Copolymer 1: from basic research to clinical application.
Copolymer 1 (Cop-1) is a synthetic amino acid copolymer effective in suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). The suppressive effect of Cop-1 in EAE is a general phenomenon and is not restricted to a particular species, disease type or encephalitogen used for EAE induction. In phase III clinical trials Cop-1 was found to slow progression of disability and reduce the relapse rate in exacerbating-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). In vivo and in vitro studies suggest that the mechanism for Cop-1 activity in EAE and MS involves the binding of Cop-1 to major histocompatibility complex class II molecules as an initial step. This binding results both in competition with myelin antigens for T-cell activation and in induction of specific suppressor cells of the Th2 type. As an antigen-specific intervention, Cop-1 has the advantage of reduced probability of long-term damage to the immune system.
Teitelbaum
D
D
Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Arnon
R
R
Sela
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D011108:Polymers; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate