UMH-119  

Method for Treating Autoimmune Disorders
Robert Hoffman
 
Problem
Treatment of autoimmune diseases such as MCTD, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis is very limited, or currently do not exist. These diseases are chronic, potentially disabling or fatal.
 
Solution
A novel approach for treating autoimmune diseases, including mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis has been developed. MCTD and SLE are characterized immunologically by the presence of autoantibodies that are reactive to U1 ribonucleoprotein (U1-RNP) autoantigen. The inventor has discovered specific T cell epitopes on the U1-RNP autoantigen that is recognized by both human and murine T cells, and has developed a novel murine model of MCTD/SLE for identifying and characterizing T cell receptors used in the recognition of the epitopes. The research thus far on identification and characterization of CD+4 T cells from the murine model suggests that the modulation of these cells may be an effective therapy for autoimmune diseases.
 
Competitive Advantage
This technology presents an opportunity to expand market share by introducing a novel product that does not have much competition. At the present time, there are limited treatment options for autoimmune diseases such as MCTD and lupus.
 
Applications
Therapies for treating autoimmune disorders such as MCTD, SLE and lupus.
 
Patent Status
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2009/041683 was filed on April 24, 2009.
 
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking commercialization partnerships for a novel approach to treat autoimmune diseases.
 
About the Inventors
Dr. Robert Hoffman, D.O., is Chief, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology in the Department of Medicine at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
 
Selected References
Greidinger EL, Zang YJ, Jaimes K, Martinez L, Nassiri M, Hoffman RW. CD4+ T cells target epitopes residing within the RNA-binding domain of the U1-70kDa small nuclear ribonucleoprotein autoantigen and have restricted TCR diversity in an HLA-DR4-transgenic murine model of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. J Immunol. 2008, 180(12):8444-8454.

Hoffman RW, Maldonado ME. Immune pathogenesis of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease: A short analytical review. Clin Immunol. 2008, Apr 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Hoffman RW. T cells in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Immunol. 2004, 113(1):4-13.

Greidinger EL, Foecking MF, Sch￤fermeyer KR, Bailey CW, Primm SL, Lee DR, Hoffman RW. T cell immunity in connective tissue disease patients targets the RNA binding domain of the U1-70kDa small nuclear ribonucleoprotein. J Immunol. 2002, 169(6):3429-3437.