Id |
Subject |
Object |
Predicate |
Lexical cue |
T18 |
0-15 |
Sentence |
denotes |
1 INTRODUCTION |
T19 |
16-166 |
Sentence |
denotes |
A demyelinating neuropathy targeting myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) has an incidence of approximately one per 100,000 (Mygland & Monstad, 2001). |
T20 |
167-403 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In this disease there is production of an IgM antibody resulting in a “monoclonal gammopathy” targeting a particular carbohydrate known as Cellular Differentiation antigen 57 (CD57) and also known as human natural killer cell‐1 (HNK‐1). |
T21 |
404-566 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The HNK‐1 antigen is found on MAG, as well as on natural killer cells, neuroectodermal tissue, retina, brain, prostate and renal proximal tubules (Pernick, 2019). |
T22 |
567-700 |
Sentence |
denotes |
CD57 belongs to a family of sialic acid‐binding Ig‐like lectins (siglecs) found on both peripheral and central nervous system myelin. |
T23 |
701-950 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In this issue investigators (Aliu et al, 2020) showed that poly(phenyl disodium 3‐O‐sulfo‐β‐d‐glucopyranuronate)‐(1→3)‐β‐d‐galactopyranoside, known as PPSGG, removed anti‐MAG IgM autoantibodies from the blood in a mouse model of this IgM neuropathy. |
T24 |
951-1106 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In a previous study these investigators developed antigen‐specific molecules with nanomolar inhibitory potency for anti‐MAG IgM (Herrendorff et al., 2017). |
T25 |
1107-1250 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Here the investigators also show that PPSGG blocked the binding of an anti‐MAG IgM from patients to sciatic nerve myelin of non‐human primates. |
T26 |
1251-1336 |
Sentence |
denotes |
They also tested some of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of PPSGG. |
T27 |
1337-1509 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In patients suffering from this IgM monoclonal gammopathy, non‐specific strategies are used to diminish IgM antibody including targeting of all CD20 B cells with Rituximab. |
T28 |
1510-1661 |
Sentence |
denotes |
On occasion flares of disease occur with increased IgM levels of antibody targeting MAG have followed therapy with Rituximab (Broglio and Luria, 2005). |
T29 |
1662-1771 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The strategy employed with PPSGG is specific to the antigen that triggers the pathogenic IgM in this disease. |
T30 |
1772-1851 |
Sentence |
denotes |
One can refer to such treatment as “antigen‐specific” immunotherapy (Figure 1). |
T31 |
1852-2259 |
Sentence |
denotes |
FIGURE 1 The strategy employed by Aliu et al, provide a basis for a passive immune therapy with a decoy carbohydrate preventing the virus from docking on its receptor, and also provide a foundation for a carbohydrate‐based active immunization when coupled to a suitable carrier Investigations in the mouse model revealed that practical doses of PPSGG were able to sufficiently reduce IgM that binds to MAG. |
T32 |
2260-2386 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Doses between 1 and 10 µg were sufficient to remove between 23 and 93% of IgM anti‐MAG antibody from blood in the mouse model. |
T33 |
2387-2536 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Reductions in antibody were sustained for as long as 96 hr, demonstrating the pharmacologic feasibility of this highly specific therapeutic approach. |
T34 |
2537-2677 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In addition the investigators showed that after exposure to PPSGG, there was no activation of B cells, including human IgM anti‐MAG B cells. |
T35 |
2678-2743 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In addition, no activation of CD11b dendritic cells was observed. |
T36 |
2744-2862 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These experiments provide some assurance on the safety of this approach, if it is translated to human clinical trials. |
T37 |
2863-2955 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Engaging IgM targeting MAG with PPSGG appeared safe and effective in the pre‐clinical study. |
T38 |
2956-3240 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Writing about these exquisite approaches to targeting carbohydrates for a potential antigen‐specific therapy for an inflammatory neuropathy characterized by sensory impairment, disturbance in gait, tremor, and ataxia (a form of incoordination following sensory loss) makes one wonder: |
T39 |
3241-3418 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Could such an approach, targeting critical carbohydrates in a disease, have broader applicability to other diseases where complex carbohydrates play a key pathophysiologic role? |
T40 |
3419-3633 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In these days of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the experiments described on monoclonal IgM neuropathy raise the issue that a similar strategy might be deployed to target the carbohydrates in the spike protein of COVID‐19. |
T41 |
3634-3704 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Spike proteins in coronviruses are known to be camouflaged by glycans: |
T42 |
3705-3853 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Mass spectrometry studies revealed in a feline coronavirus that high mannose and complex N‐Glycans accounted for a quarter of the mass of the spike. |
T43 |
3854-3977 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Moreover, the N‐glycans are critical for providing the propeller like conformation of these structures (Yang et al., 2020). |
T44 |
3978-4099 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In the so‐called receptor‐binding domain of the spike protein there are 22 glycan‐binding sites (Shahajan, Supekar et al. |
T45 |
4100-4106 |
Sentence |
denotes |
2020). |
T46 |
4107-4230 |
Sentence |
denotes |
High mannose, hybrid and complex‐type glycans across the N‐glycosylation sites have been identified with mass spectrometry. |
T47 |
4231-4439 |
Sentence |
denotes |
One could imagine building a therapeutic which might contain the carbohydrates, or a suitable mimic, of the spike protein coupled to a carrier molecule, much in a similar fashion to how PPSGG was constructed. |
T48 |
4440-4591 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Such a “decoy” carbohydrate could block the binding and subsequent internalization of COViD‐19 to its receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme‐2 (ACE2). |
T49 |
4592-4693 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In addition, spike carbohydrate clusters coupled to a carrier might proof to be an effective vaccine. |
T50 |
4694-4826 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Both the pneumococcal vaccine and the meningococcal vaccines target polysaccharides in pneumococcus and meningococcus, respectively. |
T51 |
4827-4947 |
Sentence |
denotes |
They couple the appropriate polysaccharide to a suitable carrier to achieve potent carbohydrate‐specific immunogenicity. |
T52 |
4948-5167 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In a different neuroinflammatory disease antibodies to cryptic mannose containing glycans were observed in the cerebrospinal fluid of individuals with multiple sclerosis, and in its animal model EAE (Wang et al., 2014). |
T53 |
5168-5258 |
Sentence |
denotes |
There again is some precedent for an antigen‐specific therapy for an inflammatory disease. |
T54 |
5259-5410 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Injection of these oligomannose glycans coupled to a protein carrier reduced the clinical severity of paralysis in this animal model (Wang, Bhat et al. |
T55 |
5411-5417 |
Sentence |
denotes |
2014). |
T56 |
5418-5552 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The success in parlaying the oligomannose glycans in MS and in its EAE model, could be emulated in strategies for therapy of COVID‐19. |
T57 |
5553-5618 |
Sentence |
denotes |
IgM monoclonal gammopathy targeting MAG is indeed a rare disease. |
T58 |
5619-5721 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Lessons from rare diseases often inform us of bold approaches for the treatment of widespread disease. |
T59 |
5722-5900 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The pioneering work of Aliu and colleagues described in this issue, might serve as a guidepost for designing effective therapeutics to the glycan components of the COVID19 virus. |
T60 |
5901-6073 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Such endeavors may produce a sweet ending to a tragedy including both the harsh clinical realities of IgM MAG neuropathy and to the horrors of the deadly CoVID‐19 pandemic. |