Autoimmune Hypophysitis
Autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the pituitary gland, resulting in inflammation and dysfunction. Our company is dedicated to providing drug and therapy development services in the field of autoimmune diseases, with a specific focus on AH.
Overview of Autoimmune Hypophysitis
Autoimmune hypophysitis is characterized by inflammation of the pituitary gland, which leads to the impairment of endocrine function. In most cases, the immune system mistakenly recognizes self-antigens within the pituitary as foreign and launches an attack, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. This condition can manifest with various symptoms, including headache, visual disturbances, hormonal imbalances, and pituitary mass. AH is considered a rare disease, and its prevalence is estimated to be around 1 in 9,000 to 1 in 2,000 individuals.
Fig.1 Overview of experiments investigating the role of IFN-γ and IL-17A in primary hypophysitis. (Chalan P., et al., 2021)
Drug Discovery and Development for Autoimmune Hypophysitis
The therapeutics of autoimmune hypophysitis are primarily focused on symptom management and restoration of proper pituitary function. Glucocorticoids, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone, have been widely used as anti-inflammatory agents in the therapeutics of AH. These drugs aim to reduce the size of the pituitary mass and improve the endocrine function. Currently, there is no specific targeted therapy for AH, and therapeutic options are based primarily on treating the underlying symptoms. The primary goals of drug and therapy development for autoimmune hypophysitis are to reduce inflammation, restore hormonal balance, and alleviate symptoms.
We employ cutting-edge techniques to identify potential therapeutic targets implicated in the pathogenesis of AH. You can click on the links below to find your therapeutic development solution.
Our Services
Diagnostics development is crucial for effective therapies for autoimmune hypophysitis. Through extensive research and analysis, we strive to identify specific biomarkers that can aid in the diagnosis of AH. These biomarkers may include autoantibodies, cytokines, or other molecular markers associated with AH pathology. To further enhance our understanding of AH and facilitate preclinical research, our company specializes in the development of animal models and in vitro models that mimic the pathophysiology of the disease.
Immunization-based Rat models
Our expert team at our company can induce experimental autoimmune hypophysitis in rats by immunizing them with rat pituitary tissue emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. This approach results in focal and diffuse infiltration of mononuclear cells in the adenohypophysis.
Immunization-based Hamster models
In addition to rat models, our services also encompass the development of autoimmune hypophysitis models in hamsters. Hamsters immunized with recombinant glycoproteins from the rubella virus have shown diffuse lymphocytic infiltration throughout the adenohypophysis.
Cell-Based Models
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold immense potential for modeling autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune hypophysitis, as they can be differentiated into various cell types. Our company specializes in iPSC-based model development, where iPSCs are differentiated into pituitary-like cells.
Organoid Models
Pituitary organoids, derived from pluripotent stem cells or primary pituitary cells, offer a miniaturized and functional representation of the pituitary gland. Our company leverages cutting-edge techniques to develop pituitary organoids that closely mimic the cellular composition and physiological characteristics of the pituitary gland.
Why Choose Us?
Our team conducts comprehensive toxicology studies to assess the potential adverse effects and establish the safety margins of our compounds. In addition to the aforementioned services and models, we also provide customized solutions and develop disease models that cater specifically to your unique needs. If our services have piqued your interest, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Reference
- Chalan P., et al. "Th17 cells contribute to the pathology of autoimmune hypophysitis." The Journal of Immunology 206.11 (2021): 2536-2543.