Link:  Pharm/Biotech Resources

Title:  Immunoadsorber for use in sepsis therapy

United States Patent:  6,881,408

Issued:  April 19, 2005

Inventors:  Heinrich; Hans-Werner (Riemserort, DE); Hahn; Hans-Jurgen (Karlsburg, DE); Meyer; Udo (Hastorf, DE); Kruschke; Peter (Greifswald, DE); Wagner; Heinz-Jurgen (Berlin, DE)

Assignee:  Bioserv AG (Rostock, DE)

Appl. No.:  937126

Filed:  December 19, 2001

PCT Filed:  March 23, 2000

PCT NO:  PCT/DE00/00927

371 Date:  December 19, 2001

102(e) Date:  December 19, 2001

PCT PUB.NO.:  WO00/58005

PCT PUB. Date:  October 5, 2000

Abstract

The invention relates to immunoadsorbers for use in sepsis therapy, in particular for removal of complement factors and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and, if need be, further sepsis mediators such as TNF and interleukins from body fluids, methods for their production and their use.

Description of the Invention

The invention in question relates to an immunoadsorber for use in sepsis therapy, in particular for removing complement factors and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as well as, if need be, TNF and interleukins from body fluids and methods for their production and their use.

Every year, about 3.5 million patients suffer from sepsis in the USA, Japan and the EU. With a total number of inhabitants of 785 million, the incidence for these countries is less than 0.5%. But when hospitalised patients are examined with regard to the frequency of suffering, 2.0+0.16 cases of sepsis are found per 100 hospital admissions. The enormous health political and individual importance can also be seen from the observation that about 25% of these patients also suffer the syndrome of a septic shock, characterised by the lethality rate of >45%, even with most intensive medicinal care by highly qualified specialists in institutions with modern equipment (intensive care units).

The risk of suffering a septic shock is very high especially with poly-traumatised patients (traffic accidents, burns, serious operations). Alongside infection from the outside, breaking through the intestinal barrier for gram-negative bacteria normally occurring in the intestines as a result of a partial loss of function of the immune system of these patients and thus an infection "from the inside" can be detected.

In more than 50% of the cases, gram-negative bacterial or their cell-wall components, endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides, LPS), cause the septic shock. The LPS released by bacterial binds to a serum protein (LBP) and is then absorbed by the LPS receptors of the monocytes/macrophages (CD14). The CD14+ cells activated in this way produce cytokines (TNF.alpha., Interleukin-1' (IL-1), IL-6, IL-8), which have their effect via cytokine receptors of the target cells.

Parallel to the stimulation of the monocytes and macrophages, the complement system is activated. It is an integrated part of the immunological defence of mammals for direct and unspecific combating of bacterial micro-organisms and foreign particles. Of the complement proteins occurring in the blood serum, primarily proenzymes activated by proteolytic fission, the C3 protein with a serum concentration of about 1 g/l plays a central role. After contact of the micro-organisms with the C3, the complement protein C3a is split off and, on the one hand, the formation of C5 convertase is initiated by the resultant C3b (alternative way of complement activation) and, on the other hand, the reaction is amplified by the C3B converting to C3 convertase due to depositing of serum factors. The complement protein C5 also occurring in serum is now proteolytically fissured by the C5 convertase, which is provided in larger amounts, also forming C5a. Further complement proteins (C6-C9) deposit on the resulting C5b until finally the polymeric hydrophobic membrane attack complex (MAC) is formed, settling in the bacteria membrane (opsonidisation) and forming pores, which lead to phagocytosis and thus to the elimination of the micro-organisms (and the bound MAC). The complement factors C3a and C5A (anaphylatoxins) released in the process of the complement activation result in stimulation of the phagocytising cells to the location of the bacterial attack by increasing the vascular permeability and the release of chemotoxins induced thereby. The reduction of the number of bacteria results in a reduction of the activation of the complement system. This direct and unspecific reaction is closely connected with the other immunological defence systems insofar as the synthesis and release of the cytokines essential for cellular defence is regulated, for example by complement factors. In order to bring about the inflammatory effect, C3a and C5a are bound to specific cell-based receptors, which for their part are expressed in different strengths as a function of the immune reactivity. In order to keep the immune defence permanently ready for activity, activated complement factors are detectable not only after an attack with micro-organisms, but also an integrated part of the serum of standard persons with a concentration of 1-10 ng/ml.

