title: Suppression of TH17 differentiation and autoimmunity by a synthetic ROR ligand.
abstract: T-helper cells that produce interleukin-17 (T(H)17 cells) are a recently identified CD4(+) T-cell subset with characterized pathological roles in autoimmune diseases. The nuclear receptors retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan receptors α and γt (RORα and RORγt, respectively) have indispensible roles in the development of this cell type. Here we present SR1001, a high-affinity synthetic ligand-the first in a new class of compound-that is specific to both RORα and RORγt and which inhibits T(H)17 cell differentiation and function. SR1001 binds specifically to the ligand-binding domains of RORα and RORγt, inducing a conformational change within the ligand-binding domain that encompasses the repositioning of helix 12 and leads to diminished affinity for co-activators and increased affinity for co-repressors, resulting in suppression of the receptors' transcriptional activity. SR1001 inhibited the development of murine T(H)17 cells, as demonstrated by inhibition of interleukin-17A gene expression and protein production. Furthermore, SR1001 inhibited the expression of cytokines when added to differentiated murine or human T(H)17 cells. Finally, SR1001 effectively suppressed the clinical severity of autoimmune disease in mice. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of targeting the orphan receptors RORα and RORγt to inhibit specifically T(H)17 cell differentiation and function, and indicate that this novel class of compound has potential utility in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Therapeutics, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, USA.
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Solt
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nuhant
authors.forename: Yongjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Janelle L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lauer
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Monica A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Istrate
authors.forename: Theodore M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kamenecka
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Roush
authors.forename: Dušica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vidović
authors.forename: Stephan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Schürer
authors.forename: Jihong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wagoner
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Drew
authors.forename: Patrick R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Burris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D054314:Drug Inverse Agonism; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008958:Models, Molecular; D057094:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D057132:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17; D007378:Interleukins; D008024:Ligands; D057094:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1; D057132:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3; C539739:Rora protein, mouse; C539901:Rorc protein, mouse; C558809:SR1001; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013844:Thiazoles