Research Article | Published:

Therapeutic antibodies elicited by immunization against TNF-α

Nature Biotechnology volume 17, pages 666669 (1999) | Download Citation

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Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is critically involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases. Monoclonal antibodies against TNF-α are currently used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. This report describes a simple and effective method for active immunization against self TNF-α. This vaccination approach leads to a T-cell–dependent polyclonal and sustainable anti–TNF-α autoantibody response that declines upon discontinuation of booster injections. The autoantibodies are elicited by injecting modified recombinant TNF-α molecules containing foreign immunodominant T-helper epitopes. In mice immunized with such molecules, the symptoms of experimental cachexia and type II collagen-induced arthritis are ameliorated. These results suggest that vaccination against TNF-α may be a useful approach for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the technicians at M&E Biotech for excellent assistance and Dr. Anand Gautam and Dr. Gunilla Karlsson for useful comments on the manuscript. I.D. was supported by a grant from The Danish Natural Science Research Council, and M.F. and D.M.B. were supported by the Arthritis Research Campaign, UK.

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Affiliations

  1. M&E Biotech A/S, 6 Kogle Alle, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark.

    • Iben Dalum
    • , Martin R. Jensen
    • , Peter Hindersson
    • , Lucilla Steinaa
    • , Susanne N. Grell
    • , Henrik I. Elsner
    •  & Søren Mouritsen
  2. Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, London , England.

    • Debra M. Butler
    • , Ashita M. Waterston
    •  & Marc Feldmann

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Correspondence to Søren Mouritsen.

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/10878