Lipocalin 2 as a biomarker for IL-17 inhibitor therapy efficacy

Abstract

The present invention provides the use of lipocalin 2 (LCN2) as a biomarker for IL-17 mediated diseases and for monitoring the response of a patient to anti-IL-17 therapy.

Claims

1. A method of selecting a patient for treatment with a medicament comprising an IL-17 inhibitor comprising: comparing the level of lipocalin 2 expression in a test sample of a body fluid or tissue obtained from said patient with a reference value for lipocalin 2 expression and detecting elevated expression in the test sample compared to the reference value; and administering to the patient the medicament comprising the IL-17 inhibitor, wherein the IL-17 inhibitor is an antibody or fragment thereof that binds IL-17.

2. The method according to claim 1 in which the antibody is an anti-IL17A antibody or an anti-IL-17A/F antibody.

3. The method according to claim 1 in which the level of expression of lipocalin 2 is determined by measuring the level of mRNA expression in the test sample.

4. The method according to claim 1 in which the level of expression of lipocalin 2 is determined by measuring the level of lipocalin 2 protein in the test sample.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the test sample is selected from blood, serum, plasma, urine, tissue biopsy, stool, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1: Data from LCN2 gene expression analysis in five tissues (Cord cervical, Cord Lumbar, Cord Thoracic, Spleen, Lymph node) from an EAE mouse model, both control (PBS) and following treatment with an anti-IL-17 antibody.

(2) FIG. 2: Effect of Ab#13 mIgG1 on clinical disease when dosed through the 2.sup.nd relapse phase. Average clinical score (+/−SEM) plotted against days post adjuvant immunisation (Post Sensitisation Day, PSD). Time point of sample indicated by black arrowhead.

(3) FIG. 3: LCN2 protein levels in plasma samples from an EAE mouse model (2.sup.nd relapse), in both control (PBS) and following treatment with an anti-IL-17 antibody.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

EXAMPLES

Example 1. Effect of Anti-IL-17 Antibody on LCN2 Gene Expression in Murine Model of MS (EAE)

(4) The anti-murine IL-17 antibody used in these experiments was Ab#13 IgG1 as described previously in WO05/051422.

(5) The MS model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), was used essentially as described by Baker et al., 1990. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 28:261-270.

(6) Female ABH mice 8-10 weeks of age (Harlan) were immunised with mouse spinal cord homogenate (SCH, 3.33 mg/ml) in complete freund's adjuvant by subcutaneous immunisation in either flank (150 μl/site) on PSD0 and PSD7.

(7) i) Dosing Over the Acute Phase

(8) Two groups were dosed with antibody at 10 mg/kg, sc on PSD-1, PSD6, PSD13 and PSD20 (1× weekly), One group (n=14) was dosed with Ab#13 mIgG1 the other (n=13) with PBS.

(9) ii) Dosing Over the Relapsing Phase

(10) A total of 30 mice were followed through the acute phase of disease and on PSD27 analysis of the acute phase of disease was performed to select two groups with similar disease profiles in the acute phase (day of onset, peak disease score, cumulative clinical score and weight loss). Two groups of 12 mice were selected for dosing with antibody at 10 mg/kg, sc on PSD28, PSD35, PSD42 and PSD49. One group was dosed with Ab#13 mIgG1 the other with PBS.

(11) Weights and clinical scores were recorded daily by an assessor blinded to treatment and terminal EDTA-Plasma collected.

(12) TABLE-US-00001 Clinical score scale 0 Normal 0.25 Tail dragging 0.5 Partial tail paralysis 1 Complete tail paralysis 2 Incomplete hind limb paralysis 3 Complete hind paralysis/incontinence 4 Front limb paralysis/loss of righting reflex
Statistics

(13) Pairwise comparisons of clinical scores and day of onset were performed using Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of incidence was performed with Fishers exact test, analysis of maximum weight loss was performed using Students' T test.

(14) Tissue samples were taken from five different tissues (Cord cervical, Cord Lumbar, Cord Thoracic, Spleen, Lymph node) at three different time points PSD26 for naïve group, PSD27, PSD33 and PSD62 for PBS and anti-IL-17 groups.

(15) LCN2 gene expression in tissue samples from the EAE mouse model was determined using TaqMan® (Applied Biosystems. Probe Mm.00809552).

(16) cDNA Synthesis (Reverse Transcription) and Real Time PCR

(17) 75 ng of total RNA from each of the tissue samples were used in the reverse transcription (RT) reaction. The RT reaction was performed as per protocol using TaqMan® RT reagents (Applied Biosystems) using the Gene Amp PCR System 9700 at 25° C.×10 min, 37° C.×60 min, 95° C.×5 min, 4° C. hold.

(18) cDNA from each RT reaction were used in the Real Time PCR using custom designed TaqMan® Low Density Array (LDA) cards using the Applied Biosystems 7900 HT Fast Real Time PCR system.