The plasma levels of the anaphylatoxins can be increased by a factor of more than one thousand, particularly in a developed sepsis, acute pulmonary failure and in moribund patients.

Almost exclusively on the basis of in vitro examinations, there exist various, mainly unspecifically effective variations of solutions in order to eliminate the effects of various complement factors, which however can hardly be tested under in vivo conditions on account of the side effects to be expected (e.g. WO-A-98/34959).

In ex vivo methods for the prevention of complement activation by artificial, extracorporal surfaces (e.g. surface coatings), an unspecific complement activation was successfully carried out. Further, selective removal of activated complement factors making use of specific C5 antibodies is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5.853,722 and certainly also to be preferred, especially as highly affined antibodies have been generated in the meantime against all the components of the complement system.

The functional cascade manifested is primarily used to eliminate the bacteria penetrating into the organism. But as soon as a discrepancy occurs between the number and/or virulence of the penetrating bacteria and the elimination capacity of the immune system (e.g. in post-traumatic immune deficiency), an excessive activation is observed, subsequently accompanied by a massive release of "shock mediators" (interleukins, thrombocyte activation factor (PAF), but also oxygen radicals, prostagiandins and their metabolic products), thus further limiting the elimination capacity for LPS. In addition, CD14-negative cells (e.g. endothellae) are also activated by the LPS, as soluble CD14 (sCD14) exists in the blood plasma as an LPS trapper, facilitating binding to these cells and inducing the formation and release of further shock mediators, thus reinforcing the circulus vitiosus. As the shock mediators act selectively, but not specifically, function restrictions in various cells and organs are observed (blood coagulation system, circulation, complement system), with the result that the inflammation reactions attacking the entire organisms initiate shock genesis, leading to irreversible organ damage, to circulation collapse and death.

In order to break through this chain of functions, various therapy strategies have been studies.

Interruption of the cascade with antibodies interrupting the LPS binding to proteins (LBP, sCD14), to the receptor (CD14), to released cytokines or to cytokine receptors or with antagonists blocking the functional areas of the receptors did achieve impressive success in various sepsis models in animal experiments, but there are still no clinically tested, successful prevention and/or therapy studies.

It was not possible to fulfil the high expectations, as it was increasingly seen that LPS also influences and changes the functional condition of cells and tissue which are not impaired by these therapeutic approaches. In addition, it must be taken into account that an LPS (immune complex) inactivated by an antibody/antagonist must be eliminated in order to exclude a biological reactivity on a permanent basis. But the elimination is also a function of the immune system, which, as it is greatly weakened, can hardly or only very imcompletely fulfil this task.

The development of the septic shock is a very dynamic occurrence of primarily varying genesis, in which various mediators cause highly differing reactions within a short period of time, these quickly leading to the expression of the septic shock by dysregulation after an initial life-maintaining function.

Therefore, the invention was based on the task of developing an immunoadsorption system of modular construction, in particular for extra-corporal detoxification, enabling a reduction of the plasma and tissue levels specific to the patient.

Inter alia, the invention is based on the knowledge that TNF.alpha. has a key role to play in this regulation system. It is released inter alia by macrophages as a result of various "external" influences such as injuries, inflammations, infections, septicaemia and induces a local and systemic activation of the unspecific and specific defence system via a cytokine cascade (IL-1, IL-6). Clinically, a massive TNF.alpha. release is expressed by increased body temperature, lack of appetite and all the subsequent symptoms of a catabolic metabolism situation. In pathogenesis of the sepsis, activation of the macrophages and thus the release of TNF.alpha.- appears to be of essential importance for a survival of the patient in the early phase of this disease, whereas the continued state of activation results in the de-compensation of all defence reactions in the further course.

The task of the invention was solved by an immunoadsorber for use in sepsis therapy. The immunoadsorber according to the invention is particularly used for the removal of complement factors and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as well as the removal of further sepsis mediators, and also TNF and interleukins from body fluids, if need be. It is characterised by carrier materials of organic or synthetic polymers, to which both poly or monoclonal antibodies aimed against the complement factors C3a and/or C5a, and also antibodies aimed against lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are bound. In a preferred embodiment, antibodies aimed against further sepsis mediators are also bound to the carrier.

