Polyarginine induces an antitumor immune response through binding to toll-like receptor 4

Small. 2014 Apr 9;10(7):1250-4. doi: 10.1002/smll.201302887. Epub 2013 Dec 10.

Abstract

A novel function of polyarginine as an activator of the immune system is reported. Single-molecule fluorescence imaging and single-molecule force measurements demonstrate that polyarginine binds specifically to the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), inducing receptor dimerization and activation. Moreover, polyarginine induced immune activation inhibits tumor growth. These results suggest the potential use of polyarginine for cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords: cancer immunotherapy; polyarginine; single-molecule fluorescence imaging; single-molecule force measurement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fluorescence
  • Immunity / drug effects*
  • Interferons / genetics
  • Interferons / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Thermodynamics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / deficiency
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Peptides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • polyarginine
  • Interferons