WO2003057257A1 - Cc10 inhibits th2 cytokines and eotaxins involved in allergic diseases - Google Patents

Abstract

CC 10 can be delivered as a protein or by means of an expression construct to a patient with an allergic inflammatory disease. Effective concentrations of CC10 inhibit cytokines and chemokines which are involved in the allergy process. Excess concentrations have the opposite effect. Thus CC 10 therapy provides an effective treatment for asthma, rhinitis, eczewma and food allergy.

Description

CClO INHIBITS TH2 CYTOKINES AND EOTAXINS INVOLVED IN ALLERGIC DISEASES

[01] This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/346,129, filed January 2, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[02] The invention relates to treatment of allergic diseases, specifically asthma rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy. The invention particularly relates to the use of CClO to inhibit Th2 cytokines and eotaxins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[03] Allergic disease, including asthma, rhinitis and eczema, are associated with elevated levels of IgE response and allergic inflammation to a variety of stimuli, such as inhaled allergens (1). Recent studies in humans and murine models have demonstrated a critical role of T cells, particularly Th2 cells, in the expression of allergic inflammatory responses through the production of cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-11 and IL-13 (2-13), a distinct feature different from other types of inflammatory diseases. In particular, both IL-4 and IL-13 have been demonstrated to play a key role in the allergic disease process (5, 9-11). Also, in the majority of these studies tissue eosinophilia is a prominent feature of allergic inflammation. Studies in different animal models of asthma and in humans have shown that a panel of chemokines, including RANTES and eotaxin, are important for recruitment of eosinophils (18-27). Furthermore, recent data from pathologic studies has demonstrated structural alterations in the tissue, which may involve a remodeling response subsequent to allergic mflammation (28-36). Subepithelial fibrosis, mucus metaplasia, myofibroblast/myocyte hyperplasia and epithelial hypertrophy highlight those structural alterations seen in inflamed tissues. Of significance is the finding that several cytokines are involved not only in cellular recruitment but also in tissue remodeling response. For example, overexpression of IL-13 in the airway induced extensive eosinophilia, mucus metaplasia, subepithelial fibrosis, airway obstruction, and AHR (37). Similarly, overexpression of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-9 induced eosinophilic inflammatory response and mucus metaplasia, while both IL-9 and IL-5 caused subepithelial fibrosis and AHR (9, 12, 38).

[04] These studies thus establish a general phenotypic feature of allergic inflammation, which is distinct from other types of inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune diseases or delayed-type hypersensitivity responses. There are several important issues raised by these experiments concerning the sequence of events leading to the expression of allergic responses. First, the infiltrating T cells and basophils/mast cells, following activation in situ, play a role in recruiting granulocytes to the site of allergic inflammation. Second, granulocytes, once recruited, may be activated locally by cytokines and, thereby, acquire an increased capacity to induce inflammation. Third, tissue resident cells, such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts, secret proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, perpetuating tissue inflammatory responses. Following the initial acute inflammatory response, a tissue remodeling process with features including collagen deposition and fibronectin aggregation leads ultimately to the expression of tissue hyperreactivity. It is thus becoming apparent that the expression of allergic inflammation and tissue hyperreactivity involves a complex array of molecular and cellular interactions, and within this complex network, there is a combination of inflammatory cell- and tissue-specific regulatory processes.

[05] CClO (or UGB, CC16, CCSP) is a 10-kDa homodimeric protein produced by non- ciliated bronchiolar Clara cells, and is one of the most abundant soluble proteins in the extracellular lining fluid of airways (39). However, the pathophysiologic function of CClO in the lung has not been elucidated. CClO has been shown to be able to inhibit chemotaxis and phagocytosis of neutrophils and monocytes, respectively (40), and to antagonize the activity of secretory phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂; ref. 41), although the biochemical evidence of CClO in PLA₂ inhibition remains controversial (42, 43). In addition, CClO may inhibit the activation of integrins that enhance abnormal tissue deposition of fibronectin and fibroblast migration (40). CClO has been shown to be able to interact with fibronectin with high affinity (40), but the physiopathological significance of this potential interaction in the lung is unclear at present. Of interest is the finding that overexpression of CClO in a non-small cell lung cancer cell line, A549, induces a marked reduction in invasiveness and decreased expression of the corresponding matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the CC10- transfected cell lines (44). CClO-transfected cell lines also demonstrated decreased adhesiveness to fibronectin.

[06] Of particular significance is the suggestive link between CClO and the cytokine network. First, CClO is able to modulate the activity of IFN-γ (45), and intratracheal administration of recombinant IFN-γ has been shown to induce the expression of CClO. As a corollary, we have recently provided evidence that pulmonary mucosal IFN-γ gene transfer is able to up-regulate CClO expression (unpublished study). Recently, studies (46, 47) have shown a high affinity CClO homodimer-binding protein (putative receptor) on several cell types and tissues, including the lung, with an apparent molecular mass of 190 kDa. Interestingly, another protein, with an apparent molecular mass of 49 kDa, binds reduced CClO with high affinity and specificity. Scatchard analysis of steady state binding of ¹²⁵I-UG (reduced) indicates the presence of a single class of specific binding with dissociation constant (Kd) of 20 nM using NIH 3T3 cells. Several tumor cell lines were also examined and showed binding of ¹²⁵I-CC10 (reduced) on mastocytoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma cells, and the Kd values were 20-25 nM, but no such binding was seen when fibrosarcoma cells were used. However, the molecular nature of this putative receptor for CClO remains elusive, and awaits further cloning study and identification of its associated signaling pathways. [07] Gene-targeted mouse models of CClO have been described (48, 49). After adenoviral infection, extensive monocytic and neutrophilic infiltration was found in the lung parenchyma of CClO-deficient mice, which was associated with upregulation of IL-6 and TNF-α (48). In a hyperoxic lung injury model, survival of CClO-deficient mice was reduced when compared to wild-type control mice (49). Expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-3, IL-6, and IL-1 was increased in the lungs of CClO- deficient mice. Lung mflammation and injury in hyperoxic CClO-deficient mice are not limited to the bronchiolar epithelium but also involve the alveolar epithelium. These results suggest that the level of CClO plays a role in limiting lung injury and inflammation in both the alveolar and bronchiolar regions of the lung. It is interesting to note that reduced level of CClO in the BALF in humans has been shown to be associated with asthma (50).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[08] In a first embodiment of the invention a method is provided of treating a person with an allergic inflammatory disease. From 0.4 ug/kg to 40 ug/kg of CClO is administered to the person. Expression of Th2 cytokines and/or eotaxin is thereby decreased.

[09] In a second embodiment of the invention a method is provided for treating a person with an allergic inflammatory disease. An effective amount of an expression construct encoding CClO is administered to the person. Expression of Th2 cytokines and/or eotaxin is thereby decreased.

[10] In a third embodiment of the invention a method is provided for screening test substances to identify candidate drugs for treatment of an allergic inflammatory disease. A test substance is contacted with a cell which produces CClO. CClO production in the cell is determined. A test substance is identified as a candidate drug for treating an allergic inflammatory disease if it reduces production of CClO by the cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[11] Figures 1A-1D shows an analysis of cytokine expression in human T cells. (Fig. 1A) Relative level of IL-13 gene, and (Fig. IB) protein expression. (Fig. IC) Relative level of IL-2 and (Fig. ID) IFN-γ gene expression. T cells (1 x 10⁶/ml) were activated with a combination of PMA and ionomycin (P+I; 50 ng/ml and 1 μM, respectively) in the presence or absence of varying doses of rCCIO as indicated. RT-PCR analysis was performed using a standard protocol and pairs of human IL-13, IL-2, IFN- γ and G3PDH (a house keeping gene) primers, and the products were run on ethidium bromide-containing 2% agarose gels. The relative level of gene expression was quantified by calculating the ratio of densitometric readings (OD) of the band intensity for each gene and a house keeping gene, G3PDH, from the same cDNA sample. The level of IL-13 in the culture superaatants was determined by ELISA. Differences between groups were assessed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer honest significant difference test. P values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. NS, not significant.

[12] Figure 2 shows human T cells (5 x 10⁵/1.5 ml) that were transiently transfected (48 hrs) with various luciferase reporter constructs: pGL2 (without promoter sequence; negative control), pGL3 (with CMV promoter sequence; positive control), pGL.IL2p containing 320 bp promoter sequence of human IL2 gene and pGL3.IL13 containing 312 bp promoter sequence [bearing bp -270 to +42 (relative to the transcription start site)] of the JL13 gene. To adjust for the large size differences between these reporter plasmids, the molar amount of plasmid added to each pulse was kept constant. The amount of transfected DNA was kept constant (2.5 μg) by adding the required amount of the noncoding plasmid Rc/CMV. Cells were stimulated for 18 hrs with 0.5 μM A23187 in the presence or absence of rCCIO (50 ng/ml). Results are indicated as relative light unit (RLU) for negative or positive control. For cytokine promoter study, the results were indicated as mean ± SEM fold increase of normalized intracellular luciferase expression, relative to that in unstimulated cells, in two independent experiments in duplicate.

[13] Figure 3 shows an analysis of eotaxin expression in BEAS-2B. BEAS-2B cells (1 x 10⁶/ml) were stimulated with rIL-13 (100 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of varying doses of rCCIO as indicated. RT-PCR analysis was performed using a standard protocol and pairs of human eotaxin and G3PDH primers. The relative level of gene expression was quantified and compared in the same manner as described in the description of Fig. 1.

[14] Figure 4A shows western blotting analysis of CClO. The lung homogenates of CClO- deficient mice receiving either pCDNACCIO or mock control were subjected to SDS- PAGE gel electrophoresis under a reducing condition, followed by transfer onto a filter membrane and Western blotting analysis using goat anti-rabbit CClO Ab (1:1000 dilution). The immunoreactive proteins (representing CClO) were identified using enhanced chemiluminescence detection. The protein size markers (19.3 kd and 7.5 kd) are also shown. Fig. 4B shows localization of CClO in mouse airway using goat anti-rabbit CClO Ab to detect the presence of CClO. The dark staining of the mouse airway epithelial cells indicates the expression of CClO. Mock control and two consecutive doses of pCDNACCIO at 24 hrs apart. Scale bar represents 10 μm.

[15] Figures 5A through 5D show a significant decrease of BALF eosinophils in pCNDACClO (pCClO)-transduced, CClO-deficient mice. The total BALF cells (shown in Fig. 5B) and the percentage of eosinophils (shown in Fig. 5A) from mock- and pCDNACClO-treated mice after Ag challenge are shown. M, macrophage; E, eosinophil; L, lymphocyte; N, neutrophil. * P <0.005 compared to wild-type mice. Fig. 5C shows the level of BALF cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, and Fig. 5D shows the level of IFN-γ of either mock-transduced or pCDNACClO-transduced CClO-deficient mice (n = 4/group). [16] Figure 6 shows an analysis of cytokine expression in Jurkat T cells. Jurkat T cells (1 million cells/ml) were activated with a combination of PMA and ionomycin (P+I; 50 ng/ml and 1 μM, respectively) in the presence or absence of varying doses of rCCIO as indicated. RT-PCR analysis was performed using a standard protocol and pairs of human IL-13 and G3PDH (a house keeping gene) primers, and the products were run on ethidium bromide-containing 2% agarose gels. The relative level of gene expression was quantified by calculating the ratio of densitometric readings (OD) of the band intensity for each gene and a house keeping gene, G3PDH, from the same cDNA sample. Differences between groups were assessed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer honest significant difference test. P values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. NS, not significant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[17] We have discovered that low levels of CClO inhibit the expression of Th2 cytokines and eotaxin, a chemokine. These cytokines and chemokine are involved in allergic diseases including, but not limited to rhinitis, eczema, asthma and food allergies. Such low levels can be administered to a patient in need thereof, i.e., to a patient with an allergic disease, either by administration of the CClO protein itself or by administration of an expression construct that encodes CClO.

