Abatacept decreases disease activity in a absence of CD4 .sup.+.sup. T cells in a collagen-induced arthritis model

Abatacept is a fusion protein of human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte?associated protein (CTLA)-4 and the Fc portion of human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1). It is believed to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting costimulation of T cells via blocking CD28?B7 interactions as CTLA-4 binds to both B7.1 (CD80) and B7.2 (CD86). However, the interaction of CD28 with B7 molecules is crucial for activation of naive cells, whereas it is unclear whether the action of already activated CD4 Arthritis was induced in thymectomized male DBA/1 mice by immunisation with bovine collagen type II... Mehr ...