Wu G, Chai N, Kim I, Klein AS, Jordan SC. Monoclonal anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody attenuates donor-specific antibody responses in a mouse model of allosensitization.
Transpl Immunol 2013;
28:138-43. [PMID:
23562586 DOI:
10.1016/j.trim.2013.03.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Revised: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin 6 is an immune regulatory cytokine that impacts the development and maturation of T-cell, B-cell, and antibody producing plasma cells. A monoclonal antibody to the IL-6R (Tocilizumab®) was recently approved by the FDA for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Although anti-IL-6R anitbodies can reduce autoantibody levels in human disease, the use of anti-IL-6R for alloantibody suppression has not been examined. Here, we report on our experience with a mousenized rat-anti-mouse IL-6R (mMR16-1) for attenuating donor-specific antibody (DSA) responses. C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with skin allografts from a HLA.A2 transgenic mouse, and treated with intraperitoneal injections of mMR16-1 or control antibody. DSA responses were monitored weekly for 5weeks by measurement of serum anti-HLA.A2 antibodies in a flow cytometric antibody binding assay. Results show that mMR16-1 significantly reduced DSA IgM, IgG2a and IgG1 responses, respectively, while normalizing serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute phase reactant induced by IL-6 (p<0.01 vs. control). mMR16-1 injections increased mononuclear cell apoptosis in the spleens, as detected by annexin V staining and TUNEL. In conclusion, anti-IL6R attenuates de novo DSA responses and suppresses inflammatory markers (SAA). The data indicate that antibody therapy targeting the IL-6/IL-6R pathway may serve as a strategy to suppress DSA generation.
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