[18] CClO protein or expression construct can be administered directly into the lungs, for example by aspiration or instillation. Other means of delivery can also be used, including but not limited to intravenous, per os, intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, and topical delivery. Suitable amounts of CClO are between 1 and 40 ug/kg, preferably between 5 and 25 ug/kg. We have found that at amounts higher than 40 ug/kg expression of the critical cytokines and chemokines is induced rather than inhibited, thus exacerbating the allergic response, rather than ameliorating it. Thus for a therapeutic effect, one must deliver an amount which is within the critical therapeutic window, i.e., an amount which is less than the inducing amount. [19] While the sequence of CClO from one human is shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, other variants are also encompassed, so long as they retain the biological activity of CClO, as defined herein. Whether an amino acid change or a polypeptide modification results in a biologically active CClO polypeptide can readily be determined by assaying for functional activity, i.e., assaying for the ability to decrease production of Th2 cytokines and eotaxin. Th2 cytokines include 11-13, 11-9, and 11-4.

[20] Fusion proteins can be useful inter alia for generating antibodies against CClO polypeptide amino acid sequences and for use in various assay systems. For example, fusion proteins can be used to identify proteins that interact with portions of a human CClO polypeptide. Protein affinity chromatography or library-based assays for protein-protein interactions, such as the yeast two-hybrid or phage display systems, can be used for this purpose. Such methods are well known in the art and can be used as drug screens.

[21] A CClO polypeptide fusion protein comprises two polypeptide segments fused together by means of a peptide bond. The first polypeptide segment comprises at least 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 80, 85, or 90 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 or of a biologically active variant, such as those described above. The first polypeptide segment also can comprise full-length CClO protein.

[22] The second polypeptide segment can be a full-length protein or a protein fragment. Proteins commonly used in fusion protein construction include β-galactosidase, β- glucuronidase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), autofluorescent proteins, including blue fluorescent protein (BFP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), luciferase, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). Additionally, epitope tags are used in fusion protein constructions, including histidine (His) tags, FLAG tags, influenza hemagglutinin (HA) tags, Myc tags, VSV-G tags, and thioredoxin (Trx) tags. Other fusion constructions can include maltose binding protein (MBP), S-tag, Lex a DNA binding domain (DBD) fusions, GAL4 DNA binding domain fusions, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) BP16 protein fusions. A fusion protein also can be engineered to contain a cleavage site located between the CClO polypeptide-encoding sequence and the heterologous protein sequence, so that the CClO polypeptide can be cleaved and purified away from the heterologous moiety.

[23] A fusion protein can be synthesized chemically, as is known in the art. Preferably, a fusion protein is produced by covalently linking two polypeptide segments or by standard procedures in the art of molecular biology. Recombinant DNA methods can be used to prepare fusion proteins, for example, by making a DNA construct which comprises coding sequences selected from SEQ ID NO:l in proper reading frame with nucleotides encoding the second polypeptide segment and expressing the DNA construct in a host cell, as is known in the art. Many kits for constructing fusion proteins are available from companies such as Promega Corporation (Madison, WI), Stratagene (La Jolla, CA), CLONTECH (Mountain View, CA), Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, CA), MBL International Corporation (MIC; Watertown, MA), and Quantum Biotechnologies (Montreal, Canada).

