Pharmacological intervention in antibody mediated disease

Abstract

The use of single signal anergy to inactive pathological B cells in an antigen-specific manner is discussed. Cross-linking surface immunoglobulin, with a construct which contains oligo valent B cell epitopes on a non-immunogenic molecular framework can be used to inac tivate the target B cells if the construct lacks T cells epitopes. An example of such a B cell toleragen is LJP 394, which inactivates anti-dsDNA-specific B cells in vivo in murine immu nized and spontaneous disease models. The drug enhances survival and lowers renal pathol ogy in BXSB mice. Appropriate definition of epitopes of pathological (auto) antibodies thus offers an opportunity for pharmacological intervention.