BH3 mimetics antagonizing restricted prosurvival Bcl-2 proteins represent another class of selective immune modulatory drugs
Details
Publication Year 2010-06-15,Volume 107,Issue #24,Page 10967-10971
Journal Title
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Publication Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Death by apoptosis shapes tissue homeostasis. Apoptotic mechanisms are so universal that harnessing them for tailored immune intervention would seem challenging; however, the range and different expression levels of pro-and anti-apoptotic molecules among tissues offer hope that targeting only a subset of such molecules may be therapeutically useful. We examined the effects of the drug ABT-737, a mimetic of the killer BH3 domain of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that induces apoptosis by antagonizing Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), and Bcl-W (but not Mcl-1 and A1), on the mouse immune system. Treatment with ABT-737 reduced the numbers of selected lymphocyte and dendritic cell subpopulations, most markedly in lymph nodes. It inhibited the persistence of memory B cells, the establishment of newly arising bone marrow plasma cells, and the induction of a cytotoxic T cell response. Preexisting plasma cells and germinal centers were unaffected. Notably, ABT-737 was sufficiently immunomodulatory to allow long-term survival of pancreatic allografts, reversing established diabetes in this model. These results provide an insight into the selective mechanisms of immune cell survival and how this selectivity avails a different strategy for immune modulation.
Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
Keywords
CELL-DEATH; TRANSPLANTATION; INHIBITOR; MEMORY; EXPRESSION; APOPTOSIS; SURVIVAL; MCL-1; BAX; DIFFERENTIATION
Terms of Use/Rights Notice
Refer to copyright notice on published article.


Creation Date: 2010-06-15 12:00:00
An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