Preferably, these are polyclonal antibodies, particularly preferably avian antibodies of type IgY. The antibodies against sepsis mediators are contained according to the state of the dysregulation.

According to this invention, these are antibodies aimed against TNF, IL1, IL6, IL8 and/or IL 10.

Preferred antibodies against the complement factor C3a manifest specific activity against at least one of the following peptide sequences:

NH2 -KCCEDGMRQNPMR-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 1)

NH2 -RFSCQRRTRFISL-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 2)

NH2 -ITELRRQHARAS-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 3)

Preferred antibodies against the complement factor C5a possess specific activity against at least one of the following peptide sequences:

NH2 -QADYKDDDDKLPAE-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 4)

NH2 -DDKLPAEGLDIENS-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 5)

Preferred antibodies against IL1 .alpha./.beta. possess specific activity against at least one of the following peptide sequences:

NH2 -NCYSENEEDSSSID-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 6)

NH2 GAYKSSKDDAKIT-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 7)

NH2 -WETHGTKNYFTS-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 8)

NH2 -RISDHHYSKGFRQA-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 9)

NH2 -VQGEESNDKIPVA-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 10)

NH2 -ESVDPKNYPKKKMEKRF-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 11)

Preferred antibodies against IL6 possess specific activity against at least one of the following peptide sequences:

NH2 -APHRQPLTSSERIDKQI-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 12)

NH2 -QNRFESSEEQARA-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 13)

NH2 -AITTPDPTTNAS-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 14)

Preferred antibodies against IL10 possess specific activity against at least one of the following peptide sequences:

NH2 -SPGQGTQSENSCT-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 15)

NH2 -QMKDQLDNLLLKES-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 16)

NH2 -MPQAENQDPDIKA-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 17)

NH2 -LPCENKSKAVEQ-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 18)

Preferred antibodies against TNF.alpha. possess specific activity against at least one of the following peptide sequences:

NH2 -VRSSSRTPSDKPVA-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 19)

NH2 -KSPCQRETPEGAEAKPW-COOH (SEQ ID NO: 20)

The immunoadsorber according to the invention manifests membranes or particles customary per se of organic or synthetic polymers as carrier materials, e.g. of polystyrenes, carbohydrates such as cellulose or agarose derivatives, or of acrylates, with the specific antibodies being covalently linked to them or fixed to them via spacers or linkers.

The production of the immunoadsorbers according to the invention is done by methods known per se in that the antibodies aimed against C3a and/or C5a and LPS and, if need be, against further sepsis mediators are coupled covalently or adsorptively to the carrier materials or organic or synthetic polymers.

The specific antibodies are produced by immunisation known per se, preferably of small mammals such as mice, rats or rabbits, or birds, such as chickens, with the corresponding antigens.

The object of the invention is also the use of the immunoadsorbers in appliances for the removal of complement factors, LPS and, if need be, further mediators from body fluids such as blood plasma as a function of the patient-specific situation.

Preferably, the immunoadsorbers are used in sepsis therapy for piasmapherese in patients with sepsis or septic shock.

Although antibodies are available for most substances and are coupled to the various carriers by known methods, avian antibodies are preferably used, as they do not activate the complement system, unlike mammal antibodies. As the activating properties are bound to the Fc part of the mammal antibodies, the Fab fragment fissured with papain can principally also be used.

According to the current state of knowledge, immobilised avian antibodies have no kind of unspecific effects on the human defence system. Birds, preferably chickens, are immunised with customary methods with or without the use of adjuvants. The specific immunoglobulins are excreted in the egg yolk and can be isolated from it with customary methods. They are covalently bound to micro-particles or membranes via the Fc part with known methods.

With the immunoadsorption system for extra-corporal detoxification according to the invention, there exists for the first time a selective system which can be used patient-specifically and by which dysregulations of the immune system can be rectified.

Claim 1 of 17 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An immunoadsorber for blood treatment use in sepsis therapy, the immunoadsorber comprising a carrier of organic or synthetic polymers to which are immobilized antibodies that are specific to C3a and/or C5a and to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and wherein,

a) the antibodies to C3a are specific for at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, and 3; and

b) the antibodies to C5a are specific for at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, and 5.

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