Hybrid molecule comprising a citrullinated fibrin-derived peptide and an antibody or antibody fragment binding to CD38 and / or CD138, and its uses
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021002804
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-03-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-03-19
AI Technical Summary
Current treatments for rheumatoid arthritis focus on symptom relief and do not address the underlying cause, specifically the presence of autoantibodies (ACPA) that trigger chronic inflammation, leading to irreversible joint destruction.
A hybrid molecule comprising a citrullinated peptide derived from fibrin and an antibody or antibody fragment that targets CD38 and/or CD138, allowing for the specific elimination of plasma cells secreting ACPA through apoptosis, phagocytosis, ADCC, or complement activation.
The hybrid molecule effectively targets and eliminates ACPA-secreting plasma cells, potentially inducing remission of rheumatoid arthritis by reducing the source of autoantibodies, thereby addressing the root cause of the disease.
Abstract
Description
Description Title of the invention: Hybrid molecule comprising a citrullinated fibrin-derived peptide and an antibody or antibody fragment binding to CD38 and / or CD138, and its uses
[0001] — The present invention relates to a hybrid molecule comprising a peptide ci- trullinated fibrin derivative and an antibody or antibody fragment binding to CD38 and / or CD13B8, the uses of such a hybrid molecule, as well as its process of production. Context of the invention
[0002] — Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common of the inflammatory rheumatic diseases or arthritis, but also the most common autoimmune disease. The disease is ca- characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial joints leading to irreversible joint destruction.
[0003] — The presence of class G autoantibodies directed against citrullinated proteins and called anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies (ACPA), is highly specific to Rheumatoid arthritis. Patient sera that contain ACPA, the lymphocyte cells that express them on their membrane and the patients themselves, are said to be 'ACPA-positive'. Several studies have shown that these ACPAs are at the heart autoimmune reactions specific to rheumatoid disease, and thus represent a therapeutic target of choice.
[0004] — The antigenic targets of ACPA have been characterized. They are notably directed specifically against deiminated or citrullinated forms of polypep- chains tidiques to and [3 of fibrin, a protein abundant in inflammatory synovial tissue. This citrullination corresponds to the enzymatic deimination of the arginyl residues of a protein, under the action of peptidyl-arginine deiminases (PAD).
[0005] — More specifically, the immunodominant epitopes recognized by ACPA on the α and [3] fibrin polypeptide chains have been characterized and published, in particular in applications PCT / FR00 / 01857 or PCT / FR2007 / 000758. The five peptides listed below- Trullinated proteins carrying immunodominant epitopes are particularly the peptides named a36-50Cit (as represented in SEQ ID NO: 5), a171-185Cit (as as represented in SEQ ID NO: 6), a501-515Cit (as represented in SEQ ID NO: 14), a621-635Cit (as represented in SEQ ID NO: 18) and [360-74Cit (as re- presented in SEQ ID NO: 19). Sera from ACPA-positive patients recognize a or several of these five peptides.
[0006] Secreted into the rheumatoid synovial tissue by local plasma cells, ACPAs y exhibit a high concentration, close to their main target, the fibrin ci- trullin, which is also abundant there in the form of interstitial deposits. The binding of ACPA to these deposits and therefore the formation of immobilized immune complexes, which in turn bind rheumatoid factors, another autoantibody associated with rheumatoid arthritis and also secreted by local plasma cells, triggers a cascade of pro-inflammatory events. The stimulation of macrophage cells by these immune macro-complexes, essentially via their membrane Fegamma receptors, leads them to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and in particular TNF-alpha which has been identified as the main cytokine responsible for rheumatoid inflammation. To date, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Treatments are only aimed at treating flare-ups and / or preventing their occurrence. One object of the present invention is thus to provide a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. ACPAs are oligoclonal and therefore secreted by only a few plasmacytic clones, themselves resulting from the differentiation of a few B lymphocyte clones. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, clones of B lymphocytes express on their membrane immunoglobulins carrying the ACPA specificity (these are ACPA-positive B lymphocytes), while the plasma cells resulting from the differentiation of ACPA-positive B lymphocyte clones (these are ACPA-positive plasma cells) secrete ACPA in abundance into their microenvironment. The present invention is based on the Inventors' results showing that it is possible to target and eliminate plasma cells that abundantly secrete ACPAs in their microenvironment using a hybrid molecule comprising (i) a fibrin-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue and (ii) an antibody or antibody fragment binding to CD38 and / or CD138. These hybrid molecules will target the plasma cells (using the antibody or antibody fragment binding to CD38 and / or CD138, which are molecular markers expressed on the surface of said plasma cells) and, thanks to the fibrin-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue, the hybrid molecule will be specifically recognized by the ACPAs (the peptide being the target of these ACPAs).After bridging (ACPA binding to the hybrid molecule, itself bound to plasma cells), the plasma cells will be lysed by apoptosis, by phagocytosis in the presence of macrophages, by ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) in the presence of NK cells, or by complement activation. By targeting plasma cells that secrete ACPA, the hybrid molecules of the invention aim to eliminate ACPA from the patients' bodies and the source of these ACPA in order to induce remission of the disease. Targeting plasma cells and the antibodies released by said plasma cells using The hybrid has already been described, for example in application EP2892926. However, no specific construct or outcome related to rheumatoid arthritis is described. Description of the invention Hybrid molecule according to the invention In a first aspect, the invention relates to a hybrid molecule comprising at least one fibrin-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue, said peptide being covalently linked to at least one antibody or at least one antibody fragment, said antibody or fragment being capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138, one or more spacers being optionally present between said peptide and said antibody or fragment. The schematic of such a construct is shown in [Fig. 1]. According to the invention, a "hybrid molecule" means a molecule having at least two components of a different nature, in this case said peptide and an antibody or fragment of antibody capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138. According to the invention, an "antibody" is understood to be an immunoglobulin. Immunoglobulins consist of an assembly of two dimers, each composed of a heavy chain and a light chain. Each of the heavy and light chains consists of a constant region and a variable region. More precisely, each light chain consists of a variable region (VL) and a constant region (CL). Each heavy chain consists of a variable region (VH) and a constant region composed of three or four constant domains CH1, CH2, CH3, and optionally CH4. The antibody is understood to be IgM, IgD, IgG, IgA, and IgE. Preferably, the antibody is an IgG, more particularly IgG1. An antibody according to the invention is also understood to be a bispecific antibody, having an affinity for two different antigens. The antibody used in the hybrid molecule according to the invention is preferably a monoclonal antibody. According to the invention, an "antibody fragment" means a portion of an antibody that carries the antigen-binding site. Such antibody fragments are, for example, Fab, F(ab')2, Fv, dsFv, scFv, single-chain fragments such as isolated VH or VL fragments, camelid VHHs, cartilaginous fish VNARs, or multispecific antibodies composed of different fragments, such as bispecific antibodies, or "nanobodies," "diabodies," "triabodies," or "tetrabodies," or tandem scFvs. These fragments are well known to those skilled in the art. Further information concerning these fragments and constructs is described, for example, in international application W0O2017137579, Bird et al., 1988 Science 242:423-426; and Huston et al, 1988 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 85:5879-5883, or Nelson, mAbs 2:1, 77-83; January / February 2010. Typically, a "Fab" is an antibody fragment comprising approximately half of the N-terminal end of the heavy chain and the