U.S. patent application number 16/885582 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-10 for lipopeptides for use in treating liver diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
The applicant listed for this patent is Volker CLEEVES, RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG. Invention is credited to Volker CLEEVES, Ralf KUBITZ, Stephan URBAN.
Application Number | 20200384070 16/885582 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004991574 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-10 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200384070 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CLEEVES; Volker ; et
al. |
December 10, 2020 |
Lipopeptides for Use in Treating Liver Diseases and Cardiovascular
Diseases
Abstract
The present invention relates to lipopeptide-based compounds for
use in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a liver
disease or condition, preferably liver involved metabolic diseases,
as well as in the control or modification of the cholesterol level
or cholesterol uptake and, thus, diagnosis, prevention and/or
treatment of a cardiovascular disease. The present invention
furthermore relates to an in vitro or in vivo assay or method for
testing or measuring the NTCP-mediated transport of test
compound(s). The present invention furthermore relates to a method
for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a liver disease
or condition, comprising administering a therapeutically effective
amount of a lipopeptide-based compound to a patient. The present
invention furthermore relates to a method for the diagnosis,
prevention and/or treatment of a cardiovascular disease.
Inventors: |
CLEEVES; Volker;
(Weingarten, DE) ; URBAN; Stephan;
(Neustadt/Weinstrasse, DE) ; KUBITZ; Ralf;
(Duesseldorf, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CLEEVES; Volker
RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG |
Heidelberg |
|
US
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004991574 |
Appl. No.: |
16/885582 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16270293 |
Feb 7, 2019 |
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16885582 |
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14442304 |
May 12, 2015 |
10413585 |
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PCT/EP2013/073600 |
Nov 12, 2013 |
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16270293 |
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61859476 |
Jul 29, 2013 |
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61725144 |
Nov 12, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 14/005 20130101;
A61K 31/00 20130101; G01N 33/5067 20130101; C12N 7/00 20130101;
A61K 31/575 20130101; G01N 33/5023 20130101; A61K 38/1709 20130101;
G01N 2333/705 20130101; C07K 14/705 20130101; G01N 33/92 20130101;
C12N 2730/10122 20130101; G01N 2500/04 20130101; G01N 33/6893
20130101; C12N 2730/10132 20130101; A61K 38/162 20130101; G01N
2800/085 20130101; G01N 2500/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 38/16 20060101
A61K038/16; C07K 14/705 20060101 C07K014/705; A61K 38/17 20060101
A61K038/17; G01N 33/50 20060101 G01N033/50; G01N 33/68 20060101
G01N033/68; A61K 31/00 20060101 A61K031/00; A61K 31/575 20060101
A61K031/575; G01N 33/92 20060101 G01N033/92; C07K 14/005 20060101
C07K014/005; C12N 7/00 20060101 C12N007/00 |
Claims
1. A method for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a
liver disease or condition, wherein said liver disease or condition
is related to sodium taurocholate cotransporter polypeptide
(NTCP)-mediated transport of compounds into hepatocytes, wherein
said method comprises utilizing a lipopeptide-based compound.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said liver disease or condition
that is related to NTCP-mediated transport of compounds into
hepatocytes, is a liver involved metabolic disease selected from:
intrahepatic cholestasis, poisoning of the liver (by liver
toxins)/hepatotoxicity, drug-induced cholestatic liver disease,
hyperlipidemia, and posthepatic cholestasis.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the compounds that are
transported into hepatocytes via NTCP are: bile acids, taurine- or
glycine conjugated bile acids and salts thereof, taurine- or
glycine conjugated dihydroxy and trihydroxy bile salts, sulfated
bile acids and salts thereof, steroids, steroid sulfates, estrogen
conjugates, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, conjugated and
non-conjugated thyroid hormones, liver toxins, compounds that are
covalently bound to taurocholate, bromosulphophthalein, or
drugs.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the NCTP-mediated transport is
decreased or blocked by the lipopeptide-based compound.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the lipopeptide-based compound
comprises a peptide of the general formula X--P--Y--R.sub.o wherein
P is the amino acid sequence NPLGFXaaP (SEQ. ID NO: 1), wherein Xaa
is an arbitrary amino acid; X is an amino acid sequence having a
length of m amino acids, wherein m is at least 4; Y is an amino
sequence having a length of n amino acids, wherein n is 0 or at
least 1; and wherein m+n>11; R is a C-terminal modification of
said hydrophobic modified peptide, and o is 0 or at least 1.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein m=4 to 19 and/or n=0 to 78.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the peptide comprises 18 to 119
consecutive amino acids of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:
2 to 14 or variants thereof.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the peptide comprises one or more
hydrophobic modification(s) at an amino acid side chain, wherein
the hydrophobic modification is an acylation and/or addition of one
or more hydrophobic moieties.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein the lipopeptide is Myrcludex B
having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18 with an N-terminal
myristoylation and a C-terminal amide.
10. The method of claim 5, comprising a further moiety or moieties,
selected from drug(s) or their respective prodrug(s); tag(s);
label(s); recombinant virus(s) or derivative(s) thereof; carrier or
depot(s) for drug(s), prodrug(s) or label(s); immunogenic
epitope(s); hormone(s); and compounds that are transported into
hepatocytes via NTCP selected from: bile acids; taurine- or glycine
conjugated bile acids and salts thereof; taurine- or glycine
conjugated dihydroxy and trihydroxy bile salts; sulfated bile acids
and salts thereof; steroids; steroid sulfates; estrogen conjugates;
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate; conjugated and non-conjugated
thyroid hormones; liver toxins; compounds that are covalently bound
to taurocholate; bromosulphophthalein; and drugs.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the further moiety or moieties
are covalently attached via a linker, spacer and/or an anchor
group.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the lipopeptide-based compound
is administered in a therapeutically effective amount.
13. A method for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a
cardiovascular disease (CVD), comprising the use of a
lipopeptide-based compound.
14. The method of claim 13, comprising control or modification of
cholesterol level or cholesterol uptake, wherein the cholesterol
level or uptake is controlled or modified by decreasing or blocking
the NCTP-mediated bile salt transport by the lipopeptide-based
compound.
15. An in vitro or in vivo assay or method for testing or measuring
the NTCP-mediated transport of test compound(s), comprising the
steps of (a) providing test compound(s) and a lipopeptide-based
compound as defined in claim 5; (b) providing a test system for
functional and selective NTCP expression; (c) adding the test
compound(s), either together with or without the lipopeptide-based
compound, to the NTCP test system of (b); and (d) determining
whether the test compound(s) are transported via NTCP by comparing
the results of step (b) and (c) each with or without the addition
of the lipopeptide-based compound, wherein a test compound is
considered being transported via NTCP when the compound(s)
decrease, block or inhibit bile salt transport by NTCP (competitive
transport) or when the transport of the compound(s) can be
decreased, blocked or inhibited by the addition of the
lipopeptide-based compound.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutically effective
amount of the lipopeptide-based compound is in the range of from
about 0.1 mg to about 50 mg per patient and per day.
17. The method according to claim 13, comprising administering a
therapeutically effective amount of a lipopeptide-based compound to
a patient, wherein the lipopeptide-based compound comprises a
peptide of the general formula X--P--Y--R.sub.o wherein P is the
amino acid sequence NPLGFXaaP (SEQ. ID NO: 1), wherein Xaa is an
arbitrary amino acid; X is an amino acid sequence having a length
of m amino acids, wherein m is at least 4; Y is an amino sequence
having a length of n amino acids, wherein n is 0 or at least 1; and
wherein m+n>11; R is a C-terminal modification of said
hydrophobic modified peptide, and o is 0 or at least 1.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the route of administration is
selected from subcutaneous, intravenous, oral, nasal,
intramuscular, transdermal, inhalative, and by suppository.
19. The method, according to claim 7, wherein the peptide comprises
a variant having an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO.
18 HBV preS/2-48 (genotype C), SEQ ID NO. 19 HBV preS/2-48
(genotype D), SEQ ID NO. 20 HBV preS/2-48 (consensus), and amino
acid sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to any of SEQ
ID NOs. 18 to 20.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the route of administration is
selected from subcutaneous, intravenous, oral, nasal,
intramuscular, transdermal, inhalative, and by suppository.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of co-pending
application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/270,293, filed on
Feb. 7, 2019; which is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/442,304, filed May 12, 2015; which is the
National Stage Application of International Application Number
PCT/EP2013/073600, filed Nov. 12, 2013; which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/725,144, filed Nov.
12, 2012 and Ser. No. 61/859,476, filed Jul. 29, 2013; all of which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0002] The Sequence Listing for this application is labeled
"SEQ-LIST-4-27-15.txt", which was created on Apr. 27, 2015, and is
18 KB. The Sequence Listing is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
[0003] The present invention relates to lipopeptide-based compounds
for use in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a liver
disease or condition, preferably liver involved metabolic diseases,
as well as in the control or modification of the cholesterol level
or cholesterol uptake and, thus, diagnosis, prevention and/or
treatment of a cardiovascular disease. The present invention
furthermore relates to an in vitro or in vivo assay or method for
testing or measuring the NTCP-mediated transport of test
compound(s). The present invention furthermore relates to a method
for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a liver disease
or condition, comprising administering a therapeutically effective
amount of a lipopeptide-based compound to a patient. The present
invention furthermore relates to a method for the diagnosis,
prevention and/or treatment of a cardiovascular disease.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a member of the
hepadnaviridae. Hepadnaviruses are the smallest enveloped DNA
viruses which replicate via reverse transcription of a pgRNA
intermediate. During assembly the nucleocapsid acquires three viral
envelope proteins termed large (L), middle (M) and small (S). They
are encoded in one open reading frame and share the S-domain which
is required for membrane anchoring. In addition to the S-domain, M
contains an N-terminal hydrophilic extension of 55 amino acids
(preS2), while L is further extended by 107, 117 or 118 amino acids
(genotype-dependent) termed preS (Urban 2008). The hepatitis D
virus (HDV) is a satellite virusoid utilizing the HBV envelope
proteins for entry into hepatocytes. The myristoylated preS-domain
of L is known to play the key role in HBV and HDV infectivity.
[0005] The inventors have previously identified HBV L-protein
derived lipopeptides that block HBV and HDV infection of PHH and
HepaRG cells (Gripon et al., 2005, Schulze et al., 2010, WO
2009/092611 A1). They represent the N-terminal 47 amino acids of
the preS1-domain of HBV (HBVpreS/2-48.sub.myr)) and include the
naturally occurring modification with myristic acid.
[0006] In WO 2009/092612 and WO 2012/107579, whose contents are
incorporated herewith by reference in its entirety, the inventors
describe hydrophobic modified preS-derived peptides of HBV and
their use as vehicles for the specific delivery of compounds to the
liver.
[0007] The inventors have furthermore previously identified the
receptor responsible for the binding of these HBV L-protein derived
lipopeptides, namely sodium taurocholate co-transporting
polypeptide (NTCP/SLC10A1). (U.S. Provisional application
61/725,144, filed Nov. 12, 2012). NTCP is an integral transmembrane
protein, not expressed in HepG2, HuH7, induced in HepaRG cells
after DMSO treatment (Kotani et al., 2012) and down-modulated in
primary hepatocytes during de-differentiation (Doring et al.,
2012).
[0008] In particular, the inventors have identified a novel HBV
preS1-specific receptor playing a key role in Hepatitis B virus
(HBV) and/or Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, the human sodium
taurocholate cotransporter polypeptide NTCP/SLC10A1. Expression of
this receptor or of certain non-human counterparts allows to
transform cells that were previously unable to bind HBV and/or HDV
and/or non-susceptible to HBV and/or HDV infection into cells that
are HBV and/or HDV binding-competent and/or susceptible to HBV
and/or HDV infection. Cells that are already susceptible to HBV
and/or HDV infection (HepaRG cells) show a significantly increased
susceptibility upon expression of NTCP.
[0009] Also Yan et al. (2012) identified NTCP/SLC10A1 as a
preS-specific receptor in primary Tupaia hepatocytes (PTH) and
demonstrate that human (h) NTCP promotes HBV/HDV entry into
hepatoma cells.
[0010] The liver plays a predominant role in drug biotransformation
and disposition from the body. In view of its barrier function
between the gastrointestinal tract and systemic blood, it is
constantly exposed to ingested xenobiotics entering the portal
circulation. Drug-induced liver injury accounts for up to 7% of all
reports of adverse drug effects voluntarily reported to
pharmacovigilance registries. Drugs cause direct damage to
hepatocytes, bile ducts or vascular structures or may interfere
with bile flow. The phenotypes commonly encountered thus include
hepatitis, cholestasis, steatosis, cirrhosis, vascular and
neoplastic lesions and even fulminant hepatic failure. Almost every
drug has the potential to cause hepatic injury, be it through
direct toxicity of the agent or through an idiosyncratic response
of the individual. The susceptibility of the liver to injury by
drugs is influenced by various factors such as age, sex, pregnancy,
comedication, renal function and genetic factors (Kullak-Ublick,
2000).
[0011] Drug induced cholestatic liver disease is a subtype of liver
injury that is characterized by predominant elevations of alkaline
phosphatase and bilirubin secondary to the administration of a
hepatotoxic agent. It can manifest itself as a cholestatic
hepatitis or as bland cholestasis, depending upon the causative
agent and the mechanism of injury. Drugs that typically cause
cholestasis with hepatitis include psychotropic agents, antibiotics
and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The mechanism is
immunoallergic and results from hypersensitivity. Pure cholestasis
without hepatitis is observed most frequently with contraceptive
and 17.alpha.-alkylated androgenic steroids and the mechanism most
likely involves interference with hepatocyte canalicular efflux
systems for bile salts, organic anions and phospholipids. The
rate-limiting step in bile formation is considered to be the bile
salt export pump (BSEP) mediated translocation of bile salts across
the canalicular hepatocyte membrane. Inhibition of BSEP function by
metabolites of cyclosporine A, troglitazone, bosentan, rifampicin
and sex steroids is an important cause of drug induced cholestasis
(Kullak-Ublick, 2000).
[0012] There is a need in the art for improved means and methods
for treating liver involved metabolic diseases, drug induced
toxicity and cholestatic liver diseases, as well as cardiovascular
diseases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to the present invention this object is solved by
providing a lipopeptide-based compound for use in the diagnosis,
prevention and/or treatment of a liver disease or condition,
wherein said liver disease or condition is related to sodium
taurocholate cotransporter polypeptide (NTCP)-mediated transport of
compounds into hepatocytes.
[0014] According to the present invention this object is solved by
providing a lipopeptide-based compound for use in the diagnosis,
prevention and/or treatment of a cardiovascular disease.
[0015] According to the present invention this object is solved by
an in vitro or in vivo assay or method for testing or measuring the
NTCP-mediated transport of test compound(s), comprising the steps
of
(a) providing test compound(s) and a lipopeptide-based compound as
defined in the present invention; (b) providing a test system for
functional and selective NTCP expression; (c) adding the test
compound(s), either together with or without the lipopeptide-based
compound, to the NTCP test system of (b); (d) determining whether
the test compound(s) are transported via NTCP by comparing the
results of step (b) and (c) each with or without the addition of
the lipopeptide-based compound, wherein a test compound is
considered being transported via NTCP when the compound(s)
decrease, block or inhibit bile salt transport by NTCP (competitive
transport) or when the transport of the compound(s) can be
decreased, blocked or inhibited by the addition of the
lipopeptide-based compound.
[0016] According to the present invention this object is solved by
a method for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a liver
disease or condition,
wherein said liver disease or condition is related to sodium
taurocholate cotransporter polypeptide (NTCP)-mediated transport of
compounds into hepatocytes, comprising administering a
therapeutically effective amount of a lipopeptide-based compound to
a patient.
[0017] According to the present invention this object is solved by
a method for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a
cardiovascular disease.
[0018] According to the present invention this object is solved by
a method for the control or modification of the cholesterol level
or cholesterol uptake, comprising administering a therapeutically
effective amount of a lipopeptide-based compound to a patient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIGS. 1A-1E hNTCP specifically binds lipopeptide MyrB.
[0020] Stable human NTCP (hNTCP) expression in five hepatoma cell
lines was accomplished by lentiviral transduction following
antibiotic selection.
(A) Western Blots of deglycosylated cell lysates from
HuH7.sup.hNTCP, HepG2.sup.hNTCP, HepaRG.sup.hNTCP Hepa1-6.sup.hNTCP
and Hep56.1D.sup.hNTCP cell lines in comparison to mock-transduced
cells and two PHH samples. Only 10% of sample was loaded on the
HepaRG.sup.hNTCP lane (*) (B-C) hNTCP expressing human cell lines
were incubated with the Atto488-labeled peptide MyrB.sup.atto
(green or 488.lamda.). Peptide binding was analysed by
co-localisation of the peptide with hNTCP-IF using an
hNTCP-specific antibody (red) (B) or FACS using the mutant peptide
MyrB.sup.attoAla11-15 or an excess of unlabeled MyrB (C). (D) FACS
analysis of MyrB binding as described in (C) for the
HepG2.sup.mNtcp cell lines. (E) HepG2 ratNtcp-eGFP expressing cells
(green) were incubated with MyrB.sup.atto (red) and analysed by
confocal microscopy. Note the co-localisation of
hNTCP/MyrB.sup.atto in microvilli.
[0021] FIGS. 2A-2E Influence of lipopeptide MyrB on NTCP-mediated
bile acid transport; effect of bile acids on HBV infection.
(2A) rNtcp-eGFP expressing HepG2 cells were incubated with
increasing concentrations of MyrB or mutant MyrB.sup.Ala1-15 (a
mutant with Ala mutations in the region 9-NPLGFFP-15 (amino acid
positions 0-26 of SEQ ID NO:2), namely 9-NPAAAAA-15 (amino acid
positions 8-14 of SEQ ID NO:21)) and .sup.3H-taurocholate uptake
was quantified. Uncompeted uptake was set to 100%. (2B) hNtcp-eGFP
expressing HepG2 cells were incubated with increasing
concentrations of MyrB, mutant MyrB.sup.Ala1-15 (or preS2-78myr and
.sup.3H-taurocholate uptake was quantified. Uncompeted uptake was
set to 100%. (2C-2D) Differentiated HepaRG (B) or HuH7.sup.hNTCP
cells (C) were preincubated 2 h before and coincubated during HBV
infection with 5, 50 and 500 .mu.M TC, TDC or TCDC and secreted
HBeAg was determined d7-9 p.i. Infection was controlled by addition
of MyrB 2 h prior to and during infection. (2E) HuH7.sup.hNTCP
cells were incubated at the indicated bile salt concentrations
overnight at 37.degree. C., trypsinized and incubated in the
presence of bile salts with MyrB.sup.atto for further 30 min.
Binding was quantified by FACS analysis. Untagged MyrB was used as
a control.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Before the present invention is described in more detail
below, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to
the particular methodology, protocols and reagents described herein
as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology
used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention which will be limited only by the appended claims. Unless
defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein
have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art. For the purpose of the present invention, all
references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their
entireties.
[0023] Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be
expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be
understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience
and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not
only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the
range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or
sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value
and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a
numerical range of "at least 4 amino acids, preferably 4 to 19"
should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited
values of 4 to 19, but also include individual values and
sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this
numerical range are individual values such as 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and sub-ranges such as from 4
to 10, from 6 to 15, from 10 to 19, from 8 to 19 and from 15 to 19,
etc. As an illustration, a numerical range of "at least 1 amino
acid, preferably 1 to 78" should be interpreted to include not only
the explicitly recited values of 1 to 78, but also include
individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus,
included in this numerical range are individual values such as 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 . . . 75, 76, 77, 78, and sub-ranges
such as from 10 to 50, from 15 to 40, from 8 to 35, from 30 to 50,
and from 20 to 40, etc. This same principle applies to ranges
reciting only one numerical value. Furthermore, such an
interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range
or the characteristics being described.
Use of Lipopeptides in the Treatment of Liver Diseases
[0024] As discussed above, the present invention provides a
lipopeptide-based compound for use in the diagnosis, prevention
and/or treatment of a liver disease or condition.
[0025] Said liver disease or condition is related to sodium
taurocholate cotransporter polypeptide (NTCP)-mediated transport of
compounds into hepatocytes.
[0026] Preferably, said liver disease or condition that is related
to NTCP-mediated transport of compounds into hepatocytes, is a
liver involved metabolic disease selected from [0027] intrahepatic
cholestasis, [0028] poisoning of the liver (by liver
toxins)/hepatotoxicity, [0029] drug-induced cholestatic liver
disease, [0030] hyperlipidemia.
[0031] Lipopeptide-Based Compound
[0032] The lipopeptide-based compound preferably comprises: [0033]
(a) a peptide or amino acid sequence, [0034] (b) a hydrophobic or
lipid-modification, preferably at the peptide (a), [0035] (c)
optionally, a further moiety or further moieties.
[0036] Preferably, the peptide or amino acid sequence (a) has or
comprises the general formula
X--P--Y
wherein P is the amino acid sequence NPLGFXaaP SEQ. ID NO: 1,
[0037] (single letter amino acid code) [0038] wherein Xaa is an
arbitrary amino acid; preferably F or L, more preferably F [0039]
(thus, P is preferably NPLGFFP (amino acid positions 20-26 of SEQ
ID NO:2) or NPLGFLP (amino acid positions 8-14 of SEQ ID NO:21); X
is an amino acid sequence having a length of m amino acids, [0040]
wherein m is at least 4; Y is an amino sequence having a length of
n amino acids, [0041] wherein n is 0 or at least 1; and wherein
m+n.gtoreq.11.
[0042] The peptide or amino acid sequence (a) (having the general
formula X--P--Y) is preferably derived from the preS domain of
hepatitis B virus (HBV) (also designated "preS-peptide"). The
envelope of HBV encloses three proteins termed L (large), M
(middle) and S (small). They share the C-terminal S-domain with
four transmembrane regions. The M- and L-protein carry additional
N-terminal extensions of 55 and, genotype-dependent, 107 or 118
amino acids (preS2- and preS1).
