Nonclinical Evaluation of Single-Mutant E. coli Asparaginases Obtained by Double-Mutant Deconvolution: Improving Toxicological, Immune and Inflammatory Responses

Grace Ruiz-Lara, Tales A. Costa-Silva, Jorge Javier Muso-Cachumba, Johanna Cevallos Espinel, Marina Gabriel Fontes, Mitla Garcia-Maya, Khondaker Miraz Rahman, Carlota de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui, Gisele Monteiro*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is currently treated with bacterial L-asparaginase; however, its side effects raise the need for the development of improved and efficient novel enzymes. Previously, we obtained low anti-asparaginase antibody production and high serum enzyme half-life in mice treated with the P40S/S206C mutant; however, its specific activity was significantly reduced. Thus, our aim was to test single mutants, S206C and P40S, through in vitro and in vivo assays. Our results showed that the drop in specific activity was caused by P40S substitution. In addition, our single mutants were highly stable in biological environment simulation, unlike the double-mutant P40S/S206C. The in vitro cell viability assay demonstrated that mutant enzymes have a higher cytotoxic effect than WT on T-cell-derived ALL and on some solid cancer cell lines. The in vivo assays were performed in mice to identify toxicological effects, to evoke immunological responses and to study the enzymes’ pharmacokinetics. From these tests, none of the enzymes was toxic; however, S206C elicited lower physiological changes and immune/allergenic responses. In relation to the pharmacokinetic profile, S206C exhibited twofold higher activity than WT and P40S two hours after injection. In conclusion, we present bioengineered E. coli asparaginases with high specific enzyme activity and fewer side effects.

Original languageEnglish
Article number6008
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume25
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024

Keywords

  • bioengineer
  • E. coli asparaginase
  • leukaemia
  • nonclinical assays

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