title: Glatiramer acetate (copolymer-1, copaxone) promotes Th2 cell development and increased IL-10 production through modulation of dendritic cells.
abstract: Glatiramer acetate (GA; copolymer-1, Copaxone) suppresses the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and reduces the relapse frequency in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Although it has become clear that GA induces protective degenerate Th2/IL-10 responses, its precise mode of action remains elusive. Because the cytokine profile of Th cells is often regulated by dendritic cells (DC), we studied the modulatory effects of GA on the T cell regulatory function of human DC. This study shows the novel selective inhibitory effect of GA on the production of DC-derived inflammatory mediators without affecting DC maturation or DC immunostimulatory potential. DC exposed to GA have an impaired capacity to secrete the major Th1 polarizing factor IL-12p70 in response to LPS and CD40 ligand triggering. DC exposed to GA induce effector IL-4-secreting Th2 cells and enhanced levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The anti-inflammatory effect of GA is mediated via DC as GA does not affect the polarization patterns of naive Th cells activated in an APC-free system. Together, these results reveal that APC are essential for the GA-mediated shift in the Th cell profiles and indicate that DC are a prime target for the immunomodulatory effects of GA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. pvieira@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: Pedro L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Heleen C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Heystek
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wormmeester
authors.forename: Eddy A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wierenga
authors.forename: Martien L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kapsenberg
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000187:drug effects; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016209:Interleukin-8; D010455:Peptides; D021122:Protein Subunits; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate