Feeding transgenic plants that express a tolerogenic fusion protein effectively protects against arthritis

• Although much explored, oral tolerance for treatment of autoimmune diseases still awaits the establishment of novel and effective vectors. We investigated if the tolerogenic CTA1(R7K)-COL-DD fusion protein can be expressed in edible plants and in this way induce oral tolerance and protect against arthritis. The fusion protein was recombinantly expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana plants, which were fed to H-2q restricted DBA/1 mice to assess the preventive effect on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The treatment resulted in fewer mice exhibiting disease and arthritis scores were significantly reduced. Immune suppression was evident in treated mice and serum biomarkers for inflammation as well as anti-collagen IgG responses were reduced. In spleen draining and lymph nodes, CD4+ T cell responses were reduced. Concomitant with a reduced effector T cell activity with lower IFNg, IL-13 and IL-17A production we observed an increase in IL-10 production to recall antigen stimulation in vitro, suggesting reduced Th1, Th2 and Th17 activity subsequent to upregulated IL-10 and regulatory T cell (Treg) functions. The present study shows that edible plants expressing a tolerogen were effective at stimulating CD4 T cell tolerance and in protecting against CIA disease. Our study conveys optimism as to the potential of using edible plants for oral treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Bioteknologi med applikationer på växter och djur -- Växtbioteknologi (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agricultural Biotechnology -- Plant Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Biokemi och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinsk bioteknologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Medical Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

autoimmunity; transgenic plants; edible plants; CIA; IL-10; FoxP3

Biochemistry

Biokemi

Immunologi

Immunology

Molecular Biology

Molekylärbiologi

vaccine

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)