entire light chain of an antibody, linked by a disulfide bond. Fab can be obtained from an IgG antibody by treatment with the protease papain. An "F(ab')2" thus designates two Fab fragments as defined above, linked together by a disulfide bond. F(ab')2 can also be obtained from an IgG antibody by treatment with the protease pepsin. Typically, an "Fv" corresponds to two VL and VH domains associated non-covalently and a "dsFv" corresponds to the association of a VH and VL linked by a disulfide bridge. Typically, a single-chain Fv (scFv) is a VH:VL polypeptide synthesized using genes encoding the VL and VH domains and a sequence encoding a peptide designed to link these domains. scFvs can be associated with each other to form, for example, diabodies (2 scFvs), triabodies (3 scFvs), or tetrabodies (4 scFvs). In such constructs, the scFvs are generally linked by one or more peptide bonds. The antigenic specificity of each scFv involved in such multimeric constructs may be identical or different. According to a preferred embodiment, in said hybrid molecule, said fragment is chosen from among the fragments, scFv, Fv, Fab or F(ab”)2, more particularly Fab or F(ab)2. According to the invention, "CD38" and "CD138" refer to markers expressed on the surface of plasma cells. CD138 is specific to plasma cells. CD38 is not specific to plasma cells, but plasma cells are nevertheless among the cells expressing this marker most strongly. Daratumumab is an example of a therapeutic antibody targeting CD38. Preferably, said antibody or fragment is directed against CD38. According to another embodiment, in said hybrid molecule, said antibody or fragment is bispecific and is directed against: CD38 and another plasma cell target or CD138 and another plasma cell target or CD38 and CD138. More particularly, according to one embodiment, in said hybrid molecule, said antibody or fragment F(ab*)2 is a bispecific antibody or fragment F(ab*)2, directed against: - CD38 and another plasma cell target, or - CD138 and another plasma cell target, or - CD38 and CD138. According to the invention, an "other plasma cell target" means any marker being expressed on the surface of plasma cells. According to the invention, the expression "covalently bonded" means a covalent bond, that is, a chemical bond in which two atoms share two electrons. This covalent bond can be polar or non-polar. According to the invention, a "spacer" is a linker that allows the covalent binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to said fibrin-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue, while simultaneously separating said antibody or fragment from said peptide (thus reducing any potential steric hindrance). It can be any molecule, and in particular a peptide. Preferably, the spacer does not alter the physicochemical properties of the hybrid molecule. The presence of at least one spacer is advantageous: it facilitates independent accessibility of the two partners of the hybrid molecule (the antibody or antibody fragment is more easily accessible to bind to plasma cells, as is the peptide said, which is more easily accessible to bind to ACPA-positive B cells), and / or stabilizes the hybrid molecule, and / or increases the solubility of the hybrid molecule. According to one embodiment, the hybrid molecule of the invention may comprise one or more spacers. Preferably, the hybrid molecule comprises one or two spacers. In one embodiment, when at least one spacer is present in said hybrid molecule of the invention, said antibody or antibody fragment is covalently linked to a spacer, said spacer being itself covalently linked to said peptide. In another embodiment, when at least two spacers are present in said hybrid molecule of the invention, said antibody or antibody fragment is covalently linked to a first spacer, said first spacer being itself covalently linked to a second spacer, and the second spacer is itself covalently linked to said peptide. The linkage between the antibody or antibody fragment and the peptide may therefore be direct, or indirect in the presence of spacers. According to one embodiment, the hybrid molecule according to the invention may comprise at least one fibrin-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue. This means that the antibody or antibody fragment may be linked to one or two peptides. Indeed, the antibody or antibody fragment comprises two monomers, and as such, the antibody or antibody fragment may be covalently linked to a peptide on only one of the two monomers, or the antibody or antibody fragment may be covalently linked to a peptide on each monomer (or three or four in the case of a bispecific antibody or fragment). Preferably, when two peptides are linked to the antibody or antibody fragment, the two peptides are identical, for example, two peptides of SEQ ID NO: 18 or SEQ ID NO: 19. In one embodiment, said spacer is a polymer containing one or more repeating units containing the ether group. In a particular embodiment, said spacer is polyethylene glycol of formula PEGn, in which n represents an integer between 1 and 100, preferably between 1 and 10, and in particular 1, 2, 3, 4 or 8. According to the invention, said polyethylene glycol can be functionalized, for example with an amine group (PEGn-amine such as PEG-NH;). According to the invention, "an integer between 1 and 100" represents all integer values between 1 and 100, i.e.; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100. According to the invention, the expression "fibrin-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue" means a fibrin or fibrinogen molecule in which at least one arginyl residue has been substituted by a citrullyl residue. A "fibrin-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue" according to the invention means a peptide recognized by ACPAs and may also be called a "citrullinated peptide." Such peptides can be obtained from natural, recombining, or synthetic fragments of fibrin or fibrinogen. Such peptides can also be directly synthesized. The amino acids constituting the peptide can be of the L or D series, preferably of the L series. This substitution can, for example, be carried out by an enzymatic deimination step under the action of peptidyl-arginine deiminases (PADs). Such a peptide can also be obtained by directly incorporating one or more citrullyl residues into the synthesized peptide. According to one embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, said peptide is derived from all or part of the sequence of the " or B" chain of a vertebrate fibrin, by substitution of at least one arginyl residue with a citrullyl residue. Preferably, said peptide is derived from a sequence of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of the " (in particular represented by SEQ ID NO: 27) or " B" chain (in particular represented by SEQ ID NO: 28) of a vertebrate fibrin. More particularly, said vertebrate fibrin is a mammalian fibrin, preferably human. According to one embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, the peptide has a size of at least 2 consecutive amino acids, 3 consecutive amino acids, 4 consecutive amino acids, preferably 5 consecutive amino acids, and more preferably between 5 and 25 amino acids. According to the invention, "between 5 and 25" means all the values: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. Preferably, said peptide has a size of between 10 and 20 amino acids, more particularly 15 amino acids. According to one embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, said peptide is preferably linear. According to one embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, the peptide can be modified to improve its reactivity towards ACPAs. By way of example, peptides can be cyclized, or they can be of the retro-type (the L-series amino acids are linked in a reverse sequence to that of the peptide to be reproduced), or of the retro-inverso type (the amino acids are of the D-type instead of the natural L series and are linked in a reverse sequence to that of the peptide to be reproduced). In a further particular embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, the terminal carboxyl (COOH) group of said peptide is replaced by a carboxamide (CONH) group. Preferably, in the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 12, the terminal carboxyl (COOH) group of said peptide is replaced by a carboxamide (CONH) group.As an example, the peptide B60-74Cit (as represented in SEQ ID NO: 19) advantageously exhibits such a carboxamide function. According to another embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, the peptide can be modified to facilitate its synthesis and / or improve its stability, for example by alkylation. In a further particular embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, the terminal amine (NH₂) group of said peptide is acetylated. Preferably, in the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, the terminal amine group of said peptide is acetylated. By way of example, the peptide a621-635Cit (as shown in SEQ ID NO: 18) advantageously has such an acetyl group on its terminal amine (NH₂). According to one embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, the