chips were scanned with a Hewlett Packard GeneArray Scanner. This analysis was performed with one mouse per chip (n ⁇ 3 for each allergen challenge condition and n ⁇ 2 for each saline challenge condition).
  • cDNA probes generated by PCR or from commercially available vectors [Image Consortium obtained from American Tissue Culture Collection, Rockville, Md. or Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto, Calif.], were sequence confirmed, radiolabelled with 32 P, and hybridized using standard conditions.
  • RT-PCR using standard procedures with gene specific primers, was performed using lung cDNA as template.
  • gene transcript levels were determined using algorithms in the Microarray Analysis Suite Version 4 software (Affymetrix). Global scaling was performed in order to compare genes from chip to chip; thus each chip was normalized to an arbitrary value (1500).
  • Each gene is typically represented by a probe set of 16 to 20 probe pairs. Each probe pair consists of a perfect match oligonucleotide and a mismatch oligonucleotide that contains a one base mismatch at a central position. Two measures of gene expression were used, absolute call and average difference. Absolute call is a qualitative measure in which each gene is assigned a call of present, marginal or absent based on the hybridization of the RNA to the probe set.
  • Average difference is a quantitative measure of the level of gene expression, calculated by taking the difference between mismatch and perfect match of every probe pair and averaging the differences over the entire probe set. Differences between saline and OVA-treated mice were also determined using the GeneSpring software (Silicon Genetics, Redwood City, Calif.). Data for each allergen challenge time point was normalized to the average of the saline-treated mice. Gene lists were created that contained genes with P ⁇ 0.05 and >2-fold change. GenBank were used for assignment of cDNAs from unknown expressed sequence tags. Functional classifications were based on the Gene Ontology classification
  • Airway reactivity to methacholine was assessed in conscious, unrestrained mice by barometric plethysmography, using apparatus and software supplied by Buxco (Troy, N.Y.). This system yields a dimensionless parameter known as enhanced pause (Penh), reflecting changes in wave-form of the pressure signal from the plethysmography chamber combined with a timing comparison of early and late expiration, which can be used to empirically monitor airway function. Measurement was performed as previously described in Yang, M. et al. ( Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 25, 522-30 (2001) and Hamelmann, E. et al. American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine 156, 766-75 (1997).
  • Penh enhanced pause
  • mice were placed in the chamber and baseline reading taken and averaged for 3 minutes. Aerosolized methacholine (concentrations in solution ranging from 3.125 to 50 mg/ml) was then delivered through an inlet into the chamber for 2 min and readings averaged over a period of 3 min after each dose was administered.
  • Aerosolized methacholine concentration in solution ranging from 3.125 to 50 mg/ml
  • Arginase activity was measured using the blood urea nitrogen reagent (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo.) according to established techniques as exemplified in Wei, L. H., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 98, 9260-4. (2001); Li, H. et al. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 282, R64-R69. (2002); Wei, L. H. et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 279, C248-56. (2000). To measure levels of putrescine following acid extraction, ion-pair reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography was performed.
  • the hybridization signal of the arginase I antisense (AS) and sense (S) probes was determined for OVA/alum sensitized mice challenged with two doses of OVA or Saline. The hybridized slides were washed under either high-stringency conditions. Hybridization of the antisense and sense probes in saline challenged lung was comparable to background.
  • IL-4 and IL-13 share similar signaling requirements in part such as utilization of the IL-4R ⁇ chain and the induction of janus kinase 1 and signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription (STAT)6.
  • STAT signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription
  • asthma is a Th2 associated process and because IL-4 has been shown to induce arginase in several cell lines in vitro (e.g. macrophages, smooth muscle cells) (Munder, M. et al. J Immunol 163, 3771-7 (1999); Wei, L. H., et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 279, C248-56 (2000)), we were interested in testing the hypothesis that overexpression of IL-4, particularly in the lungs, was sufficient for induction of arginase.
  • IL-4 e.g. macrophages, smooth muscle cells
  • mice that overexpress the IL-4 transgene in pulmonary epithelium have several features of asthma including eosinophil-rich inflammatory cell infiltrates, mucus production, and changes in baseline airway tone (Rankin, J. A. et al. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. US.A. 93, 7821-7825 (1996)).
