SR1001 Compound Halts Progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Author: Scripps Research Institute
Published: 2011/04/18 - Updated: 2022/04/21
Contents: Summary - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: Scientists develop compound that effectively halts progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), the discovery also holds promise for other autoimmune disorders. Current treatments for autoimmunity suppress the patient's entire immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to a range of adverse side effects. Because the new compound, known as SR1001, only blocks the actions of a specific cell type playing a significant role in autoimmunity, it appears to avoid many of the widespread side effects of current therapies.

Main Digest

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have developed the first of a new class of highly selective compounds that effectively suppresses the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) in animal models. The new compound could provide new and potentially more effective therapeutic approaches to multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases that affect patients worldwide. The study appeared April 17, 2011, in an advance online edition of the journal Nature.

Current treatments for autoimmunity suppress the patient's entire immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to a range of adverse side effects. Because the new compound, known as SR1001, only blocks the actions of a specific cell type playing a significant role in autoimmunity, it appears to avoid many of the widespread side effects of current therapies.

"This is a novel drug that works effectively in animal models with few side effects," said Tom Burris, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Molecular Therapeutics at Scripps Florida who led the study, which was a multidisciplinary collaboration with scientists including Patrick Griffin, William Roush, and Ted Kamenecka of Scripps Research, and Paul Drew of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. "We have been involved in several discussions with both pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, who are very interested in developing it further."

A lengthy process of drug development and review is required to ensure a new drug's safety and efficacy before it can be brought to market.

"This impressive multidisciplinary team has used a combined structural and functional approach to describe a class of molecules that could lead to new medicines for treating autoimmune diseases," said Charles Edmonds, Ph.D. who oversees structural biology grants at the National Institutes of Health. "Breakthroughs such as this highlight the value of scientists with diverse expertise joining forces to solve important biological problems that have the potential to benefit human health."

Targeting Specific Receptors

For the past few years, Burris, and his colleagues, have been investigating small-molecule compounds that affect particular disease-related receptors (structures that bind other molecules, triggering some effect on the cell). In particular, the scientists have been interested in a pair of "orphan nuclear receptors" (receptors with no known natural binding partner) called RORI and RORI involved in both autoimmune and metabolic diseases.

These particular receptors play a critical role in the development of TH17 cells, a form of T helper cells that make up part of the immune system. A relatively new discovery, TH17 cells have been implicated in the pathology of numerous autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus. TH17 cells produce Interleukin-17, a natural molecule that can induce inflammation, a characteristic of autoimmunity.

"If you eliminate TH17 cell signals, you basically eliminate the disease in animal models," Burris said. "Our compound is the first small-molecule orally active drug that targets this specific cell type and shuts it down. Once SR1001 is optimized, chances are it will be far more potent and effective."

The compound works without affecting other types of T helper cells and without any significant metabolic impact, Burris added.

Study Authors and Details

The first author of the study, "Inhibition of TH17 Differentiation and Suppression of Autoimmunity by a Selective Synthetic ROR Ligand," is Laura A. Solt of Scripps Research. In addition to Burris, Griffin, Roush, Kamenecka, Drew, and Solt, other authors include Naresh Kumar, Philippe Nuhant, Yongjun Wang, Janelle L. Lauer, Jin Liu, and Monica Istrate of Scripps Research; Stephan C. Schurer of Scripps Research and the Center for Computational Science, University of Miami; and Jihong Xu and Gail Wagoner of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and National Institute of Mental Health.

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed publication pertaining to our Multiple Sclerosis (MS) section was selected for circulation by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "SR1001 Compound Halts Progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)" was originally written by Scripps Research Institute, and submitted for publishing on 2011/04/18 (Edit Update: 2022/04/21). Should you require further information or clarification, Scripps Research Institute can be contacted at the scripps.edu website. Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

📢 Discover Related Topics


👍 Share This Information To:
𝕏.com Facebook Reddit

Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer

Disabled World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. You can connect with us on social media such as X.com and our Facebook page.

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/autoimmunediseases/ms/compound.php">SR1001 Compound Halts Progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)</a>

Cite This Page (APA): Scripps Research Institute. (2011, April 18). SR1001 Compound Halts Progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Disabled World. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/autoimmunediseases/ms/compound.php

Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified professional medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.