Double Anti-angiogenic and Anti-inflammatory Protein Valpha Targeting VEGF-A and TNF-α in Retinopathy and Psoriasis

Abstract

Pathological angiogenesis usually involves disrupted vascular integrity, vascular leakage, and infiltration of inflammatory cells, which are governed mainly by VEGF-A and TNF-α. Although many inhibitors targeting either VEGF-A or TNF-α have been developed, there is no single inhibitor molecule that simultaneously targets both molecules. Here, we designed and generated a novel chimeric decoy receptor (Valpha) that can simultaneously bind to VEGF-A and TNF-α and block their actions. In this experimental design, we have shown that Valpha, which is an effective synchronous blocker of VEGF-A and TNF-α, can drastically increase treatment effectiveness through its dual-blocking characteristics. Valpha contains the VEGF-A-binding domain of VEGFR1, the TNF-α-binding domain of TNFR2, and the Fc domain of IgG1. Valpha exhibited strong binding characteristics for its original counterparts, VEGF-A and TNF-α, but not for the extracellular matrix, resulting in a highly favorable pharmacokinetic profile in vivo. Compared with VEGF-Trap or Enbrel, both of which block either VEGF-A or TNF-α, singularly, Valpha is a highly effective molecule for reducing abnormal vascular tufts and the number of F4/80(+) macrophages in a retinopathy model. In addition, Valpha showed superior relief effects in a psoriasis model with regard to epidermal thickness and the area of blood and lymphatic vessels. Thus, the simultaneous blocking of VEGF-A and TNF-α using Valpha is an effective therapeutic strategy and cost-efficient for treatment of retinopathy and psoriasis.