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Published ahead of print on December 30, 2005, doi:10.1164/rccm.200503-468OC
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American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 173. pp. 599-606, (2006)
© 2006 American Thoracic Society
doi: 10.1164/rccm.200503-468OC

Original Article

A Novel Low Molecular Weight Inhibitor of Dendritic Cells and B Cells Blocks Allergic Inflammation

Peter Ettmayer, Peter Mayer, Frank Kalthoff, Wolfgang Neruda, Nathalie Harrer, Gabriella Hartmann, Michelle M. Epstein, Volker Brinkmann, Christoph Heusser and Maximilian Woisetschläger

Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Autoimmunity and Transplantation, Vienna, Austria, and Basel, Switzerland; and Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Maximilian Woisetschläger, Ph.D., Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research Vienna, Brunnerstrasse 59, A-1230 Vienna, Austria. E-mail: maximilian.woisetschlaeger{at}novartis.com

Rationale and Objective: During allergic lung inflammation dendritic cells (DCs) direct the generation and function of effector T-helper type 2 cells. T-helper type 2 cells not only orchestrate the inflammatory processes in the tissue by inducing the accumulation and activation of proinflammatory cells but also induce IgE production by B cells. Thus, inhibitors of DC function should have therapeutic benefits in patients with allergies.

Methods and Measurements: VAF347, a novel low molecular weight immunomodulator, is described and acts as an antiinflammatory compound by a dual mode of action.

Results: VAF347 inhibited the function of human monocyte–derived DCs to induce T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. Mechanistically, this effect may be due to reduced expression of CD86, HLA-DR, and interleukin 6 by DCs. In addition, the compound inhibited IgE synthesis in an isotype-specific fashion by human B lymphocytes. In a mouse model of antigen-induced eosinophilic inflammation, VAF347 blocked lung eosinophilia, mucus hyperplasia, and serum IgE levels, representing the hallmarks of allergic lung inflammation. The biological effects in vivo are most likely mediated by the immunoregulatory role of VAF347 on DCs because allergic lung inflammation was also inhibited in B-cell–deficient mice.

Conclusion: VAF347 represents a novel type of immunomodulator by affecting two major pathways in allergic airway pathogenesis: dendritic cell–mediated T-helper–cell activation and induction of IgE production by human B lymphocytes.

Key Words: asthma • immunobiology • pharmacology




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