amine and carboxyl functions of the peptide can be in the form of the salt corresponding to the acid or the base. According to one embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, said peptide comprises at least one citrullyl residue], and is selected from the group consisting of: a) a peptide defined by the sequence X,PAPPPISGGGYX;AX; (SEQ ID NO: 1) in which X,, X,, and X; each represent a citrullyl residue or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X; or X; is a citrullyl residue; b) a peptide defined by the sequence GPX,VVEX,HQSACKDS (SEQ ID NO: 2) in which X, and X> each represent a citrullyl residue or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X, is a citrullyl residue; (c) a peptide defined by the sequence SGIGTLDGFX,HX;HPD (SEQ ID NO: 3) in which X, and X; each represent a citrullyl residue or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X; is a citrullyl residue; d) a peptide defined by the sequence VDIDIKIX,SCX:GSCS (SEQ ID NO: 4) in which X, and X; each represent a citrullyl residue or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X; is a citrullyl residue; (e) a peptide defined by the sequence X,GHAKSX,PVX;GIHTS (SEQ ID NO: 12) in which X, X; and X; each represent a citrullyl residue or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X; or X; is a citrullyl residue; f) a peptide comprising at least 5 consecutive amino acids, including at least one citrullyl residue, from one of the peptides a) to e) above. According to a particular embodiment, said peptide comprises at least one citrullyl residue, and is selected from the group consisting of: - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 in which at least one residue selected from X, or X, or X, is a citrullyl residue, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrullyl residue(s); - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 2 in which at least X, or X; is a citrullyl residue, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrullyl residue(s); - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 3 in which at least X, or X; is a citrullyl residue, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrullyl residue(s); - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 4 in which at least X, or X; is a citrullyl residue, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrully residue(s); - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 12 in which at least X, or X, or X, is a citrullyl residue, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrullyl residue(s). According to a further particular embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, said peptide comprises at least one citrullyl residue, and is chosen from the group consisting of: - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 in which X;, X2, and X; are citrullyl residues, or a peptide of at least 15 amino acids comprising said sequence (this is a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19); - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 2 in which X, and X; are citrullyl residues, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrullyl residues (this is a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 5); - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 3 in which X; and X; are citrullyl residues, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrullyl residues (this is a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 14); - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 4 in which X, and X; are citrullyl residues, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrullyl residues (this is a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 6); - a peptide defined by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 12 in which X, X; and X; are citrullyl residues, or a peptide comprising a fragment of at least 10 consecutive amino acids of said sequence containing said citrullyl residues (this is a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 18). According to a further particular embodiment, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, said peptide is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 5 (036-S0cit:3.42), SEQ ID NO: 6 (a171-185cit72,181), SEQ ID NO: 7 (d183-197cit1a6.190), SEQ ID NO: 8 (a246-260cit,s3), SEQ ID NO: 9 (a259-273cit,63,271), SEQ ID NO: 10 (a366-380citz67), SEQ ID NO: 11 (0396-410cit;4), SEQ ID NO: 13 (0411-425cit 45), SEQ ID NO: 14 (a501-515cits10512), SEQ ID NO: 15 (a546-560cits47), SEQ ID NO: 16 (a561-57Scits73), SEQ ID NO: 17 (a588-602cits9:), SEQ ID NO: 18 (a621-635cité21627,630), SEQ ID NO: 19 (B60-74cits9,72,74), SEQ ID NO: 20 (B210-224cit.24), SEQ ID NO: 21 (B281-295cit28s204), SEQ ID NO: 22 (B420-434cit41) and SEQ ID NO: 23 (B433-447cit436,445), more particularly chosen from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 5 (036-50citz2,42), SEQ ID NO: 6 (a171-18Scit178, 181), SEQ ID NO: 14 (a501-515cits10,512), SEQ ID NO: 18 (a621-635cite21627630) and SEQ ID NO: 19 (B60-74cit(,7274), even more particularly chosen from SEQ ID NO: 18 (a621-635cite21.627,630) and SEQ ID NO: 19 (B60-74cit60.72.74). . The antibody or antibody fragment and the peptide each have N- and C-terminal ends. The antibody or antibody fragment can therefore be linked via its N- or C-terminal end to the N- or C-terminal end of the peptide. According to another preferred embodiment, in the hybrid molecule according to the invention, the covalent bond is located between the N-terminal end of the peptide and the N-terminal end of the antibody or antibody fragment, or between the N-terminal end of the peptide and the C-terminal end of the antibody or antibody fragment. In one embodiment, when a spacer is present, the spacer can be linked to the antibody or fragment via its N- or C-terminal end.According to another embodiment, when two spacers are present, the first spacer can be linked to the antibody or antibody fragment via its N- or C-terminal end, and the second spacer can be linked to the peptide via its N- or C-terminal end, particularly its N-terminal end. Alternatively, said covalent bond between said antibody or fragment and said peptide (optionally in the presence of one or more spacers) can be created on all or part of the antibody or fragment, provided that the latter retains its ability to bind to plasma cells. According to the invention, "all or part of the antibody or the..." "Fragment" means that different amino acids constituting the antibody or fragment may be involved in a covalent bond with said peptide. According to a preferred embodiment, when at least one spacer is present in said hybrid molecule of the invention, it allows the antibody or fragment to be bound to an azide or an alkyne, which will itself be involved in the covalent bond with said peptide. In another embodiment, when at least one spacer is present in said hybrid molecule of the invention, it can also allow the peptide to be bound to an alkyne or an azide, which will itself be involved in the covalent bond with the antibody or fragment. In a further particular embodiment, the hybrid molecule according to the invention comprises at least two spacers: a first spacer that allows the antibody or fragment to be bound to an azide or an alkyne, and a second spacer that allows the peptide to be bound to an azide (when the antibody or fragment is bound to an alkyne) or to an alkyne (when the Fc fragment is bound to an azide). According to an embodiment of the invention, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention, said antibody or said fragment: - is coupled to an azide or an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, or - is linked to a spacer which is itself coupled to an azide or an alkyne, such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, and said peptide is either coupled to an azide or an alkyne, such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, or linked to a spacer which is itself coupled to an azide or an alkyne, such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, the covalent bond between said fragment and said peptide, possibly in the presence of one or more spacers, or being created between the azide and the alkyne. According to an embodiment of the invention, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention: - said antibody or fragment is coupled to an azide and said peptide is coupled to an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, or - said antibody or fragment is coupled to an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, and said peptide is coupled to an azide, the covalent bond between said antibody or fragment and said peptide being created between the azide and the alkyne. According to an embodiment of the invention, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention: - said antibody or fragment is linked to a spacer, itself coupled to an azide, and said peptide is coupled to an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, or - said antibody or fragment is linked to a spacer, itself coupled to an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, and said peptide is coupled to an azide, the covalent bond between said antibody or fragment and said peptide, in the presence of a spacer, being created between the azide and the alkyne. According to an embodiment of the invention, in said hybrid molecule according to the invention: - said antibody or fragment is linked to a spacer, itself coupled to an azide, and said peptide is also linked to a second spacer, itself coupled to an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, or - said antibody or fragment is linked to a spacer, itself coupled to an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne, and in particular DBCO, and said peptide is also linked to a second spacer, itself coupled to an azide, the covalent bond between said antibody or fragment and said peptide, in the presence of one or more spacers, being created between the azide and the alkyne. According to one embodiment, in the molecules described above, more particularly in paragraphs
