Complement C1q and C8beta deficiency in an individual with recurrent bacterial meningitis and adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus-like illness.

Co-existing complement C8 deficiency ameliorated the SLE associated with C1q deficiency.

C1q acts in the tumour microenvironment as a cancer-promoting factor independently of complement activation

Complement C1q is the activator of the classical pathway. However, it is now recognized that C1q can exert functions unrelated to complement activation. Here we show that C1q, but not C4, is expressed in the stroma and vascular endothelium of several human malignant tumours. Compared with wild-type (WT) or C3- or C5-deficient mice, C1q-deficient (C1qa−/−) mice bearing a syngeneic B16 melanoma exhibit a slower tumour growth and prolonged survival. This effect is not attributable to differences in the tumour-infiltrating immune cells. Tumours developing in WT mice display early deposition of C1q, higher vascular density and an increase in the number of lung metastases compared with C1qa−/− mi…

OP0023 Targeted Polymeric Nanoparticles as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease affecting joints due to the persistent synovial tissue inflammation. RA treatment has dramatically evolved in the last 20 years due to the production of biological Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs). However, side effects and the high costs of biological drugs are holding back their widespread usage. Moreover, some patients fail to respond to bDMARDs, for all of these reasons, DMARDs remains the main desired strategy for the treatment of RA, and Methotrexate (MTX) is still the “anchor” drug to treat RA. A successful treatment depends also on the early diagnosis, treating patients as soon as possible …

Development of a human-SCID lymphoma as a model to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Rituximab

Bispecific antibodies targeting tumor-associated antigens and neutralizing complement regulators increase the efficacy of antibody-based immunotherapy in mice.

The efficacy of antibody-based immunotherapy is due to the activation of apoptosis, the engagement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). We developed a novel strategy to enhance CDC using bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) that neutralize the C-regulators CD55 and CD59 to enhance C-mediated functions. Two bsAbs (MB20/55 and MB20/59) were designed to recognize CD20 on one side. The other side neutralizes CD55 or CD59. Analysis of CDC revealed that bsAbs could kill 4-25 times more cells than anti-CD20 recombinant antibody in cell lines or cells isolated from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The pharmacokinetics of the bsAbs was evaluate…

Targeting CD34+ cells of the inflamed synovial endothelium by guided nanoparticles for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Despite the advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) achieved in the last few years, several patients are diagnosed late, do not respond to or have to stop therapy because of inefficacy and/or toxicity, leaving still a huge unmet need. Tissue-specific strategies have the potential to address some of these issues. The aim of the study is the development of a safe nanotechnology approach for tissue-specific delivery of drugs and diagnostic probes. CD34 + endothelial precursors were addressed in inflamed synovium using targeted biodegradable nanoparticles (tBNPs). These nanostructures were made of poly-lactic acid, poly-caprolactone, and PEG and then coated with a synovi…

FRI0030 Anti-TNF-α Antibody Targeted To Inflamed Synovial Tissue for The Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background TNF-α neutralizing molecules represent one of the most efficient therapeutic approaches to control inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The widespread distribution in the body induces the inhibition of TNF-α in all the tissues, requesting the use of high dose of this expensive drug. Another problem that has not yet been solved in the management of RA patients is how to reduce and possibly avoid the side effects, particularly the increased risk of common and opportunistic infections, which may be associated with long-term administration of these therapeutic drugs. Objectives The aim of the present investigation was to show that a recombinant protein obtained by fusing a syno…