C3d-Targeted factor H inhibits tissue complement in disease models and reduces glomerular injury without affecting circulating complement
Authors: Fei Liu, Sarah T. Ryan, Kelly C. Fahnoe, Jennifer G. Morgan, Anne E. Cheung, Michael J. Storek, Alejandro Best, Hui A. Chen, Monica Locatelli, Shuyun Xu, Enno Schmidt, Leon F. Schmidt-Jiménez, Katja Bieber, Joel M. Henderson, Christine G. Lian, Admar Verschoor, Ralf J. Ludwig, Ariela Benigni, Giuseppe Remuzzi, David J. Salant, Susan L. Kalled, Joshua M. Thurman, V. Michael Holers, Shelia M. Violette, Stefan Wawersik
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2024)

Complement-mediated diseases can be treated using systemic inhibitors. However, complement components are abundant in circulation, affecting systemic inhibitors' exposure and efficacy. Furthermore, because of complement's essential role in immunity, systemic treatments raise infection risk in patients. To address these challenges, we developed antibody fusion proteins combining the alternative-pathway complement inhibitor factor H (fH1–5) with an anti-C3d monoclonal antibody (C3d-mAb-2fH). Because C3d is deposited at sites of complement activity, this molecule localizes to tissue complement while minimizing circulating complement engagement. These fusion proteins bind to deposited complement in diseased human skin sections and localize to activated complement in a primate skin injury model. We further explored the pharmacology of C3d-mAb-2fH proteins in rodent models with robust tissue complement activation. Doses of C3d-mAb-2fH >1 mg/kg achieved >75% tissue complement inhibition in mouse and rat injury models while avoiding circulating complement blockade. Glomerular-specific complement inhibition reduced proteinuria and preserved podocyte foot-process architecture in rat membranous nephropathy, indicating disease-modifying efficacy. These data indicate that targeting local tissue complement results in durable and efficacious complement blockade in skin and kidney while avoiding systemic inhibition, suggesting broad applicability of this approach in treating a range of complement-mediated diseases. Complement-mediated diseases can be treated using systemic inhibitors. However, complement components are abundant in circulation, affecting systemic inhibitors' exposure and efficacy. Furthermore, because of complement's essential role in immunity, systemic treatments raise infection risk in patients. To address these challenges, we developed antibody fusion proteins combining the alternative-pathway complement inhibitor factor H (fH1–5) with an anti-C3d monoclonal antibody (C3d-mAb-2fH). Because C3d is deposited at sites of complement activity, this molecule localizes to tissue complement while minimizing circulating complement engagement. These fusion proteins bind to deposited complement in diseased human skin sections and localize to activated complement in a primate skin injury model. We further explored the pharmacology of C3d-mAb-2fH proteins in rodent models with robust tissue complement activation. Doses of C3d-mAb-2fH >1 mg/kg achieved >75% tissue complement inhibition in mouse and rat injury models while avoiding circulating complement blockade. Glomerular-specific complement inhibition reduced proteinuria and preserved podocyte foot-process architecture in rat membranous nephropathy, indicating disease-modifying efficacy. These data indicate that targeting local tissue complement results in durable and efficacious complement blockade in skin and kidney while avoiding systemic inhibition, suggesting broad applicability of this approach in treating a range of complement-mediated diseases.