NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Injection of transduced proteolipid protein (PLP) -secreting fibroblasts into mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) leads to induction of an anti-inflammatory response, researchers report in the March issue of the Annals of Neurology.
In fact, the response, according to the investigators, was “a striking abrogation of both clinical and histological signs of disease.”
Dr. Minnie McMillan of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles and colleagues note that this model bears many of the features of multiple sclerosis (MS) including demyelination and remittance and relapse.
The aim of introducing the PLP-secreting fibroblasts was to produce tolerance in the EAE-inducing T cells. The continuous exposure to low levels of myelin-derived antigen ultimately rendered them anergic.
The treatment, which was dose dependent, was effective when given after the first or the third relapse. It also protected naive mice from challenge with spinal cord homogenate.
The goal, Dr. McMillan told Reuters Health, “is to treat MS patients using an allogeneic human fibroblast cell line confined in implantable chambers. The cells will secrete either our PLP- mini-protein or other myelin-derived epitopes.”
“We have animal data submitted for publication suggesting that this is a valid approach,” she added.
Furthermore, “the advantages of this strategy is that we have a ‘universal’ cell line which can be used to treat all patients and the implant can be removed rapidly should exacerbation occur.”
Source: Ann Neurol 2004;55:390-399. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Animal Diseases: Biological Therapy: Disease Models, Animal: Genetic Engineering: Genetic Techniques: Investigative Techniques: Proteolipids: Therapeutics: Gene Therapy: Myelin Proteolipid Protein: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment: DiseasesCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