[0043] to
[0046] , the spacer used is preferably a PEGn spacer, n preferably representing an integer between 1 and 10. When the hybrid molecule according to the invention comprises at least two PEGn spacers, the values n of the two spacers may be identical or different. For example, the first spacer may be a PEG; and the second spacer may be a PEG, or PEG,. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, in the molecules described above, more particularly in paragraphs
[0043] to
[0046] , the peptide is derived from human fibrin or fibrinogen and the antibody or antibody fragment is human. According to one embodiment of the invention, said hybrid molecule according to the invention is represented by: - an antibody fragment capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, preferably PEG, itself coupled to an azide covalently linked to a cyclooctyne coupled to a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 19 (B60-74cit(0,72,74) OR SEQ ID NO: 18 (a621-635cit421627.630), OR - an antibody fragment capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, preferably PEG, itself coupled to an azide covalently linked to a cyclooctyne coupled to a PEGn spacer, preferably PEG, itself linked to a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 19 (B60-74cit(0,72,74), or SEQ ID NO: 18 (a621-635cit 621,627,630)+ n preferably representing an integer between 1 and 10, more particularly 1, 2, 3, 4 or 8, and said fragment preferably being a Fab fragment. According to an even more particular embodiment of the invention, said The hybrid molecule according to the invention is represented by: - an antibody fragment capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, preferably PEG, itself coupled to an azide covalently linked to a cyclooctyne coupled to a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 19 (B60-74cit(9,72,74), OR - an antibody fragment capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, preferably PEG, itself coupled to an azide covalently linked to a cyclooctyne coupled to a PEGn spacer, preferably PEG, itself linked to a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 19 (B60-74cit(0,72,24), OR - an antibody fragment capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, preferably PEG, itself coupled to an azide covalently linked to a cyclooctyne coupled to a PEGn spacer, preferably PEG, itself linked to a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 18 (0621-635cite2 627.630), n preferably representing an integer between | and 10, more particularly 1, 2, 3, 4 or 8, and said fragment preferably being a Fab fragment. According to the invention, the formation of the covalent bond between the azide and the alkyne corresponds to a so-called "click chemistry" step, the N3 portion of the azide reacting with an alkyne. Azide refers to salts of hydrozoic acid (HN), or organic azides in which one of the nitrogen atoms is covalently bonded to a carbon atom of an organic compound (for example, methyl azide, CH,N3). Preferably, the azide is represented by the formula N3. The alkyne refers to molecules having the general formula C,H>.2, and which are characterized by the presence of at least one triple bond. Preferably, the alkyne is a cyclooctyne, and even more preferably, dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO). The antibody or fragment, the peptide, and optionally the spacer(s) are coupled to the alkyne or azide by any conventionally used molecular coupling technique (such as conjugation). Any technique may also be used to covalently link the antibody or fragment to the spacer and / or the peptide to the spacer. More specifically, a conjugation technique refers to either enzymatic or chemical conjugation. Enzymatic conjugation, for example, involves conjugation using a transglutaminase, which catalyzes the formation of covalent bonds between free amine groups and glutamine or lysine residues, or using a transpeptidase such as sortase. For further information on enzymatic conjugation, see, for example, patent applications US20160361434 or US20170313787, or the publication Ohtsuka et al., Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, Volume 64, 2000 - Issue 12, "Comparison of Substrate Specificities of Transglutaminases Using Synthetic Peptides as Acyl Donors." The substrate of transglutaminase is, for example, a peptide. containing a glutamyl residue (a Qtag), as represented by SEQ ID NO: 29 (LLQG). The antibody or fragment may carry the Qtag. Chemical conjugation refers, for example, to a covalent bond between an isolated cysteine or a cysteine participating in a disulfide bridge after its reduction, and, for example, a maleimide. According to the invention, the term "coupled" or "molecular coupling" refers to the establishment of a covalent bond, such that the antibody or fragment and / or peptide and / or spacer is covalently linked to an alkyne or an azide. The term "linked" also refers to a covalent bond. Thus, for example, the expression "said antibody or fragment is linked to a spacer, itself coupled to an azide, and said peptide is also linked to a second spacer, itself coupled to an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne," can also be read as "said antibody or fragment is covalently linked to a spacer, itself covalently linked to an azide, and said peptide is also covalently linked to a second spacer, itself covalently linked to an alkyne such as a cyclooctyne." Utilisati lécules hybri Jon l'inventi In a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a hybrid molecule as defined above, for its use as a drug. More specifically, according to the invention, said hybrid molecules are designed to target and lyse ACPA-secreting plasma cells in the patient's body, via apoptosis, phagocytosis, ADCC, or complement activation. Indeed, the hybrid molecule according to the invention binds to plasma cells through an antibody or fragment that binds to CD38 and / or CD138. The hybrid molecule according to the invention also binds to ACPA through a fibrin-derived peptide having a citrullyl residue: this is the target of said ACPA. The ACPA will then allow the hybrid molecules according to the invention, which are attached to the surface of the plasma cells, to cross-link and thus induce their apoptosis. ACPAs, like all antibodies, possess effector functions which are activated after binding to their target antigen, thus participating in plasma cell destruction by phagocytosis and / or by ADCC and / or by complement activation. According to a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a hybrid molecule, as previously defined, for use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases associated with the production of anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies, in particular Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. In this embodiment, severe forms of said autoimmune diseases associated with the production of anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies are targeted, as well as so-called "borderline" forms with other chronic arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. According to one embodiment, the invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a hybrid molecule according to any one of the claims previous indications, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. According to the invention, "a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle" means any formulation that makes the composition suitable for administration to a patient, in any pharmaceutical form. As indicated above, the present invention aims to target ACPA-secreting plasma cells. However, ACPA-positive B lymphocytes, precursors of plasma cells, are not or only minimally targeted by the hybrid molecules according to the invention before their differentiation. In a particular embodiment, the present invention thus relates to a hybrid molecule as previously described, for use as a drug, in combination with a second hybrid molecule, said second hybrid molecule comprising at least one Fc fragment of antibody covalently linked to at least one fibrin-derived peptide bearing at least one citrullyl residue, a spacer being optionally present between said Fc fragment and said peptide.Such combination therapy makes it possible to specifically target and destroy ACPA-secreting plasma cell clones and the ACPA-positive B lymphocytes that are their precursors, thereby eliminating ACPA from the patients' bodies and preventing its reappearance. According to a particular embodiment, in said second hybrid molecule according to the invention, said Fc fragment is a human Fc fragment, in particular of IgG, more particularly of IgG1. The IgG1 may belong to any allotype, for example G1m3 or nGlmI. By way of example, the IgG1 Fc fragment is represented by SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 25 (Fc+Qtag) or SEQ ID NO: 26 (Fc+Qtag bis). According to one embodiment, in said second hybrid molecule according to the invention, said Fc fragment is wild-type or mutated. The mutation(s) may aim to increase the plasma half-life, decrease it, modify the effector functions of the Fc fragment, … According to an even more specific embodiment, said mutated Fc fragment includes at least the following mutations: - L234A and L235A (LALA), or - L234A, L235A and P329G (LALAPG), or - G236A, S239D and I332E (GASDIE), or - G236A, S239D, A330L and 1332E (GASDALIE), or - S239D, H268F, S324T and I332E (SDHFSTIE or SDH), The numbering is indicated in the sequence of a human IgG1 according to the EU index. Such mutations are described in particular in the article by Bruhns and Jönsson, Immunol Rev. 2015 Nov;268(1):25-51. Preferably, when the hybrid molecule is used in therapy, the mutated Fc fragment includes at least the mutations GASDIE, GASDALIE, or SDH. According to a particular embodiment, in said second hybrid molecule according to the invention, said fragment Fc has a fucosylation rate of between 0% and 100% of the glycosylated forms. According to the invention, "between 0% and 100%" represents all integer values between 0 and 100, i.e.; O, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100%. Low fucosylation of the Fc fragment elicits a strong ADCC response. Therefore, according to a particular embodiment, said Fc fragment exhibits a fucosylation rate ranging from 0% to 60% of the glycosylated forms, specifically 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, or 0%.According to the invention, the fucosylation rate is defined as the average proportion of fucose carried by the Fc fragment, relative to the maximum amount of fucose that an Fc fragment can carry. According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the first and second hybrid molecules are administered simultaneously, separately or spread out over time. According to another embodiment, the hybrid molecule according to the invention can be coupled to at least one radioisotope or to at least one fluorochrome, such as A488 or A647. Such molecules can advantageously be used as molecular tracer tools. According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the in vitro or ex vivo use of a hybrid molecule comprising at least one fibrin-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue, said peptide being covalently linked to at least one antibody or at least one antibody fragment, said antibody or fragment being capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138, one or more spacers optionally being present between said peptide and said antibody or fragment, as a molecular tool. Such constructs can, in particular, be used to analyze the binding of hybrid molecules to ACPAs and plasma cells, as well as to analyze the reactivity of plasma cells to hybrid binding followed by ACPA bridging. The radioisotopes and / or fluorochromes are preferably coupled to the antibody fragment. The hybrid ductile process was invented In another aspect, the invention also relates to a process for obtaining a hybrid molecule as defined above. According to one embodiment, the invention thus relates to a process for producing a hybrid molecule as defined above, comprising the steps following: - (D obtaining an azide coupled to an antibody or fragment capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138, or obtaining an alkyne coupled to an antibody or fragment capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138, - (ii) obtaining an alkyne coupled to a peptide or obtaining an azide coupled to a peptide, - (iii) mixture of the products generated in (i) and (ii), the covalent bond being established specifically between the azide and the alkyne, - step (i) can be carried out before or after step (ii), or concurrently. According to one embodiment, the invention thus relates to a process for producing a hybrid molecule as defined above, comprising the following steps: - (D) coupling of an azide to an antibody or to a fragment capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138, possibly in the presence of a spacer, - (ii) coupling of an alkyne to a peptide, possibly in the presence of a spacer, - (iii) mixture of the products generated in (i) and (ii), the covalent bond being established specifically between the azide and the alkyne. - step (i) can be carried out before or after step (ii), or concurrently. According to another embodiment, the invention also relates to a process for producing a hybrid molecule as defined above, comprising the following steps: - (1) coupling of an alkyne to an antibody or fragment capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138, possibly in the presence of a spacer, - (ii) coupling of an azide to a peptide, possibly in the presence of a spacer, - (iii) mixing of the products generated in (i) and (ii), the covalent bond being established specifically between the azide and the alkyne, step (i) being able to be carried out before or after step (ii), or concomitantly. According to another embodiment, the invention also relates to a process for producing a hybrid molecule as defined above, comprising the following steps: - (D) coupling of at least one alkyne or azide to each monomer of the antibody or fragment capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138, possibly in the presence of a spacer, - (ii) coupling of at least one azide or alkyne to the peptide, possibly in the presence of a spacer, - (iii) mixture of the products generated in (i) and (ii), the covalent bond being established spec- specifically between azide and alkyne, step (1) can be carried out before or: step (ii), or concomitantly. The sequences of the invention are represented in Table 1 below. [Table 1] |Sequence |XPAPPPISGGGYX;AX; |GPX,VVEX;HQSACKDS |VDIDIKIXSCX:GSCS Sequence Number / Sequence Name if applicable SEQ ID NO: |XPAPPPISGGGYX:AX; 1 SEQ ID NO: |GPX,VVEX:HQSACKDS 2 SEQ ID NO: |SGIGTLDGFX,HX;HPD 3 SEQ ID NO: |VDIDIKIXSCX;GSCS 4 SEQ ID NO: |XGHAKSX,PVX,GIHTS 12 SEQ ID NO: |GPXVVEXHQSACKDS, X being a citrullyl residue 5 / a36-50citas,| % SEQ ID NO: |VDIDIKIXSCXGSCS, X being a citrullyl residue 6 / a171-185cit.7s,| 181 SEQ ID NO: |SCSXALAXEVDLKDY, X being a citrullyl residue 7 / a183-197cit1g6, | lan 190 SEQ ID NO: |PEWKALTDMPQMXME, X being a citrullyl residue 7 / a246-260cit2ss SEQ ID NO: |MELEXPGGNEITXGG, X being a citrullyl residue 9 / 0259-273cit263, | an SEQ ID NO: |EXGSAGHWTSESSVS, X being a citrullyl residue 10 / a366-380cits67 SEQ ID NO: |DSPGSGNAXPNNPDW, X being a citrullyl residue 11 / 0396-410cit404 SEQ ID NO: |GTFEEVSGNVSPGTX, X being a citrullyl residue 13 / a411-425cit45 SEQ ID NO: |SGIGTLDGFXHXHPD, X being a citrullyl residue 14 / a501-515citsio, | L…- 512 SEQ ID NO: |SXGSESGIFTNTKES, X being a citrullyl residue 184 a546-560cits47 SEQ ID NO: |SSHHPGIAEFPSXGK, X being a citrullyl residue 16 / a561-575cits73 SEQ ID NO: |JSYNXGDSTFESKSYK, X being a citrullyl residue 17 / a588-602citso; SEQ ID NO: |}XGHAKSXPVXGIHTS, X being a citrullyl residue 18 / a621-635citea1, | 627,630 SEQ ID NO: |XPAPPPISGGGYXAX, X being a citrullyl residue 19 / B60-74cit 60,72,74 SEQ ID NO: |QKLESDVSAQMEYCX, X being a citrullyl residue 20 / p210-224cit,24 SEQ ID NO: |VIQNXQDGSVDFGXK, X being a citrullyl residue a p281-295citags, | 294 SEQ ID NO: |PXKQCSKEDGGGWWY, X being a citrullyl residue 22 / p420-434cit41 SEQ ID NO: |\WYNXCHAANPNGXYY, X being a citrullyl residue 23 / p433-447cit4s6, | 445 SEQ ID NO: |GPRVVERHQSACKDSDWPFCSDEDWNYKCPSG( 27 / Fibrin chain |VNQDFTNRINKLKNSLFEYQKNNKDSHSLTTNIN ANNRDNTYNRVSEDLRSRIEVLKRKVIEKVQHIÇ SEQID NO: |GPRVVERHQSACKDSDWPFCSDEDWNYKCPSGCRMKGLIDE 27 / Chaine à | VNQDFTNRINKLKNSLFEYQKNNKDSHSLTTNIMEILRGDFSS de fibrinc _|ANNRDNTYNRVSEDLRSRIEVLKRKVIEKVQHIQLLQKNVRA QLVDMKRLEVDIDIKIRSCRGSCSRALAREVDLKDYEDQQKQ LEQVIAKDLLPSRDRQHLPLIKMKPVPDLVPGNFKSQLQKVPP EWKALTDMPQMRMELERPGGNEITRGGSTSYGTGSETESPRN PSSAGSWNSGSSGPGSTGNRNPGSSGTGGTATWKPGSSGPGST GSWNSGSSGTGSTGNQNPGSPRPGSTGTWNPGSSERGSAGHW TSESSVSGSTGQWHSESGSFRPDSPGSGNARPNNPDWGTFEEV SGNVSPGTRREYHTEKLVTSKGDKELRTGKEKVTSGSTTTTRR SCSKTVTKTVIGPDGHKEVTKEVVTSEDGSDCPEAMDLGTLSG IGTLDGFRHRHPDEAAFFDTASTGKTFPGFFSPMLGEFVSETES RGSESGIFTNTKESSSHHPGIAEFPSRGKSSSYSKQFTSSTSYNR GDSTFESKSYKMADEAGSEADHEGTHSTKRGHAKSRPVRGIH TS SEQ ID NO: |GHRPLDKKREEAPSLRPAPPPISGGGYRARPAKAAATQKKVER 28 / Chaine 8 |KAPDAGGCLHADPDLGVLCPTGCQLQEALLQQERPIRNSVDE defibrine | |LNNNVEAVSQTSSSSFQYMYLLKDLWQKRQKQVKDNENVVN EYSSELEKHQLYIDETVNSNIPTNLRVLRSILENLRSKIQKLESD VSAQMEYCRTPCTVSCNIPVVSGKECEEIRKGGETSEMYLIQP DSSVKPYRVYCDMNTENGGWTVIQNRQDGSVDFGRKWDPY KQGFGNVATNTDGKNYCGLPGEYWLGNDKISQLTRMGPTELLIEMEDWKGDKVKAHYGGFTVQNEANKYQISVNKYRGTAGN