Structure-based design of a Cortistatin analogue with immunomodulatory activity in models of inflammatory bowel disease

Nat Commun. 2021 Mar 25;12(1):1869. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22076-5.

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are forms of inflammatory bowel disease whose incidence and prevalence are increasing worldwide. These diseases lead to chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of an abnormal response of the immune system. Recent studies positioned Cortistatin, which shows low stability in plasma, as a candidate for IBD treatment. Here, using NMR structural information, we design five Cortistatin analogues adopting selected native Cortistatin conformations in solution. One of them, A5, preserves the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of Cortistatin in vitro and in mouse models of the disease. Additionally, A5 displays an increased half-life in serum and a unique receptor binding profile, thereby overcoming the limitations of the native Cortistatin as a therapeutic agent. This study provides an efficient approach to the rational design of Cortistatin analogues and opens up new possibilities for the treatment of patients that fail to respond to other therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / chemically induced
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / pathology
  • Dextran Sulfate / toxicity
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Immunomodulation / drug effects*
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Neuropeptides / therapeutic use*
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid / toxicity

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Neuropeptides
  • cortistatin
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
  • Dextran Sulfate