[0043] A peptide or amino acid sequence (a) preferably refers to a
peptide with an amino acid sequence that corresponds to or is based
on the N-terminal extensions of the L-protein of HBV, preS1,
preferably of genotypes A to H as well as of woolly monkey (WMHBV),
orangutan, chimpanzee and gorilla hepatitis B viruses, but it also
refers to variants thereof, preferably C-terminally truncated
variants, amino acid substitution variants.
[0044] As an indispensable or essential sequence, the amino acid
residues being important for the binding of the lipopeptide-based
compounds of the present invention to NTCP, as set out in SEQ ID
NO: 1 (NPLGFXaaP) are present in the peptide/amino acid sequence
(a) of the lipopeptide-based compounds of the invention.
[0045] In particular, the peptides are based on the following
sequences (amino acids in single letter code; essential domain
underlined).
TABLE-US-00001 Essential domain (SEQ ID NO: 1): NPLGFXP (wherein X
or Xaa is an arbitrary amino acid, preferably F or L, more
preferably F) preS HBV-A (ID: M57663; SEQ ID NO: 2):
MGGWSSKPRKGMGTNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDPAFGANSNNPDWDFNPIKDHWPQANQVGVGA
FGPGFTPPHGGVLGWSPQAQGILATVPAMPPPASTNRQSGRQPTPISPPLRDSHPQA preS
HBV-B (ID: D00329, SEQ ID NO: 3)
MGGWSSKPRKGMGTNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDPAFKANSENPDWDLNPHKDNWPDAHKVGVGA
FGPGFTPPHGGLLGWSPQAQGILTSVPAAPPPASTNRQSGRQPTPLSPPLRDTHPQA preS
HBV-C (ID: AB048704, SEQ ID NO: 4)
MGGWSSKPRKGMGTNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDPAFKANSENPDWDLNPHKDNWPDAHKVGVGA
FGPGFTPPHGGLLGWSPQAQGILTSVPAAPPPASTNRQSGRQPTPLSPPLRDTHPQA preS
HBV-Chimpanzee (ID: AB032432, SEQ ID NO: 5)
MGQNLSTSNPLGFFPEHQLDPAFKANTNNPDWDFNPKKDYWPEANKVGAGAFGPGFTPPHGG
LLGWSPQAQGILTTLPANPPPASTNRQSGRQPIPLSPPLRDTHPQA preS HBV-D (ID:
AB048702, SEQ ID NO: 6)
MGQNLSTSNPLGFFPDHQLDPAFRANTNNPDWDFNPNKDTWPDANKVGAGAFGLGFTPPHGG
LLGWSPQAQGFQTLPANPPPASTNRQSGRQPTPLSPPLRTTHPQA preS HBV-E (ID:
X65657, SEQ ID NO: 7)
MGLSWTVPLEWGKNISTTNPLGFFPDHQLDPAFRANTRNPDWDHNPNKDHWTEANKVGVGAF
GPGFTPPHGGLLGWSPQAQGMLKTLPADPPPASTNRQSGRQPTPITPPLRDTHPQA preS HBV-F
(ID: X69798@8, SEQ ID NO: 8)
MGAPLSTTRRGMGQNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDPLFRANSSSPDWDFNTNKDSWPMANKVGVGG
YGPGFTPPHGGLLGWSPQAQGVLTTLPADPPPASTNRRSGRKPTPVSPPLRDTHPQA preS
HBV-G (ID: AF160501, SEQ ID NO: 9)
MGLSWTVPLEWGKNLSASNPLGFLPDHQLDPAFRANTNNPDWDFNPKKDPWPEANKVGVGAY
GPGFTPPHGGLLGWSPQSQGTLTTLPADPPPASTNRQSGRQPIPISPPLRDSHPQA HBV Gibbon
(ID: AJ131572, SEQ ID NO: 10)
MGQNHSVTNPLGFFPDHQLDPLFRANSNNPDWDFNPNKDTWPEATKVGVGAFGPGFTPPHGG
LLGWSPQAQGILTTLPAAPPPASTNRQSGRKATPISPPLRDTHPQA HBV-H (ID: Q8JMY6,
SEQ ID NO: 11)
MGAPLSTARRGMGQNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDPLFRANSSSPDWDFNTNKDNWPMANKVGVGG
FGPGFTPPHGGLLGWSPQAQGILTTSPPDPPPASTNRRSGRKPTPVSPPLRDTHPQA HBV
Orangutan (ID: AF 193864, SEQ ID NO: 12)
MGQNLSVSNPLGFFPEHQLDPLFRANTNNPDWDFNPNKDTWPEATKVGVGAFGPGFTPPHGG
LLGWSPQAQGVTTILPAVPPPASTNRQSGRQPTPISPPLRDTHPQA HBV Woolly Monkey
(ID: NC 001896, SEQ ID NO: 13)
MGLNQSTFPLGFFPSHQLDPLFKANAGSADWDKPKDPWPQAHDTAVGAFGPGLVPPHGGLLG
WSSQAQGLSVTVPDTPPPPSTNRDKGRKPTPATPPLRDTHPQA
[0046] There also exists a HBV preS consensus sequence (for amino
acid positions (-11) to 48) (SEQ ID NO: 14):
TABLE-US-00002 (-11) -M GGWSS TPRKG MGTNL SVPNP LGFFP DHQLD PAFRA
NSNNP DWDFN PNKDH WPEAN KVG-48
[0047] "Variants" are preferably N-terminally and/or C-terminally
truncated variants, amino acid substitution or deletion variants,
or prolonged variants of the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 2-14,
carrying a hydrophobic modification and wherein, optionally, one or
more further moiety or moieties is/are coupled to one or amino
acid(s) N- or C-terminal of the essential domain. Variants comprise
furthermore an amino acid sequence comprising modified amino
acid(s), unnatural amino acid(s) or peptidomimetic(s) or further
compounds which can mimic a peptide backbone/structure. Preferably,
variants are selected from C-terminally truncated variants of SEQ
ID NOs. 2 to 14; amino acid substitution or deletion variants;
variants comprising modified amino acid(s), unnatural amino acid(s)
or peptidomimetic(s) or further compounds which can mimic a peptide
backbone/structure.
[0048] Furthermore, the peptide or amino acid sequences are
preferably L-amino acid sequences, but can also comprise D-amino
acids or are D-amino acid sequences.
[0049] According to the invention, the peptide of the
lipopeptide-based compound comprises at least the amino acids
having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and can consist of 18, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,
55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71,
72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,
90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104,
105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117,
118 or 119 amino acids of the above SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 14, or
variants thereof.
[0050] N-terminally and/or C-terminally truncated variants comprise
preferably at least 18 consecutive amino acids, more preferably at
least 19 consecutive amino acids, even more preferably at least 20
and just even more preferably at least 21 consecutive amino acids
of SEQ ID NOs. 2 to 14 or variants thereof.
[0051] The N-terminal sequence X of the peptide having a length of
m amino acids comprises at least 4 amino acids (i.e. m is at least
4). Preferably, the N-terminal sequence X can consist of 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 amino acids.
That is, m may be 4 to 19.
[0052] In one embodiment, one or amino acid(s) of X have an amino
group in a side chain, which is/are preferably selected from
lysine, .alpha.-amino glycine, .alpha.,.gamma.-diaminobutyric acid,
ornithine, .alpha.,.beta.-diaminopropionic acid, more preferably
lysine. The amino acid(s) of X having an amino group in a side
chain, is/are preferably is/are located at the N-terminus of X,
wherein one to eleven (1-11), preferably one to three (1-3), amino
acids having an amino group in a side chain are located at the
N-terminus of X.
[0053] In one embodiment, the N-terminal sequence X preferably
comprises the sequence NX.sub.1SX.sub.2X.sub.3 (SEQ ID NO: 15),
wherein X.sub.1, X.sub.2 and, X.sub.3 may be arbitrary amino acids.
Preferably, X.sub.1 of SEQ ID NO: 15 is L, I or Q, more preferably
L. Preferably, X.sub.2 of SEQ ID NO: 15 is T, V, A or is not
present, preferably T or V, more preferably T. Preferably, X.sub.3
of SEQ ID NO: 15 is P, S, T or F, more preferably P or S, even more
preferably S. Preferably, the sequence NX.sub.1SX.sub.2X.sub.3 (SEQ
ID NO: 15) is directly attached to the N-terminus of the amino acid
sequence P (SEQ. ID NO: 1; NPLGFXaaP), resulting in a peptide
comprising the sequence NX.sub.1SX.sub.2X.sub.3NPLGFXaaP, wherein
X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and Xaa are defined as above.
[0054] The C-terminal sequence Y of the peptide having a length of
n amino acids comprises 0 or at least 1 amino acids (i.e. n=0 or n
is at least 1). Preferably, the C-terminal sequence Y can consist
of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,
35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,
52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68,
69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86,
87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92 or 93 amino acids. That is, n may be 0 to
93.
[0055] In one embodiment, the C-terminal sequence Y consists of at
least 4 amino acids (i.e. n is at least 4), which preferably has
the sequence X.sub.4HQLDP (SEQ ID NO: 16), wherein X.sub.4 is an
arbitrary amino acid. Preferably, X.sub.4 of SEQ ID NO: 16 is D, E
or S, more preferably D or E, even more preferably D. Preferably,
the sequence X.sub.4HQLDP (SEQ ID NO: 16) is directly attached to
the C-terminus of the amino acid sequence P (SEQ. ID NO: 1;
NPLGFXaaP), resulting in a peptide comprising the sequence
NPLGFXaaPX.sub.4HQLDP, wherein X.sub.4 and Xaa are defined as
above.
[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the peptide of the
lipopeptide-based compound of the present invention comprises a
peptide encoded by the amino acid sequence
NX.sub.1SX.sub.2X.sub.3NPLGFXaaP X.sub.4HQLDP (SEQ ID NO: 17),
wherein X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4 and Xaa are defined as
above.
[0057] The term "variant" also refers to the homologous sequences
found in the different viral species, strains or subtypes of the
hepadnavirus genus, such as HBV strain alpha, HBV strain LSH
(chimpanzee isolate), woolly monkey HBV (WMHBV), or strains
selected from the group consisting of the HBV genotypes A to H (see
SEQ ID NO: 2-13).
[0058] The term "variant" also refers to homologous sequences which
show at least 50% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence
comprising the invariant NPLGFXaaP-domain and the adjacent
sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2-14 or any other amino acid sequence
disclosed herein, preferably 70%, more preferably 80%, even more
preferably 90% or 95%.
[0059] Thus, a preferred peptide/amino acid sequence (a) according
to the invention comprises a variant of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 14 with an
amino acid sequence of the different viral species, strains or
subtypes, preferably of the genotypes of HBV or woolly monkey HBV
(WMHBV) or variants thereof.
[0060] "Variants" of SEQ ID NOS: 2 to 14 also comprise variants or
"analogues" comprising amino acid deletions, amino acid
substitutions, such as conservative or non-conservative replacement
by other amino acids or by isosteres (modified amino acids that
bear close structural and spatial similarity to protein amino
acids), amino acid additions or isostere additions, as long as the
sequence still binds to NTCP.
[0061] Conservative amino acid substitutions typically relate to
substitutions among amino acids of the same class. These classes
include, for example, [0062] amino acids having uncharged polar
side chains, such as asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine and
tyrosine; [0063] amino acids having basic side chains, such as
lysine, arginine, and histidine; [0064] amino acids having acidic
side chains, such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid; and [0065]
amino acids having nonpolar side chains, such as glycine, alanine,
valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine,
tryptophan, and cysteine.
