Optimization of synoviocyte-targeted biologic for inflammatory arthritis in combination or bispecific administration with TNF inhibitors

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic autoimmune disorder. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) have emerged as an attractive target for non-immunosuppressive RA therapy, but there are no approved drugs targeting FLS. The receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPRS) negatively regulates FLS migration and has been proposed as a target for FLS-directed RA therapy. Here we examined the impact of sequence variations on efficacy of an FLS-targeted biologic comprised of Fc-fused PTPRS immunoglobulin (IgG)-like domains Ig1 and Ig2 (Ig1&2-Fc). Engineering the linker and Fc tag improved effectiveness of human Ig1&2-Fc in assays of FLS migration and a mouse model of arthritis. Treatment of mice with Ig1&2-Fc over four months revealed no signs of toxicity or organ pathology. Finally, we show potential of Ig1&2-Fc co-administration in combination or as a bispecific fusion with a tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor (TNFi). Combination treatment of mouse tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (mTnfr2) with Ig1&2-Fc resulted in increased efficacy in suppressing arthritis beyond single agent treatment. When administered as a dual-action bispecific, Ig1&2 fused to mTnfr2 proved more efficacious at suppressing arthritis than mTnfr2 alone. This study illustrates the potential of Ig1&2-Fc as a combination or bispecific therapy with DMARDs to improve patient outcomes in RA.