  • arginase mRNA would be induced by the IL-4 transgene.
  • IL-4 lung transgenic mice had a marked increase mRNA levels of both arginase isotypes.
  • CAT2 was also induced in the IL-4 lung transgenic mice.
  • IL-13 a cytokine that has been shown to be critically involved in the development of several features of experimental asthma (Wills-Karp, M., J Allergy Clin Immunol 107, 9-18 (2001); Grunig, G. et al. Science 282, 2261-3 (1998)), and to induce arginase in cell lines in vitro (Wei, L. H., et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 279, C248-56 (2000); Rutschman, R. et al. J Immunol 166, 2173-7 (2001)), we administered IL-13 by repeated intranasal application to anesthetized mice.
  • IL-13 administration induced marked levels of arginase I mRNA compared with saline treated control mice. Consistent with the finding that IL-4 transgenic mice had elevated levels of arginase II mRNA, IL- 13 also increased arginase II mRNA levels.
  • IL-13 intratracheal IL-13 induces marked AHR within 12 hours; IL-13-induced AHR precedes leukocyte recruitment into the airway (Yang, M. et al. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 25, 522-30 (2001), suggesting that the ability of IL-13 to induce early AHR is dissociated from infiltrating leukocytes. Therefore, a kinetic analysis of IL-13 induction of arginase was performed. Notably, after only one dose of IL-13, the mRNA for the type I isoenzyme was already induced at the 12 hour timepoint (FIG. 8A); the type II isotype was constitutively present and induced to a lesser extent. Induction of arginase was detectable when early AHR developed.
  • IL-4 and IL-13 share similar signaling requirements such as utilization of the IL-4R ⁇ chain and the induction of janus kinase 1 and STAT6. A subset of their responses has been shown to be STAT6 dependent (Shimoda, K. et al. Nature 380, 630-3 (1996); Ihle, J. N. Curr Opin Cell Biol 13, 211-7 (2001)). In order to test the role of STAT6 in the induction of arginase I in vivo, IL-4 lung transgenic mice that contained wild-type or gene targeted STAT6 were examined.
  • mice were sensitizing twice, two weeks apart, with 50 ⁇ g of ovalbumin (OVA grade V; SIGMA A-5503) in the presence of 1 mg of the aluminum potassium sulfate adjuvant (alum: ALK(SO 4 ) 2 -12H 2 O; SIGMA A-7210), by intraperitoneal injection. Before each intragastric challenge, mice were deprived of food for 3 to 4 hours. Three times a week, mice were held in the supine position and orally administered soluble OVA dissolved in 250 ⁇ l of 0.9% sterile saline. Challenges were performed with intragastric feeding needles (22G-1.5in-1.25mm ball; Fisher 0 1 -290-2B). Diarrhea was assessed by visually monitoring mice for 1 hour following oral allergen challenge.
  • RNA was repurified with phenol-chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation. Purified RNA from 4 saline treated and 4 OVA challenged mice (obtained 90 minutes after 10 OVA or saline challenges) were then pooled together and processed at Children's Hospital Medical Center Affymetrix Gene Chip Core facility. Briefly, RNA quality was first assessed using the Agilent bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, Calif.) and only those samples with 28S/18S ratios between 1.3 and 2 were subsequently used.
  • Agilent bioanalyzer Agilent bioanalyzer
  • IL-4 lung transgenic mice which have markedly elevated level of lung arginase mRNA and activity, were used to examine the effect of NOHA in vitro and in vivo (FIG. 11).
  • FIG. 11A lung lysates from IL-4 lung transgenic mice were incubated with NOHA and the arginase activity at different doses of NOHA (x axis) and arginine is shown.
  • FIG. 11B IL-4 transgenic mice were treated with intratracheal NOHA (two doses: 10 and 100 mcg) and the arginase activity in the lungs was measured 4 hrs later. As indicated, NOHA was effective to reduce arginase activity in lung lysates and when given intratracheally to IL-4 transgenic mice.
