Heike Schmitt 1, Julia Ulmschneider 1, Ulrike Billmeier 1, Michael Vieth 2, Patrizio Scarozza 1 3, Sophia Sonnewald 4, Stephen Reid 4, Imke Atreya 1, Timo Rath 1, Sebastian Zundler 1, Melanie Langheinrich 5, Jürgen Schüttler 6, Arndt Hartmann 7, Thomas Winkler 4, Charlotte Admyre 8, Thomas Knittel 8, Christine Dieterich Johansson 8, Arezou Zargari 8, Markus F Neurath 1, Raja Atreya
Main idea: Activation of TLR9 via cobitolimod might represent a novel therapeutic approach in UC, as it suppresses Th17 cells and induces anti-inflammatory IL10+macrophages and regulatory T cells, thereby modifying the dysregulated intestinal cytokine balance.
Abstract
Background and aims: The topically applied Toll-like receptor 9 [TLR9] agonist cobitolimod is a first-in-class DNA-based oligonucleotide with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials with ulcerative colitis [UC] patients. We here characterized its anti-inflammatory mechanism in UC.
Methods: Luminal cobitolimod administration was evaluated in an experimental dextran sodium sulfate [DSS]-induced colitis model. Cultured blood and mucosal cells from UC patients were treated with cobitolimod and analysed via microarray, quantitative real-time PCR, ELISA and flow cytometry. Intestinal slides of cobitolimod-treated UC patients were analysed by immunohistochemistry.
Results: Cobitolimod administration markedly suppressed experimental colitis activity. Microarray analyses demonstrated mucosal IL10 upregulation and suppression of IL17 signaling pathways. In UC patients, mucosal TLR9 levels correlated with severity of inflammation. The drug was associated with significant induction of mucosal Il10+Tr1 and Treg cells. Furthermore, cobitolimod led to heightened IL10 production by wound healing macrophages. Immunohistochemistry in intestinal biopsies of cobitolimod-treated UC patients indicated increased presence of IL10+mononuclear and regulatory T cells, as well as reduction of IL17+cells.
Source NIH
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