[0066] As discussed above, the peptide or amino acid sequences (a)
are preferably L-amino acid sequences, but can also comprise
D-amino acids or are D-amino acid sequences.
[0067] Preferably, the peptide or amino acid sequence (a), X--P--Y
is selected from a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence
selected from
TABLE-US-00003 SEQ ID NO: 18 HBV preS/2-48 (genotype C), SEQ ID NO:
19 HBV preS/2-48 (genotype D), SEQ ID NO: 20 HBV preS/2-48
(consensus),
or
[0068] an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity
(preferably at least 95% or 99% identity) to the above
sequences
[0069] and variants thereof.
[0070] In this embodiment, m=7 and n=33 (m+n=40), resulting in a
peptide or amino acid sequence of 47 amino acids.
TABLE-US-00004 SEQ ID NO: 18 GTNL SVPNP LGFFP DHQLD PAFGA NSNNP
DWDFN PNKDH WPEAN KVG SEQ ID NO: 19 GQNL STSNP LGFFP DHQLD PAFRA
NTANP DWDFN PNKDT WPDAN KVG SEQ ID NO: 20 GTNL SVPNP LGFFP DHQLD
PAFRA NSNNP DWDFN PNKDH WPEAN KVG
[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the lipopeptide is Myrcludex
B:
(a) having the amino acid sequence of HBV preS/2-48 (genotype C)
with SEQ ID NO: 18.
[0072] The lipopeptide-based compound according to the invention
preferably comprises:
(b) a hydrophobic or lipid-modification, preferably at the peptide
(a).
[0073] Preferably, the peptide comprises a hydrophobic or
lipid-modification (b), such as at the N-terminus, the C-terminus
or at an amino acid side chain.
[0074] In one embodiment, the peptide is modified with at least one
hydrophobic moiety or group. In preferred embodiments of this
invention, the peptide is modified with 1, 2, 3, 4 or more
hydrophobic moiety/ies or group(s). That is, the peptide can be
modified with more than one hydrophobic moiety or group, such as 2.
The hydrophobic moieties or groups can be the same or different to
each other.
[0075] The hydrophobic modification is preferably selected from:
acylation and/or addition of hydrophobic moieties.
[0076] Preferably, the peptide comprises an N or C-terminal
hydrophobic modification (b).
[0077] An N-terminal hydrophobic modification is preferred.
[0078] "N-terminal" refers to the N-terminus of a peptide, thus in
a peptide with the general formula X--P--Y, it refers to the
N-terminus of X, i.e. the respective first amino acid residue, but
comprises also the hydrophobic modification in close proximity to
the N-terminus, such as respective amino acid residues (-4), (-3),
(-2), (-1), 1, 2 or 3 or 4. Thus, the coupling of the hydrophobic
modification can furthermore be obtained by an attachment of a
hydrophobic moiety at a site close to the N-terminus of X.
[0079] The hydrophobic modification of the lipopeptide-based
compound according to the present invention adds a hydrophobic
moiety, preferably to the peptide/amino acid sequence.
[0080] Acylation is preferably selected from acylation with
carboxylic acids, fatty acids, amino acids with lipophilic side
chains. Preferred fatty acids are saturated or unsaturated fatty
acids, branched or unbranched fatty acids, preferably with 8 to 22
carbon atoms (C 8 to C 22). More preferably, the hydrophobic
modification by acylation is selected from acylation with myristoyl
(C 14), palmitoyl (C 16) or stearoyl (C 18). Modification by
myristoylation is preferred in in vivo and medicinal applications
due to its higher safety, e.g. not showing the adverse effects of
the stearoyl group (innate immune response etc).
[0081] The addition of hydrophobic moieties is preferably selected
from addition of cholesterol, derivatives of cholesterol,
phospholipids, glycolipids, glycerol esters, steroids, ceramids,
isoprene derivatives, adamantane, farnesol, aliphatic groups,
polyaromatic compounds, oleic acid, bile salts or bile salt
conjugates, more preferably oleic acid, cholesterol, bile salts or
bile salt conjugates. The attachment of the hydrophobic moieties is
preferably by covalent binding, which can be achieved via
carbamate, amide, ether, disulfide or any other linkage that is
within the skill of the person skilled in the art.
[0082] Thus, the peptide/amino acid sequences (a) are preferably
hydrophobically modified, preferably acylated and, thus, preferably
lipopeptides due to their lipophilic or hydrophobic
group/moiety.
[0083] In one embodiment, the peptide or amino acid sequence (a)
has or comprises the general formula
X--P--Y--R.sub.o
wherein P, X, and Y are as defined above and R is a C-terminal
modification of said hydrophobic modified peptide, [0084] which is
preferably a moiety that protects from degradation selected from
amide, D-amino acid, modified amino acid, cyclic amino acid,
albumin, natural and synthetic polymer, such as PEG, glycane,
[0085] o is 0 or at least 1.
[0086] The C-terminal modification (R) of Y is preferably a
modification with a moiety that protects from degradation, such as
in vivo degradation.
[0087] "C-terminal" refers to the modification at the C-terminus,
i.e. the respective last amino acid residue, but comprises also the
modification in close proximity to the C-terminus, such as the last
but one amino acid residue, the last but two amino acid residue or
more amino acid residues (e.g. introduction of one D-amino acid
that protects the carrier from enzymatic degradation e.g. by the
action of carboxypeptidases). The skilled artisan will be able to
select the respective suitable moiety(s) depending on the
respective application. Preferred moieties that protect from
degradation are selected from amides, D-amino acids, modified amino
acids, cyclic amino acids, albumin, natural and synthetic polymers,
such as PEG, glycane. Furthermore, o is 0 or at least 1, i.e. the
C-terminal modification (R) is optional. Preferably, o is 1. In
further embodiments of this invention o is 1, 2, 3, 4 or more. That
is, the C-terminus or its proximity can be modified with more than
one moiety or group, such as 2. The moieties or groups can be the
same or different to each other.
[0088] In one embodiment, the preferred C-terminal modification is
an amide.
[0089] In an embodiment of this invention the hydrophobic
modification and/or R are linked to the peptide via a linker or
spacer. Linker or spacer are known to the skilled artisan, such as
polyalanine, polyglycin, carbohydrates, (CHa)n groups. The skilled
artisan will, thus, be able to select the respective suitable
linker(s) or spacer(s) depending on the respective application.
[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the lipopeptide is Myrcludex B
having
(a) the amino acid sequence of HBV preS/2-48 (genotype C) with SEQ
ID NO. 18; (b) an N-terminal myristoylation (c) a C-terminal
amide.
TABLE-US-00005 Myr- GTNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDPAFGANSNNPDWDFNPNKDHWPEANK
VG-amide
[0091] In one embodiment, the lipopeptide-based compound according
to the invention comprises
(c) a further moiety or moieties.
[0092] Such further moieties can be [0093] drug(s) or their
respective prodrug(s); [0094] tag(s); [0095] label(s), such as
fluorescent dye(s), radioisotope(s) and contrast agent(s); [0096]
recombinant virus(s) or derivative(s) thereof; [0097] carrier or
depot(s) for drug(s), prodrug(s) or label(s); [0098] immunogenic
epitope(s); [0099] hormones (peptide hormones, steroid hormones,
monoamines, amino acid derivatives, eicosanoids).
[0100] In one embodiment, the further moiety or moieties are
covalently attached to the lipopeptide-compound (preferably to the
peptide), such as via linker, spacer and/or anchor group(s).
[0101] The lipopeptide-based compounds can further contain anchor
group(s) that can serve as an additional point(s) of attachment for
further moieties (such as compound, tag, label) and can be located
at an amino acid of Y.
[0102] An anchor group can be at an amino acid side chain or can be
the amino acid side chain itself, i.e. the anchor group can be a
side chain itself or a modified side chain. The anchor group can
also be a modified amino acid residue which was introduced into the
amino acid sequence of the lipopeptide to serve as an anchor group.
In other embodiments of the invention the anchor group A is
attached to the hydrophobic modification and/or the C-terminal
modification R.
[0103] Preferred anchor groups are selected from ester, ether,
disulfide, amide, thiol, thioester. The skilled artisan will be
able to select the respective suitable anchor group(s) depending on
the respective further moiety to be attached. The anchor group can
furthermore be suitable for attaching a complex-forming component,
such as of the biotin/avidin, polyarginine/oligonucleotide (e.g.
siRNA) complex. In some embodiments, there are more than one anchor
group, such as 2, 3, 4 or more, such as 2. The anchor groups can be
the same or different to each other, allowing the attachment of
several further moieties.
[0104] In one embodiment, the further moiety/moieties is/are
contrast agent(s) which are coupled via a chelating agent.
[0105] Thereby, the contrast agent is bound/coupled in the form of
a complex with a chelating agent being able to form complexes with
the respective contrast agent.
[0106] Such chelating agent can be 1,4,7,
10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N,N'-tetraacetic acid (DOTA),
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA),
1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA),
triethylenetetramine (TETA), iminodiacetic acid,
Diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N',N''-pentaacetic acid (DTP A) and
6-Hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid (HYNIC), such as preferably
DOTA.
[0107] Examples of contrast agents are paramagnetic agents, e.g.
Gd, Eu, W and Mn, preferably complexed with a chelating agent.
Further options are supramagnetic iron (Fe) complexes and
particles, compounds containing atoms of high atomic number, i.e.
iodine for computer tomography (CT), microbubbles (such as for
contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)) and carriers such as liposomes
that contain these contrast agents.
[0108] The peptides of the invention can be prepared by a variety
of procedures readily known to those skilled in the art, in general
by synthetic chemical procedures and/or genetic engineering
procedures. Synthetic chemical procedures include more particularly
the solid phase sequential and block synthesis. More details can be
taken from WO 2009/092612.
[0109] NTCP
[0110] Sodium/bile acid cotransporter also known as the
sodium/Na.sup.+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a
protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC10A1 (solute carrier
family 10 member 1) gene.
[0111] Sodium/bile acid cotransporters are integral membrane
glycoproteins that participate in the enterohepatic circulation of
bile acids. Two homologous transporters are involved in the
reabsorption of bile acids, one absorbing from the intestinal
lumen, the bile duct, and the kidney with an apical localization
(SLC10A2), and the other sodium-dependent cotransporter being found
in the basolateral membranes of hepatocytes (SLC10A1).
[0112] Bile formation is an important function of the liver. Bile
salts are a major constituent of bile and are secreted by
hepatocytes into bile and delivered into the small intestine, where
they assist in fat digestion. In the liver, hepatocytes take up
bile salts (mainly via NTCP) and secrete them again into bile
(mainly via the bile salt export pump (BSEP)) for ongoing
enterohepatic circulation. Uptake of bile salts into hepatocytes
occurs largely in a sodium-dependent manner by the sodium
taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide NTCP. The transport
properties of NTCP have been extensively characterized. It is an
electrogenic member of the solute carrier family of transporters
(SLC10A1) and transports predominantly bile salts and sulfated
compounds, but is also able to mediate transport of additional
substrates, such as thyroid hormones, drugs and toxins. It is
highly regulated under physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions.
