Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disease that is closely associated with psoriasis. As a leading company in the field of autoimmune diseases and inflammation, our company is at the forefront of PsA drug and therapy development services.
Overview of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects up to 30% of cases with psoriasis and presents with a wide range of manifestations including peripheral arthritis, spondylitis, dactylitis, enthesitis, as well as skin and nail involvement. Beyond the musculoskeletal and dermatological symptoms, PsA can also lead to fatigue, physical limitations, and various comorbidities. Key players in the pathophysiology include T cells, particularly Th17 cells, which produce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-23 (IL-23). These cytokines contribute to the chronic inflammation observed in PsA, leading to joint destruction and other disease manifestations.
Fig.1 Model of pathobiology of psoriatic arthritis. (Stober C., 2021)
Therapy Discovery and Development for Psoriatic Arthritis
Therapeutic strategies for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have increased significantly in recent years, providing multiple therapy development options for the disease.
| Therapy Class | Therapies |
|---|---|
| Oral therapies | MTX, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine, leflunomide, apremilast |
| TNF inhibitors | Etanercept, infliximab, golimumab, certolizumab pegol |
| IL-12/23 inhibitor | Ustekinumab |
| IL-17A inhibitors | Secukinumab, ixekizumab |
| CTLA-4 Ig | Abatacept |
| JAK/STAT inhibitor | Tofacitinib |
| Symptomatic therapies | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, local glucocorticoid injections |
| Psoriasis therapies | Topical therapies Phototherapy Other oral therapies: retinoids IL-17R blocker: brodalumab IL-23 inhibitors: guselkumab, tildrakizumab, rizankizumabb |
| Non-pharmacological therapies | Physical therapy, occupational therapy, smoking cessation, weight loss, massage therapy, exercise |
At our esteemed organization, we take immense pride in offering a comprehensive range of services dedicated to the development of therapies for psoriatic arthritis. If you are interested in gaining further insights into our remarkable therapeutic development services, we warmly encourage you to follow the link provided below.
Our Services
To accelerate the development of PsA therapies, our company has established robust animal models and in vitro models that closely mimic the pathophysiology of the disease. Animal models, such as mouse models, allow us to study the disease mechanisms, evaluate the efficacy of potential therapies, and assess safety profiles. In addition to animal models, we utilize sophisticated in vitro models that replicate the complex cellular and molecular interactions observed in PsA.
ANKENT Spontaneous Models
Our company has worked on the ANKENT mice model, which displays ankylosing enthesitis of the ankle. These mice lack endogenous major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, leading to erosive toe and nail disease.
JunB and c-Jun Transgenic Models
One notable transgenic model we have developed involves the conditional knockout of JunB and c-Jun genes in the epidermis. This model exhibits a primarily skin phenotype but also presents with arthritis associated with new bone formation.
Amphiregulin Overexpression Models
We have successfully created a transgenic model involving the overexpression of amphiregulin in the epidermis. This model demonstrates mild signs of arthritis.
IL-23 Minicircle Overexpression Models
Our company also offers induced model development services. One notable induced model is the minicircle overexpression of IL-23. This model exhibits enthesitis, arthritis, joint destruction, and new bone formation.
Beta-glucan Induced Models
We have successfully utilized beta-glucan therapeutic in SKG mice, a model initially developed for rheumatoid arthritis. This therapeutic leads to the development of arthritis, enthesitis, and spondylitis, mimicking aspects of psoriatic arthritis.
In Vitro Models
Through our primary human keratinocyte model and co-culture models, we can investigate the immune dysregulation and intercellular interactions. Additionally, our skin organoid and joint organoid models enable us to simulate the complex tissue architecture.
Preclinical research plays a vital role in the development of novel PsA therapies, and our company is at the forefront of preclinical research services for PsA. Beyond the aforementioned repertoire of services and models, our expertise extends to crafting personalized solutions and designing disease models that impeccably align with your unique needs. If our comprehensive range of offerings has piqued your interest, we wholeheartedly encourage you to connect with us without any hesitation.
References
- Stober Carmel. "Pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis." Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology 35.2 (2021): 101694.
- Ogdie Alexis, Laura C. Coates, and Dafna D. Gladman. "Treatment guidelines in psoriatic arthritis." Rheumatology 59.Supplement_1 (2020): i37-i46.