Drug-like analogues of the parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator ES-62 are therapeutic in the MRL/Lpr model of systemic lupus erythematosus

Rodgers, D. T., Pineda, M. A. , Suckling, C. J., Harnett, W. and Harnett, M. M. (2015) Drug-like analogues of the parasitic worm-derived immunomodulator ES-62 are therapeutic in the MRL/Lpr model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus, 24(13), pp. 1437-1442. (doi: 10.1177/0961203315591031) (PMID:26085597) (PMCID:PMC4616909)

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Abstract

Introduction ES-62, a phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing immunomodulator secreted by the parasitic worm Acanthocheilonema viteae, protects against nephritis in the MRL/Lpr mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, ES-62 is not suitable for development as a therapy and thus we have designed drug-like small molecule analogues (SMAs) based around its active PC-moiety. To provide proof of concept that ES-62-based SMAs exhibit therapeutic potential in SLE, we have investigated the capacity of two SMAs to protect against nephritis when administered to MRL/Lpr mice after onset of kidney damage. Methods SMAs 11a and 12b were evaluated for their ability to suppress antinuclear antibody (ANA) generation and consequent kidney pathology in MRL/Lpr mice when administered after the onset of proteinuria. Results SMAs 11a and 12b suppressed development of ANA and proteinuria. Protection reflected downregulation of MyD88 expression by kidney cells and this was associated with reduced production of IL-6, a cytokine that exhibits promise as a therapeutic target for this condition. Conclusions SMAs 11a and 12b provide proof of principle that synthetic compounds based on the safe immunomodulatory mechanisms of parasitic worms can exhibit therapeutic potential as a novel class of drugs for SLE, a disease for which current therapies remain inadequate.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Harnett, Professor Margaret and Pineda, Dr Miguel
Authors: Rodgers, D. T., Pineda, M. A., Suckling, C. J., Harnett, W., and Harnett, M. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Lupus
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:0961-2033
ISSN (Online):1477-0962
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 The Authors
First Published:First published in Lupus 24(13):1337-1342
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
495342ES-62, TLR4, the Mast Cell and development of novel drugs for mast cell-mediated inflammationMargaret HarnettWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)086852/Z/08/ZIII -IMMUNOLOGY