Small tumor necrosis factor receptor biologics inhibit the tumor necrosis factor-p38 signalling axis and inflammation.

Mukaro, Violet R; Quach, Alex; Gahan, Michelle E; Boog, Bernadette; Huang, Zhi H; Gao, Xiuhui; Haddad, Carol; Mahalingam, Suresh et al. · Nat Commun · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Despite anti-TNF therapy advancements for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, the burden of diseases remains high. An 11-mer TNF peptide, TNF<sub>70-80</sub>, is known to stimulate selective functional responses compared to the parent TNF molecule. Here, we show that TNF<sub>70-80</sub> binds to the TNF receptor, activating p38 MAP kinase through TNF receptor-associated factor 2. Using truncated TNFR mutants, we identify the sequence in TNFRI which enables p38 activation by TNF<sub>70-80</sub>. Peptides with this TNFRI sequence, such as TNFRI<sub>206-211</sub> bind to TNF and inhibit TNF-induced p38 activation, respiratory burst, cytokine production and adhesion receptor expression but not F-Met-Leu-Phe-induced respiratory burst in neutrophils. TNFRI<sub>206-211</sub> does not prevent TNF binding to TNFRI or TNF-induced stimulation of ERK, JNK and NF-κB. TNFRI<sub>206-211</sub> inhibits bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis, carrageenan-induced and antigen-induced paw inflammation, and respiratory syncytial virus-induced lung inflammation in mice. Our findings suggest a way of targeting TNF-p38 pathway to treat chronic inflammatory disorders.

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