[24] In one embodiment, test compounds that increase or decrease CClO gene expression are identified. Test compounds to be screened as candidate drugs for treatment of an allergic inflammatory disease can be pharmacologic agents already known in the art or can be compounds previously unknown to have any pharmacological activity. The compounds can be naturally occurring or designed in the laboratory. They can be isolated from microorganisms, animals, or plants, and can be produced recombinantly, or synthesized by chemical methods known in the art. If desired, test compounds can be obtained using any of the numerous combinatorial library methods known in the art, including but not limited to, biological libraries, spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries, synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution, the "one-bead one-compound" library method, and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection. The biological library approach is limited to polypeptide libraries, while the other four approaches are applicable to polypeptide, non-peptide oligomer, or small molecule libraries of compounds. See Lam, Anticancer Drug Des. 12, 145, 1997.

[25] Methods for the synthesis of molecular libraries are well known in the art (see, for example, DeWitt et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 6909, 1993; Erb et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 11422, 1994; Zuckermann et al, J. Med. Chem. 37, 2678, 1994; Cho et al, Science 261, 1303, 1993; Carell et al, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33, 2059, 1994; Carell et al, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33, 2061; Gallop et al, J. Med. Chem. 37, 1233, 1994). Libraries of compounds can be presented in solution (see, e.g., Houghten, BioTechniques 13, 412-421, 1992), or on beads (Lam, Nature 354, 82-84, 1991), chips (Fodor, Nature 364, 555-556, 1993), bacteria or spores (Ladner, U.S. Patent 5,223,409), plasmids (Cull et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 1865-1869, 1992), or phage (Scott & Smith, Science 249, 386-390, 1990; Devlin, Science 249, 404-406, 1990); Cwirla et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 97, 6378-6382, 1990; Felici, J. Mol Biol. 222, 301-310, 1991; and Ladner, U.S. Patent 5,223,409).

[26] A CClO-producing cell is contacted with a test compound, and the expression of a CClO RNA or polypeptide product is determined. The level of expression of CClO mRNA or polypeptide in the presence of the test compound is compared to the level of expression of mRNA or polypeptide in the absence of the test compound. The test compound can then be identified as a modulator of expression based on this comparison. When expression of the mRNA or polypeptide is less in the presence of the test compound than in its absence, the test compound is identified as an inhibitor of the mRNA or polypeptide expression. Suitable cells for such testing include epithelial cells, in particular bronchial epithelial cells, and T cells. Either a primary culture or an established cell line can be used. The cell can be one that naturally expresses CClO or has been transfected with a recombinant expression construct for CClO.

[27] The level of CClO mRNA or polypeptide expression in the cells can be determined by methods well known in the art for detecting mRNA or polypeptide. Either qualitative or quantitative methods can be used. The presence of polypeptide products of a human CClO polynucleotide can be determined, for example, using a variety of techniques known in the art, including immunochemical methods such as radioimmunoassay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The presence of mRNA can be determined using well known techniques, such as, Northern blotting, RT-PCR, microarray hybridization, etc.

[28] Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can comprise, for example, a human CClO polypeptide or a CClO expression construct. The compositions can be administered alone or in combination with at least one other agent, such as stabilizing compound, which can be administered in any sterile, biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier, including, but not limited to, saline, buffered saline, dextrose, and water. The compositions can also be delivered in combination with other agents, drugs or hormones.

[29] In addition to the active ingredients, these pharmaceutical compositions can contain suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries that facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, parenteral, topical, sublingual, or rectal means. Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration can be formulated using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art in dosages suitable for oral administration. Such carriers enable the pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for ingestion by the patient.

[30] Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained through combination of active compounds with solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are carbohydrate or protein fillers, such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, marmitol, or sorbitol; starch from corn, wheat, rice, potato, or other plants; cellulose, such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, or sodium carboxymethylcellulose; gums including arabic and tragacanth; and proteins such as gelatin and collagen. If desired, disintegrating or solubilizing agents can be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid, or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate.

