title: A novel anti-EMMPRIN function-blocking antibody reduces T cell proliferation and neurotoxicity: relevance to multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN; CD147, basigin) is an inducer of the expression of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We reported previously that blocking EMMPRIN activity reduced neuroinflammation and severity of disease in an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  To improve upon EMMPRIN blockade, and to help unravel the biological functions of EMMPRIN in inflammatory disorders, we have developed several anti-EMMPRIN monoclonal antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of these monoclonal antibodies, a particular one, clone 10, was efficient in binding mouse and human cells using several methods of detection. The specificity of clone 10 was demonstrated by its lack of staining of EMMPRIN-null embryos compared to heterozygous and wild-type mouse samples. Functionally, human T cells activated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 elevated their expression of EMMPRIN and the treatment of these T cells with clone 10 resulted in decreased proliferation and matrix metalloproteinase- 9 (MMP-9) production. Activated human T cells were toxic to human neurons in culture and clone 10 pretreatment reduced T cell cytotoxicity correspondent with decrease of granzyme B levels within T cells. In vivo, EAE mice treated with clone 10 had a markedly reduced disease score compared to mice treated with IgM isotype control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have produced a novel anti-EMMPRIN monoclonal antibody that blocks several aspects of T cell activity, thus highlighting the multiple roles of EMMPRIN in T cell biology. Moreover, clone 10 reduces EAE scores in mice compared to controls, and has activity on human cells, potentially allowing for the testing of anti-EMMPRIN treatment not only in EAE, but conceivably also in MS.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Oncology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
authors.forename: Smriti M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jade Pui-Wai
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: V Wee
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Yong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051926:Basigin / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C497887:Bsg protein, mouse; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D051926:Basigin