The document discusses the role of citrullination in multiple sclerosis and describes research synthesizing altered peptide ligands of myelin basic protein to modulate the immune response. Studies showed that citrullinated peptides induced cytokine secretion from MS patient immune cells. Additional experiments conjugating myelin peptide analogs to mannan were able to divert the immune response from a Th1 to a Th2 profile, demonstrating the immunomodulatory potential of altered peptide ligands.
3. Epidemiology of MS
Age onset 20 – 50 years old
Women are 2 times more likely to develop MS
500,000 cases in US
Over 2.5 million people around the world
More prevalent whites of northern European ancestry
Genetic Influences
4. • Vision problems
• Numbness
• Difficulty walking
• Fatigue, Depression
• Coordination and Balance problems,
• Pain
• Spasticity
Symptoms of MS
5. http://www.chumsweb.org/types.htm
MS Types
Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
Attacks followed by partial or complete
recovery Symptoms may be inactive for
months or years
•Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS)
Occasional relapses but symptoms remain
constant, no remission
Progressive disability late in disease course
Primary-progressive MS (PPMS)
Affects approximately 10% of MS population.
Slow onset but continuous
worsening condition
Benign MS. small attacks followed by
complete recovery.
7. Immunodominant epitopes in MS
MBP 83-99 ENPVVHFFKNIVTPRTP
MOG 35-55 MEVGWYRSPFSRVVHLYRNGK
PLP 139-151 HCLGKWLGHPDKF
8. HLA-DR2 – PEPTIDE COCMPLEX
Val 87
Phe 90
Lys 91
Crystal Structure of HLA-DR2 (DRA*0101, DRB1*1501) Complexed with a Peptide from Human Myelin Basic Protein
kathine J. Smith, Jason Pyrdol, Laurent Gauthier, Don C Wiley, Kai W. Wucherpfenning.
10. Medications and MS
Therapies Administration Class
Avonex IM 1x a week Interferon beta-1a
Betaseron SC, every other day Interferon beta-1b
Copaxone SC 1x a day Glatiramer acetate
Rebif SC 3x a week Interferon beta-1a
Gilenya Oral capsule 1x day Fingolimod
Tysabri IV Monthly at Center Natalizumab
15. Biological evaluation
Citrullinated analogues
MBP87-99(Cit91,97)
cycloMBP87-99(Cit91,97)
PBMCs of MS patients
Cytokine secretion
Mannan conjugated peptides
• MBP83-99(Tyr91)
• MBP83-99(Phe91)
• MBP83-99(Arg91)
• MBP83-99(Glu91)
EAE experiment
In SJL/J mice
Cytokine secretion
Cross reaction antibodies assays
Department of Medical school, University of Patras,
Burnet Institute, Australia
16. Deraos et al. J. Med. Chem. 2008 Dec 25;51(24):7834-42. .
Citrullinated peptides
in PBMCs from MS patients
24. Conclusions
➢Citrullination is essential for antigenic recognition of self epitopes by T cells and
may be a new strategy of citrullinated inhibitors like drugs in the future
➢Mutations to the native MBP83–99 peptide were able to induce IL-4 responses,
although IFN-γ responses were still present.
➢ However, conjugating MBP83–99 peptide analogs to mannan was able to further
divert the immune response from Th1 to Th2, demonstrating the importance of
mannan as conjugates.
➢ APLs linear or cyclic can be used as immunomodulator agents in the MS.
Although linear peptides have the disadvantage of being degradated easily from
proteolytic enzymes and can not be used as oral administered drugs.