mAbs (Jan 2020)

VHH antibody targeting the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 inhibits progression of atherosclerosis

  • Sarah Low,
  • Haixia Wu,
  • Kavita Jerath,
  • Annette Tibolla,
  • Birgit Fogal,
  • Rebecca Conrad,
  • Deborah Webb,
  • Margit MacDougall,
  • Steven Kerr,
  • Valentina Berger,
  • Rajvee Dave,
  • Jorge Villalona,
  • Lynn Pantages,
  • Jennifer Ahlberg,
  • Hua Li,
  • Diane Van Hoorick,
  • Cedric Ververken,
  • John Broadwater,
  • Alisa Waterman,
  • Sanjaya Singh,
  • Rachel Kroe-Barrett

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/19420862.2019.1709322
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1

Abstract

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CX3CR1 has been identified as a highly attractive target for several therapeutic interventions. Despite this potential, no potent antagonists, either small molecule or monoclonal antibody, have been identified. Here we describe the lead finding and engineering approach that lead to the identification of BI 655088, a potent biotherapeutic antagonist to CX3CR1. BI 655088 is a potent CX3CR1 antagonist that, upon therapeutic dosing, significantly inhibits plaque progression in the standard mouse model of atherosclerosis. BI 655088 represents a novel and highly selective biotherapeutic that could reduce inflammation in the atherosclerotic plaque when added to standard of care treatment including statins, which could result in a significant decrease in atherothrombotic events in patients with existing cardiovascular disease.

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