title: Selective inhibition of CCR2 expressing lymphomyeloid cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by a GM-CSF-MCP1 fusokine.
abstract: We describe the generation of a fusion cytokine consisting of GM-CSF in tandem with N-terminal-truncated MCP-1 (6-76), hereafter GMME1. Treatment of activated T cells with recombinant GMME1 protein leads to proinflammatory cytokine reduction and apoptosis via a CCR2-restricted pathway. Similarly, cell death is triggered in macrophages cultured with GMME1, while an inhibition of Ab production from plasma cells is observed. Treatment of CD4 T cells derived from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice with GMME1 leads to p38 hyperphosphorylation, inhibition of p44/42, AKT and STAT3 phosphorylation, and caspase-3 activation. GMME1 administration to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice suppresses symptomatic disease and correlates with decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL-17, MOG-specific Ab titers, and blockade of CD4 and CD8 T cell infiltration in spinal cords. We propose that GMME1 defines a new class of agents for the treatment of autoimmune ailments by selectively targeting lymphomyeloid cells expressing CCR2.
authors.affiliation: The Montreal Center for Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Moutih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafei
authors.forename: Philippe M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Campeau
authors.forename: Jian Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Birman
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Forner
authors.forename: Marie-Noelle
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Boivin
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galipeau
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D054390:Receptors, CCR2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C491768:Ccl2 protein, mouse; C515335:Ccr2 protein, mouse; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D054390:Receptors, CCR2; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor