Abstract
We developed a novel trimeric sTNFRII fusion protein, named sTNFRII-gAD, which exhibited a higher in vitro antagonistic efficacy for TNFα in comparison with sTNFRII-Fc. This study aimed to investigate the arthritic protection of sTNFRII-gAD in a rat collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The rats were injected intradermally with collagen type II at days 0 and 7. Three days after the second injection (day 10), the rats were intraperitoneally given sTNFRII-gAD or sTNFRII-Fc, or PBS. Effects of treatments were examined with respect of CIA incidence, severity and pathological changes. Serum TNFα, IL-17A and regulatory T cell (Treg) in periphery were determined at days 10 and 16, respectively. Our results showed that sTNFRIIgAD significantly reduced CIA incidence and severity (p < 0.05); meanwhile it led to a dramatic improvement in cartilage and bone damage. Moreover, the increase in serum anti-CII and IL-17A, and the reduction in Treg population were inhibited (p < 0.05) by sTNFRII-gAD or sTNFRII-Fc. Serum TNFα was found to be accumulated in the groups treated with sTNFRII-gAD or sTNFRII-Fc compared with the group treated with PBS (p < 0.05). It is noteworthy that sTNFRII-gAD displayed a better efficacy than sTNFRII-Fc in CIA incidence, pathological changes in cartilage and the elevation of anti-CII antibody, indicating that sTNFRII-gAD is potentially a more efficacious anti-TNFα agent for rheumatoid arthritis.
Declaration of interest
This work was sponsored partly by National Major Specific Project for Innovation of New Pharmaceuticals (2009ZX09103-649), Chinese National 863 Plan (2012AA02A407), The Scientific Research Fund of Ministry of Public Health (201231029), Zhejiang Provincial Major Research Program (2010C13007), Key Science and Technology Innovation Team of Zhejiang Province, the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (Y2110580, LY12C07001, LY13H100003, LZ14H260001), Zhejiang Provincial Program for the Cultivation of High-level Innovative Health Talents, Science & Technology Innovation Program for College/University Students in Zhejiang Province (2012R413039, 2012R413041).