T cells from multiple sclerosis patients have been shown to respond to a variety of CNS antigens, such as MBP, MOG and PLP. Modulation of these immune responses is a goal for therapeutic intervention in MS. The focus of our lab is to develop novel approaches for the induction of tolerance that can be applied to the prevention or reversal of undesirable immune responses, particularly in autoimmune diseases like MS. We have utilized immunoglobulin fusion proteins delivered via retroviral vectors for the induction of tolerance. This technology is based on the well-established tolerogenicity of immunoglobulin carriers, onto which we engineer multiple epitope-containing polypeptides in frame with this lgG scaffold. In this system, the transfected autologous donor cells presenting this fusion protein select the relevant epitopes for the respective MHC haplotypes. Our hypothesis is that the multiple epitopes so expressed via B-cell antigen presentation lead to immunologic tolerance via a FasL-dependent mechanism. Data in several experimental autoimmune models (uveitis, diabetes, EAE with MBP for multiple sclerosis) are promising in that significant clinical efficacy has been achieved. Since numerous antigens have been identified as potential targets in multiple sclerosis, it is important to extend our model system to these additional antigens in models of MS, and to understand the mechanisms of gene therapy for tolerance in order to achieve improved efficacy. Our goal is to induce tolerance to additional encephalitogenic antigens, such as MOG and PLP, in both unprimed and primed T cells. Moreover, we wish to apply this system in a model of relapsing MS, using PLP peptides. To establish the nature of the APC, we will track the transduced B-cell APC, using GFP constructs and PKH26 dye labeling, as well as modification of tolerance by CpG-containing oligonucleotides. Finally, we will use T cells from TCR transgenic mice to establish the mechanisms involved, including the migration and fate of specific cells, role of FasL and involvement of suppression in this gene therapeutic approach for tolerance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI035622-06
Application #
6637904
Study Section
Immunological Sciences Study Section (IMS)
Program Officer
Esch, Thomas R
Project Start
1997-05-01
Project End
2004-06-30
Budget Start
2003-06-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$308,400
Indirect Cost
Name
American National Red Cross
Department
Type
DUNS #
003255213
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20006
Kim, Yong Chan; Zhang, Ai-Hong; Yoon, Jeongheon et al. (2018) Engineered MBP-specific human Tregs ameliorate MOG-induced EAE through IL-2-triggered inhibition of effector T cells. J Autoimmun 92:77-86
Scott, D W (2014) Inhibitors - cellular aspects and novel approaches for tolerance. Haemophilia 20 Suppl 4:80-6
Su, Yan; Rossi, Robert; De Groot, Anne S et al. (2013) Regulatory T cell epitopes (Tregitopes) in IgG induce tolerance in vivo and lack immunogenicity per se. J Leukoc Biol 94:377-83
Adair, Patrick; Su, Yan; Scott, David W (2013) Tolerance induction in hemophilia A animal models: battling inhibitors with antigen-specific immunotherapies. Discov Med 15:275-82
Scott, David W; Lozier, Jay N (2012) Gene therapy for haemophilia: prospects and challenges to prevent or reverse inhibitor formation. Br J Haematol 156:295-302
Scott, David W; Zhang, Ai-Hong; Su, Yan (2012) B-cell based gene therapy for autoimmune diseases. Infect Disord Drug Targets 12:241-7
Melamed, Doron; Scott, David W (2012) Aging and neoteny in the B lineage. Blood 120:4143-9
Matheu, Melanie P; Su, Yan; Greenberg, Milton L et al. (2012) Toll-like receptor 4-activated B cells out-compete Toll-like receptor 9-activated B cells to establish peripheral immunological tolerance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:E1258-66
Su, Yan; Zhang, Ai-Hong; Noben-Trauth, Nancy et al. (2011) B-Cell Gene Therapy for Tolerance Induction: Host but Not Donor B-Cell Derived IL-10 is Necessary for Tolerance. Front Microbiol 2:154
Su, Yan; Zhang, Ai-Hong; Li, Xin et al. (2011) B cells ""transduced"" with TAT-fusion proteins can induce tolerance and protect mice from diabetes and EAE. Clin Immunol 140:260-7

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