Generation of novel therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis by reguIation of autoantigen-specific T cells

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We aimed to establish new therapeutic strategies against rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In order to achieve this aim, some antigen-specific T cells were analyzed in RA patients so far. We newly identified the autoantigen BiP-specific effector and regulatory T cells in RA patients. Especially, the proliferative activities of BiP-specific effector T cells significantly correlated with RA disease activities and serum titers of anti-BiP and anti-citrullinated BiP antibodies. In contrast, BiP-specific regulatory T cells suppressed the proliferation and cytokine secretion of BiP-specific effctor T cells. In addition, oral administration of the BiP-derived epitope, which were recognized by regulatory T cells in RA, could ameliorate the mouse model of arthritis by the induction of regulatory T cells. Collectively, this BiP-derived epitope could be applied for a new therapy of human diseases.