Alexandra R Lucas, Donghang Zheng, Sriram Ambadapadi and Ganesh Munaswamy- Ramanujam
Accepted Abstracts: Med Chem
Background: Serine protease inhibitors (Serpins) have critical regulatory roles in coagulation and inflammation, representing a large percentage of circulating blood proteins. Serpins regulate normal homeostasis in vascular disease and sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Modification of serpin activity is used for treating clinical disorders, i.e. heparin decreases clotting through activation of anti-thrombin (SERPINC1). Prior studies report the use of N terminal serpin peptides for treatment in sepsis and HIV. Myxomavirus Serp-1 significantly reduced vascular disease after balloon angioplasty or after transplants in rodent models. Serp-1 further improved mortality in a lethal Mouse gamma herpes virus (MHV68) infection in interferon gamma receptor (IFNγ) knockout mice and mouse adapted Zaire Ebola infection with marked reduction in vasculitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, and congestion. Methods: We have assessed the capacity of Reactive Site Loop (RSL) peptides derived as projected metabolites, 4 Serp-1 RSL peptides and 4 neuroserpin (NSP) peptides, to reduce vascular inflammation. Forty mice had aortic allograft transplant with a single IV injection of each individual peptide. Twenty four IFN KO mice had MHV68 infection and were treated for 30 days with either saline, S-2 (360ISRMAV365) or S-7 (305GTTASSDTAITLIPR319) peptides. Results: RSL peptides with R or RN sequences, but not RM, and with 0-+1 charge (S-1, S-3, S-7 and S-8), significantly reduced vascular inflammatory cell invasion and plaque growth after aortic allograft transplant in mice (5-6 transplants per peptide tested) (P<0.01). Hydrophobic and -4 charge caused increased thrombosis. One S-7 peptide significantly improved survival in a MHV68 infection lethal vascultic model (150 days survival; P<0.02), while an inactive S-2 peptide had no effect (P=NS; 40 days). Conclusions: Serpin RSL peptides expand regulatory function. Viral and mammalian serpin peptides with R or RN sequences and 0-+1 charge reduce aortic allograft vasculopathy and improve survival in lethal MHV68 mouse vasculitis models.
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