Human MHC Class II Constructs For Autoimmume Therapy

描述（由研究者提供）：本研究的目标是 了解和控制致病性T细胞的激活。活化T 细胞的免疫是一个多步骤的过程，由抗原特异性T细胞的共连接启动。 细胞受体（TCR）和辅助受体CD 4与MHC II类/肽复合物 存在于抗原呈递细胞（APC）上（信号I），并且包括 通过T细胞表面分子如CD 28的共刺激（信号2）。我们 工作假设是T细胞可以通过调节环境来控制 其中MHC/肽与TCR相互作用。 为了验证这一假设，我们最近开发了一系列新颖的 衍生自HLADR 2 α-1和β-1结构域的重组TCR配体（RTL）， 有或没有共价连接的肽抗原。RTL技术是 首先在多发性硬化症（EAE）的动物模型的背景下描述 （实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎）。RTLs抑制了 致病性MBP 72 -89反应性T细胞，可用于预防和治疗 EAE。这些分子在治疗人类自身免疫性疾病中的潜力 疾病提供了强有力的理由来开发人类RTL，并进一步 表征分子调节CD 4+致病性T细胞的机制 细胞我们建议：1）以生物化学方式表征人类RTL，以增强 分子的药理学效用; 2）研究RTL对 免疫突触形成和定量RTL之间的结合相互作用 和TCR;以及3）表征所述TCR。 RTLs影响信号转导和T细胞的分子机制 激活，以定义RTL治疗可以 以抗原特异性方式改变效应细胞。完成本提案 将确定控制T细胞的独特干预点， T细胞免疫应答和库。了解这些独特的， 合理的工程药物工作将为以下方面提供坚实的基础： CD 4 + T细胞介导的自身免疫性疾病的药物干预。

DESCRIPTION (provided by investigator): The goal of this research is to understand and control the activation of pathogenic T cells. Activation of T cells is a multi-step process initiated by co-ligation of antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) and co-receptor CD4 with the MHC class II/peptide complex present on antigen presenting cells (APC) (signal I), and includes co-stimulation through T cell surface molecules such as CD28 (signal 2). Our working hypothesis is that T cells can be controlled by regulating the context in which MHC/peptide interacts with the TCR. In order to test this hypothesis we have recently developed a family of novel Recombinant TCR ligands (RTLs) derived from HLADR2 alpha-1 and beta-l domains, with and without a covalently linked peptide antigen. The RTL technology was first described in the context of the animal model of multiple sclerosis, EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis). RTLs inhibited activation of pathogenic MBP72-89 reactive T cells and could be used to prevent and treat EAE. The potential of these molecules in the treatment of human autoimmune disease provides strong rationale to develop human RTLs and further characterize the mechanism by which the molecules regulate CD4+ pathogenic T cells. We propose to 1) Characterize human RTLs biochemically to enhance the pharmacological utility of the molecules; 2) Study the effect RTLs have on immune synapse formation and quantitate the binding interactions between RTL and TCR using surface plasmon resonance (Biacore); and 3) Characterize the molecular mechanism(s) by which RTLs effect signal transduction and T cell activation, to define the time-frame and context within which RTL treatment can alter effector cells in an antigen-specific manner. Completion of this proposal will identify unique points of intervention for controlling T cells and in turn the T cell immune response and repertoire. Understanding how these unique, rationally engineered drugs work will provide a solid foundation for pharmacological intervention in CD4+ T cell mediated autoimmune diseases.