A novel small molecule named tuftsin-phosphorylcholine (TPC), which is linked to the biological activity of helminths, was constructed. The current study address the effect of TPC treatment in established collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice and propose TPC bi-functional activity. TPC treatment was initiated when clinical score was 2 to 4. Arthritis scores in TPC treated mice were lower compared to mice treated with vehicle (P < 0.001). Joint staining showed normal joint structure in TPC-treated mice compared to control groups treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), phosphorylcholine, or tuftsin, which exhibited severely inflamed joints. TPC enhanced anti-inflammatory response due to increased IL-10 secretion, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-1-β, IL-6, TNF-αP < 0.001). Furthermore, TPC therapy increased expansion of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T regulatory cells and IL-10+CD5+CD1d+B regulatory cells. We propose that the immunomodulatory activity of TPC can be a result of a bi-specific activity of TPC: (a) The tuftsin part of the TPC shifts RAW macrophage cells from pro-inflammatory macrophages M1 to anti-inflammatory M2-secreting IL-10 (P < 0.001) through neuropilin-1 and (b) TPC significantly reduce mouse TLR4 expression via NFkB pathway by HEKTM cells (P < 0.02) via the phosphorylcholine site of the molecule. Our results indicate that TPC, significantly ameliorated established CIA by its immunomodulatory activity. These data could lead to a novel self bi-functional small molecule for treating patients with progressive RA.
BackgroundIn areas where helminthes infections are common, autoimmune diseases are rare. Treatment with helminthes or their ova, improved clinical findings of several autoimmune diseases. Based on the helminthes biological activity, a novel chimeric be-specific molecule was synthetized of tuftsin-phosphoryl-choline (PC)-TPC.ObjectivesTo study TPC treatment in established collagen induced arthritis (CIA) mice, and the mechanism of activity.MethodsArthritis was induced in DBA male mice by immunization with collagen emulsified in TB-mycobacteria at the tail base. Boost was given 3 weeks later. Treatment with TPC started when the clinical score was 2. Cytokines were measure in culture-fluid of splenocytes in-vitro. T regulatory cells and B regulatory cells were measured by FACS. TPC effect on TLR4 expression was studied using HEKTM-mTLR4 cells system and its inhibitor. M1 shift to M2 was performed in RAW macrophages differentiated to M1 by PMA followed by LPS. TPC was added and IL-6, TNFalpha, IL-10 were tested by ELISA.ResultsStarting TPC treatment of CIA mice after disease establishment, had a significant lower arthritis score in comparison with control vehicle subjected mice (i.e. TPC-6.8±0.8 vs vehicle-13.8±0.45; p<0.0001). Joints staining revealed normal joint structure in TPC treated mice, whereas, control mice treated with PBS, PC or tuftsin had severe inflamed joints. Likewise, TPC enhanced anti-inflammatory response by enhanced IL-10 secretion, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion (IL-1β, IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α) (p<0.001). Furthermore, TPC induced expansion of splenic CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) and IL-10+CD5+CD1d+ B regulatory cells (Bregs). The mechanism underling the TPC related immunomodulatory activity was attributed to its bi-specific activity: a) Shift of Raw cells macrophages from pro-inflammatory macrophages M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 secreting anti- IL-10 (p<0.001), through the tuftsin part of TPC. b) TPC inhibited significantly TLR4 expression by HEKTM-mTLR4 cells (p<0.02) via the phosphorylcholine end. Our data indicated that TPC significantly ameliorated established CIA by anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory activity.ConclusionsOur data may lead to a novel bi-specific self small molecule for therapy of patients with advanced RA.Disclosure of InterestNone declared
Helminths or their products can immunomodulate the host immune system, and this phenomenon may be applied as the basis of new anti-inflammatory treatments. Previously, we have shown the efficacy of tuftsin–phosphorylcholine (TPC), based on a helminth product, in four animal models of autoimmune diseases: arthritis, colitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. We demonstrated that TPC reduced inflammatory process ex vivo in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and in biopsies from giant-cell arteritis. In the present study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of TPC treatment on a chronic colitis murine model. C57BL/6 mice with chronic colitis were treated with TPC after the third cycle of 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Oral TPC treatment resulted in amelioration of the colitis clinical manifestations exemplified by reduced disease activity index (DAI) score, expansion of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) T regulatory cells (shown by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)), significant reduction in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL17, IL-6, TNFα), and elevation in the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (shown by RT-PCR). This study demonstrated the potential immunomodulatory effects of oral administration of TPC in a chronic colitis murine model. Further clinical trials are needed in order to evaluate this novel approach for the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
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