The Technology
The present patented technology relates to a peptide comprising an epitope within the macrophage scavenger receptor B-I, a method of using the same, and an antibody that binds to the epitope.
Scavenger receptors are cell surface proteins, typically found on macrophages, that bind various types of chemically modified lipoproteins. They are termed scavenger receptors since they mediate the bin ding of a remarkably wide variety of polyanionic ligands (e.g., modified proteins, sulfated polysaccharides and certain polynucleotides). Several lines of evidence suggest that some of these receptors, among them the macrophage scavenger receptor B-I (SR-BI), CD36, and SR-AI may function as pattern recognition receptors that transmit danger signals when encountering microbial components and anti-inflammatory properties otherwise, to maintain tolerance against self (1-3).
The researchers have used a novel targeted discovery platform to identify an 11 amino acid epitope on SR-BI that when receiving agonistic signals induces anti-inflammatory activities in macrophages and CD4+ T cells. A first mAb that was developed was used to approve this concept.
Advantages
- There is no similarity between this epitope and any other known protein
- This epitope is not involved in HDL binding or regulation
- Unique mechanism of action (agonistic)
- Possibility to select for high-responders (based on elevated expression of SR-BI in peripheral blood monocytic cells, and CD4+ T cells, in vitro response)
Applications and Opportunities
- Treatment of inflammation, inflammatory disease
- Treatment of auto-immune disease
- Classical targets include: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
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