[31] Pharmaceutical foπnulations suitable for parenteral administration can be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks' solution, Ringer's solution, or physiologically buffered saline. Aqueous injection suspensions can contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds can be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Non-lipid polycationic amino polymers also can be used for delivery. Optionally, the suspension also can contain suitable stabilizers or agents that increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions. For topical or nasal administration, penetrants appropriate to the particular barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

[32] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be manufactured in a manner that is known in the art, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, or lyophilizing processes. The pharmaceutical composition can be provided as a salt and can be formed with many acids, including but not limited to, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents than are the coπesponding free base forms. In other cases, the prefeπed preparation can be a lyophilized powder which can contain any or all of the following: 1-50 mM histidine, 0.1%-2% sucrose, and 2-7% mannitol, at a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5, that is combined with buffer prior to use. [33] Further details on techniques for formulation and administration can be found in the latest edition of REMINGTON'S PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES (Maack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.). After pharmaceutical compositions have been prepared, they can be placed in an appropriate container and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition. Such labeling would include amount, frequency, and method of administration.

[34] To express a human CClO polynucleotide, the polynucleotide can be inserted into an expression vector that contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted coding sequence. Methods which are well known to those skilled in the art can be used to construct expression vectors containing sequences encoding CClO polypeptides and appropriate transcriptional and translational control elements. These methods include in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. Such techniques are described, for example, in Sambrook et al (1989) and in Ausubel et al, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y., 1989.

[35] A variety of expression vectors can be utilized to contain and express sequences encoding a human CClO polypeptide. The control elements or regulatory sequences are those non-translated regions of the vector ~ enhancers, promoters, 5' and 3' untranslated regions ~ which interact with host cellular proteins to carry out transcription and translation. Such elements can vary in their strength and specificity. Vectors, such as retroviral- or adenoviral-based vectors, can be used for this purpose. Recombinant retroviruses are described in numerous references, including Mann et al, Cell 33:153, 1983, Cane and Mulligan, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA #7:6349, 1984, Miller et al, Human Gene Therapy 1:5-14, 1990, and U.S. Patent Nos. 4,405,712, 4,861,719, and 4,980,289.

[36] Advenoviral vectors are prefeπed. The use of adenoviral vectors in vitro is described in Chatterjee et al, Science 258: 1485-1488 (1992), Walsh et al, Proc. Nat 'I Acad. Sci. 89: 7257-7261 (1992), Walsh et al, J. Clin. Invest. 94: 1440-1448 (1994), Flotte et al, J. Biol Chem. 268: 3781-3790 (1993), Ponnazhagan et al, J. Exp. Med. 179: 733-738 (1994), Miller et al, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. 91: 10183-10187 (1994), Einerhand et al, Gene Ther. 2: 336-343 (1995), Luo et al, Exp. Hematol 23: 1261- 1267 (1995), and Zhou et al, Gene Therapy 3: 223-229 (1996). In vivo use of adenoviral vectors is described in Flotte et al, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. 90: 10613-10617 (1993), and Kaplitt et al, Nature Genet. δ:148-153 (1994). Other viral vectors, such as those based on togaviruses or alpha viruses, can also be used.

[37] In one embodiment, the CClO or CClO expression vector is delivered using a liposome. Preferably, the liposome is stable in the animal into which it has been administered for at least about 30 minutes, more preferably for at least about 1 hour, and even more preferably for at least about 24 hours. A liposome comprises a lipid composition that is capable of targeting a reagent, particularly a polynucleotide, to a particular site in an animal, such as a human. Preferably, the lipid composition of the liposome is capable of targeting to a specific organ of an animal, such as the lung, liver, spleen, heart brain, lymph nodes, and skin.

