title: Folate receptor-targeted aminopterin therapy is highly effective and specific in experimental models of autoimmune uveitis and autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
abstract: EC0746 is a rationally designed anti-inflammatory drug conjugate consisting of a modified folic acid-based ligand linked to a γ-hydrazide analog of aminopterin. In this report, EC0746's effectiveness was evaluated against experimental retinal S-antigen (PDSAg) induced autoimmune uveitis (EAU) and myelin-basic-protein induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In both models, functional FR-β was detected on activated macrophages in local (retinal or central-nervous-system, respectively) and systemic (peritoneal cavity) sites of inflammation. In myelin-rich regions of EAE rats, an increased uptake of (99m)Tc-EC20 (etarfolatide; a FR-specific radioimaging agent) was also observed. EC0746 treatment at disease onset suppressed the clinical severity of both EAU and EAE, and it strongly attenuated progressive histopathological changes in the affected organs. In all parameters assessed, EC0746 activity was completely blocked by a benign folate competitor, suggesting that these therapeutic outcomes were specifically FR-β mediated. EC0746 may emerge as a useful macrophage-modulating agent for treating inflammatory episodes of organ-specific autoimmunity.
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Yingjuan
authors: Y
authors: Lu
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Kristin N
authors: KN
authors: Wollak
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Vicky A
authors: VA
authors: Cross
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Westrick
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Leroy W
authors: LW
authors: Wheeler
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Torian W
authors: TW
authors: Stinnette
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Jeremy F
authors: JF
authors: Vaughn
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Spencer J
authors: SJ
authors: Hahn
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Le-Cun
authors: LC
authors: Xu
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Iontcho R
authors: IR
authors: Vlahov
authors: Endocyte, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, USA. Electronic address: chrisleamon@endocyte.com.
authors: Christopher P
authors: CP
authors: Leamon
mesh_terms: D000630:Aminopterin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D058976:Folate Receptor 2 / Q000276:immunology; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D058976:Folate Receptor 2; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D000630:Aminopterin
keywords: Aminopterin;; Anti-inflammatory therapy;; Autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Autoimmune uveitis;; EC0746;; Folate receptor;