Regulation of NTCP copes with changes of bile salt load to
hepatocytes and prevents entry of cytotoxic amounts of bile salts
during liver disease.
[0113] For a review of bile salt transporters, see also Trauner and
Boyer (2003).
[0114] For NTCP a large range of substrates could be detected, it
transports unconjugated as well as taurine-conjugated and
glycine-conjugated bile acids (Hagenbuch & Meier, 1994), also
sulfated bile acids and, in contrast to the apical sodium dependent
bile acid transporter (ASBT), also steroid sulfates (Craddock et al
1998; Kramer et al, 1999; Schroeder et al 1998), and thyroid
hormones (Friesema et al, 1999). Drugs like rosuvastatin (Ho et
al., 2006) and micafungin (Yanni et al., 2010) have also been shown
to have affinity for NTCP. Recent data show FDA-approved drugs that
are identified as inhibitors of NTCP (Dong et al., 2013). Most of
them are antifungal, antihyperlipidemic (simvastatin),
antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, or glucocorticoid drugs.
[0115] Preferably, the compounds which are transported into
hepatocytes via NTCP are [0116] bile acids [0117] such as cholate
[0118] taurine- or glycine conjugated bile acids and salts thereof
[0119] (taurine- or glycine conjugated dihydroxy and trihydroxy
bile salts) [0120] such as [0121] taurocholate [0122] glycocholate
[0123] taurodeoxycholate [0124] taurochenodeoxycholate [0125]
tauroursodeoxycholate [0126] sulfated bile acids and salts thereof
[0127] steroides [0128] steroide sulfates [0129] estrogen
conjugates (e.g. estrone-3-sulfate,
17.alpha.-ethinylestradiol-3-O-sulfate) [0130]
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [0131] conjugated and non-conjugated
thyroid hormones [0132] liver toxins [0133] compounds that are
covalently bound to taurocholate (e.g. chlorambucil-taurocholate)
[0134] bromosulphophthalein, [0135] drugs [0136] such as [0137]
antifungal (e.g. micafungin), [0138] antihyperlipidemic (e.g.
simvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, fluvastatin, [0139]
atorvastatin), [0140] antihypertensive, [0141] anti-inflammatory,
or [0142] glucocorticoid drugs.
[0143] Preferably, said liver disease or condition that is related
to NTCP-mediated transport of compounds into hepatocytes, is a
liver involved metabolic disease selected from [0144] intrahepatic
cholestasis, [0145] poisoning of the liver (by liver
toxins)/hepatotoxicity, [0146] drug-induced cholestatic liver
disease, [0147] hyperlipidemia, [0148] posthepatic cholestasis.
[0149] A "liver involved metabolic disease" when used herein refers
to metabolic disorders including visceral obesity, diabetes
mellitus and dyslipidemia which are influenced by the liver
metabolism of lipids and bile acids.
[0150] In general, "cholestasis" is a condition where bile
constituents cannot be secreted from hepatocytes into the biliary
tree or where bile cannot flow from the liver to the duodenum,
resulting in hepatocyte bile acid accumulation within
hepatocytes.
[0151] "Cholestasis" or "intrahepatic cholestasis" when used herein
refers to intrahepatic toxic effects of hepatocyte bile acid
accumulation related to an insufficient expression and/or activity
of bile salt pumps (like BSEP or MRP) in the canalicular
membrane.
[0152] "Posthepatic cholestasis" when used herein refers to a
cholestatic liver disease due to obstruction of the large bile
ducts.
[0153] "Poisoning of the liver" or "hepatotoxicity" or "toxic liver
disease" when used herein refer to toxic effects of drugs
independent of bile acid accumulation. These drugs penetrate the
hepatocytes via the NTCP-mediated transport and cause several
direct toxic effects, by damaging the mitochondria or by activating
enzymes in the cytochrome P-450 system leading to oxidative
stress.
[0154] "Drug-induced cholestatic liver disease" when used herein
refers to inhibition of the export of bile acids from hepatocytes
due to drug effects on bile salt export pump (BSEP).
[0155] Drug-induced cholestasis may be caused by several drugs
which inhibit BSEP, such as rifampicin, cyclosporine A, rifamycin
SV, bosentan, troglitazone, erythromycin estolate, and
glibenclamide (Fattinger et al., 2001; Funk et al., 2001; Funk et
al., 2001; Stieger et al., 2000; Dawson et al., 2012; Morgan et
al., 2010; Ogimura et al., 2011). BSEP is a member of the
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of transporters (BSEP is also
identified as ABCB11) and it is involved in the process of
exporting bile acids out of hepatocytes, thus reducing their
toxicity to these cells. The above mentioned drugs cause the toxic
effects of excess bile acid accumulation because the excretion of
bile acid via BSEP is disabled. Inhibition of NTCP-mediated bile
acid uptake via the lipopeptide-based compound (such as MyrB) and
NTCP counterbalances BSEP inhibition, and thereby prevents
hepatotoxicity or is suitable for treatment and/or diagnosis.
[0156] "Hyperlipidemia" (or hyperlipoproteinemia, or
hyperlipidemia) involves abnormally elevated levels of any or all
lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood.
[0157] Hyperlipidemias are divided in primary and secondary
subtypes. Primary hyperlipidemia is usually due to genetic causes
(such as a mutation in a receptor protein), while secondary
hyperlipidemia arises due to other underlying causes such as
diabetes. Lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities are common in the
general population, and are regarded as a modifiable risk factor
for cardiovascular disease due to their influence on
atherosclerosis.
[0158] "Hypercholesterolemia" (or hypercholesterolaemia) is the
presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is a form
of "hyperlipidemia".
[0159] "Hyperlipidemia" when used herein preferably refers to
hypercholesterolemia which includes elevated LDL cholesterol,
reduced HDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, clogged arteries
leading to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart
attacks and strokes.
[0160] Preferably, the NTCP-mediated transport is decreased or
blocked by the lipopeptide-based compound.
[0161] The inventors have found that the lipopeptide MyrB
interferes with NTCP-mediated bile salt transport. In particular,
MyrB inhibits NTCP-mediated bile salt transport.
[0162] Thereby, the K.sub.i for transporter inactivation (K.sub.i
for rNTCP.about.4 nM) is much higher compared to the IC.sub.50
observed for HBV/HDV infection inhibition (80 pM), which coincides
with the finding that HBV infection can already been blocked at
concentrations below receptor saturation (Schulze et al., 2010). A
plausible explanation is the assumption that similar to other
viruses the L-protein/hNTCP complex has to multimerize. Binding of
MyrB to a single subunit could abrogate virus entry whereas
substrate transport may continue. This assumption is supported by
reports demonstrating oligomerization of NTCP (Doring et al.,
2012).
[0163] Preferably, the lipopeptide-based compound is administered
in a therapeutically effective amount.
[0164] A "therapeutically effective amount" of a lipopeptide-based
compound of this invention refers to the amount that is sufficient
to block or inhibit the NTCP-mediated bile salt transport.
[0165] A "therapeutically effective amount" of a lipopeptide-based
compound of this invention further refers to the amount that is
sufficient to diagnose, prevent and/or treat the respective liver
disease or disorder. The preferred therapeutically effective amount
depends on the respective compound that is to be delivered and its
respective therapeutic potential.
[0166] The lipopeptide-based compound is preferably used in a
concentration such that a K.sub.i of about 1 to 10 nM is reached at
the target site, i.e. NTCP site (hepatocytes).
[0167] In particular, in order to inhibit substrate transport the
lipopeptide-based compound is preferably used in a dose such that
the concentration at the target site is above the K.sub.i of about
1 to 10 nM.
[0168] In case of an IC.sub.50 value of the lipopeptide-based
compound used of about 10 nM, a preferred therapeutically effective
amount is about 100 .mu.g per kg body weight or in the range of 1
to 5 mg per patient. The preferred therapeutically effective amount
in the range of 1 to 5 mg per patient can be administered once a
day or in other embodiments only once every 2-3 days, depending on
stability and metabolism of the compound used and the turnover of
the complex of NTCP/compound.
[0169] A therapeutically effective amount is preferably a daily
dosage or a daily administration in the range of [0170] from about
0.1 mg to about 50 mg per patient, i.e. from about 0.0014 mg/kg
body weight to about 0.7 mg/kg body weight, [0171] preferably from
about 1 mg to about 20 mg per patient, i.e. from about 0.014 mg/kg
body weight to about 0.28 mg/kg body weight.
[0172] The skilled artisan will be able to determine suitable
therapeutically effective amounts.
[0173] Preferably, the route of administration or application of
the present invention is selected from subcutaneous, intravenous,
oral, nasal, intramuscular, transdermal, inhalative, by
suppository.
[0174] A preferred embodiment for nasal administration or
application is a nasal spray.
[0175] In one embodiment, the lipopeptide-based compound of the
present invention is dissolved in serum from the patient and is
applied via injection.
[0176] The preferred therapeutically effective amount depends on
the respective application and desired outcome of inhibition,
diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment.
[0177] The lipopeptide-based compounds can be administered/applied
in form of pharmaceutical compositions comprising: [0178] at least
one lipopeptide-based compound as defined herein above; and [0179]
optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or
excipient.
[0180] Such pharmaceutical compositions are very well suited for
all the uses and methods described herein.
[0181] A "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient" refers
to any vehicle wherein or with which the pharmaceutical
compositions may be formulated. It includes a saline solution such
as phosphate buffer saline. In general, a diluent or carrier is
selected on the basis of the mode and route of administration, and
standard pharmaceutical practice.
Lipopeptides for Use in the Control of the Cholesterol Level and in
Cardiovascular Diseases
[0182] As discussed above, the present invention provides a
lipopeptide-based compound for use in the control or modification
of the cholesterol level or cholesterol uptake.
[0183] The cholesterol level or uptake is controlled or modified by
decreasing or blocking the NCTP-mediated bile salt transport by the
lipopeptide-based compound as defined in this application.
[0184] As discussed above, the present invention provides a
lipopeptide-based compound for use in the diagnosis, prevention
and/or treatment of a cardiovascular disease (CVD).
[0185] Said uses comprises the control or modification of the
cholesterol level or cholesterol uptake, wherein the cholesterol
level or uptake is controlled or modified by decreasing or blocking
the NCTP-mediated bile salt transport by the lipopeptide-based
compound as defined in this application.
[0186] Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of
morbidity and death in the western world. High levels of
cholesterol have been associated with CVD as one of the rise
factors. Of particular importance clinically is the abnormal
deposition of cholesterol and cholesterol-rich lipoproteins in the
coronary arteries. Such deposition, eventually leading to
atherosclerosis, is the leading contributory factor in diseases of
the coronary arteries. In this case the management of CVD is
critical dependent on lipid-lowering therapies. Different classes
of drugs are available for this purpose, such as statins,
cholesterol absorption inhibitors, bile acid resins, fibrates and
nicotinic acid that act by reducing the levels of cholesterol by
distinct pathways (Schmitz & Langmann, 2006). These drugs have
several side effects and depend on the relative levels of the
metabolizing enzymes and transporters that act on cardiovascular
drugs.
[0187] The main control of cholesterol metabolism is caused by bile
acid as an important regulator of cholesterol homeostasis. The
levels of bile acid and cholesterol are linked by the regulation of
cholesterol metabolism and absorption. The synthesis of the bile
acids is the major pathway of cholesterol catabolism in mammals,
because the end products of cholesterol utilization are the bile
acids. The major pathway for the synthesis of the bile acids is
initiated via hydroxylation of cholesterol at the 7 position via
the action of cholesterol 7.alpha.-hydroxylase (CYP7A1).
[0188] That means that the synthesis of bile acids is one of the
predominant mechanisms for the excretion of excess cholesterol.
Under physiological conditions this regulation is insufficient to
compensate for an excess intake of cholesterol. However, if bile
acid uptake into hepatocytes is blocked, the excretion of
cholesterol in the form of bile acids will be sufficient to
compensate for an excess dietary intake of cholesterol. Blocking
bile acid uptake via the lipopeptide-based compound according to
the invention and NTCP leads to intracellular deficiency of bile
acid which is compensated by increased cholesterol metabolism and
absorption.
[0189] Thus, according to the invention, the lipopeptide-based
compounds are suitable for lipid-lowering therapies to prevent
CVD.
Assay for NTCP-Mediated Transport of Test Compound(s)
[0190] As discussed above, the present invention provides an in
vitro and in vivo assay or method for testing or measuring the
NTCP-mediated transport of test compound(s).
[0191] Said in vitro and in vivo assay or method comprises the
steps of
(a) providing test compound(s) and a lipopeptide-based compound as
defined herein; (b) providing a test system for functional and
selective NTCP expression, which includes measurement of bile acid
transport by NTCP; (c) adding the test compound(s), either together
with or without the lipopeptide-based compound, to the NTCP test
system of (b); (d) determining whether the test compound(s) are
transported via NTCP by comparing the results of step (b) and (c)
each with or without the addition of the lipopeptide-based
compound, wherein a test compound is considered being transported
via NTCP when the compound(s) decrease, block or inhibit bile salt
transport by NTCP (competitive transport) or when the transport of
the compound(s) can be decreased, blocked or inhibited by the
addition of the lipopeptide-based compound.
[0192] The skilled artisan will be able to determine and apply a
suitable test system or test model.
[0193] Such a suitable test system comprises the functional and
selective NTCP expression and thus a functional NTCP transport,
which can selectively be blocked/inhibited by a lipopeptide-based
compound of the invention (such as MyrB). It can be one or more of
the following [0194] a transgenic cell line expressing a functional
NTCP, [0195] an transgenic animal expressing a functional NTCP.
[0196] Examples for suitable in vitro test systems or test models
are: [0197] hepatocyte and hepatoma cell lines stably transduced
with an NTCP-encoding lentivirus, as described in the examples and
as described in the U.S. Provisional application 61/725,144 filed
Nov. 12, 2012.
[0198] Examples for suitable in vivo test systems or test models
are: [0199] isolated perfused liver, e.g. mouse or rat, as
described in vom Dahl et al., 1991 or Schulz et al., 1991; [0200]
transgenic mouse, as described in the example and as described in
the U.S. Provisional application 61/725,144 filed Nov. 12,
2012.
Methods for the Treatment of Liver Diseases
[0201] As discussed above, the present invention provides a method
for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a liver disease
or condition.
[0202] Said liver disease or condition is related to sodium
taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP)-mediated transport
of compounds into hepatocytes.
[0203] The method of the invention comprises the step of
administering a therapeutically effective amount of a
lipopeptide-based compound to a patient.
[0204] The lipopeptide-based compound is preferably as defined in
this application.
[0205] Preferably, and as discussed above, said liver disease or
condition that is related to NTCP-mediated transport of compounds
into hepatocytes, is a liver involved metabolic disease selected
from [0206] intrahepatic cholestasis, [0207] poisoning of the liver
(by liver toxins)/hepatotoxicity, [0208] drug-induced cholestatic
liver disease, [0209] hyperlipidemia, [0210] posthepatic
cholestasis.
[0211] Preferably, and as discussed above, the compounds which are
transported into hepatocytes via NTCP are [0212] bile acids [0213]
such as cholate [0214] taurine- or glycine conjugated bile acids
and salts thereof [0215] (taurine- or glycine conjugated dihydroxy
and trihydroxy bile salts) [0216] such as [0217] taurocholate
[0218] glycocholate [0219] taurodeoxycholate [0220]
taurochenodeoxycholate [0221] tauroursodeoxycholate [0222] sulfated
bile acids and salts thereof [0223] steroides [0224] steroide
sulfates [0225] estrogen conjugates (e.g. estrone-3-sulfate,
17.alpha.-ethinylestradiol-3-O-sulfate) [0226]
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [0227] conjugated and non-conjugated
thyroid hormones [0228] liver toxins [0229] compounds that are
covalently bound to taurocholate (e.g. chlorambucil-taurocholate)
[0230] bromosulphophthalein, [0231] drugs [0232] such as [0233]
antifungal (e.g. micafungin), [0234] antihyperlipidemic (e.g.
simvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, fluvastatin,
atorvastatin), [0235] antihypertensive, [0236] anti-inflammatory,
or [0237] glucocorticoid drugs.
[0238] In one embodiment, as discussed above, the NCTP-mediated
transport is decreased or blocked by the lipopeptide-based
compound.
[0239] Preferably, and as discussed above, the therapeutically
effective amount of the lipopeptide-based compound is in the range
of from about 0.1 mg to about 50 mg per patient and per day,
preferably from about 1 mg to about 20 mg per patient per day.
Methods for Controlling the Cholesterol Level and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Diseases
[0240] As discussed above, the present invention provides a method
for the control or modification of the cholesterol level or
cholesterol uptake.
[0241] The cholesterol level or uptake is controlled or modified by
decreasing or blocking the NCTP-mediated bile salt transport (by
the lipopeptide-based compound).
[0242] The method of the invention comprises the step of
administering a therapeutically effective amount of a
lipopeptide-based compound to a patient.
[0243] The lipopeptide-based compound is preferably as defined in
this application.
[0244] As discussed above, the present invention provides a method
for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a cardiovascular
disease (CVD),
comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a
lipopeptide-based compound, preferably as defined in any of claims
5 to 9, to a patient.
[0245] Thereby, the cholesterol level or uptake is preferably
controlled or modified by decreasing or blocking the NCTP-mediated
bile salt transport by the lipopeptide-based compound as defined in
this application.
[0246] NTCP-mediated blocking bile acid uptake enables to an
elevated cholesterol turn over via hepatocytes. Hence LDL
cholesterol will be reduced and HDL cholesterol will be
elevated.
[0247] As a consequence the risk of clogged arteries leading to
high blood pressure, CVD heart attacks and strokes will be
minimized.
Further Description of the Invention
[0248] The inventors show that the lipopeptide Myrcludex B (MyrB)
interferes with NTCP-mediated bile salt transport.
TABLE-US-00006 MyrB: Myr-
GTNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDPAFGANSNNPDWDFNPNKDHWPEANK VG-amide
[0249] Functional analyses of the NTCP/SLC10A receptor revealed
that:
(i) human NTCP (hNTCP) binds MyrB; (ii) NTCP-substrates interfere
with HBV infection; (iii) MyrB inhibits NTCP-mediated bile salt
transport.
[0250] MyrB is an interesting novel drug to target NTCP, but also
to study its function in vivo.
[0251] Remarkably, the K.sub.i for transporter inactivation (K; for
rNTCP.about.4 nM) is much higher compared to the IC.sub.50 observed
for HBV/HDV infection inhibition (80 pM) (Schulze et al., 2010).
This coincides with the finding that HBV infection can already been
blocked at concentrations below receptor saturation (Schulze et
al., 2010). A plausible explanation is the assumption that similar
to other viruses the L-protein/hNTCP complex has to multimerize. If
only one subunit bound MyrB, entry may be abrogated although
substrate transport may progress. This assumption is supported by
reports demonstrating oligomerization of NTCP (Doring et al.,
2012). The observation that natural substrates of NTCP, when
applied at high concentrations (FIGS. 2C and D) interfere with MyrB
binding and HBV infection indicate that sodium driven transport is
coupled to effective HBV entry.
[0252] The following examples and drawings illustrate the present
invention without, however, limiting the same thereto.
EXAMPLES
1. Methods
[0253] 1.1 Plasmids: hNTCP cDNA (Origene, USA) and mNtcp cDNA (Rose
et al., 2011) were subcloned into the puromycin co-expressing
lentiviral vector pWPI-puro. hNTCP, mNtcp and h/mNtcp chimera were
generated by overlapping PCR and introduced into pWPI-GFP. 1.2
Cells: Lentiviruses were produced and used to transduce hNTCP into
human (HepaRG, HepG2, HuH7), mouse (Hepa1-6, Hep56.1D) and the rat
hepatoma cell line TC5123. The respective mock transduced cells
were used as controls. To generate stable cell lines, selection
with 2.5 .mu.g/ml puromycin was achieved. Differentiation of
transduced HepaRG was induced by DMSO as described (Gripon et al.,
2002). HepG2-rNTCP and HepG2-rNTCP-eGFP cell line have been
described previously for expression of rat Ntcp with or without
fused eGFP (Stross et al., 2010).
1.3 Synthesis and Labeling of Peptides
[0254] Synthesis of MyrB and the MyrB mutant and the control
peptide preS2-78myr was performed by solid phase synthesis (Schieck
et al., 2013). Labelling was achieved by coupling
atto565-NHS-ester/atto488-NHS-ester (ATTO-TEC, Germany) to the
lysine residues of the peptides. Monolabelled peptides were pooled
after HPLC purification and stock solutions (100 .mu.M) were
prepared and stored at -80.degree. C.
TABLE-US-00007 MyrB SEQ ID NO: 18 Myr -
GTNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDPAFGANSNNPDWDFNPNKDHWPEAN KVG - amide mutant
MyrB.sup.Ala11-15 SEQ ID NO: 21 Myr -
GTNLSVPNPAAAAADHQLDPAFGANSNNPDWDFNPNKDHWPEAN KVG - amide
preS2-78myr SEQ ID NO: 22 Myr-
gqnlstsnplgffpdhqldpafrantanpdwdfnpnkdtwpdankvgaga
fglgftpphggllgwspqaqgilqtlp
1.4 Flow Cytometry: Cells were incubated for 30 min at 37.degree.
C. in medium containing 200 nM MyrB.sup.atto or the
MyrB.sup.atto-mutant. Cells were washed (PBS/1% BSA), trypsinized,
and suspended in Krebs-Henseleit-Buffer. Flow cytometry was
performed on a FACS Canto II (BD Bioscience, Heidelberg, Germany);
FlowJo v7.61 software (Treestar, Ashton, USA) was used for
analysis. Compensation was performed using BD Compbeats (BD
Bioscience, Heidelberg, Germany). 1.5 IF: Cells were grown on
coverslips (see Meier et al., 2012) washed and incubated with 400
nM MyrB (37.degree. C.; 30 min). Cells were washed again
(3.times.PBS/2% BSA), fixed with PFA, washed with PBS/1 ug/ml
Hoechst 3342 and mounted (FluoromountG). NTCP immune staining was
achieved after permeabilisation (10 min/RT) with TritonX 100 using
a .alpha.-SCL10A1/NTCP antibody (Sigma, Germany) diluted 1:750 in
PBS/2% BSA (18 h at 4.degree. C.). A polyclonal rabbit antiserum
H863 was used for HBcAg-staining, a polyclonal rabbit antiserum for
MRP-2 detection, patient-derived serum (M. Roggendorf, Essen) for
H.delta.Ag. As secondary antibodies goat anti-rabbit or -human,
labelled with either AlexaFluor488 or AlexaFluor546 (Invitrogen)
was used. Actin staining was performed by the addition of
atto633-labelled Phalloidin diluted 1:2000 (ATTO-Tec, Germany) to
the second staining step. Images were taken on a Leica DM IRB or
Leica SP2 confocal microscope (Leica, Germany), image analysis was
performed using ImageJ. 1.6 Taurocholate uptake assay: HepG2-rNtcp
cells were used for studying [3H] TC uptake as described before
(Kubitz et al., 2004). Briefly, HepG2-rNtcp cells were cultured for
12 h (in D-MEM/Ham's F12 w. 10% FCS medium containing G418 for
selection) were preincubated with increasing concentrations of MyrB
for 20 min before addition of TC (150 .mu.M containing 450 cpm/fmol
[3H]TC). Uptake was stopped after 5 min by removing the medium and
washing thrice with ice-cold PBS. Cells were lysed (0.2 M NaOH and
0.05% SDS). Radioactivity of cell lysates was measured in a liquid
scintillation counter (Packard instruments, Frankfurt, Germany)
using Ultima Gold liquid scintillation solution (Perkin Elmer,
Rodgau, Germany). 1.7 Western Blotting: Whole cell lysates were
treated with PNGase F (New England Biolabs) and analyzed by Western
blot using rabbit anti-hNTCP antibody (Sigma-Aldrich, or the
anti-serum K9. 2. Binding of Lipopeptide MyrB to hNTCP
[0255] To assess whether expression of hNTCP facilitates
MyrB-binding, HuH7-, HepG2-, HepaRG- and the two mouse hepatoma
cells Hepa1-6 and Hep56.1D were stably transduced with an
hNTCP-encoding lentivirus. hNTCP expression was verified by Western
Blot (FIG. 1A). HuH7.sup.hNTCP, HepG2.sup.hNTCP, Hepa1-6.sup.hNTCP
and Hep56.1D.sup.hNTCP express comparable amounts of hNTCP.
HepaRG.sup.hNTCP-expression was higher for unknown reasons. No
hNTCP was detected in mock-transduced cells. To examine whether
hNTCP-expression renders HuH7.sup.hNTCP, HepG2.sup.hNTCP and
HepaRG.sup.hNTCP cells capable of binding HBVpreS we analysed cell
association of atto-dye-labeled MyrB (MyrB.sup.atto) by
fluorescence microscopy (FIG. 1B) and flow cytometry (FIG. 1C).
Specificity was controlled through MyrB-competition and the
MyrB.sup.attoAla11-15 mutant. hNTCP-expression resulted in specific
MyrB-binding indicating a valid role of hNTCP as an
HBVpreS-specific receptor.
[0256] Since hepatocytes from some non-HBV susceptible species
(mice(m), rats(r)) bind MyrB (Meier et al., 2012) and accumulate
the peptide in the liver after injection (Schieck et al., 2013), we
expected that mNtcp and rNtcp also bind MyrB. We therefore used
HepG2.sup.mNtcp cells and HepG2 cells expressing a
ratNTCP-eGFP-fusion and analysed MyrB.sup.atto binding. We verified
specific and compatible binding of MyrB.sup.atto to both cell lines
(FIGS. 1D and E). Taking advantage of the fluorescence of the
ratNTCP-eGFP fusion, we confirmed co-localisation of the
MyrB/rNtcp-complex in microvilli.
3. Inhibition of Bile Salt Transport
3.1 Lipopeptide MyrB Inhibits the Bile Salt Transporter Function of
NTCP.
[0257] The mere size of MyrB as a specific ligand for some NTCPs
suggests that several contact sites are involved in binding. To
test whether MyrB therefore interferes with the bile salt
transporter function of NTCPs, we analysed interference of MyrB
with uptake of 3H-labeled taurocholate in Flag-rNtcp-eGFP
expressing HepG2 cell lines. MyrB inhibited rNtcp with an IC.sub.50
of 4 nM (FIG. 2A). Remarkably, the IC.sub.50s for inhibition of HBV
infection (.about.100 pM) and of bile salt transport (.about.5 nM)
differ substantially which relates to observations that infection
inhibition does not require binding saturation of NTCP (Schulze et
al., 2010).
[0258] We furthermore analysed interference of MyrB with uptake of
3H-labeled taurocholate in Flag-hNtcp-eGFP expressing HepG2 cell
lines in comparison to two control peptides: mutant
MyrB.sup.Ala1-15 (a mutant with Ala mutations in the region
9-NPLGFFP-15 (amino acid positions 20-26 of SEQ ID NO:2), namely
9-NPAAAAA-15 (amino acid positions 8-14 of SEQ ID NO:21)) and
preS2-78myr (see FIG. 2B).
TABLE-US-00008 mutant MyrB.sup.Ala11-15 SEQ ID NO: 21 Myr -
GTNLSVPNPAAAAADHQLDPAFGANSNNPDWDFNPNKDHWPEAN KVG - amide
preS2-78myr SEQ ID NO: 22 Myr-
gqnlstsnplgffpdhgldpafrantanpdwdfnpnkdtwpdankygaga
fglgftpphggllgwspqaqgilqtlp
3.2 NTCP substrates taurocholate (TC), taurodeoxycholate (TDC) and
Taurochenodeoxy-Cholate (TCDC) Inhibit HBV Infection.
[0259] To test if natural substrates of NTCP affect HBV infection,
differentiated HepaRG (FIG. 2C) and HuH7.sup.hNTCP (FIG. 2D) cells
were inoculated with HBV at increasing concentrations of TC, TDC
and TCDC. All three substrates inhibited HBV-infection at
non-physiological concentrations (50 .mu.M and 500 .mu.M) in both
cell lines as shown by HBeAg secretion. Marginal reduction was
observed at 5 .mu.M indicating that under physiological conditions
(<5 .mu.M) hNTCP remains a functional HBV/HDV receptor. To test
if TC, TDC and TCDC interferes with MyrB.sup.atto-binding we
performed a binding competition assay (FIG. 2E). In the presence of
500 .mu.M all substrates profoundly interfered with
preS-binding.
[0260] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the
claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and
in any combination thereof, be material for realizing the invention
in diverse forms thereof.
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Kullak-Ublick, G A. Drug-Induced Cholestatic Liver Disease. Madame
Curie Bioscience Database [Internet]. Austin (Tex.): Landes
Bioscience; 2000. Bookshelf ID: NBK6102. [0277] Meier A, Mehrle S,
Weiss T S, Mier W, Urban S. The myristoylated preS1-domain of the
hepatitis B virus L-protein mediates specific binding to
differentiated hepatocytes. Hepatology 2013; 58(1): 31-42. [Epub
ahead of print: 2012. Dec. 5.] [0278] Morgan R E, et al. (2010)
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export pump inhibitors are associated with bile acid-dependent
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1848-1856
Sequence CWU 1
1
2217PRTHepatitis B virusmisc_feature(6)..(6)Xaa can be any
naturally occurring amino acid 1Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Xaa Pro1
52119PRTHepatitis B virus 2Met Gly Gly Trp Ser Ser Lys Pro Arg Lys
Gly Met Gly Thr Asn Leu1 5 10 15Ser Val Pro Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe
Pro Asp His Gln Leu Asp Pro 20 25 30Ala Phe Gly Ala Asn Ser Asn Asn
Pro Asp Trp Asp Phe Asn Pro Ile 35 40 45Lys Asp His Trp Pro Gln Ala
Asn Gln Val Gly Val Gly Ala Phe Gly 50 55 60Pro Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro
His Gly Gly Val Leu Gly Trp Ser Pro Gln65 70 75 80Ala Gln Gly Ile
Leu Ala Thr Val Pro Ala Met Pro Pro Pro Ala Ser 85 90 95Thr Asn Arg
Gln Ser Gly Arg Gln Pro Thr Pro Ile Ser Pro Pro Leu 100 105 110Arg
Asp Ser His Pro Gln Ala 1153119PRTHepatitis B virus 3Met Gly Gly
Trp Ser Ser Lys Pro Arg Lys Gly Met Gly Thr Asn Leu1 5 10 15Ser Val
Pro Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Asp His Gln Leu Asp Pro 20 25 30Ala
Phe Lys Ala Asn Ser Glu Asn Pro Asp Trp Asp Leu Asn Pro His 35 40
45Lys Asp Asn Trp Pro Asp Ala His Lys Val Gly Val Gly Ala Phe Gly
50 55 60Pro Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro His Gly Gly Leu Leu Gly Trp Ser Pro
Gln65 70 75 80Ala Gln Gly Ile Leu Thr Ser Val Pro Ala Ala Pro Pro
Pro Ala Ser 85 90 95Thr Asn Arg Gln Ser Gly Arg Gln Pro Thr Pro Leu
Ser Pro Pro Leu 100 105 110Arg Asp Thr His Pro Gln Ala
