Relapsing Polychondritis
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of cartilaginous structures throughout the body. At our company, we are dedicated to providing cutting-edge drug and therapy development services in the field of autoimmune diseases and inflammation.
Overview of Relapsing Polychondritis
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects cartilage-rich structures such as the ears, nose, joints, and respiratory tract. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation, leading to the destruction and deformity of affected cartilage. RP can also affect other organs, including the eyes, heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. In RP, the immune system mistakenly recognizes self-antigens present in cartilage as foreign, leading to an immune response. This results in the recruitment of inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils and lymphocytes, which release pro-inflammatory cytokines and cause tissue damage. The destruction of cartilage can lead to structural deformities and functional impairments.
Fig.1 Pathogenesis of relapsing polychondritis (RP). (Liu Y., et al., 2023)
Therapy Discovery and Development for Relapsing Polychondritis
The advent of biologics has provided new possibilities for cases resistant to conventional immunosuppressive therapeutics. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, rituximab, anakinra, tocilizumab, and abatacept have shown varying degrees of effectiveness in refractory RP cases. Infliximab, in particular, has demonstrated complete or partial remission in a significant number of cases. Limited experiences with other therapeutics such as 6-mercaptopurine, plasmapheresis, anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody, penicillamine, minocycline, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins, and leflunomide have been reported, but with mixed results.
Within our esteemed organization, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional services in the field of RP diagnostics and therapeutic development. If you are seeking to explore personalized therapeutic development options, we kindly invite you to follow the provided link below.
Our Services
To facilitate the preclinical evaluation of potential therapies, we develop reliable and validated animal models and in vitro models of RP. These models enable the study of disease mechanisms, the assessment of therapeutic efficacy, and the exploration of underlying molecular pathways. Our team is skilled in establishing and characterizing animal models that closely mimic the manifestations of RP.
Our company has been able to establish a model similar to relapsing polychondritis (RP) in some aspects by immunizing rats with cartilage matrix protein (matrilin-1). The rats exhibit severe inspiratory stridor, along with swollen noses and/or epistaxis.
Matrilin-1 Induced Animal Models
Through cell-based models, we recapitulate disease pathology by inducing relapsing polychondritis (RP)-like features in primary cells, cell lines, or induced pluripotent stem cells. This allows us to study immune dysregulation and evaluate the efficacy of potential interventions.
Our company generates organoids that contain chondrocyte-like cells and recapitulate the cartilage microenvironment. By exposing these organoids to inflammatory triggers or immune cells, we induce RP-like features, including inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, and tissue damage.
Our dedicated preclinical research services focus on evaluating the safety and efficacy of potential RP therapies. 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.
Reference
- Liu Yongmei, et al. "Progress and challenges in the use of blood biomarkers in relapsing polychondritis." Clinical and experimental immunology 212.3 (2023): 199-211.