[38] A liposome useful in the present invention comprises a lipid composition that is capable of fusing with the plasma membrane of the targeted cell to deliver its contents to the cell. Preferably, the transfection efficiency of a liposome is about 0.5 μg of DNA per 16 nmole of liposome delivered to about 10⁶ cells, more preferably about 1.0 μg of DNA per 16 nmole of liposome delivered to about 10⁶ cells, and even more preferably about 2.0 μg of DNA per 16 nmol of liposome delivered to about 10 cells. Preferably, a liposome is between about 100 and 500 nm, more preferably between about 150 and 450 nm, and even more preferably between about 200 and 400 nm in diameter.

[39] Suitable liposomes for use in the present invention include those liposomes standardly used in, for example, gene delivery methods known to those of skill in the art. More prefeπed liposomes include liposomes having a polycationic lipid composition and/or liposomes having a cholesterol backbone conjugated to polyethylene glycol. Optionally, a liposome comprises a compound capable of targeting the liposome to a particular cell type, such as a cell-specific ligand exposed on the outer surface of the liposome. Other delivery vehicles for proteins or expression vectors can be used, as are known in the art.

[40] While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently prefeπed modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 — CClO inhibits IL-13 and eotaxin production in human Tcells

[41] Using human T cells, we have examined whether CClO has any effect on the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in activated cells. The cells were activated with a combination of PMA and ionomycin in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of recombinant CClO (rCCIO, 0.1-100 ng ml). After 5-hr and 24-hr stimulation, total RNAs and culture supernatants were isolated from various cultures and analyzed for the level of IL-13 transcript and protein expression, respectively, by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA. While no expression of LL-13 is seen in resting and rCCIO (100 ng/ml)-treated cells, rCCIO at 10 ng/ml and higher inhibits the expression of JL-13 transcripts and proteins in activated cells (Figs. 1A and IB). Interestingly, the expression of both IL-2 and IFN-γ in activated T cells was not inhibited by varying doses of rCCIO (Figs. IC and ID), demonstrating a direct and selective role of CClO in the regulation of IL-4 and LL-13. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of CClO is at the level of transcription, since the proximal promoter activity of IL-13 is inhibited in T cells following transient transfection of the cells with a reporter gene construct containing 312 bp of IL-13 promoter and a reporter gene, luciferase (LUC; Fig. 2). We also showed that the expression of IL-13 -induced eotaxin from a bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B, was also inhibited by 10 ng/ml and higher doses of CClO (Fig. 3).

Example 2 — Delivery of CClO via mucosal gene transfer

[42] To examine whether the level of CClO has any effects on various inflammatory parameters in vivo, experiments were performed to determine whether changes in those inflammatory phenotypes seen in sensitized and challenged CClO-deficient mice could be reversed by administration of a CClO-expression construct. Recently, we have generated a CClO-gene construct in an expression vector (pcDNA3; Jjtivitrogen). The murine CClO coding-region gene was amplified from mouse lungs by PCR, and inserted into the polylinker site of an expression vector, pCDNA3. The resulting plasmids (pcDNACClO) were propagated in E. coli and purified according to standard method. Using this plasmid-based construct, we have performed a preliminary study to examine the in vivo expression of transduced CClO genes on the expression of Ag-induced inflammatory and bronchial responses in mice. Different groups of mice were sensitized and challenged. Three days prior to challenge, mice aspirated 50 μl of the following materials daily for two days: pcDNA (mock) + lippofectamine (5 μg plasmid + 15 μl of lippofectamine); or pcDNACClO (5 μg) + 15 μl of lippofectamine.

[43] Three days after mucosal CClO-gene transfer, significant expression of CClO in the epithelium was seen. By Western blotting analysis expression of CClO is clearly evident in CClO-deficient mice receiving a CClO-expression construct (pCDNACCIO; Figs. 4A and 4B). As expected, no expression of CClO was seen in the bronchial epithelium and the lung homogenates of mock-transduced mice (Figs. 4A and 4B). A significantly lower degree of eosinophilia (Figs. 4A and 4B) and cytokines (both IL-4 and IL-13; Fig. 5C) in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluids (BALF) was seen in CClO-gene transduced, CClO-deficient mice. In contrast, mock- transduced mice showed similar level of inflammatory parameters as mice challenged with OVA alone without CClO-gene transfer. Also, no significant change in the level of BALF LFN-γ was seen (Fig. 5D).

