Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure is the leading cause of human poisoning in the United States, with 50,000 cases every year. Current therapy, normobaric or hyperbaric oxygen, has limited effectiveness and is difficult to deliver. There is currently no antidotal therapy. Our understanding of the toxic effects of CO is two-fold: CO directly binds to hemoglobin reducing oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, and CO directly binds to a heme in cytochrome c oxidase, inhibiting mitochondrial respiration. The major sequelae of CO poisoning - cardiovascular dysfunction and acute and long term neurologic deficits - are dependent on impaired mitochondrial function. Our lab has developed an agent, recombinant human neuroglobin (rNgb), with a very high affinity for CO, which has the potential to reduce the toxic effects of CO poisoning. We, therefore, propose the hypothesis that treatment with rNgb reverses the toxic effects of CO poisoning on mitochondrial function. To test the hypothesis, we will first conduct in vitro studies using a Clark-like electrode to further characterize the toxic effects of CO on isolated mitochondria and heart tissue respiration and demonstrate that rNgb can reverse the toxic effects of CO on mitochondrial respiration. Second, in an in vivo CO poisoning model, we will show that treatment with rNgb can reverse pathologic changes as assessed by functional MRI changes (fractional anisotropy) and blood levels of lactate and glucose. These results will provide pre-clinical proof of concept for rNgb to act as a potential therapeutic agent in CO poisoning. In parallel, through the NIH SMARTT program we are conducting pharmacology and toxicology testing and scaling up drug manufacturing capabilities. The NRSA award will allow me, a pulmonary and critical care trained fellow, a unique opportunity to leverage the existing research and development infrastructure of my mentor, Dr. Mark Gladwin, to gain advanced training in animal models of disease, mitochondrial biology, and pathophysiologic outcomes. In addition, I am pursuing an MBA in the entrepreneurial track at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University, which will provide extensive training in finance, statistical modeling, and critical tools for bringing a potential therapeutic drug from bench to bedside. The resources and experience of my mentor Dr Gladwin, an expert in NO and globin biochemistry, as well as the translational development of drugs from the laboratory to the clinic, and my co- mentor Dr Shiva, an expert in mitochondrial biology, combined with the expansive array of resources available at the University of Pittsburgh, will allow me develop new translational research skills with a specific focus on development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Public Health Relevance

Carbon monoxide (CO), the most common human poisoning, causes mitochondrial dysfunction and hemoglobin binding which leads to cardiac dysfunction and long term neurocognitive deficits. Our lab has recently developed a CO scavenging molecule, recombinant Neuroglobin (rNgb), which may have the ability to undo CO hemoglobin binding and reverse CO induced mitochondrial toxicity. We propose studies for both mitochondrial toxicity and animal models of CO poisoning to evaluate the potential antidotal utility of rNgb in vitro and in vivo.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32HL132418-01
Application #
9121057
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Mondoro, Traci
Project Start
2016-04-01
Project End
2017-06-30
Budget Start
2016-04-01
Budget End
2017-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Rose, Jason J; Nouraie, Mehdi; Gauthier, Marc C et al. (2018) Clinical Outcomes and Mortality Impact of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Patients With Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Crit Care Med 46:e649-e655
Rose, Jason J; Wang, Ling; Xu, Qinzi et al. (2017) Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Pathogenesis, Management, and Future Directions of Therapy. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 195:596-606
Azarov, Ivan; Wang, Ling; Rose, Jason J et al. (2016) Five-coordinate H64Q neuroglobin as a ligand-trap antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning. Sci Transl Med 8:368ra173