(19) For each LDA port mix:

(20) TABLE-US-00002 cDNA sample 20 ul RNase/DNase-free water 30 ul TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix (2x) 50 ul Total 100 ul 

(21) The probe for Lipocalin 2 used was Applied Biosystems Probe Mm00809552_s1

(22) Reaction conditions were 50° C.×2 min, 94.5° C.×10 min, (97° C.×30 sec and 59.7° C.×1 min)×40 cycles

(23) The Real Time PCR data was analysed using CT values obtained from the ABI software SDS 2.1 using automatic threshold and baseline.

(24) 18S rRNA gene (ABI probe Hs99999901_s1) was used as endogenous/housekeeper gene to normalize the CT values to the amount of cDNA present in each well (ΔCT value).

(25) The gene fold changes were then calculated using the Comparative CT Method of relative quantification (de Kok et al., Real-time quantification of human telomerase reverse transcriptasemRNA in tumors and healthy tissues. Clin. Chem. 2000. March; 46(3):313-8).). The calibrator value used in this experiment to calculate the ΔΔCT was the mean of the ΔCT values of the naive samples per each tissue type. The relative quantity (or fold change) was calculated using the formula:
2.sup.−ΔΔCT.

(26) Gene expression analysis of 5 tissue samples (Cord cervical, Cord Lumbar, Cord Thoracic, Spleen, Lymph node) from the EAE mouse model described above highlighted a significant upregulation of the LCN2 gene at PSD33 in spinal cord samples. This expression was reduced to baseline levels by treatment with an anti-IL-17 antibody (FIG. 1).

(27) TABLE-US-00003 Unpaired t test at day 33 PBS vs anti-IL17 Cervical Thoracic Lumbar P value P < 0.0001 P < 0.0001 P < 0.0001 P value summary *** *** *** Are means signif. different? Yes Yes Yes (P < 0.05)

Example 2. Effect of Anti-IL-17 Antibody on LCN2 Protein Levels in Mouse Plasma/Serum in EAE

(28) The EAE model and anti-IL-17 antibody were as described in Example 1. Antibody was used at 10 mg/kg s.c. 1× weekly from PSD48 as previously described in Example 1 (ii).

(29) Plasma samples were taken at relapse-2 (in controls) whilst the anti-IL-17 treated animals were largely asymptomatic. Exact sampling timepoint occurred as the controls reached chronicity so ranges from PSD 72-82 (with most occurring between PSD 80-82), as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2.

(30) Plasma samples taken at relapse-2 were tested for the presence of LCN2 protein using the protocol described below.

(31) MSD Assay for Measurement of Mouse Lcn2

(32) R&D reagents used: anti-mLcn2 monoclonal Ab raised in rat (cat.#MAB1857) used for capture (coating) (stock solution is 500 ug/ml in PBS) anti-mLcn2 polyclonal Ab raised in goat (cat.#AF1857) used as “primary” (stock solution is 200 ug/ml in PBS) recombinant mouse Lcn2, CF (cat#1857-LC) used as control

(33) MSD antibody used: anti-goat IgG SULFOTAGGED raised in donkey (cat. #R32AG-5) detection antibody

(34) The MSD assay was set up according to the following protocol:

(35) Coating:

(36) A High-Bind MSD large spot plate was spotted with 5 ul per well of the capture (monoclonal) antibody at 100 ug/ml in PBS (FAC=500 ng/well). E.g. 100 ul stock in 400 ul PBS for one plate and the plate was left to dry for 90 minutes in a laminar flow hood. The plate was washed three times with 150 ul per well of PBS+0.05% Tween 20.

(37) Blocking.

(38) A solution of 3% MSD blocker A and 1% MSD blocker B in PBS+0.05% Tween 20 was prepared for use as a blocking agent. 150 ul of blocking buffer was added to all wells of the coated plate and the plate was incubated for 45 minutes at room temperature with vigorous shaking. The plate was then washed three times with PBS-Tween.

(39) Binding:

(40) Control: a standard curve was prepared using rmLcn2 from 40,000 pg down to 9.76 pg/well.

(41) Sample: Optimum dilution of plasma and urine samples was determined (1/5 to 1/100 recommended) in PBS-tween and 25 ul/well was loaded. The plate was incubated for 2 hours at room temperature with shaking before being washed three times with PBS-Tween.

(42) Primary:

(43) Polyclonal antibody anti-mLcn2 raised in goat (R&D cat.#AF1857) at 4 ug/ml in PBS-T was added at 25 ul/well (=100 ng/ml) before being washed three times with PBS-Tween.

(44) Secondary:

(45) MSD anti-goat IgG SULFOTAGGED was prepared at 1 ug/nil in PBS+1% BSA. 25 ul of SULFOTAG reagent was added to all wells and the plate was incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with shaking. Plate was then washed three times with PBS-Tween.

(46) Detection:

(47) 150 ul of MSD Read Buffer T at 1× concentration was added to all wells and the plate was read immediately on the SectorImager 6000

RESULTS

(48) LCN2 protein levels were increased in the diseased group and modulated with statistical significance by anti-IL-17 antibody (See FIG. 3). *=p<0.05 ANOVA with Bonferronis multiple corrections. Naives were age matched.

(49) All publications mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference.

(50) Various modifications and variations of the described methods and system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.