Small molecule inhibitors of RORγt: Targeting Th17 cells and other applications

Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting the Th17 Cell Transcription Factor RORγt for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases

Naïve CD4+ T helper cells can differentiate into Th1, Th2, Th17, T regulatory, Th9 and Th22 cells. Th1 cells are characterized by their production of IFNγ but not IL-4 and IL-5 while Th2 cells are characterized by their expression of IL-4 and IL-5 but not IFNγ. T-bet and GATA3 are the master transcription factors for Th1 and Th2 cells, respectively [1]. Th1 cells mediate cellular immunity again...

Targeting Th17 Cells with Small Molecules and Small Interference RNA

T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a central role in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases via the production of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin- (IL-) 17, IL-17F, and IL-22. Anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibodies show potent efficacy in psoriasis but poor effect in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's disease. Alternative agents targeting Th17 cells may be a better way to inhibit the development an...

The immunomodulatory effects of TNF-α inhibitors on human Th17 cells via RORγt histone acetylation

The presence of interleukin (IL)-17-related cytokines correlates with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. Epigenetic modifications, including histone acetylation, regulate gene expression in RA pathogenesis. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors such as etanercept and adalimumab, represent a breakthrough in RA treatment. We aimed to investigate the effects of etanercept and adalim...

RORγt and RORα signature genes in human Th17 cells

RORγt and RORα are transcription factors of the RAR-related orphan nuclear receptor (ROR) family. They are expressed in Th17 cells and have been suggested to play a role in Th17 differentiation. Although RORγt signature genes have been characterized in mouse Th17 cells, detailed information on its transcriptional control in human Th17 cells is limited and even less is known about RORα signature...

Identification of small molecule inhibitors targeting the Mad2-Cdc20 interaction