1154119PRTHepatitis B virus 4Met Gly Gly Trp Ser Ser Lys Pro Arg
Lys Gly Met Gly Thr Asn Leu1 5 10 15Ser Val Pro Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe
Phe Pro Asp His Gln Leu Asp Pro 20 25 30Ala Phe Lys Ala Asn Ser Glu
Asn Pro Asp Trp Asp Leu Asn Pro His 35 40 45Lys Asp Asn Trp Pro Asp
Ala His Lys Val Gly Val Gly Ala Phe Gly 50 55 60Pro Gly Phe Thr Pro
Pro His Gly Gly Leu Leu Gly Trp Ser Pro Gln65 70 75 80Ala Gln Gly
Ile Leu Thr Ser Val Pro Ala Ala Pro Pro Pro Ala Ser 85 90 95Thr Asn
Arg Gln Ser Gly Arg Gln Pro Thr Pro Leu Ser Pro Pro Leu 100 105
110Arg Asp Thr His Pro Gln Ala 1155108PRTHepatitis B virus 5Met Gly
Gln Asn Leu Ser Thr Ser Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Glu1 5 10 15His
Gln Leu Asp Pro Ala Phe Lys Ala Asn Thr Asn Asn Pro Asp Trp 20 25
30Asp Phe Asn Pro Lys Lys Asp Tyr Trp Pro Glu Ala Asn Lys Val Gly
35 40 45Ala Gly Ala Phe Gly Pro Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro His Gly Gly Leu
Leu 50 55 60Gly Trp Ser Pro Gln Ala Gln Gly Ile Leu Thr Thr Leu Pro
Ala Asn65 70 75 80Pro Pro Pro Ala Ser Thr Asn Arg Gln Ser Gly Arg
Gln Pro Thr Pro 85 90 95Leu Ser Pro Pro Leu Arg Asp Thr His Pro Gln
Ala 100 1056107PRTHepatitis B virus 6Met Gly Gln Asn Leu Ser Thr
Ser Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Asp1 5 10 15His Gln Leu Asp Pro Ala
Phe Arg Ala Asn Thr Asn Asn Pro Asp Trp 20 25 30Asp Phe Asn Pro Asn
Lys Asp Thr Trp Pro Asp Ala Asn Lys Val Gly 35 40 45Ala Gly Ala Phe
Gly Leu Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro His Gly Gly Leu Leu 50 55 60Gly Trp Ser
Pro Gln Ala Gln Gly Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Ala Asn Pro65 70 75 80Pro
Pro Ala Ser Thr Asn Arg Gln Ser Gly Arg Gln Pro Thr Pro Leu 85 90
95Ser Pro Pro Leu Arg Thr Thr His Pro Gln Ala 100
1057118PRTHepatitis B virus 7Met Gly Leu Ser Trp Thr Val Pro Leu
Glu Trp Gly Lys Asn Ile Ser1 5 10 15Thr Thr Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe
Pro Asp His Gln Leu Asp Pro Ala 20 25 30Phe Arg Ala Asn Thr Arg Asn
Pro Asp Trp Asp His Asn Pro Asn Lys 35 40 45Asp His Trp Thr Glu Ala
Asn Lys Val Gly Val Gly Ala Phe Gly Pro 50 55 60Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro
His Gly Gly Leu Leu Gly Trp Ser Pro Gln Ala65 70 75 80Gln Gly Met
Leu Lys Thr Leu Pro Ala Asp Pro Pro Pro Ala Ser Thr 85 90 95Asn Arg
Gln Ser Gly Arg Gln Pro Thr Pro Ile Thr Pro Pro Leu Arg 100 105
110Asp Thr His Pro Gln Ala 1158119PRTHepatitis B virus 8Met Gly Ala
Pro Leu Ser Thr Thr Arg Arg Gly Met Gly Gln Asn Leu1 5 10 15Ser Val
Pro Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Asp His Gln Leu Asp Pro 20 25 30Leu
Phe Arg Ala Asn Ser Ser Ser Pro Asp Trp Asp Phe Asn Thr Asn 35 40
45Lys Asp Ser Trp Pro Met Ala Asn Lys Val Gly Val Gly Gly Tyr Gly
50 55 60Pro Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro His Gly Gly Leu Leu Gly Trp Ser Pro
Gln65 70 75 80Ala Gln Gly Val Leu Thr Thr Leu Pro Ala Asp Pro Pro
Pro Ala Ser 85 90 95Thr Asn Arg Arg Ser Gly Arg Lys Pro Thr Pro Val
Ser Pro Pro Leu 100 105 110Arg Asp Thr His Pro Gln Ala
1159118PRTHepatitis B virus 9Met Gly Leu Ser Trp Thr Val Pro Leu
Glu Trp Gly Lys Asn Leu Ser1 5 10 15Ala Ser Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Leu
Pro Asp His Gln Leu Asp Pro Ala 20 25 30Phe Arg Ala Asn Thr Asn Asn
Pro Asp Trp Asp Phe Asn Pro Lys Lys 35 40 45Asp Pro Trp Pro Glu Ala
Asn Lys Val Gly Val Gly Ala Tyr Gly Pro 50 55 60Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro
His Gly Gly Leu Leu Gly Trp Ser Pro Gln Ser65 70 75 80Gln Gly Thr
Leu Thr Thr Leu Pro Ala Asp Pro Pro Pro Ala Ser Thr 85 90 95Asn Arg
Gln Ser Gly Arg Gln Pro Thr Pro Ile Ser Pro Pro Leu Arg 100 105
110Asp Ser His Pro Gln Ala 11510108PRTHepatitis B virus 10Met Gly
Gln Asn His Ser Val Thr Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Asp1 5 10 15His
Gln Leu Asp Pro Leu Phe Arg Ala Asn Ser Asn Asn Pro Asp Trp 20 25
30Asp Phe Asn Pro Asn Lys Asp Thr Trp Pro Glu Ala Thr Lys Val Gly
35 40 45Val Gly Ala Phe Gly Pro Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro His Gly Gly Leu
Leu 50 55 60Gly Trp Ser Pro Gln Ala Gln Gly Ile Leu Thr Thr Leu Pro
Ala Ala65 70 75 80Pro Pro Pro Ala Ser Thr Asn Arg Gln Ser Gly Arg
Lys Ala Thr Pro 85 90 95Ile Ser Pro Pro Leu Arg Asp Thr His Pro Gln
Ala 100 10511119PRTHepatitis B virus 11Met Gly Ala Pro Leu Ser Thr
Ala Arg Arg Gly Met Gly Gln Asn Leu1 5 10 15Ser Val Pro Asn Pro Leu
Gly Phe Phe Pro Asp His Gln Leu Asp Pro 20 25 30Leu Phe Arg Ala Asn
Ser Ser Ser Pro Asp Trp Asp Phe Asn Thr Asn 35 40 45Lys Asp Asn Trp
Pro Met Ala Asn Lys Val Gly Val Gly Gly Phe Gly 50 55 60Pro Gly Phe
Thr Pro Pro His Gly Gly Leu Leu Gly Trp Ser Pro Gln65 70 75 80Ala
Gln Gly Ile Leu Thr Thr Ser Pro Pro Asp Pro Pro Pro Ala Ser 85 90
95Thr Asn Arg Arg Ser Gly Arg Lys Pro Thr Pro Val Ser Pro Pro Leu
100 105 110Arg Asp Thr His Pro Gln Ala 11512108PRTHepatitis B virus
12Met Gly Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Ser Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Glu1
5 10 15His Gln Leu Asp Pro Leu Phe Arg Ala Asn Thr Asn Asn Pro Asp
Trp 20 25 30Asp Phe Asn Pro Asn Lys Asp Thr Trp Pro Glu Ala Thr Lys
Val Gly 35 40 45Val Gly Ala Phe Gly Pro Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro His Gly
Gly Leu Leu 50 55 60Gly Trp Ser Pro Gln Ala Gln Gly Val Thr Thr Ile
Leu Pro Ala Val65 70 75 80Pro Pro Pro Ala Ser Thr Asn Arg Gln Ser
Gly Arg Gln Pro Thr Pro 85 90 95Ile Ser Pro Pro Leu Arg Asp Thr His
Pro Gln Ala 100 10513105PRTHepatitis B virus 13Met Gly Leu Asn Gln
Ser Thr Phe Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Ser His1 5 10 15Gln Leu Asp Pro
Leu Phe Lys Ala Asn Ala Gly Ser Ala Asp Trp Asp 20 25 30Lys Pro Lys
Asp Pro Trp Pro Gln Ala His Asp Thr Ala Val Gly Ala 35 40 45Phe Gly
Pro Gly Leu Val Pro Pro His Gly Gly Leu Leu Gly Trp Ser 50 55 60Ser
Gln Ala Gln Gly Leu Ser Val Thr Val Pro Asp Thr Pro Pro Pro65 70 75
80Pro Ser Thr Asn Arg Asp Lys Gly Arg Lys Pro Thr Pro Ala Thr Pro
85 90 95Pro Leu Arg Asp Thr His Pro Gln Ala 100
1051459PRTArtificial SequenceHBV preS consensus sequence (for amino
acid positions (-11) to 48) 14Met Gly Gly Trp Ser Ser Thr Pro Arg
Lys Gly Met Gly Thr Asn Leu1 5 10 15Ser Val Pro Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe
Phe Pro Asp His Gln Leu Asp Pro 20 25 30Ala Phe Arg Ala Asn Ser Asn
Asn Pro Asp Trp Asp Phe Asn Pro Asn 35 40 45Lys Asp His Trp Pro Glu
Ala Asn Lys Val Gly 50 55155PRTArtificial SequenceN-terminal
sequence X of the peptide of the lipopeptide-based compound of the
present inventionmisc_feature(2)..(2)Xaa can be any naturally
occurring amino acidmisc_feature(4)..(5)Xaa can be any naturally
occurring amino acid 15Asn Xaa Ser Xaa Xaa1 5166PRTArtificial
SequenceC-terminal sequence Y of the peptide of the
lipopeptide-based compound of the present
inventionmisc_feature(1)..(1)Xaa can be any naturally occurring
amino acid 16Xaa His Gln Leu Asp Pro1 51718PRTArtificial
Sequencepeptide of the lipopeptide-based compound of the present
inventionmisc_feature(2)..(2)Xaa can be any naturally occurring
amino acidmisc_feature(4)..(5)Xaa can be any naturally occurring
amino acidmisc_feature(11)..(11)Xaa can be any naturally occurring
amino acidmisc_feature(13)..(13)Xaa can be any naturally occurring
amino acid 17Asn Xaa Ser Xaa Xaa Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Xaa Pro Xaa
His Gln Leu1 5 10 15Asp Pro1847PRTHepatitis B virus 18Gly Thr Asn
Leu Ser Val Pro Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Asp His1 5 10 15Gln Leu
Asp Pro Ala Phe Gly Ala Asn Ser Asn Asn Pro Asp Trp Asp 20 25 30Phe
Asn Pro Asn Lys Asp His Trp Pro Glu Ala Asn Lys Val Gly 35 40
451947PRTHepatitis B virus 19Gly Gln Asn Leu Ser Thr Ser Asn Pro
Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro Asp His1 5 10 15Gln Leu Asp Pro Ala Phe Arg Ala
Asn Thr Ala Asn Pro Asp Trp Asp 20 25 30Phe Asn Pro Asn Lys Asp Thr
Trp Pro Asp Ala Asn Lys Val Gly 35 40 452047PRTArtificial
Sequenceamino acid positions 2 to 48 of the HBV preS consensus
sequence 20Gly Thr Asn Leu Ser Val Pro Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe Pro
Asp His1 5 10 15Gln Leu Asp Pro Ala Phe Arg Ala Asn Ser Asn Asn Pro
Asp Trp Asp 20 25 30Phe Asn Pro Asn Lys Asp His Trp Pro Glu Ala Asn
Lys Val Gly 35 40 452147PRTArtificial SequenceAmino acid sequence
of control peptide mutant MyrB Ala11-15 21Gly Thr Asn Leu Ser Val
Pro Asn Pro Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Asp His1 5 10 15Gln Leu Asp Pro Ala
Phe Gly Ala Asn Ser Asn Asn Pro Asp Trp Asp 20 25 30Phe Asn Pro Asn
Lys Asp His Trp Pro Glu Ala Asn Lys Val Gly 35 40
452277PRTArtificial SequenceAmino acid sequence of control peptide
preS2-78myr 22Gly Gln Asn Leu Ser Thr Ser Asn Pro Leu Gly Phe Phe
Pro Asp His1 5 10 15Gln Leu Asp Pro Ala Phe Arg Ala Asn Thr Ala Asn
Pro Asp Trp Asp 20 25 30Phe Asn Pro Asn Lys Asp Thr Trp Pro Asp Ala
Asn Lys Val Gly Ala 35 40 45Gly Ala Phe Gly Leu Gly Phe Thr Pro Pro
His Gly Gly Leu Leu Gly 50 55 60Trp Ser Pro Gln Ala Gln Gly Ile Leu
Gln Thr Leu Pro65 70 75
* * * * *