ALMDGASQLMGENRTMTIHNGMFFSTYDRDNDGWLTSDPRK QCSKEDGGGWWYNRCHAANPNGRYYWGGQYTWDMAKHG TDDGVVWMNWKGSWYSMRKMSMKIRPFFPQQ SEQ ID NO : APELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVK | 24 / Fragment |ENWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWL Fe NGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREE MTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL | SLSPGK SEQ ID NO: |LLQGARSDATHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTP 25 / Fragment |EVTCVVVDVSHEDPEWKFNWY VDGVEVHNACTKPREEQYNS Fc+Qtue | |TYRVVSVLTVLHODWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIECTISKAK GQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWES NGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSC SVMHEALHNHYTQKKKKSL IDSPQSL NO : |AHGHGHGLLQGARSDATHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKD 26 / Fragment |TLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEWKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP Fc + Qtag bis |REEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKKALKPACKVSPKPKD KTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDI AVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQ GNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK SEQ ID NO : |LLQG 29 (Example of Qtag SEQ ID NO :) |MFSMRIVCLVLSVVGTAWTADSGEGDFLAEGGGVRGPRVVE 30 RHQSACKDSDWPFCSDEDWNYKCPSGCRMKGLIDEVNQDFT Chain to de fiNRINKLKNSLFEYQKNNKDSHSLTTNIMEILRGDFSSANNRDN brinogen | |[TYNRVSEDLRSRIEVLKRKVIEKVQHIQLLQKNVRAQLVDMK RLEVDIDIKIRSCRGSCRALAREVDLKDYEDQQQLEQVIAK DLLPSDRQHLPLIKMKPVPDDLVPGNFKSQLQKVPPEWKALTDMPQMRMELERPGGNEITRGGSTSYGTGSETESPRNPSSAGSW NSGSSGPGSTGNRNPGSSGTGGTATWKPGSSGPGSTGSWNSGS SGTGSTGNQNPGSPRPGSTGTWNPGSSERGSAGHWTSESSVSG STGQWHSESGSFRPDSPGSGNARPNNPDWGTFEEVSGNVSPGT RREYHTEKLVTSKGDKELRGKEKVTSGSTTTTRRSCSKTVTK TVIGPDGHKEVTKEVVTSEDGSDCPEAMDLGTLSGIGTLDGFR HRHPDEAAFFDTASTGKTFPGFFSPMLGEFVSETESRGSESGIF TNTKESSSHHPGIAEFPSRGKSSSYSKQFTSSTSYNRGDSTFESK SYKMADEAGSEADHEGTHSTKRGHAKSRPVRGIHTS SEQ ID NO: |MKRMVSWSFHKLKTMKHLLLLLLCVFLVKSQGVNDNEEGFF 31 SARGHRPLDKKREEAPSLRPAPPPISGGGYRARPAKAAATQKK Chaine B de fi|VERKAPDAGGCLHADPDLGVLCPTGCQLQEALLQQERPIRNS brinogène | |VDELNNNVEAVSQTSSSSFQYMYLLKDLWQKRQKQVKDNEN VVNEYSSELEKHQLYIDETVNSNIPTNLRVLRSILENLRSKIQKL ESDVSAQMEYCRTPCTVSCNIPVVSGKECEEIIRKGGETSEMYL IQPDSSVKPYRVYCDMNTENGGWTVIQNRQDGSVDFGRKWD PYKQGFGNVATNTDGKNYCGLPGEYWLGNDKISQLTRMGPT ELLIEMEDWKGDKVKAHYGGFTVQNEANKYQISVNKYRGTA GNALMDGASQLMGENRTMTIHNGMFFSTYDRDNDGWLTSDP RKQCSKEDGGGWWYNRCHAANPNGRYYWGGQYTWDMAK HGTDDGVVWMNWKGSWYSMRKMSMKIRPFFPQQ Summary table of the invention sequences Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying Figures and examples which illustrate the invention and are in no way intended to limit it. In the exemplified hybrid molecules, it is the N-terminal end of the Fab fragment that is linked to a PEGn spacer, and it is always the N-terminal end of this peptide that is linked to cycloctyn DBCO or to a second PEGn spacer, as appropriate. Furthermore, in the exemplified hybrid molecules, in the PEGn spacer linked to the Fab fragment, n is typically 3 or 4, and in the PEGn spacer linked to the peptide, the PEGn spacer is 3 or 8, although any other value of n, particularly between 1 and 10, can be used. Brief description of the Figures Fig.1 [Fig.1] represents a plasma cell which expresses on its surface the CD38 molecules on which are linked a Dara-Fab-citrullinated peptide hybrid molecule according to the invention (a Fab fragment of the Daratumumab antibody covalently linked to a citrullinated peptide). This hybrid molecule is itself linked by the citrullinated peptide to an ACPA. The bridging of the Dara-Fab-citrullinated peptide hybrid molecules by ACPAs is cytotoxic and leads to the death of the plasma cell. Fig. 2 [Fig.2] represents the diagram of an example of a hybrid molecule according to the invention. An optional spacer is shown between the antibody or antibody fragment that binds to CD38 (Dara) and the fibrin-derived peptide with a citrullyl residue (called a "citrullinated peptide"). A construct with an F(ab)₂ fragment is also shown. As an example, F(ab)₂ can bind to both CD38 and CD138. Fab: Fragment Antigen Binding. Dara Fab: Fab of an antibody specific to the CD38 molecule (Daratumumab). Fig. 3 [Fig.3] represents the reactivity of several hybrid molecules including the SEQ ID NO peptide: 19 (p60-74cit(9,72,74) towards purified anti-B60-74 ACPA. B60-74 represents the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19. DaraFab-B60-74 represents a Fab capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide which is covalently linked to a cyclooctyne (DBCO) which is coupled to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19. DaraFab-PEG-B60-74 represents a Fab capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide which is covalently linked to a cyclooctyne (DBCO) which is coupled to a PEGn spacer which is itself linked to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19. n represents a number between 1 and 10 when a PEGn spacer is used, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4 or 8. Fig. 4 [Fig.4] represents the reactivity of several hybrid molecules including the SEQ ID NO:18 peptide (“621”) towards purified anti-621-635 ACPA. 621 represents the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 18. DaraFab-PEG-a621-635 represents a Fab capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide which is covalently linked to a cyclooctyne (DBCO) which is coupled to a PEGn spacer which is itself linked to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 18. n represents a number between 1 and 10, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4 or 8. Fig. 5 [Fig.5] represents the cytotoxicity of DaraFab-PEG-B60-74Cit towards the B cell line BAEV (BC-9) produced from lymphocytes of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, after bridging with purified anti-B60-74 ACPAs. The left side represents the percentage of living cells and the right side, the percentage of cells in late apoptosis. Fig. 6 [Fig.6] represents the expression of CD38 and the binding of Fab Dara (Fab fragment that binds to CD38 labeled with fluorochrome A647) on BC-9 cells before (left) and after (right) differentiation. Examples Example 1: Example of the production of a hybrid molecule according to the invention The hybrid molecule described here comprises the following construct: a Fab fragment covalently linked to a PEGn, itself coupled to an azide, said azide being covalently linked to an alkyne, which is itself linked to a spacer coupled to a citrullinated peptide. Such a molecule can be read as: Fab-PEGn-N,-DBCO-PEGn-citrullinated peptide. 1. Synthesis of an NH2-PEGn-N; (i.e., a spacer coupled to an azide at one end) and possessing a free amine function at the other end). 2. Incubation of NH-PEGn-N with a Fab fragment possessing a Qtag and transglutaminase, preferably for 16 hours at 37°C. This "derivatization" step is preferably performed with 10 times more moles of NH-PEGn-N than moles of Fab fragment. Transglutaminase is used at a concentration of 15 U / mol per Qtag present. Optionally, desalting can be performed to remove excess spacer not bound to the Fab fragment at the end of this step. A Fab-PEGn-N is thus obtained. If the antibody or fragment contains two Qtags (one on each monomer), then the antibody or fragment can carry two PEGn-Ns. 3. Synthesis of a Cys-PEGn-citrullinated peptide (i.e., a spacer coupled to a peptide at one end and possessing a free cysteine at the other end). The DBCO is then coupled to the Cys-PEGn-citrullinated peptide at the cysteine, and a DBCO-PEGn-citrullinated peptide is thus obtained. 4. "Click" reaction: coupling between N and DBCO. DBCO-PEGn-citrullinated peptide is brought into contact with Fab-PEGn-N, preferably using 10 times more moles of DBCO-PEGn-citrullinated peptide than moles of Fab-PEGn-N. The click reaction takes place at room temperature and is almost complete after 4 hours. 