A C-terminal peptide from type I interferon protects the retina in a mouse model of autoimmune uveitis

PLoS One. 2020 Feb 26;15(2):e0227524. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227524. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in rodents recapitulates many features of the disease in humans and has served as a useful tool for the development of therapeutics. A peptide from C-terminus of interferon α1, conjugated to palmitoyl-lysine for cell penetration, denoted as IFNα-C, was tested for its anti-inflammatory properties in ARPE-19 cells, followed by testing in a mouse model of EAU. Treatment with IFNα-C and evaluation by RT-qPCR showed the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokine. Inflammatory markers induced by treatment with TNFα were suppressed when IFNα-C was simultaneously present. TNF-α mediated induction of NF-κB and signaling by IL-17A were attenuated by IFNα-C. Differentiated ARPE-19 cells were treated with TNFα in the presence or absence IFNα-C and analyzed by immmunhistochemistry. IFNα-C protected against the disruption integrity of tight junction proteins. Similarly, loss of transepithelial resistance caused by TNFα was prevented by IFNα-C. B10.RIII mice were immunized with a peptide from interphotoreceptor binding protein (IRBP) and treated by gavage with IFNα-C. Development of uveitis was monitored by histology, fundoscopy, SD-OCT, and ERG. Treatment with IFNα-C prevented uveitis in mice immunized with the IRBP peptide. Splenocytes isolated from mice with ongoing EAU exhibited antigen-specific T cell proliferation that was inhibited in the presence of IFNα-C. IFNα-C peptide exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and protects mice against damage to retinal structure and function suggesting that it has therapeutic potential for the treatment of autoimmune uveitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electric Impedance
  • Electroretinography
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interferon Type I / chemistry*
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Peptides / therapeutic use*
  • Retina / drug effects
  • Retina / pathology*
  • Retina / physiopathology
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Tight Junctions / drug effects
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Uveitis / drug therapy*
  • Uveitis / pathology
  • Uveitis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Eye Proteins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interferon Type I
  • Interleukin-17
  • NF-kappa B
  • Peptides
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • interstitial retinol-binding protein

Grants and funding

ASL Shaler Richardson Endowment https://research.ufl.edu/ufrf.html. The sponsors played no role in the study design.