[HTML][HTML] A systemically-administered small molecule antagonist of CCR9 acts as a tissue-selective inhibitor of lymphocyte trafficking

NJ Tubo, MA Wurbel, TT Charvat, TJ Schall… - PLoS …, 2012 - journals.plos.org
NJ Tubo, MA Wurbel, TT Charvat, TJ Schall, MJ Walters, JJ Campbell
PLoS One, 2012journals.plos.org
A goal for developers of immunomodulatory drugs has long been a systemically
administered small molecule that can selectively inhibit inflammation in specific tissues. The
chemokine receptor CCR9 is an attractive target for this approach, as entry of T cells into the
small intestine from blood requires interaction between CCR9 and its ligand CCL25. We
have tested the ability of a small molecule CCR9 antagonist, CCX8037, to inhibit antigen-
mediated T cell accumulation in the intestine. This compound prevented accumulation of gut …
A goal for developers of immunomodulatory drugs has long been a systemically administered small molecule that can selectively inhibit inflammation in specific tissues. The chemokine receptor CCR9 is an attractive target for this approach, as entry of T cells into the small intestine from blood requires interaction between CCR9 and its ligand CCL25. We have tested the ability of a small molecule CCR9 antagonist, CCX8037, to inhibit antigen-mediated T cell accumulation in the intestine. This compound prevented accumulation of gut-imprinted antigen-specific CD8 T cells within epithelium of the small intestine. Interestingly, the antagonist did not affect the robust generation of gut-imprinted CD8 T cells within mesenteric lymph nodes. To distinguish “gut-selective” from “general” T cell inhibition, we tested the drug’s ability to influence accumulation of T cells within skin, a tissue in which CCR9 plays no known role, and we found no appreciable effect. This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating systemically-administered pharmaceuticals capable of tissue-selective immune modulation. This proof of concept is of utmost importance for designing effective treatments against various autoimmune disorders localized to a specific tissue.
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