5. Obtaining the hybrid molecule: Fab-PEGn-N,-DBCO-PEGn-citrullinated peptide. Similarly, a Fab-PEGn-DBCO and an N,-PEGn-citrullinated peptide can be obtained, then coupled to obtain Fab-PEGn-DBCO-N--PEGn-citrullinated peptide. Similarly, a Fab-PEGn-DBCO and an N3-citrullinated peptide can be obtained, or a Fab-PEGn-N and a DBCO-citrullinated peptide, then coupled to obtain respectively Fab-PEGn-DBCO-N;-citrullinated peptide or Fab-PEGn-N;-DBCO-citrullinated peptide. The same process can be used with an antibody or another type of antibody fragment. Example 2: Reactivity of purified ACPAs on citrullinated peptides towards DaraFab-Cit peptide hybrids The ACPAs (here ACPA, pH3 fraction) used are ACPAs obtained from serum of patients with ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis. Such ACPAs were obtained by a classic column affinity chromatography method, known to those skilled in the art, using as bound antigens one or more of the five immunodominant peptides of the invention (see SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 18 or SEQ ID NO: 19). a. Examples with hybrid molecules containing the B60-74cit peptide ELISA microtiter plates were coated with 100 µL / well of a solution containing either the B60-74cit peptide (SEQ ID NO: 19) or a molecule Hybrid solutions were used: DaraFab-B60-74 or DaraFab-PEG-B60-74. Each solution was used at a concentration of 5 µg / mL in PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline) overnight at 4°C. The non-citrullinated peptide and the hybrid molecules constructed with the non-citrullinated peptide (B60-74arg) were used at the same concentration as controls. Well saturation was then performed in PBS 2% BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) buffer for 1 hour at 4°C. After washing, the purified ACPAs were incubated at 1, 0.5, or 0.25 µg / mL diluted in PBS 2% BSA 2M NaCl buffer for 1 hour at 4°C. After washing, ACPA reactivity was detected using a secondary antibody F(ab”)2 anti-Fc of human IgG diluted 1 / 10,000 in 2% BSA PBS buffer.The results are expressed as ADO (Delta Optical Density), corresponding to the OD obtained with the B60-74cit peptide or with the hybrid molecules constructed with the B60-74cit peptide, subtracted respectively from the OD obtained with the B60-74arg peptide or with the hybrid molecules constructed with the B60-74arg peptide. The results are presented in [Fig. 3]. The results show a dose-dependent reactivity of ACPAs purified on the B60-74 peptide towards the DaraFab-B60-74 and DaraFab-PEG-B60-74 hybrid molecules. The reactivity of the ACPAs towards the B60-74 peptide is comparatively lower, while its epitope density is higher than that of the hybrid molecules. Epitope accessibility is therefore better on the hybrid molecules. b. Examples with hybrid molecules containing the α621-635cit peptide. ELISA plates were coated with 100 µL / well of a solution containing either the α621-635cit peptide (SEQ ID NO: 18) or a DaraFab-PEG-α621-635 hybrid molecule, used at a concentration of 5 µg / mL in PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline) buffer overnight at 4°C. The non-citrullinated α621-63Sarg peptide and hybrid molecules constructed with the non-citrullinated α621-635arg peptide were used as controls at the same concentration. The wells were then saturated in 2% BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) PBS buffer for 1 h at 4°C. After washing, the purified ACPAs were incubated at concentrations of 4, 2, and 1 µg / mL diluted in 2% PBS BSA 2M NaCl buffer for 1 hour at 4°C. After washing, the reactivity of the ACPAs was detected using a secondary antibody, F(ab”)2 anti-Fc human IgG, diluted 1 / 10,000 in 2% PBS BSA buffer.The results are expressed in ADO (Delta-Optical Density), corresponding to the OD obtained with the peptide a621-635cit or with the hybrid molecules constructed with the peptide a621-63Scil, subtracted respectively from the OD obtained with the peptide a621-635arg or with the hybrid molecules constructed with the peptide a621-635arg. The results are presented in [Fig. 4]. The results show a strong dose-dependent reactivity of ACPAs purified on peptide a621-635Cit towards the DaraFab-PEG-0621-635cit hybrid molecules. The reactivity of the ACPAs towards the peptide a621-635cit is comparatively weaker, while its epitope density is higher than that of the hybrid molecules. Epitope accessibility is therefore better on the hybrid molecules. Example 3: Cytotoxicity of the Dara-Fab peptide B60Cit towards Daudi cell line (CD38+), induced by ACPAs purified on B60-74 eluted at pH3 (hybrid bridging) The ACPAs are obtained as in Example 2. DaraFab-peptideCIT here represents a Fab capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide which is covalently linked to a cyclooctyne (DBCO) which is coupled to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19. DaraFab-peptideCIT here represents a Fab capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide which is covalently linked to a cyclooctyne (DBCO) which is coupled to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19 in which the arginyl residues have not been substituted by citrullyl residues (i.e., the peptide is not citrullinated). n represents a number between 1 and 10, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8. Daudi cell line (CD38+) cells were loaded into 96-well plates at a density of 50,000 cells / well in complete RPMI medium (10% FBS, 1% glutamine, 1% penicillin / streptomycin) and incubated for 1 hour at 37°C with 10 pg / mL of DaraFab-peptideCIT or DaraFab-peptideNCIT hybrids. After washing, either human IgG (negative control) or purified anti-B60-74 ACPA eluted at pH 3 at 5 µg / mL for 20 hours at 37°C were added before Annexin-V (apoptosis marker) staining. The cells were then collected and analyzed by flow cytometry (BD Biosciences, CANTO IT). The values shown in the first 3 columns correspond to the percentage of Annexin-V-positive cells. A(CIT-NCIT) (%) represents the difference between the percentages of Annexin-V-positive cells in the presence of DaraFab-peptideCIT versus NCIT, divided by the percentage of Annexin-V-positive cells in the presence of DaraFab-B60-74peptideNCIT.This indicator shows the modulation of apoptosis in the presence of IgG or ACPA. The results are presented in Table 2. [Tables 2] 15% AE + ÈS |ACPA 28.9 32.6 28.5 +14% [12% +21% Antibody [Untreated |DaraFab-pe [DaraFab-pe |A(CIT-NCI | ptideCIT |ptideNCIT |T) (%) |'eG 21.9 214 226 5% 24 24.6 23.4 15% 9.57 99 9.45 +4% 262 25.1 273 days |ACPA 28.9 32.6 28.5 +14% 26.4 29 258 [12% 26.8 3L6 26.1 +21% 279 32.4 27.1 +19% +19% Table 2 shows the quantification of apoptosis in Daudi cell line (CD38+) coated with DaraFab-B60-74CIT, after bridging with purified ACPAs eluted at pH 3. Synthesis of 4 independent experiments. The results show an increase in cell death in the presence of ACPA when DAUDI cells were treated with the DaraFab-B60-74CIT hybrid compared to those treated with DaraFab-B60-74NCIT. The increase in cell death in the presence of the citrullinated hybrid molecule (DaraFab-B60-74CIT) compared to the non-citrullinated form (DaraFab-B60-74NCIT) after ACPA bridging averaged 16.5%. Daudi cell line (CD38+) cells were loaded into 96-well plates at a density of 50,000 cells / well in complete RPMI medium (10% FBS, 1% glutamine, 1% penicillin / streptomycin) and incubated for 1 hour at 37°C with 10 µg / mL of DaraFab-R60-74CIT or DaraFab-B60-74NCIT hybrids. After washing, human IgG (negative control) or purified anti-B60-74 ACPA eluted at pH 3 at 5 pg / mL were added and incubated for 20 hours at 37°C. A cell viability assay (MTT: colorimetric marker of cellular mitochondrial activity) was performed. The cells were then harvested, and their OD was analyzed by spectrometry (Thermofisher Multiskan Fc). The values shown correspond to the DOs obtained in each experimental condition. A(CIT-NCIT) (%) represents the difference between the OD obtained in the presence of DaraFab-B60-74CIT versus NCIT, divided by the OD obtained in the presence of DaraFab-B60-74NCIT. The results are presented in Table 3. [Tables 3] -4% -2% |ACPA 0571 [0497 [0.589 |-16% -21% - 15% [Antibody [Untreated |DaraFab-pe |DaraFab-pe A(CIT-NCT | ptideCIT |ptideNCIT |T)(%) |'eG 0.716 0.717 0.696 -3% 0886 [0825 [0792 = |-4% 1.055 Lois [0596 |-2% |ACPA 0571 Jo497 lo5e9 = j-16% 0.61 0566 om1 = |-210 082 Jo102 Jo829 [15% Table 3 represents the evaluation of cell viability of Daudi cell line (CD38+) coated with DaraFab-B60-74Cit after bridging with purified ACPAs eluted at pH 3. Synthesis of 3 independent experiments. The results show a decrease in cell viability in the presence of ACPA when Daudi cells were treated with the DaraFab-B60-74CIT hybrid compared to those treated with DaraFab-[B60-74NCIT. The decrease in cell viability in the presence of the citrullinated hybrid molecule (DaraFab-B60-74CIT) compared to the non-citrullinated form (DaraFab-B60-74NCIT) after ACPA bridging is on average 17.33%. Example 4: Cytotoxicity of DaraFab-PEG-B60-74Cit against the B cell line BAEV (BC-9) produced from lymphocytes of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, after bridging with purified anti-B60-74 ACPA. The ACPAs are obtained as in Example 2. BC-9 (B BAEV) cell lines derived from the blood lymphocytes of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis were loaded into 96-well plates at a density of 100,000 cells / well in complete IMDM medium (10% FBS, 1% glutamine, 1% penicillin / streptomycin) and incubated for 1 hour at 37°C with 10 µg / mL of the DaraFab-PEG-B60-74cit and DaraFab-PEG-B60-74arg hybrids. After washing, purified anti-B60-74 ACPA eluted at pH 3 were added at 5 µg / mL for 20 hours at 37°C, followed by 7-AAD labeling (a marker of late apoptosis). The cells were then collected and analyzed by flow cytometry (BD Biosciences, CANTO II). The data presented correspond to the means of 4 independent experiments. Statistical analysis was performed using a Student's t-test (p<0.05). DaraFab-PEG-f60-74cit here represents a Fab capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to azide which is covalently linked to a cy- cyclooctyne (DBCO) which is coupled to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19. DaraFab-PEG-B60-74arg here represents a Fab capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide which is covalently linked to a cyclooctyne (DBCO) which is coupled