Antibody production and pharmacokinetics of METH in rats following vaccination with the METH vaccine, IXT-v100, adjuvanted with GLA-SE
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
Authors: Stevens, Misty W.; Ruedi-Bettschen, Daniela; Gunnell, Melinda G.; Tawney, Rachel; West, C. Michael; Owens, S. Michael
Abstract
Background: Methamphetamine use disorder continues to be inadequately treated, but improvements are being made in the field of immunotherapeutics, including vaccines, which could provide new options for treatment. Cocaine and nicotine vaccines have been tested clinically, but have yet to elicit the necessary antibody concentrations required to be effective. Methamphetamine vaccines have been tested in multiple nonclinical models and appear promising. Improved adjuvants have the potential to further stimulate the immune system to reach effective levels of antibodies. Previously, the methamphetamine vaccine IXT-v100 was administered with GLA-SE, a toll-like receptor 4 agonist, in mice to produce higher levels of antibodies than when it was administered with two other widely used adjuvants, Alhydrogel and Sigma Adjuvant System. Methods: The purpose of this research was to evaluate IXT-v100, given in combination with the adjuvant GLA-SE, to determine its efficacy in antagonizing methamphetamine disposition in a rat pharmacokinetic study. Additional rat studies were conducted to compare the ability of IXT-v100 manufactured with greater hapten densities to elicit higher antibody levels. Results: wAs expected based on prior studies with anti-methamphetamine monoclonal antibodies, the antibodies resulting from vaccination with IXT-v100 altered methamphetamine pharmacokinetics by increasing serum concentrations and extending the half-life. Furthermore, intentional variations in the ratio of components during manufacturing led to production of vaccines with higher hapten densities. The higher hapten densities resulted in production of antibodies that maintained the ability to bind methamphetamine with high affinity. Conclusions: The results support continued development of IXT-v100 for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder.
GLA missense and promoter variants co-segregating in a Chinese family with Fabry disease
ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
Authors: Dong, Zhe-Yi; Wang, Qian; Lin, Shu-Peng; Chen, Pu; Liu, Jiao-Na; Liu, Shu-Wen; Cai, Guang-Yan; Chen, Xiang-Mei; Hong, Quan
Abstract
Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked recessive inheritance lysosomal storage disorder due to mutations in the GLA gene leading to deficiency of lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A) and has a wide range of clinical presentations. Over 900 GLA gene mutations are currently known and of those most are thought not to be clinically significant, some with doubtful clinical significance, posing diagnostic and prognostic difficulties for the clinician. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to detect the mutation in family members with Fabry disease. The function of g.1170C>T mutation was confirmed by dual luciferase system. Results: A total of 1,375 variants were found in a Chinese family with FD. A missense variants c.1025C>T (p.Arg342Gln) which have been previously reported in association with FD and g.1170C>T singlenucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the GLA gene were found in five patients. The g.1170C>T SNP affects transcription of GLA gene, presumably the transcription start site. Female patients only have hypohidrosis and neuropathic pain, while male patients have severe symptoms with simultaneous renal impairment. Conclusions: Two simultaneous variants in cis of the GLA gene, c. 1025C>T (p. Arg342Gln) and g.1170C>T, were verified in Chinese individuals, and the corresponding clinical symptoms were described. The disease severity in male patients is worse than in female patients. These results may be helpful for genetic counseling, diagnosis and prognosis of patients with FD.