  • An individual suffering from asthma is identified.
  • the individual is provided with a therapeutically effective amount of N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine to reduce the indications of asthma.
  • the individual's asthma symptoms are reduced.
  • Difluoromethylornithine is an inhibitor of ODC and is expected to be a useful treatment for inhibiting asthma or allergy.
  • Other potentially useful compounds include but are not limited to N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine and boronic acid based transition state analogues such as 2(S)-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid (ABH) and S-(2-boronoethyl)-L-cysteine (BEC), which may inhibit asthma symptoms.
  • Other inhibitors are described by Que, et al. (Nitric Oxide. 2002 Feb;6(1):1-8).
  • DFMO is an irreversible inhibitor that blocks ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) action, the biochemical step that catalyzes the synthesis of putrescine from the precursor molecule ornithine.
  • ODC ornithine decarboxylase
  • DFMO is a commercially available drug (Sigma and hex Oncology, Inc) that has been well studied in multiple species including mice (Prakash, et al (1978) Cancer Res 38:3059-3062; Meyskens and Gerner (1999) Clin. Cancer Res 5:945-951).
  • Agents that block arginase pathways in the lung may be useful to alleviate or reduce the effects of asthma once it has established itself in the lung of the patient.
  • the exemplary inhibitor of arginase pathway activity, DFMO is administered to a patient by conventional means. It is discovered that the patients receiving DFMO show lower effects of asthma as compared to patients treated with saline.
  • Airway reactivity to methacholine was assessed in conscious, unrestrained mice by barometric plethysmography, using apparatus and software supplied by Buxco (Troy, N.Y.). This system yields a dimensionless parameter known as enhanced pause (Penh), reflecting changes in wave-form of the pressure signal from the plethysmography chamber combined with a timing comparison of early and late expiration, which can be used to empirically monitor airway function. Measurement was performed as previously described in Yang, M. et al. ( Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 25, 522-30 (2001) and Hamelmann, E. et al. American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine 156, 766-75 (1997).
  • Penh enhanced pause
  • mice were placed in the chamber and baseline reading taken and averaged for 3 minutes. Aerosolized methacholine (concentrations in solution ranging from 3.125 to 50 mg/ml) was then delivered through an inlet into the chamber for 2 min and readings averaged over a period of 3 min after each dose was administered.
  • Aerosolized methacholine concentration in solution ranging from 3.125 to 50 mg/ml

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US20030113764A1 (en) * 1999-07-28 2003-06-19 Genentech, Inc. Compositions and methods for the treatment of tumors
US20030215428A1 (en) * 2000-05-05 2003-11-20 Filbin Marie T. Methods for stimulating nervous system regeneration and repair by regulating arginase I and polyamine synthesis
US20040057926A1 (en) * 2002-03-12 2004-03-25 Lsu Medical Center Modulation of the immune response through the manipulation of arginine levels
US20040234517A1 (en) * 2003-03-04 2004-11-25 Wyeth Compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating asthma or other allergic or inflammatory diseases
US20050107306A1 (en) * 2003-05-16 2005-05-19 Barr Philip J. Treatment of respiratory disease associated with matrix metalloproteases by inhalation of synthetic matrix metalloprotease inhibitors
WO2005054513A3 (fr) * 2003-12-04 2005-09-29 Univ Erasmus Medical Ct Methode de diagnostic ou de depistage de maladies inflammatoires
US20070141585A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Khurana Hershey Gurjit K Altered gene expression profiles in stable versus acute childhood asthma
EP1730294A4 (fr) * 2004-03-19 2008-07-09 Wyeth Corp Inhibiteurs de la proteine gob-4, agent de traitement de l'asthme
