Tocopherol Emulsions as Functional Autoantigen Delivery Vehicles Evoke Therapeutic Efficacy in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

  • J. Daniel Griffin
  • , Matthew A. Christopher
  • , Sharadvi Thati
  • , Jean R. Salash
  • , Melissa M. Pressnall
  • , Dhanushka B. Weerasekara
  • , Susan M. Lunte
  • , Cory J. Berkland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Contemporary approaches to treating autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis broadly modulate the immune system and leave patients susceptible to severe adverse effects. Antigen-specific immunotherapies (ASIT) offer a unique opportunity to selectively suppress autoreactive cell populations but have suffered from marginal efficacy even when employing traditional adjuvants to improve delivery. The development of immunologically active antigen delivery vehicles could potentially increase the clinical success of antigen-specific immunotherapies. An emulsion of the antioxidant tocopherol delivering an epitope of proteolipid protein autoantigen (PLP 139-151 ) yielded significant efficacy in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In vitro studies indicated tocopherol emulsions reduced oxidative stress in antigen-presenting cells. Ex vivo analysis revealed that tocopherol emulsions shifted cytokine responses in EAE splenocytes. In addition, IgG responses against PLP 139-151 were increased in mice treated with tocopherol emulsions delivering the antigen, suggesting a possible skew in immunity. Overall, tocopherol emulsions provide a functional delivery vehicle for ASIT capable of ameliorating autoimmunity in a murine model.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)607-617
Number of pages11
JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 4 2019

Keywords

  • antigen-specific immunotherapy
  • antioxidant
  • codelivery
  • experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)
  • proteolipid protein (PLP )
  • tocopherol

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