Development of a rectally administrable Dnase1 to treat septic shock by targeting NETs

Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET), which is formed by DNA threads, induces septic shock by aggravating systemic inflammation. An intravenous administration of deoxyribonuclease is regarded as a compelling modality for treating septic shock. However, alternative routes should be chosen when cutaneous veins are all collapsed due to hypotension. In this study, we genetically engineered this enzyme to develop a rectal suppository formulation to treat septic shock.

Dnase1 was mutated at two amino acid residues to increase its stability in the blood and fused with a cell-penetrating peptide CR8 to increase its absorption through the rectal mucosa, which is designated AR-CR8. The life-saving effect of AR-CR8 was evaluated in a LPS-induced shock mouse model.

AR-CR8 was shown to remove NETs effectively in human neutrophils. When AR-CR8 was administered to the mouse rectum, the deoxyribonuclease activity in the mouse serum was significantly increased. In the LPS-induced shock model, 90 % of the control mice died over 72 h after LPS injection. In contrast, the rectal administration of AR-CR8 showed a mortality rate of 30 % by 72 h after LPS injection. The Log-rank test revealed that the survival rate is significantly higher in the AR-CR8 group. The NET markers in the mouse serum were enhanced by LPS, and significantly downregulated in the AR-CR8 group. These results suggest that AR-CR8 ameliorates LPS-induced shock by degrading NETs.

The engineered DNASE1 could be developed as a rectal suppository formulation to treat septic shock urgently at out-of-hospital places where no syringe is available.