The novel small molecule drug Rabeximod is effective in reducing disease severity of mouse models of autoimmune disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS) affect a relatively large portion of the population, leading to severe disability if left untreated. Even though pharmaceutics targeting the immune system have revolutionised the therapy of these diseases, there is still a need for novel, more effective therapeutic substances. One such substance is the new chemical entity 9-chloro-2,3 dimethyl-6-(N,N-dimthylamino-2-oxoethyl)-6H-indolo [2,3-b] quionoxaline, Rabeximod, currently being investigated for efficiency in treatment of human RA. In this study we aimed to evaluate Rabeximod as a treatment for autoimmune diseases, using animal models.


METHODS
In the present investigation we have evaluated Rabeximod as a treatment for autoimmune diseases using mouse models of RA and MS, ie, collagen-induced arthritis, collagen antibody induced arthritis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.


RESULTS
Rabeximod efficiently prevented arthritis and encephalomyelitis in mice. In addition, this effect correlated to the timepoint when cells migrate into the joints.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that Rabeximod reduces disease severity in animal models of autoimmunity and should be considered as a new therapeutic substance for MS and RA.
Hultqvist
M
M
Section for Medical Inflammation Research, I11 BMC, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Nandakumar
K S
KS
Björklund
U
U
Holmdahl
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003094:Collagen; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007211:Indoles; D011810:Quinoxalines; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D003094:Collagen; C534586:rabeximod