TY - JOUR
T1 - VEGFR-1/Flt-1 inhibition increases angiogenesis and improves muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
AU - Bosco, Jennifer
AU - Zhou, Zhiwei
AU - Gabriëls, Sofie
AU - Verma, Mayank
AU - Liu, Nan
AU - Miller, Brian K.
AU - Gu, Sheng
AU - Lundberg, Dianna M.
AU - Huang, Yan
AU - Brown, Eilish
AU - Josiah, Serene
AU - Meiyappan, Muthuraman
AU - Traylor, Matthew J.
AU - Chen, Nancy
AU - Asakura, Atsushi
AU - De Jonge, Natalie
AU - Blanchetot, Christophe
AU - de Haard, Hans
AU - Duffy, Heather S.
AU - Keefe, Dennis
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
PY - 2021/6/11
Y1 - 2021/6/11
N2 - Duchenne muscular dystrophy is characterized by structural degeneration of muscle, which is exacerbated by localized functional ischemia due to loss of nitric oxide synthase-induced vasodilation. Treatment strategies aimed at increasing vascular perfusion have been proposed. Toward this end, we have developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and its soluble splice variant isoform (sFlt-1) leading to increased levels of free VEGF and proangiogenic signaling. The lead chimeric mAb, 21B3, had high affinity and specificity for both human and mouse sFlt-1 and inhibited VEGF binding to sFlt-1 in a competitive manner. Proof-of-concept studies in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy showed that intravenous administration of 21B3 led to elevated VEGF levels, increased vascularization and blood flow to muscles, and decreased fibrosis after 6–12 weeks of treatment. Greater muscle strength was also observed after 4 weeks of treatment. A humanized form of the mAb, 27H6, was engineered and demonstrated a comparable pharmacologic effect. Overall, administration of anti-Flt-1 mAbs in mdx mice inhibited the VEGF:Flt-1 interaction, promoted angiogenesis, and improved muscle function. These studies suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of Flt-1 inhibition for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
AB - Duchenne muscular dystrophy is characterized by structural degeneration of muscle, which is exacerbated by localized functional ischemia due to loss of nitric oxide synthase-induced vasodilation. Treatment strategies aimed at increasing vascular perfusion have been proposed. Toward this end, we have developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and its soluble splice variant isoform (sFlt-1) leading to increased levels of free VEGF and proangiogenic signaling. The lead chimeric mAb, 21B3, had high affinity and specificity for both human and mouse sFlt-1 and inhibited VEGF binding to sFlt-1 in a competitive manner. Proof-of-concept studies in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy showed that intravenous administration of 21B3 led to elevated VEGF levels, increased vascularization and blood flow to muscles, and decreased fibrosis after 6–12 weeks of treatment. Greater muscle strength was also observed after 4 weeks of treatment. A humanized form of the mAb, 27H6, was engineered and demonstrated a comparable pharmacologic effect. Overall, administration of anti-Flt-1 mAbs in mdx mice inhibited the VEGF:Flt-1 interaction, promoted angiogenesis, and improved muscle function. These studies suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of Flt-1 inhibition for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
KW - Duchenne muscular dystrophy
KW - angiogenesis
KW - fibrosis
KW - monoclonal antibody
KW - vascular endothelial growth factor
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U2 - 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.03.013
DO - 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.03.013
M3 - Article
C2 - 33898634
AN - SCOPUS:85104059596
SN - 2329-0501
VL - 21
SP - 369
EP - 381
JO - Molecular Therapy - Methods and Clinical Development
JF - Molecular Therapy - Methods and Clinical Development
ER -