Download MendeleyThe structural basis for the selective antagonism of soluble TNF-alpha by shark variable new antigen receptors.
Ubah, O.C., Lake, E.W., Ott, K.L., Priyanka, S., Celeda, S., West, J.L., Gunaratne, G.S., Shi, K., Moeller, N.H., Porter, A.J., Aihara, H., Kosoff, D., LeBeau, A.M., Barelle, C.J.(2025) Nat Commun 17: 256-256
- PubMed: 41318641
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66967-3
- Primary Citation Related Structures:
9DJW - PubMed Abstract:
The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is synthesized as transmembrane TNF-α (tmTNF-α) where proteolytic processing releases soluble TNF-α (sTNF-α). tmTNF-α can act as either a ligand by activating TNF receptors, or a receptor that transmits reverse (outside-to-inside) signalling after binding to native receptors. All TNF-α therapies bind tmTNF-α and induce reverse signalling which can result in immunosuppression leading to infection. We present crystal structures of two anti-TNF-α Variable New Antigen Receptors (VNARs) in complex with sTNF-α via two distinct epitopes. The VNAR-D1 recognizes an epitope that selectively engages sTNF-α while VNAR-C4 binds an epitope that partially overlaps with other biologic therapies. In activated CD4 + T cells, our VNARs do not induce reverse signalling in contrast to currently available therapies. Our findings suggest that neutralization through a unique mechanism may lead to anti-TNF-α agents with an improved safety profile that will benefit high-risk patients.
- Elasmogen Ltd., Aberdeen, UK. obinna.ubah@elasmogen.com.
Organizational Affiliation:
