Peptide-based immunotherapy of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis without anaphylaxis
Research article published in European journal of immunology (2007)
Abstract
Administration of peptide antigens in tolerogenic form holds promise as a specific treatment for autoimmune and allergic disorders. However, experiments in rodent autoimmune models have highlighted the risk of anaphylaxis in response to systemic peptide application once the aberrant immune response is underway. Thus, mice with clinical signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) or diabetes have been reported to suffer fatal anaphylaxis upon administration of native autoantigenic peptides. Clearly, this might represent a significant barrier to the use of synthetic peptides in the treatment of ongoing human autoimmune conditions. Here we describe the development of an altered peptide ligand (APL) engineered to prevent anaphylaxis (no antibody binding) whilst retaining the ability to silence pathogenic myelin-reactive T lymphocytes. Administration of the APL to mice with an ongoing anti-myelin immune response did not cause anaphylaxis, but led to complete protection from the subsequent induction of EAE and, when given during ongoing EAE, led to a rapid remission of clinical signs. The approach of removing antibody recognition whilst maintaining the desired functional effect (in this case T cell tolerance) may be of value in other situations in which there is a risk of triggering anaphylaxis with peptide-based drugs.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Administration of peptide antigens in tolerogenic form holds promise as a specific treatment for autoimmune and allergic disorders.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio describe un ligando peptídico alterado (APL) diseñado para silenciar los linfocitos T patogénicos reactivos frente a la mielina sin desencadenar anafilaxia mediada por anticuerpos, probado en modelos murinos de encefalomielitis autoinmune experimental (EAE). El APL conservó la inducción de tolerancia de células T a la vez que previno la anafilaxia mortal observada con los péptidos autoantigénicos nativos, logrando protección completa frente a la inducción de EAE y una remisión rápida de la enfermedad en curso. No existe un vínculo defendible con la sanguijuela ni con la hirudoterapia en este resumen; no contiene mención alguna a trombina, coagulación, sanguijuelas o sustancias derivadas de sanguijuelas. La investigación concierne a la inmunoterapia basada en péptidos para enfermedades autoinmunes, lo cual queda fuera del dominio de la ASH sobre hirudoterapia y el secretoma de la sanguijuela.
Citación
Peptide-based immunotherapy of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis without anaphylaxis
Leech MD et al. · European journal of immunology, 2007
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026