Dual biological functions of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist-interleukin-10 fusion protein and its suppressive effects on joint inflammation.
The aim of this study was to construct and purify a novel interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)-interleukin-10 (IL-10) fusion protein and determine its biological function and anti-inflammatory effects. The isolated cDNAs of two inhibitory cytokines (IL-1ra, IL-10) were used to construct a cDNA for the IL-1ra-IL-10 fusion protein. The expressed recombinant cytokines and fusion product were purified and their biological properties analysed. The anti-IL-1 effect was evaluated by using a thymocyte-proliferation assay, and the IL-10 effect was investigated by the inhibition of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production from splenocytes. The clinical response and histological analyses were studied in an adjuvant arthritic rat model. The fusion protein was 38 000 molecular weight in size. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting demonstrated that the purified protein was recognized by both IL-1ra and IL-10 antibodies. The fusion protein significantly inhibited IL-1-mediated thymocyte proliferation and concanavalin A (ConA)-primed IFN-gamma production from splenocytes. The fusion protein also suppressed joint swelling (paw circumference reduced from 5.0 +/- 0.2 to 4.1 +/- 0.1 cm; paw thickness approximately 2 mm in difference) and synovial inflammation in adjuvant arthritis of rats. Our investigations indicate that this fusion protein effectively suppresses inflammatory arthritis and may initiate a trend for future clinical application to target multiple molecules at the same time.
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325 Cheng-Kung Road Section 2, Neihu 114, Taipei, Taiwan, China. ming0503@ms3.hinet.net
Deh-Ming
DM
Chang
Song-Kun
SK
Shyue
Shao-Hsiang
SH
Liu
Yen-Teen
YT
Chen
Chiou-Yueh
CY
Yeh
Jenn-Huang
JH
Lai
Herng-Sheng
HS
Lee
Ann
A
Chen
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma