Recombinant immunoglobulin-based epitope delivery: a novel class of autoimmune regulators.
Over the past decades, there has been significant progress in understanding the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases at a molecular level. Diseases such as juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and others appear to be mediated by pathogenic T cells that recognize self-epitopes and escape natural tolerance. Seminal observations correlating autoimmunity with HLA and disease-associated epitopes, in conjunction with recent characterization of T regulatory (Treg) cells, promoted a renewed interest in antigen or epitope-based methods of interfering with pathogenic autoimmune reactions. Recombinant immunoglobulin-peptides encompassing disease-associated self-epitopes (IgPP) integrate effective targeting of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with a potential to generate Treg cells and thus are being developed for treatment of selected autoimmune disorders. In the current review, we outline the main features of this new class of active immunotherapeutics and directions of future development.
Phillips
William J
WJ
MultiCell Immunotherapeutics, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. bphillips@mixturesciences.com
Smith
Dan J
DJ
Bona
Constantin A
CA
Bot
Adrian
A
Zaghouani
Habib
H
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins