BioCentury
ARTICLE | Tools & Techniques

Micromanaging tolerance

December 6, 2012 8:00 AM UTC

Researchers at Northwestern University and the Myelin Repair Foundation have simplified an autologous cell-based strategy for promoting antigen-specific tolerance by replacing splenic leukocytes with synthetic microparticles as the antigen carrier.1 The groups are planning to first develop the therapy and establish clinical proof of concept in autoimmune indications for which the key antigen is known before moving forward in multiple sclerosis.

Apoptotic splenic leukocytes coupled to peptide antigens induce antigen-specific immune tolerance in T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as MS.2-4 Indeed, in a Phase I trial in patients with new-onset relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), researchers showed that infusion of such cells induced tolerance against the coupled myelin peptide antigens and did not cause significant adverse effects...