Peptide-based vaccine targeting IL17A attenuates experimental spondyloarthritis in HLA-B27 transgenic rats

ObjectivesSpondyloarthritis (SpA) is known as series of immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the axial and peripheral joints. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 is a genetic risk factor for SpA. Recent evidence suggests that the interleukin -17 (IL17) axis strongly contributes to SpA. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an IL17A peptide-based vaccine on SpA manifestations in model rats.MethodsHLA-B27/human beta(2)-microglobulin (h beta M-2) transgenic rats were immunised with heat-inactivated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) to develop spondylitis and arthritis as an experimental SpA model after immunisation with a keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated IL17A peptide-based vaccine with an alum adjuvant three times. The IL17A antibody titre was assessed using ELISA, and arthritis score and joint thickness were monitored two times a week. Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays for IL4- and interferon-gamma-secreting splenocytes were conducted to evaluate IL17A-specific T cell activation. We also evaluated the effect of IL17A vaccine in SpA therapeutic model.ResultsThe IL17A peptide-based vaccine with alum adjuvant successfully induced antibody production and suppressed the arthritis score and joint thickness. X-ray and histological analyses showed that enthesitis, bone destruction and new bone formation were inhibited by the IL17A vaccine. The ELISpot assay showed that the IL17A peptide-based vaccine did not elicit any IL17A-reactive T cell responses. IL17A vaccine tends to mitigate, but not significant, in SpA treatment model. These data showed that the peptide-based vaccine targeting IL17A alleviated the SpA phenotype in a heat-inactivated MT-induced SpA model in HLA-B27/h beta M-2 transgenic rats.ConclusionsIL17A peptide-based vaccine may be a therapeutic option for SpA treatment.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an IL17A peptide-based vaccine on SpA manifestations in model rats. The results showed that the IL17A peptide-based vaccine successfully induced antibody production and suppressed the arthritis score and joint thickness. It also inhibited enthesitis, bone destruction, and new bone formation. The study suggests that the IL17A peptide-based vaccine may be a therapeutic option for SpA treatment.