to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19 in which the arginyl residues have not been substituted by citrullyl residues (i.e. the peptide is not citrullinated). n represents a number between 1 and 10, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8. The results (presented in [Fig. 5]) thus show that there is a significant decrease in cell viability (left side) in the presence of purified ACPA when BC-9 cells have been previously incubated with the citrullinated hybrid DaraFab-PEG-B60-74cit compared to the viability of those incubated with DaraFab-PEG-B60-74arg. Concurrently, there is a significant increase in late apoptosis (right side) under these same conditions. Example 5: Cytotoxicity of Dara-Fab peptide-B60Cit and Dara-Fab peptide-a621Cit hybrids, against a differentiated BAEV B cell line, derived from lymphocytes of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis), after bridging of the hybrids with purified anti-B60-74 ACPA eluted at pH3. The ACPAs are obtained as in Example 2. Cells from the BC-9 cell line (B BAEV) were differentiated (for 7 days) to increase the expression of the CD38 marker on their surface as shown in [Fig.6]. DaraFab-PEG-a621-635 represents a Fab fragment capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide covalently linked to a cyclooctyne (DBCO) coupled to a PEGn spacer, which is itself linked to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 18. DaraFab-PEG-a621-635cit represents the hybrid in which the peptide is citrullinated, and DaraFab-PEG-a621-63Sarg represents the case where the peptide is not citrullinated. n represents a number between 1 and 10, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8. DaraFab-PEG-f60-74 here represents a Fab capable of binding to CD38 linked to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide which is covalently linked to a cyclooctyne (DBCO) which is coupled to a PEGn spacer which is itself linked to a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 19. DaraFab-PEG-B60-74cit represents the hybrid in which the peptide is citrullinated and DaraFab-PEG-B60-74 arg represents the case where the peptide is not citrullinated. n represents a number between 1 and 10, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8. BC-9 (B BAEV) cell lines, produced from blood lymphocytes of a rheumatoid arthritis patient and subjected to a 7-day plasma cell differentiation protocol, were loaded into 96-well plates at a density of 100,000 cells / well in complete IMDM medium (10% FBS, 1% glutamine, 1% penicillin / streptomycin) and then incubated for 30 minutes at 37°C with 10 µg / mL DaraFab-PEG-f60-74cit / DaraFab-PEG-B60-74arg and DaraFab-PEG-a621-635cit / DaraFab-PEG-a621-635arg hybrids were used. After washing, human IgG (negative control) or purified anti-B60-74 ACPA eluted at pH 3, at µg / mL for 24 to 48 hours at 37°C, were added before labeling with Annexin-V (an early apoptosis marker) and 7-AAD (a late apoptosis marker). The cells were then harvested and analyzed using a cell death analyzer (Luminex, MUSE). The values shown represent the percentage of Annexin-V-positive cells. A(cit-arg) (%) represents the difference between the percentage of Annexin-V-positive cells in the presence of DaraFab-PEG-B60-74cit or DaraFab-PEG-a621-635cit and the percentage of Annexin-V-positive cells in the presence of DaraFab-PEG-fB60-74arg or DaraFab-PEG-0621-635arg, divided by the percentage of Annexin-V-positive cells in the presence of DaraFab-PEG-B60-74arg or DaraFab-PEG-a621-635arg. The results are presented in Table 4. [Tables 4] 24h 48h prorgrrnces re pre DaraFab-PEG- | 21-635 B60-74 a621-635 _|B60-74 cit arg ae arg +ACPA |28% 2% |23% |17% [41% [29% [33% |24% pH3 Acit-arg |+30% [432% 440% +41% Table 4 shows the quantification of apoptosis The results indicate the quantification of apoptosis induced in the presence of ACPA when BC-9 cells were pre-treated with DaraFab-PEG-B60-74cit or DaraFab-PEG-a621-635cit, compared to those that were pre-treated with the non-citrullinated forms DaraFab-PEG-B60-74arg and DaraFab-PEG-a621-635arg. The increase in apoptosis in the presence of citrullinated hybrid molecules (DaraFab-B60-74cit and DaraFab-PEG-a621cit) compared to non-citrullinated forms, after bridging with purified ACPA, is around 30% after 24h and 40% after 48h.
Claims
Demands
1. Hybrid molecule comprising at least one fibrinc-derived peptide having at least one citrullyl residue, said peptide being linked in a way covalent to at least one antibody or to at least one fragment of antibodies, said antibody or fragment being capable of binding to CD38 and / or CD138, with one or more spacers optionally present between said peptide and said antibody or said fragment.
2. Hybrid molecule according to claim 1, wherein said peptide is covalently linked to a spacer, said spacer being itself covalently bound to said antibody or antibody fragment.
3. Hybrid molecule according to any one of the preceding claims preceding, in which said peptide is derived from all or part of the sequence of the α or β chain of a vertebrate fibrin, by substitution of at least one arginyl residue per citrully residue], said fibrin of vertebrate being preferably a mammalian fibrin, preferably human.
4. Hybrid molecule according to any one of the preceding claims preceding, wherein said spacer is a polymer containing a or several repeating patterns containing the ether group, said spacer being preferably polyethylene glycol of formula PEGn, in which n represents an integer between 1 and 100, preferably- tiellement between | and 10 and especially |, 2, 3, 4 or 8.
5. Hybrid molecule according to any one of the preceding claims preceding, in which said peptide comprises at least one residue citrullyl, and is chosen from the group consisting of: a) a peptide defined by the sequence X,PAPPPISGGGYXAX; (SEQ ID NO: 1) in which X, X>, and X; each represent a residue citrullyl or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X1 or X; or X3 is a citrully residue]; b) a peptide defined by the sequence GPX, VVEX, HOQSACKDS (SEQ ID) NO: 2) in which X, and X, each represent a citrullyl residue or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X; is a residue citrullyl; c) a peptide defined by the sequence SGIGTLDGFX,HX,HPD (SEQ ID NO: 3) in which X, and X, each represent a citrullyl residue or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X; is a residue citrullyl; d) a peptide defined by the sequence VDIDIKIX,SCX,GSCS (SEQ ID NO: 4) in which X, and X; each represent a citrullyl residue or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X; is a residue citrullyl; €) a peptide defined by the sequence X,GHAKSX,PVX;-GIHTS (SEQ ID NO: 12) in which X, X, and X each represent a residue citrullyl or an arginyl residue, and at least one of the residues X, or X, or X 3 is a citrullyl residue; (f) a peptide comprising at least 5 consecutive amino acids, of which at less one citrullyl residue, of one of the peptides a) to e) above.
6. Hybrid molecule according to any one of claims 1-4, in which peptide is chosen from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 23, more specifically chosen from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO: 19, especially SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO:
19.
7. Hybrid molecule according to any one of the preceding claims cédentes, in which the fragment is chosen from among the fragments, scFc, Fv, Fab or F(ab')..
8. Hybrid molecule according to any one of the preceding claims previous, in which said antibody or F(ab”) fragment, is a antibody or F(ab” fragment); bispecific, directed against: — CD38 and another plasma cell target, or - CD138 and another plasma cell target, or - CD38 and CD138.
9. Hybrid molecule according to any one of the preceding claims preceding, the said molecule being represented by: - a Fab fragment of antibody capable of binding to CD38 bound to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to a covalently bonded azide a cyclooctyne coupled to a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 19, or SEQ ID NO: 18 - a Fab fragment of antibody capable of binding to CD38 bound to a PEGn spacer, itself coupled to an azide covalently bonded to a cyclooctyne coupled to a PEGn spacer, itself linked to a peptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 19 or SEQ ID NO: 18, n preferably representing an integer between | and 10, more particularly- linked 1, 2, 3, 4 or 8.
10. | Hybrid molecule according to any one of the preceding claims previous, for its use as a medicine, in particular for its use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases associated with production of anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies, in particular the Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
11. | Hybrid molecule according to any one of the preceding claims previous, for its use as a medicinal product, in combination with a second hybrid molecule, said second molecule comprising at least one Fe fragment of antibody covalently linked to at least a fibrin-derived peptide carrying a citrullyl residue, a spacer being optionally present between said Fc fragment and said peptide.