IL-7 receptor blockade blunts antigen-specific memory T cell responses and chronic inflammation in primates

Nat Commun. 2018 Oct 26;9(1):4483. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06804-y.

Abstract

Targeting the expansion of pathogenic memory immune cells is a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent chronic autoimmune attacks. Here we investigate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of new anti-human IL-7Rα monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in non-human primates and show that, depending on the target epitope, a single injection of antagonistic anti-IL-7Rα mAbs induces a long-term control of skin inflammation despite repeated antigen challenges in presensitized monkeys. No modification in T cell numbers, phenotype, function or metabolism is observed in the peripheral blood or in response to polyclonal stimulation ex vivo. However, long-term in vivo hyporesponsiveness is associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of antigen-specific T cells producing IFN-γ upon antigen restimulation ex vivo. These findings indicate that chronic antigen-specific memory T cell responses can be controlled by anti-IL-7Rα mAbs, promoting and maintaining remission in T-cell mediated chronic inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Clonal Deletion / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / drug effects*
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Papio
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / agonists
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / immunology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7
  • interleukin-7 receptor, alpha chain
  • Interferon-gamma