Therapeutic anti-integrin (α4 and αL) monoclonal antibodies: Two-edged swords? Review uri icon

abstract

  • Anti-α4 and anti-αL integrin chain monoclonal antibodies have shown a clear-cut beneficial effect in different animal models of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders as well as in human diseases, including multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. It has been widely assumed that this therapeutic effect is mainly consequence of the blockade of leucocyte adhesion to endothelium, inhibiting thus their extravasation and the inflammatory phenomenon. However, it is evident that both α4β1 (very late antigen-4) and αLβ2 (leucocyte function-associated antigen-1) integrins have additional important roles in other immune phenomena, including the formation of the immune synapse and the differentiation of T helper 1 lymphocytes. Therefore, it is very feasible that the long-term administration of blocking agents directed against these integrins to patients with inflammatory/autoimmune conditions may have undesirable or unexpected effects. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

publication date

  • 2005-01-01