The receptor tyrosine kinase HER3 has emerged as a therapeutic target in ovarian, prostate, breast, lung, and other cancers due to its ability to potently activate the PI3K/Akt pathway, especially via dimerization with HER2, as well as for its role in mediating drug resistance. Enhanced efficacy of HER3-targeted therapeutics would therefore benefit a wide range of patients. This study evaluated the potential of multivalent presentation, through protein engineering, to enhance the effectiveness of HER3-targeted affibodies as alternatives to monoclonal antibody therapeutics. Assessment of multivalent affibodies on a variety of cancer cell lines revealed their broad ability to improve inhibition of Neuregulin (NRG)-induced HER3 and Akt phosphorylation compared to monovalent analogues. Engineered multivalency also promoted enhanced cancer cell growth inhibition by affibodies as single agents and as part of combination therapy approaches. Mechanistic * Corresponding Author: smjay@umd.edu. ORCID: Steven M. Jay: 0000-0002-3827-5988The authors declare the following competing financial interest(s): S.M.J. holds a patent related to multivalent ligand technology (US 9,029,328 B2). Supporting InformationThe Supporting Information is available free of charge on the ACS Publications website at DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharma-ceut. 6b00919. DNA and protein sequences for affibody constructs, purified affibody mass spectra, surface plasmon resonance data, and immunoblot quantification (PDF) Graphical Abstract HHS Public Access

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BackgroundSomatostatin (SST) neurons in the prelimbic (PL) cortex mediate a variety of behavioral states, ranging from alcohol consumption to fear learning and avoidance-related behaviors. However, little is known about the role of somatostatin peptide signaling itself to cortical functioning and behavior. Here, we sought to characterize the unique physiological and behavioral roles of the SST peptide in the PL cortex.MethodsWe employed a combination of ex vivo electrophysiology, in vivo calcium monitoring, and in vivo peptide pharmacology to explore the role of SST neuron and peptide signaling in the mouse PL cortex. Whole-cell slice electrophysiology was conducted in C57BL/6J male and female mice in pyramidal and GABAergic neurons of the PL cortex to characterize the pharmacological mechanism of SST signaling. Fiber photometry recordings of GCaMP6f fluorescent calcium signals from SST neurons were conducted to characterize the activity profile of SST neurons during exploration of an elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF). We further used local delivery of a broad SST receptor (SSTR) agonist into bilateral PL cortex to test causal effects of SST signaling on these same exploratory behaviors.ResultsSSTR activation broadly hyperpolarized layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the PL cortex in both male and female mice ex vivo, through both monosynaptic and polysynaptic GABA neuron-mediated mechanisms of action. This hyperpolarization was blocked by pre-application of the SSTR antagonist cyclo-somatostatin (cyclo-SST) and was non-reversible. SST neurons in PL were activated during EPM and OF exploration, indicating task-related recruitment of these neurons. Lastly, in line with this exploration-related activity profile, SSTR agonist administration directly into the PL enhanced open arm exploration in the EPM.ConclusionsHere we reveal a novel role for the SST peptide system within the PL cortex, by demonstrating a peptide-induced hypoexcitability of PL circuits and modulation of PL-dependent exploratory behaviors.

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