Biology subjects

Gera, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Gera, S..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Development and validation of an AI/ML platform for the discovery of splice-switching oligonucleotide targets

This study demonstrates the value that artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) provides for the identification of novel and verifiable splice-switching oligonucleotide (SSO) targets in-silico. SSOs are antisense compounds that act directly on pre-mRNA to modulate alternative splicing (AS). To leverage the potential of AS research for therapeutic development, we created SpliceLearn, an AI/ML algorithm for the identification of modulatory SSO binding sites on pre-mRNA. SpliceLearn also predicts the identity of specific splicing factors whose binding to pre-mRNA is blocked by SSOs, adding considerable transparency to AI/ML-driven drug discovery and informing biological insights useful in further validation steps. Here we predicted NEDD4L exon 13 (NEDD4Le13) as a novel target in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and computationally designed an SSO to modulate NEDD4Le13. Targeting NEDD4Le13 with this SSO decreased the proliferative and migratory behavior of TNBC cells via downregulation of the TGF{beta} pathway. Overall, this study illustrates the ability of AI/ML to extract actionable insights from RNA-seq data. SpliceLearn is part of the SpliceCore(R) platform, an AI/ML predictive ensemble for AS-based drug target discovery.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2022

A Single Multipurpose FSH-Blocking Therapeutic for Osteoporosis and Obesity

Pharmacological and genetic studies over the past decade have established FSH as an actionable target for diseases affecting millions, notably osteoporosis, obesity and Alzheimers disease (AD). Blocking FSH action prevents bone loss, fat gain and AD-like features in mice. We recently developed a first-in-class, humanized, epitope-specific FSH blocking antibody, MS-Hu6, with a KD of 7.52 nM. Using a GLP-compliant platform, we now report the efficacy of MS-Hu6 in preventing obesity and osteoporosis in mice, and parameters of acute safety in monkeys. Biodistribution studies using 89Zr-labelled, biotinylated or unconjugated MS-Hu6 in mice and monkeys showed localization to bone, bone marrow and fat depots. MS-Hu6 displayed a {beta} phase t[1/2] of 13 days (316 hours) in humanized Tg32 mice, and bound endogenous FSH. We tested 215 variations of excipients using the protein thermal shift assay to generate a final formulation that rendered MS-Hu6 stable in solution upon freeze-thaw and at different temperatures, with minimal aggregation, and without self-, cross-, or hydrophobic interactions or appreciable binding to relevant human antigens. MS-Hu6 showed the same level of "humanness" as human IgG1 in silico, and was non-immunogenic in ELISPOT assays for IL-2 and IFN{gamma} in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures. We conclude that MS-Hu6 is efficacious, durable and manufacturable, and is therefore poised for future human testing as a multipurpose therapeutic.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2021

The Hepcidin Regulator Erythroferrone is a New Member of the Erythropoiesis-Iron-Bone Circuitry

Erythroblast erythroferrone (ERFE) secretion inhibits hepcidin expression by sequestering several bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family members to increase iron availability for erythropoiesis. We report that ERFE expression in osteoblasts is higher compared with erythroblasts, is independent of erythropoietin, and functional in suppressing hepatocyte hepcidin expression. Erfe-/- mice display low-bone-mass arising from increased bone resorption despite a concomitant increase in bone formation. Consistently, Erfe-/- osteoblasts exhibit enhanced mineralization, Sost and Rankl expression, and BMP-mediated signaling ex vivo. The ERFE effect on osteoclasts is mediated through increased osteoblastic RANKL and sclerostin expression, increasing osteoclastogenesis in Erfe-/- mice. Importantly, Erfe loss in {beta}-thalassemic (Hbbth3/+) mice, a disease model with increased ERFE expression, triggers profound osteoclastic bone resorption and bone loss. Together, ERFE exerts an osteoprotective effect by modulating BMP signaling in osteoblasts, decreasing RANKL production to limit osteoclastogenesis, and prevents excessive bone loss during expanded erythropoiesis in {beta}-thalassemia.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Follicle stimulating hormone is an autocrine regulator of the ovarian cancer metastatic niche through Notch signaling

The association between the upregulated Notch and FSH signaling and ovarian cancer is well documented. However, their signaling has been investigated independently and only in the primary tumor tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of FSH and Notch signaling on the ovarian cancer proliferation, formation and maintenance of the disseminated ovarian cancer cells. Roles of Notch and FSH in the ovarian cancer pathogenesis was investigated using ovarian cancer cell lines and specific antibodies against Notch and FSH receptor (FSHR). FSH upregulated Notch signaling and proliferation in the ovarian cancer cells. High levels of FSH were detected in the ascites of patients with serous ovarian adenocarcinoma. The spheroids from the ascites of the patients, as well as, the spheroids from the ovarian cancer cell lines under low attachment culture conditions, expressed FSH{beta} subunit mRNAs and secreted the hormone into the medium. In contrast, the primary ovarian tumor tissues and cell line monolayers expressed very low levels of FSH{beta}. The ovarian cancer cell spheroids also exhibited higher expression of the FSH receptor and Notch downstream genes than their monolayer counterparts. A combination of FSHR and Notch antagonistic antibodies significantly inhibited spheroid formation and cell proliferation in vitro. This study demonstrates that spheroids in ascites express and secrete FSH, which regulates cancer cell proliferation and spheroidogenesis through Notch signaling, suggesting that FSH is an autocrine regulator of cancer metastasis. Further, Notch and FSHR are potential immunotherapeutic targets for ovarian cancer treatment.

cancer biology↗