BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Allergic conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation that involves the infiltration of immune cells into the conjunctiva via cell surfaceadhesion
receptors, such as integrin α4β1. These receptors interact with adhesion molecules expressed on the conjunctival
endothelium and may be a target to treat this disease. We synthesized DS-70, a novel α/β-peptidomimetic α4 integrin antagonist,
to prevent the conjunctival infiltration of immune cells and clinical symptoms in a model of allergic conjunctivitis.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
In vitro, DS-70 was pharmacologically characterized using a scintillation proximity procedure to measure its affinity for α4β1
integrin, and its effect on cell adhesion mediated by different integrins was also evaluated. The effects of DS-70 on vascular cell
adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)-mediated degranulation of a human mast cell line and an eosinophilic cell line, which both
express α4β1, and on VCAM-1-mediated phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in Jurkat E6.1 cells were investigated. Effects of DS-70
administered in the conjunctival fornix of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs were evaluated.
KEY RESULTS
DS-70 bound to integrin α4β1 with nanomolar affinity, prevented the adhesion of α4 integrin-expressing cells, antagonized VCAM-1-
mediated degranulation of mast cells and eosinophils and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. Only 20% was degraded after an 8 h incubation
with serum. DS-70 dose-dependently reduced the clinical symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival α4 integrin expression
and conjunctival levels of chemokines and cytokines in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
These findings highlight the role of α4 integrin in allergic conjunctivitis and suggest that DS-70 is a potential treatment for this
condition.
