SLC5A12 inhibition for rheumatoid arthritis

INDICATION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Inhibiting the lactate transporter SLC5A12 could treat RA. In 87 patients with early RA, high levels of SLC5A12 RNA expression in the synovium was associated with increased disease activity scores. In cultured human tonsil or synovium biopsies, a mAb against SLC5A12 reversed lactate-induced retention of CD4⁺ T cells in inflamed tissues. The anti-SLC5A12 mAb also reduced clinical and histological disease scores in arthritic mice compared with an isotype control mAb or the marketed RA drug Remicade infliximab...