Example 3— CClO plays a direct role in modulation of Ag-induced IL-13 production in T cells

[44] Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP or CClO) is an immunomodulatory protein. We have recently demonstrated an altered pulmonary allergic inflammatory response in mice deficient for the CClO gene, and significantly elevated level of a Th2 cytokine, IL-13. These in vivo findings prompted us to investigate a potential role of CClO in modulation of LL-13 gene expression in T cells. [45] Jurkat T cells were activated by a combination of ionomycin and PMA in the presence or absence of varying doses of recombinant CClO (0.1-1000 ng/ml). The expression of LL-13 transcripts in resting or activated Jurkat T cells was examined by a semi- quantitative RT-PCR. A significant reduction in the level of IL-13 gene expression was seen when activated T cells were cultured in the presence of 1 ng/ml or higher of CClO. This inhibitory effect was also seen in T cells pretreated with CClO two hours prior to activation.

Example 4— CClO plays a role in the modulation of pulmonary allergic inflammation

[46] The objective of this study was ^"to investigate the effect of airway gene transfer of Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP or CClO), a protein with potent anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities, on allergic mucosal sensitization. We have recently demonstrated altered pulmonary allergic inflammatory responses in mice deficient for the CClO genes and significantly elevated levels of Th2 cytokines, particularly IL-13. In this report, we show that CClO regulates the eosinophils and Th2 cytokines production both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, the reconstitutive expression of CClO in CClO-deficient mice reveal a significantly lower degree of eosinophilia and cytokines (both IL-4 and IL-13). In vitro, our studies showed that a significant reduction in the level of LL-13 gene and protein expression, but not LL-2 and IFN-r, was seen when T cell were cultured in the presence of 10 ng/ml or higher of CClO.

Example 5 — Inhibitory window

[47] Using Jurkat T cells, we have examined the expression of IL-13 in activated cells following the treatment with a wider dose range of rCCIO. The cells were activated with a combination of PMA and ionomycin in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of rCCIO (0.1-1000 ng/ml). After 4-hr stimulation, total RNAs were isolated from various cultures and analyzed for the level of IL-13 transcript by semi- quantitative RT-PCR. rCCIO at 10 and 100 ng/ml inhibit the expression of LL-13 transcripts in activated cells (Figure 6). Interestingly, significant enhancement of IL- 13 gene expression was seen when the cells were treated with 500 ng/ml or higher of rCCIO, suggesting a naπow range of rCCIO concentration to exhibit its inhibitory effect.

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Claims

We Claim:

1. A method of treating a person with an allergic inflammatory disease, comprising: administering to the person from 0.4 ug/kg to 40 ug/kg of CClO, whereby expression of Th2 cytokines and/or eotaxin is decreased.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering is by aspiration.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the administering is by instillation.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is asthma.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is rhinitis.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is eczema.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is food allergy.

8. A method of treating a person with an allergic inflammatory disease, comprising: administering to the person an effective amount of an expression construct encoding CClO, whereby expression of Th2 cytokines and/or eotaxin is decreased.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the administering is by aspiration.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the administering is by instillation.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is asthma.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is rhinitis.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is eczema.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is food allergy.

15. A method for screening test substances to identify candidate drugs for treatment of an allergic inflammatory disease, comprising: contacting a test substance with a cell which produces CClO; determining CClO production in the cell; and identifying a test substance as a candidate drug for teating an allergic inflamatory disease if it reduces production of CClO by the cell.

16. The method of claim 15 wheein the cell is an epithelial cell.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the cell is a bronchial epithelial cell.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the cell is a T cell.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is asthma.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is rhinitis.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is eczema.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein the allergic inflammatory disease is food allergy.