US20100056480A1 (en) * 2006-11-21 2010-03-04 Rijks Univesiteit Groningen Use of arginase inhibitors in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis
US20110004950A1 (en) * 2009-07-02 2011-01-06 Chuan-Mu Chen Method for Manufacturing Animal Model for Researching Pulmonary Tumor and Use Thereof

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EP1895012A1 (fr) 2006-08-30 2008-03-05 Universitätsklinikum Freiburg Méthode de l'induction de l'apoptose de cellules tumorales par l'augmentation du niveau d'oxyde d'azote
US20080226645A1 (en) * 2007-01-10 2008-09-18 Wyeth Methods and compositions for assessment and treatment of asthma
EP2006687A1 (fr) * 2007-06-20 2008-12-24 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Procédé de test dýun sujet dont on pense quýil a ou quýil est prédisposé à de lýasthme, des allergies, une maladie atopique ou une sensibilisation atopique
EP2723895B1 (fr) 2011-06-23 2019-05-15 Children's Hospital Medical Center Traitement et diagnose d'états inflammatoires allergiques à base d'anti-cdh-16
JP6250351B2 (ja) * 2013-09-30 2017-12-20 シスメックス株式会社 好酸球性気道炎症に関する情報の取得方法およびそのような情報を取得するためのマーカー
EP3402572B1 (fr) 2016-01-13 2022-03-16 Children's Hospital Medical Center Compositions et méthodes de traitement d'états inflammatoires allergiques
US11859250B1 (en) 2018-02-23 2024-01-02 Children's Hospital Medical Center Methods for treating eosinophilic esophagitis
WO2019204580A1 (fr) 2018-04-20 2019-10-24 Children's Hospital Medical Center Biomarqueur sanguin pour troubles gastro-intestinaux éosinophiliques
US12297501B2 (en) 2019-02-25 2025-05-13 Children's Hospital Medical Center Methods for diagnosing and treating eosinophilic gastritis

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US20080175842A1 (en) * 1999-07-28 2008-07-24 Genentech, Inc. Compositions and methods for treatment
US20030113764A1 (en) * 1999-07-28 2003-06-19 Genentech, Inc. Compositions and methods for the treatment of tumors
US7226596B2 (en) * 1999-07-28 2007-06-05 Genentech, Inc. Compositions and methods for the treatment of tumors
US20030215428A1 (en) * 2000-05-05 2003-11-20 Filbin Marie T. Methods for stimulating nervous system regeneration and repair by regulating arginase I and polyamine synthesis
US7741310B2 (en) * 2000-05-05 2010-06-22 Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York Methods for stimulating nervous system regeneration and repair by regulating arginase I and polyamine synthesis
US20040057926A1 (en) * 2002-03-12 2004-03-25 Lsu Medical Center Modulation of the immune response through the manipulation of arginine levels
US20040234517A1 (en) * 2003-03-04 2004-11-25 Wyeth Compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating asthma or other allergic or inflammatory diseases
US20090156537A1 (en) * 2003-03-04 2009-06-18 Wyeth Compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating asthma or other allergic or inflammatory diseases
US20050107306A1 (en) * 2003-05-16 2005-05-19 Barr Philip J. Treatment of respiratory disease associated with matrix metalloproteases by inhalation of synthetic matrix metalloprotease inhibitors
WO2005054513A3 (fr) * 2003-12-04 2005-09-29 Univ Erasmus Medical Ct Methode de diagnostic ou de depistage de maladies inflammatoires
EP1730294A4 (fr) * 2004-03-19 2008-07-09 Wyeth Corp Inhibiteurs de la proteine gob-4, agent de traitement de l'asthme
US20070141585A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Khurana Hershey Gurjit K Altered gene expression profiles in stable versus acute childhood asthma
US7919240B2 (en) * 2005-12-21 2011-04-05 Children's Hospital Medical Center Altered gene expression profiles in stable versus acute childhood asthma
US20100056480A1 (en) * 2006-11-21 2010-03-04 Rijks Univesiteit Groningen Use of arginase inhibitors in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis
US20110004950A1 (en) * 2009-07-02 2011-01-06 Chuan-Mu Chen Method for Manufacturing Animal Model for Researching Pulmonary Tumor and Use Thereof
US8247644B2 (en) * 2009-07-02 2012-08-21 National Chung Hsing University Method for manufacturing animal model for researching pulmonary tumor and use thereof

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