Backbone cyclic helix mimetic of chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2: a rational approach for inhibiting dimerization of G protein-coupled receptors.

The transmembrane helical bundle of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) dimerize through helix-helix interactions in response to inflammatory stimulation. A strategy was developed to target the helical dimerization site of GPCRs by peptidomimetics with drug like properties. The concept was demonstrated by selecting a potent backbone cyclic helix mimetic from a library that derived from the dimerization region of chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) that is a key player in Multiple Sclerosis.

IL-1 enhances expansion, effector function, tissue localization, and memory response of antigen-specific CD8 T cells.

Here, we show that interleukin-1 (IL-1) enhances antigen-driven CD8 T cell responses. When administered to recipients of OT-I T cell receptor transgenic CD8 T cells specific for an ovalbumin (OVA) peptide, IL-1 results in an increase in the numbers of wild-type but not IL1R1(-/-) OT-I cells, particularly in spleen, liver, and lung, upon immunization with OVA and lipopolysaccharide. IL-1 administration also results in an enhancement in the frequency of antigen-specific cells that are granzyme B(+), have cytotoxic activity, and/ or produce interferon γ (IFN-γ).